EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
(OP)
Hello all,
I have been tasked with redesigning our electrical test area for our engineers. I am personally a mechanical engineer and know nothing about such testing, and the electrical engineers have not been able to give me any sound feedback as to how they would like their work area oriented/configured.
Some of the primary test equipment includes power supplies (AC/DC), load banks, and then your standard multimeters and other hand held measurement tools. Currently, most equipment is on rolling carts but we are trying to find a way to consolidate equipment to save space as well as make the area operate more efficiently.
Does anyone have experience and/or pictures of a world class lab layout? I need to make something clean and organized which is conducive to testing. This is primarily a configuration issue. I can not hang shelving from the walls because the walls are not strong enough (the entire room is more of a sectioned of partition, a glorified cubicle if you will) so any shelving/benches must be freestanding with posts.
Feedback is appreciated.
I have been tasked with redesigning our electrical test area for our engineers. I am personally a mechanical engineer and know nothing about such testing, and the electrical engineers have not been able to give me any sound feedback as to how they would like their work area oriented/configured.
Some of the primary test equipment includes power supplies (AC/DC), load banks, and then your standard multimeters and other hand held measurement tools. Currently, most equipment is on rolling carts but we are trying to find a way to consolidate equipment to save space as well as make the area operate more efficiently.
Does anyone have experience and/or pictures of a world class lab layout? I need to make something clean and organized which is conducive to testing. This is primarily a configuration issue. I can not hang shelving from the walls because the walls are not strong enough (the entire room is more of a sectioned of partition, a glorified cubicle if you will) so any shelving/benches must be freestanding with posts.
Feedback is appreciated.





RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
Typically a test bench would have an upper shelf where all the test gear is arranged. The Unit Under Test (UUT) typically sits on the lower surface. Most test leads and cables are about three feet long, so the primary test equipment clusters in the middle. Power supplies can be towards the side, but if they have displays or meters, then should be within view. Test cables are leads hang in a special holder at one end.
Tools can be in a tool chest off to one side. The EE will make a pile of tools beside the UUT.
EE test bench should have ESD grounding points for the wrist straps. Your policies may vary.
RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
Equipment borrowing, however, is nearly impossible to eliminate, since no one in their right mind would invest in a full complement of equipment per bench, or even per bay, simply because the ROI would be pathetic.
Obviously, another big question is how busy are the labs. We tend to go in fits and spurts, which is another reason to minimize available equipment, particularly if they're idle 75% of the time. One approach is to use the same paradigm as the US Army, i.e., be able to fight two wars simultaneously, while supporting a couple of minor engagements and skirmishes elsewhere.
TTFN
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RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
You may want to ask that the boxes and conduit be installed above the benches, so you don't have to crawl on hands and knees under the benches to reach the outlets at the normal standard elevation of 14-ish inches from the floor.
There are several related problems here.
If you ask for the outlets to be at some other height, e.g. elevated somehow, the next standard dimension they will use is 48". This is a huge problem for workbenches, because it puts the outlet elevation dead center at the height of the riser shelves, so you can't push the benches against the wall, or even near it.
Note also that wall switches are customarily installed at 48" off the floor, again clashing with riser shelves.
So, ideally, there are three elevations where you might want to install outlets and possibly switches:
60" above floor level, well above the risers.
54" afl, just a bit above the risers.
42" afl, above the bench and below the riser
OR, if you can't budge the stupid electrician, e.g. because of union rules or some such foo, consider installing outlet strips along the _bottom_ surface of each workbench top, 6" back from the front face, where you can at least reach the plugs to remove them, and not interfere much with clamping stuff to the front edge of the bench. If you want drawers under the benches, then you'd want outlet strips only where there are no drawers, of course.
One other problem; merely asking is not enough.
Since electrical installation plans typically include only a plan view with no dimensions, these elevations are hard-wired into electricians' minds by years of repetition. If you want anything different, you will need detailed riser diagrams of each and every wall, with dimensions showing where you want everything.
... at least that's how I'll do it if I ever get to lay out a lab again.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
Here's a rather neater bench:
RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
Seriously, the one devolves into the other, as test sequences evolve, and you are forced to rearrange the test instruments so that all the necessary test leads will reach the UUT while remaining short and direct enough to not degrade the test data.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
The late Jim Williams' work bench.
RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
I have ALWAYS been very successful in doing this....
RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
RE: EE testing lab - configuration suggestions
ONLY once and I learned!!