News

The 1st of January 2019 was a significant date on the electrical calendar, it was the day we at last saw the implementation of the 18th Edition of the IET wiring regulations. First introduced in July 2018, changes were made across the board as chapters were redesigned, rewritten or indeed introduced for the very first time. Definitions were altered, the scope was extended, and a declaration was made concerning only using the approved parts. Beyond these amendments however, perhaps the most important difference was the emphasis placed both directly and indirectly on green energy.

From providing brand new functions, improving on the old or simply finding solutions to make the operators job easier, this year has produced some incredible new innovations in the field of test equipment. We've put together a convenient shortlist of what we believe to be the top five devices released in 2019. With such an incredible range of products available - if you work in gas, electrical or buildings sectors - we guarantee you should give these a look!

Sulphur hexafluoride – SF6 – is widely used in the electricity distribution industry in medium- and high-voltage installations such as substations, transformers and power stations. It is an odourless, colourless, non-flammable gas that acts as an insulator and prevents explosions and fires brought about by short circuits.

These qualities have made it the most common gas insulator for HV switchgear and use is increasing as a greater number of smaller generators come onto the grid. However, concern has been raised about the global warming potential of SF6 as use increases, perversely driven by increased demand for renewable energy.

On 9th August, Britain experienced one of the biggest power cuts in a decade as over 1,000,000 people were left without power across England and Wales. As well as thousands of homes going without power, the blackout also had a massive disruptive effect on transport with problems on the rail network and at Newcastle airport in addition to disruption for community facilities and businesses. But what lessons can be taken from the outage?

We are pleased to announce the launch of a brand new Safe Isolation Awareness Course delivered by Test-Meter.co.uk. The new course covers statutory requirements and is intended to teach all candidates how to electrically isolate installations during maintenance. It can be delivered at an appropriate venue of the client’s choosing and can be tailored according to any specific needs or requirements.

Test-Meter is proud to announce the launch of an all-new version of PAT-Training.co.uk. The new site is the go-to destination for PAT testing courses with an online booking tool, course information and an extensive PAT equipment shop. Take a look to see our enhanced PAT training offering with new course venues and great bundles that build on our strong track record delivering PAT testing courses across Great Britain.

A variety of different factors must be considered when designing and maintaining a safe working environment for employees. Aside from obvious risks such as heavy machinery or frequent lifting, a range of other less obvious variables can contribute to serious work-related ill health. With 25.7 million working days lost to work-related ill health in 2016/17, monitoring and controlling these variables can benefit businesses and staff by providing a safer, more comfortable workspace.

2018 has been an exciting year for test equipment with several big releases that have introduced new functionality to help technicians in their work. New products have been released in the gas, electrical and building sectors so we’ve taken a look back at the previous year and chosen our five favourite new products of 2018!

Test-Meter welcomed Seaward Electronic to Calibration House on Friday morning to conduct a free PAT Implementation and FAQs workshop for a range of participants from across Yorkshire. A class of 23 - including electricians, landlords, caretakers and PAT testing professionals - was in attendance as Seaward’s experienced tutors went through some of the main issues related to PAT testing and presented their latest PAT equipment.
 

Brand new for winter 2018, the Anton Sprint Pro flue gas analyser range contains several different instruments aimed at gas engineers in various sectors. Despite the wide choice and varied functionality, all six models share uniform advantages such as their reliable design, innovative moisture protection system, and advanced connectivity. We have summarised the key points of the range and provided a useful comparison so that technicians can choose the most appropriate analyser for their needs as winter sets in.