Ensuring that every piece of test equipment you own is performing correctly can be more vital then owning the testers themselves. Any equipment that gives incorrect readings will lead to incorrect diagnostics of the work required and could potentially lead to a major incident.
A common test many people use to ensure that their instruments are operating correctly is the “bump” test. A bump test is typically carried out before every test and involves briefly exposing the tester to gas. This brief exposure should be detected by the tester and it should react accordingly. The main advantage to bump testing is that it is quick and shows that your equipment is working before the first test of the day is performed.
The main disadvantage of bump testing is that although it will show generally whether or not your tester is functioning, it will not show how accurate the equipment is. Calibration, however, will ensure that the tester is as accurate as it can be.
Test equipment should be calibrated in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines; these can vary widely, with some equipment requiring to be calibrated every month. It is recommended to have each piece of equipment calibrated at least every 6 months.
Regular testing ensures that accidents are far less likely to happen and that if there is ever a fault due to tester failure you are protected. Calibration is typically performed by a calibration expert but bump testing can be performed by anyone.
There is no legal requirement to regularly perform calibration or bump testing but without proof of regular maintenance and upkeep of test equipment you could be found negligent if any issues ever occur.
Written by Barry Atkins at www.tester.co.uk
