SEAWARD Electronic Supernova Plus User manual

Seaward Supernova Plus
Portable Appliance Tester
Instruction Manual
283A577
December 2003
© 2003 Seaward Electronic Ltd.
Issue 2

Limited Warranty & Limitation of Liability
SEAWARD Electronic Limited guarantees this product for a period of
1 year. The period of warranty will be effective from the day of
delivery.
© Copyright 2003
All rights reserved. Nothing from this edition may be multiplied, or
made public in any form or manner, either electronically,
mechanically, by photocopying, recording, or in any manner, without
prior written consent from SEAWARD Electronic Limited. This also
applies to accompanying drawings and diagrams.
Due to a policy of continuous development SEAWARD Electronic
Limited reserves the right to alter the equipment specification and
description outlined in this publication without prior notice and no part
of this publication shall be deemed to be part of any contract for the
equipment unless specifically referred to as an inclusion within such
contract.

Table of Contents
Declaration of Conformity.......................................................... 1
Before Starting........................................................................... 2
Safety ........................................................................................ 3
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCING THE TESTER ................. 5
Introduction................................................................................ 5
Your Portable Appliance Tester ................................................ 6
The Top Panel................................................................. 7
The Keyboard ............................................................................ 8
Definitions................................................................................10
Quick Reference......................................................................11
CHAPTER 2 CONNECTING THE TESTER ................ 13
CHAPTER 3 USING THE TESTER ............................. 14
Introduction..............................................................................14
Fast Key Menus....................................................................... 15
How to.... .......................................................................15
How to perform Automatic Tests .............................................16
Re –Test Period ............................................................ 17
Test Settings .................................................................18
Default Sequence.......................................................... 19
Use Testcodes ..............................................................22
Options after Test..........................................................27
Abort Actions.................................................................29
How to use the Meter Display ................................................. 30
How to view Test Results ........................................................ 33
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Table of Contents
Appliance Number......................................................... 33
Site Name...................................................................... 33
Location Name .............................................................. 34
User Name .................................................................... 34
Test Status .................................................................... 35
Storage Status .............................................................. 35
Date From ..................................................................... 35
Date To.......................................................................... 35
Search ........................................................................... 36
Search Result................................................................ 36
Entering Manual Mode .................................................. 38
Re –Test Period ............................................................ 40
Performing a Manual Test............................................. 41
Destination .................................................................... 46
Output Connection ........................................................ 47
Baud Rate ..................................................................... 47
Download Format.......................................................... 47
Appliance Number......................................................... 50
Location Name ............................................................. 50
User Name .................................................................... 51
Test Status .................................................................... 51
Storage Status .............................................................. 51
Date To.......................................................................... 52
Search ........................................................................... 52
How to print Barcode Labels and Testcodes .......................... 52
To Print Barcode Pass/Fail Labels................................ 53
To print barcode testcodes ........................................... 53
Edit Test Settings .......................................................... 54
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Table of Contents
Edit Site List .................................................................. 60
Edit Location List........................................................... 61
Change Date / Time ...................................................... 62
Edit Phone Book List..................................................... 62
Change Password......................................................... 66
Set Brightness............................................................... 66
Factory Settings ............................................................ 66
View Memory Used .......................................................67
Perform Memory Test ................................................... 67
Delete Single Appliance ................................................ 68
Clear Upload Memory ................................................... 69
How to upload..........................................................................69
How to change the User..........................................................70
Help Provided to the User ............................................. 71
The effect of User Levels during Test Sequences........ 72
CHAPTER 4 TIPS & TROUBLESHOOTING............... 73
Power-On Self tests: ............................................................... 73
Safety Tests during operation .................................................74
Temperature monitoring .......................................................... 75
Multiple Earth connections: ..................................................... 76
Barcodes .................................................................................76
Downloading to Computer Software ....................................... 77
CHAPTER 5 MAINTAINING THE TESTER ................ 79
Cleaning the Tester .................................................................79
User Maintenance ................................................................... 80
CHAPTER 6 ACCESSORIES...................................... 81
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Table of Contents
Standard Accessories ............................................................. 81
Optional Accessories............................................................... 82
CHAPTER 7 SPECIFICATIONS.................................. 83
Earth Bond Test ...................................................................... 83
Earth Screen Test ................................................................... 83
Insulation Test ......................................................................... 84
Substitute Leakage Test.......................................................... 84
Flash Test................................................................................ 84
Leakage................................................................................... 85
Touch Leakage........................................................................ 85
Power Tests............................................................................. 85
IEC Lead Test.......................................................................... 85
Mechanical .............................................................................. 86
Environmental.......................................................................... 86
APPENDIX A PURPOSE OF TESTS .......................... 87
Earth Bond Test ...................................................................... 87
Earth Screen Test ................................................................... 87
Insulation Test ......................................................................... 88
Substitute Leakage Test.......................................................... 88
Flash Test................................................................................ 89
IEC Lead Test.......................................................................... 89
Powered Tests ........................................................................ 90
Leakage Test........................................................................... 91
Touch Leakage Test................................................................ 91
Operation Test......................................................................... 92
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Table of Contents
APPENDIX B REFERENCE INFORMATION.............. 93
Factory-set Test Sequences ................................................... 93
Testcode Tables...................................................................... 95
v

Declaration of Conformity
Declaration of Conformity
for the
Seaward Supernova Plus Portable Appliance Tester
Manufactured by:
Seaward Electronic Ltd, Bracken Hill, South West Industrial Estate
Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 2SW, England
Millennium Statement
This product is Millennium compliant, and conforms fully to the
document BSI DISC PD2000-1.
Statement of Conformity
Based on test results using appropriate standards, the product is in
conformity with Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 89/336/EEC
and Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC
Standards used:
EN 61010-1 (1993) Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for
Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use
EN 50081-1 (1992) Electromagnetic Compatibility. Generic Emission
Standard: EN55022 Class B
EN 50082-1 (1992) Electromagnetic Compatibility. Generic Immunity
Standard: IEC1000-4-2, -4-3, -4-4, -4-5
The tests have been performed in a typical configuration.
This Conformity is indicated by the symbol , i.e. “Conformité
Européenne
1

Before Starting
Before Starting
1. Check that all the component parts are present:-
• Seaward Supernova Plus Tester
• Earth bond lead
• Flash probe
• 115V Adaptor (UK only)
• Dual serial port adaptor
• Instruction Manual
• PATSLite software disc
• Computer download lead
2. Read the operating instructions fully before conducting any
tests.
3. Contact Seaward Electronic if you need information on
training for Portable Appliance Testing.
4. Data may be lost or altered in virtually any electronic
memory under certain circumstances. Therefore Seaward
Electronic assumes no responsibility for financial losses or
claims due to data lost or otherwise rendered unusable
whether as a result of abuse, improper use, defects,
disregard of operating instructions or procedures, or any
other allied causes.
5. Seaward Electronic reserve the right to update the software
in instruments returned to themselves for repair or
otherwise, without notifying the customer previously.
Seaward Electronic Limited can be contacted at:
Bracken Hill
South West Industrial Estate
Peterlee
Co. Durham
SR8 2SW
Tel : [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
2

Safety
Safety
Note
Please read the following Safety Instructions before use !
Safety Precautions
The manual contains specific warning and caution statements where
they apply.
A Warning will identify the conditions and actions that pose
hazard(s) to the user.
A caution will identify the conditions and actions that may
damage the Tester.
Symbols used within this manual and on the Tester are shown below:
Risk of electric shock
Warning of potential
hazard
Conformité Européenne
Use of the instrument in a manner not specified may impair safety.
Read the following safety information carefully before attempting to
operate the instrument.
3

Safety
Warning
Due to the potential hazards associated with any
electrical circuit it is important that the user is familiar
with the instructions covering the capabilities and
operation of this instrument. The user should ensure
that all reasonable safety precautions are followed and if
any doubt exists should seek advice before proceeding.
This product is designed for use by suitably trained
competent personnel and should be operated strictly in
accordance with the instructions supplied.
Failure to comply with these instructions may expose the user to
electrical hazard
This Tester performs a number of electrical tests which involve high
voltages and high currents. Never touch the appliance being tested,
or the test leads, whilst a test is in progress.
Always check all test leads for signs of damage prior to use. Never
use damaged or defective leads.
Always ensure the mains supply to the Tester provides an adequate
earth.
This manual contains information and warnings, which must be
heeded to ensure user safety during operation. It is essential that
this manual is read fully before proceeding with any tests.
Should the Tester behave abnormally do not continue with the
testing. Disconnect immediately and contact Seaward Electronic for
servicing (see Chapter 5 - Maintaining the Tester).
4

Introduction
Chapter 1 Introducing the Tester
Introduction
The Seaward Supernova Plus Portable Appliance Tester is a
powerful tool to assist in the analysis of the safety of portable
electrical and electronic equipment. A range of tests are provided,
with innovative features to aid difficult test situations, which allow
testing of a wide variety of equipment.
The Tester is designed to be easy to use, and also includes the
following innovative features: -
• Stores up to 2400 results including appliances, location, site, date
and time in non-volatile flash memory
• Accurate earth bond and leakage measurement even when
multiple earth paths exist
• Full QWERTY keyboard with fast keys.
• Full graphics display, Real-time clock
• Connects to PC, Barcode reader and printer
• Software adjusts the user interface to differing levels of expertise
• Auto testcode generation
• Fast Start-up
• Super fast download up to 10 times quicker than existing testers
5

Your Portable Appliance Tester
Your Portable Appliance Tester
Item Number Part
1 Supernova Plus Tester
2 Earth bond lead
3 115V Adapter (UK only)
4 Flash probe
5 Instruction manual
6 PATSLite software disc
7 Computer download lead
8 Dual serial port adaptor
6

The Top Panel
Item Number Part
1 110V/115V socket
2 230V socket
3 Class 2 Flash Probe connector
4 Remote Probe sense socket
5 Earth Bond lead connector
6 IEC Lead connector
7 Fuses
8 Indicators for selected sockets and mains on.
7

The Keyboard
The Keyboard
Item Number Part
1 LCD
2 Alpha-numeric Keyboard
3 Cursor keys
4 Green / Red keys
5 Fast keys
6 RS232 port
7 Parallel port
The user is provided with a 320 x 240 1/4 VGA Graphical Liquid
Crystal Display (LCD). The keyboard consists of an alpha-numeric
keyboard, together with specific function keys. To the bottom of the
keyboard are five function keys which allow the user fast access to
options displayed on the Display
There are four cursor keys used to navigate the menus.
To the bottom of the keyboard are the two main function keys which
perform execute and cancel function as well as Start and Stop.
8

The Supernova Plus also has the ability to use non-standard
characters, which can be displayed by pressing the ‘Symbols’ key
during text entry. Simply use the cursor keys to highlight the required
character and press the Green button. You can also use numeric
keys 1-9 to move you to extreme points of the symbol matrix.
The Shift can also be used when editing text
Shift and Result
Left key Go to start of line
Right key Go to end of line
Up key Go to start of text
Down key Go to end of text
Delete key Delete character under cursor
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Definitions
Definitions
Equipment Under Test The electrical / electronic apparatus
(EUT) which is the subject of testing.
Powered Tests - The EUT is supplied with mains voltage, with
measurement being taken of leakage
currents.
Fast keys - The keys with symbols to the left of the
keyboard. These are used to select menu
options displayed on the screen.
Tester - The Seaward Supernova Plus Portable
Appliance Tester
Un-powered Tests - The EUT is the subject of electrical tests
using stimuli generated within the Tester.
The EUT is not provided with mains power.
User - The test technician using the Tester to
perform tests on a EUT
10

Quick Reference
Quick Reference
Editing the date in all modes
On delivery of the Supernova Plus it is necessary to ensure that the
correct date and time are stored. Once stored the date/time is
retained in memory and does not need to be entered again. To edit
the date: from the MAIN MENU select SETUP, select, CHANGE
DATE/TIME, use the cursor keys to highlight the digit to be changed.
To store the changed time/date setting, return to the MAIN MENU.
The unit will then display the message STORING SYSTEM DATA.
Entering a User Name
On delivery of Supernova Plus it is necessary to ensure that a user
name(s) is stored. To edit the user list: from the MAIN MENU select
SETUP, select EDIT USER LIST / OPTIONS, use the cursor keys
and select a name. Press the Green button to display the "EDIT
USER SETTINGS" screen. Press the Green button to edit the NAME,
use the keyboard to type in the desired name and press the Green
button to enable the OK Fast key. To save the changes and return to
the previous menu select the OK fast key.
Storing Appliance Test Results in Automatic mode
The Appliance Test Results will not be stored until you leave the
COMMENTS screen after a test. Select the OK fast key to leave the
COMMENTS screen. When storing results the message STORING
RESULTS is displayed.
Storing Appliance Test Results in Manual mode
The Appliance Test Results will not be stored until a Manual
Appliance Sequence has been completed. To do this first press the
letter A on the key pad, this will prompt you for an Appliance number,
enter this and press the Green button twice (if the Site and Location
do not require to be changed). Perform the tests required then press
the letter C on the key pad, this will prompt you to enter COMMENTS,
select the OK Fast key to store the results. When storing results the
message STORING RESULTS is displayed.
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Quick Reference
Storing System Data
System Data consists of everything changed from within the SETUP
MENU. To store the System Data return to the MAIN MENU from the
SETUP MENU. The unit will then display the message STORING
SYSTEM DATA. This will only be done if changes have been made, if
no changes have been made then the system data will not be
updated.
Using Symbols in Text Fields
Although there is an option to use non-ASCII symbols for Appliance
numbers, Site names, Location names, User names and Comments
there is no guarantee that your computer software will support them.
If you are unsure avoid using symbols.
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