NEW TEST CELL CONFIGURATION ENABLES AMPY TO MEET INTERNATIONAL COMPLIANCE
Ampy manufactures a range of innovative power meters that are linked to the mains supply to 
measure and record the amount of electricity consumed in domestic, commercial and industrial premises. The company is a world leader in the manufacture of pre-paid electricity meters installed by utility companies and has also developed a range of intelligent meters that allow the energy supplier to monitor electricity consumption remotely.
As part of an investment programme in new processes at its UK plant, Ampy has installed a new automated test system that combines enhanced production line throughput with demanding international standards compliance and quality control requirements. Importantly the new streamlined process links product function and calibration testing with a new integrated test cell developed around Clare Instruments’ Hal advanced production line test system. In the new test set-up, combined function, calibration and soak testing of newly assembled product is carried out on separate batches of power meters at the same time. After this initial check, the meters are then loaded onto a conveyor that uses optical product recognition to correctly align the enclosures before they enter the Hal test cell. The test cell comprises a Hal test unit that is specifically designed to meet compliance testing and data traceability demands associated with modern quality assurance and safety standards.
Supplied by Paxton Instruments and part of Clare’s range of digital test instruments, the powerful Hal unit is capable of carrying out AC or DC flash testing with programmable options for test voltages, ramping times, leakage limits and other parameters allowing complex test sequences to be generated safely and effectively. In the new Ampy installation, image recognition sensors and actuators identify and detect the meters as they enter the test cell. Once detected the actuators locate the test pins onto the meter and the Hal then automatically sequences through the appropriate flash/Hipot and earth/ground bond tests for the particular product. The whole test sequence is PLC controlled. Pre-configured test sequences are stored in the Hal in keeping with the various international compliance specifications and standards required for the worldwide distribution of different Ampy products. Electrical safety testing is completed in around 7 or 8 seconds per item with failed p
