Electrical Testing in the field

[oldtimer]

I created a quick check sheet ie fill in the boxes then do the paperwork when I get home

 

[plugsandsparks]

If its domestic, i.e. clean i take my laptop and enter the details directly on site. If its commercial i may do the same unless i have limited time for access to circuits, in which case i use a simple clipboard and pen and key in the data at home. If its industrial i have a plastic bag over the tester and have to use pen and paper as any electronic device would get mullered with the *hit places i get myself into.
They say where theres muck theres brass....... mmmm

 

[Dean Williams]

all i do is testing, i have a laptop where i can enter info in the field but i prefer to hand write everything first, i like to make little notes, draw little pictures etc. ive done it that way for 8 years and it works for me.

 

[sparks1973]

i just grab owt to hand...bit of paper...cardboard...owt....copy it down neat later...both my MFTs have the ability to download....never used it though...the download facility that is....

 

[ferg]

I use pen and paper onsite and enter the data at home.
I wouldn't want the worry of damaging a laptop for the sake of a few minutes at home in front of the pc with a coffee and a smoke.

Possibly I would consider using a small cheap and cheerful tablet but I think that it would be more hassle than its worth given the limitations of a small touchscreen device.

I've actually just bought one for storing my reference material on and using as a diary etc.
It hasn't arrived yet so I cant comment on how easy it would be to use with such software.
My intention is to try and use it for filling in certs with existing free software but I'm pretty sure the device will show it's limitations fairly quickly.

 

[Des 56]

When testing,I capture the data with the Biro tool
The insertion method for the Biro tool is pretty good,although presentation quality is dependant, to a large extent,on the speed the biro tool is operated

It does not, however, have a back up,if the ink cartridges runs out,it means a completely new Biro tool

The Biro tool can also be easily and quickly stored on a computer (as long as there is a ledge to stop it falling off)
Many have tried to improve its function,but none have succeeded

 

[Kamikaze]

Ease of use and simplicity should be the fundamental musts of any on-site testing software. It is the preoccupation of possible copyright and licensing infringements together with the obsession of dropdown lists, little warning boxes that pop up every time the software does not like a data entry which hampers most if not all testing software. We don’t need to know the life story of a particular item every time the curser hovers over it. It should be all about speed of data entry and the ease of transfer from the mobile device on site to the computer in the office. The mobile device does not need to validated the data since that should be done by another person anyway unless you’re a sole trader of course. The ability to copy and past entire lines of data would be extremely useful as a lot of information is repetitive. Into the circuit description box one should be able to enter several lines of information if required. Limiting the box to lets say 15 characters like in AMTEC is just hopeless.
You crack all the points raised above and I want to be your manager. This time next year we will be millionaires.

 

[oldtimer]

all i do is testing, i have a laptop where i can enter info in the field but i prefer to hand write everything first, i like to make little notes, draw little pictures etc. ive done it that way for 8 years and it works for me.

Yep I agree as I said I fill in my quick checksheet ie fill the boxes in then back home with a beer to do the docs. Also a lot of techies thinks that a laptop on site is the biz but to be honest you have enough gear to lug about with you the last thing you need is a laptop that you could drop and smash or get it stolen plus how long would it last exposed to site conditions ?

 

[Farmelectrics]

It sounds a great idea good luck with it of all the latest testers I've yoused recently and with the soft ware aswell you still can't get away from the pen and pad method

 

[ferg]

I might just be being daft here, certainly wouldn't be the first or last time, but what is preventing the use of existing office software and a lappy for this purpose?
Just an extension of des56's method.

Why the need for expensive 3rd party software in the first place?