Seaward Group (Seaward Electronic Ltd.) - Experts & Thought Leaders

Investment in advanced technology is helping an electrical contracting business to complete rapid PAT (portable appliance testing) protocols, as part of an intensive professional customer-focused service. Plymouth-based Plym PAT Testing provides specialist PAT testing services for landlords, caravan park owners and operators, letting agencies, hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, retail stores, schools and colleges across southwest England, completing inspection and safety checks annually on tens of thousands of appliances, such as electrical kettles, dishwashers, cookers, microwaves, office equipment and PCs within domestic and commercial properties. Electrical safety responsibilities The Apollo 600+ undertakes all of the electrical safety tests required by the 5th Edition of the IET Code of Practice As part of its ongoing investment in improving operations, Plym has equipped its team of field test engineers and sub-contractors with eight Apollo 600+ Elite test kits from Seaward. This is part of a strategy to ensure that customers can comply with their electrical safety responsibilities as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. The Apollo 600+ undertakes all of the electrical safety tests required by the 5th Edition of the IET Code of Practice, with the instrument automatically sequencing through the required tests. This can include earth continuity, insulation resistance, protective conductor current, touch current, IEC lead polarity and RCD trip times. PATGuard 3 PC software program Test results are recorded in the instrument’s internal memory and the .GAR data files are downloaded via the PATGuard 3 PC software program to produce test and inspection confirmation certificates and reports ‘flawlessly’, according to Plym’s owner, Mark Bramwell, who has been using Seaward testers for almost a decade. After completing their test schedules, engineers can send the test results back to the office remotely for inclusion in client databases and create personalized documents with the company’s branding and additional information. This approach enables PAT test specialists, such as Plym to establish professional working practices and standards across their customer networks, delivering a fully automatic and integrated time-saving electrical safety testing system. Types of electrical work Mark Bramwell said the flexibility, ease, and speed of the Apollo 600+ testers overcomes time pressures Mark Bramwell said the flexibility, ease, and speed of the Apollo 600+ testers, which are also used for occasional FATs (Fixed Appliance Testing) and risk assessment work, overcomes time pressures and minimizes disruption to the daily activity of customers. Mark Bramwell said, "As a business, we work across a diverse range of sectors, environments, and locations carrying out all types of electrical work including appliance testing upwards of 100,000 items each year. The Apollo is a robust, capable, and easy-to-carry tester – I wouldn’t use any other machine. It has a range of excellent features and produces pass/fail results immediately with the ability to add on-the-spot remedial comments and recommendations." PAT testers and accessories Plym’s responsibility to customers across the southwest region means that it must carry out all testing as efficiently as possible, but without compromising the validity or integrity of the safety testing process. "Consistency and reliability are essential in meeting this challenge," said Mark Bramwell, adding "The use of the Apollo 600+ Elite kits ensures that we can provide a totally trustworthy and traceable record-keeping and documentation system. In this respect, our ability to develop professional and highly organized working practices, with advanced test technology at its center, is contributing directly to the successful growth and reputation of our business." Plym PAT Testing has worked with Seaward over a number of years, ensuring that the PAT testers and accessories continue to meet its needs. For example, it has upgraded its test instruments with the latest firmware to meet the 5th Edition of the IET Code of Practice requirements and uses customized QR code labels for automatic appliance identification and test specification setup. PATGuard 3 test results Mark Bramwell continues: "We value our relationship with Seaward and our feedback is always helpful in ensuring that test technology continues to evolve to meet the needs of specialist electrical contractors like us and is used to its full potential." The Apollo 600+ tester and PATGuard 3 test results management software forms part of a comprehensive range of Seaward PAT instruments, accessories and software that have been specifically designed to meet the needs of electrical safety duty-holders in all workplaces.

Electrical test and measurement company - Seaward is racing ahead after announcing a new deal to sponsor the development of a solar-powered electric race car. The Peterlee Company is linking-up with Sweden’s Chalmers Solar Team in a move that will see it provide a PV200 solar PV installation tester, as part of a Gold level sponsorship and vehicle branding package for the 2023 season. It is the first commercial tie-up of its kind for Seaward and comes as Chalmers finalizes its plans for the forthcoming Bridgestone World Solar Challenge – the world's largest solar cell car competition. Seaward sponsors solar-powered electric race car The project’s design and engineering team are set to use the portable multi-function PV200 Taking place every two years, the event will feature dozens of solar cars racing more 3000 kilometers between the Australian cities of Darwin and Adelaide this October. Each vehicle is being engineered, built and driven by teams from schools and universities from across the globe, including the Chalmers Solar team based in Gothenburg. The project’s design and engineering team are set to use the portable multi-function PV200 to check and assess the performance of each 100V capacity solar panel used to power the car. These are being mounted on an aerodynamic vehicle chassis and will be comprehensively tested to ensure they are safe to use and perform to their maximum capacity. Solar panels to be used by top solar racing teams The cells selected for the project have been specifically designed to be used by top solar racing teams and can produce an extra 25% - 35% more power, when compared to conventional panels. The sponsorship supports Seaward’s ambition to develop further its presence in the global PV solar sector and comes on the back of a new sustainability push for the Group. Develop global solar test solutions Christopher Coates, Business Development Manager – Solar at Seaward, said the initiative links the company to the renewables sector and comes as it continues to develop its global solar test solutions. He said, “We wanted to share and support Chalmers’ ambitions to drive innovation in the solar cell sector and so were keen to help them out for the forthcoming season with our testers. They are at the leading-edge of technology in their sector and appreciate that sponsorship deals like this are critical for their development and progress. We wish them the best of luck in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.” Chalmers Solar Team Chalmers is a student-driven, non-profit project that works to improve sustainable mobility Founded in 2018, Chalmers is a student-driven, non-profit project that works to improve sustainable mobility through solar powered electric cars. Avanish Raj, Electrical Lead at Chalmers Solar Team, said: “We are very grateful to Seaward and we can’t overstate how important relationships like this are to the success of our plans. It’s a massive help; we’re delighted to have a brand leader feature on our car and look forward to using the PV200 and seeing the relationship blossom through what we anticipate to be a successful racing season.” Battery-operated multi-function PV200 Combining accurate I-V curve analysis with essential electrical testing and using a push button operation, the battery-operated multi-function PV200 undertakes all the electrical commissioning tests required by IEC 62446. These include open circuit voltage, short circuit current, maximum power point voltage, current and power, and insulation resistance.  Alongside the electrical tests, the instrument can also perform I-V curve measurements in accordance with IEC 61829 to determine if the measured curve deviates from the expected profile, highlighting the need for any further analysis or fault finding. The fill factor of PV systems can also be assessed. The PV200 forms part of a comprehensive range of Seaward solar PV testing equipment.

A US custom and historic restoration lighting specialist has significantly reduced the time taken to complete electrical safety testing following investment in a Seaward HAL 104 tester. Virginia-based Crenshaw Lighting has been designing and fabricating a wide range of lighting systems, which include bespoke chandeliers, pendants, sconce, flush mount and stanchion products and diffusers, for over 65 years. Many of these products are installed in some of the country’s most well known commercial, heritage and residential properties, including the New York Stock Exchange, the US Supreme Court and several state capital buildings. Power measurement readings In 2022, the company invested in a HAL 104 to improve the verification of the electrical safety of upwards of the 200 units manufactured weekly at its factory in Floyd before they are distributed to customers. In 2022, the company invested in a HAL 104 to improve the verification of the electrical safety Replacing two separate testers, the move to use the single HAL 104 has seen improvements in the way products are currently checked for signs of electrical leakage, secure wiring and the maintenance of internal integrity. It provides power measurement readings with a resolution of 0.2VA below 1000VA and simultaneously performs continuity and ground/earth bond tests alongside AC/DC Hipot (FLASH/Dielectric Strength). Power consumption levels This ensures the company’s products guarantee the quality, performance and reliability required and are compliant with UL1598, which specifies the safety standards lighting manufacturers in the United States must achieve. It also ensures compliance with the Association of Standardization and Certification (ANCE) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Function testing can also be carried out to check lighting effectively switches on/off and performs correctly at the required power consumption levels and that any ancillary equipment operates in accordance with technical specifications. Quality control standards Our new approach built around the HAL 104 has seen our test capabilities move to the next level" Matthew Vest, laboratory manager, said testing programs that previously took on average five minutes to complete per unit are now undertaken in half the time thanks to the HAL. He added: “Our new approach built around the HAL 104 has seen our test capabilities move to the next level. It not only ensures the electrical safety of all of our products, but also helps us to maintain rigorous product performance and quality control standards. In doing so, we have significantly cut the time it takes to complete a test as we continue to ramp up our production capacity to meet strong customer demand.” Multiple test sequences Following on screen instructions throughout, the operator activates the testing and the HAL 104 automatically runs through multiple test sequences according to the type and specification of the unit under test. The operator activates the testing and the HAL 104 automatically runs through multiple test sequences “The combination of automatic sequencing of testing and step-by-step on-screen instructions has reduced the technical training required by operatives,” said Matthew Vest. “This enables me to devote time to other duties while the tester’s quick set-up and ease-of-use allows other people within the company to effectively carry out product testing.” Compliance testing protocols Lighting manufacturers such as Crenshaw can complete end-of-line tests with the additional benefit of functionality testing of the operation of the equipment, ensuring not only a safe product but consistent quality control throughout the production process. Test results are stored automatically by the HAL 104, offering full traceability. This ensures all products are proven to be quality assured before leaving the premises. Crenshaw plans to use this data as it continues to upgrade its compliance testing protocols to produce an enhanced test record of all manufactured units in the event of any damage during distribution, or to track and trace any product returns. Automated manufacturing systems The tester can be integrated into automated manufacturing systems with selectable sensors  The HAL 104 combines the performance of a multi-function production line safety tester with power measurement for product energy consumption. The tester can be integrated into automated manufacturing systems with selectable sensors and can be controlled using a PC, either using Seaward’s own software solution or by means of a command protocol. A graphic display presents information either in a numerical or analog format while a powerful internal memory allows the storage of up to 6,000 test results and up to 50 configurable test routines. The instrument can also be interfaced with a variety of accessories, to improve both safe working and efficiency, including Bar Code scanners and Safety warning beacons.