A common perception is that all focus on electricity in the rail industry tends to be on track electrification of the railways. This is understandable considering that all media attention is concentrated on large civil engineering projects, such as HS2 or improvements on the Great Western, Midland Main Line or Trans-Pennine, to name a few. However, this is only one part of rail demand for electricity on rolling stock, ground equipment, mobile equipment or other infrastructure on over-ground and underground trains or urban transport (trams and light railways).

Existing track electrification in the UK comprises two separate systems. The majority of electrified track is powered by 25,000 V AC, while some of the older structures (known as “Third rail system”) operates on 660/750 V DC. Both these high voltage systems can hit the headlines, if contact with live lines result in fatalities or serious injuries from electrocution, or from electrical arcing flashing in the near vicinity of the track.

However, the majority of rail vehicles and other rail application equipment operate on low voltage electricity. This can include lighting, wall sockets, air conditioning, battery charging and fans on carriages. All such electronic equipment designed for control, regulation, protection or power supply on rail vehicles has to comply with EN50155 2007. A further standard EN50121 regulates the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of equipment on rolling stock, signalling and telecommunications to enable safe systems of work and operation.

Other low voltage (LV) uses on the rail network are numerous. These include on train stations; information systems; public address systems; ticket barrier entry systems; heating, ventilation and fire alarms; concourse power and lighting. Platform equipment can include; metering systems; track side degreasers; de-icer control equipment; signalling and surge protection; cable shielding systems; electrically operated; catering equipment; and power traction and control systems. At substations there are numerous transformers, electric switchgear, circuit breakers, isolators, converters and allied power supplies.

All these low voltage applications still carry dangers of electrocution on contact with exposed electrical equipment or appliances, which can lead to cardiac arrest, muscle, nerve and tissue damage, thermal burns (off hot surfaces) or electrical burns.

Here, at Label Source, we have supplied a selection of identification products, such as health and safety signs, safe operation signs, electrical hazard warning labels, PAT test labels, plant maintenance labels and signs, microwave oven safety labels, cable and conductor markers. Examples are 110V labels for battery systems, 230 V stickers for power lighting and wall sockets, 400 V markers for air conditioning, air compressors and battery charges, and 650 V labels for two phase signalling power supplies.

For many years, Label Source has supplied a diverse selection of labels, signs and tags for healthcare equipment and devices for medical, bioscience and clinical applications.

They include labels for function, safety and electrical (PAT) testing, calibration, validation, and asset management. Many are used for preventive maintenance,  and servicing to provide safe and effective utilisation of healthcare patient monitoring equipment, including; infusion pumps; dialysis machines; x-ray equipment; PACS (MRI, CT scanners, ultrasound etc.); blood pressure monitors; ECG machines; capnography products; spirometers; pulse oximeters; cardiac and vital sign monitors; defibrillators; microscopes; powered wheelchairs;  and treadmills.

Customers include NHS hospitals, private hospitals, care homes, dental practices, GP surgeries, clinics, laboratories and clinical research facilities for applications including monitoring, diagnostic and therapy equipment for medical electronics and electrical engineering or biomedical engineering.

Some of these labels include standard label ranges such as write and seal labels and calibration labels. Others are designed to customer specification and comply with user applications, and can combine a diverse range of information including customer details, contact information, use and safety instructions, and in the case of inventory management incorporating serial numbers or barcodes. Labels can be created to provide scratch and chemical (swab) resistant, and adhesion on many surfaces including low energy plastics and stippled finishes.

For further information contact us by e-mail at sales@labelsource.co.uk or by telephone using 0800 3761693 (Freephone) or +44 (0) 1443 842769.

What is PAT Testing?

It is a legal requirement that any electrical appliance or equipment that has the potential to cause harm is maintained. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is a test of all electrical equipment and appliances to ensure that there are no faults or damage to the appliance and that they are safe to use. A PAT Test includes a visual appliance test; most of the damages that could happen to your appliances can be picked up visually. However some of the damages could only be highlighted if you have conducted full testing. 

How frequently do you have to PAT test your appliances?

This can differ depending on the appliance that you are Pat testing. If you are testing a 230V hoist then this will need a formal inspection every week, however a desktop computer in an office may only need testing every 2-4 years.  

Should I label the appliances that have been tested?

PAT Test Labelling is useful as a way to record and monitor the lifecycle and depreciation of your assets and maintenance of your appliances. 

The items that have been tested should be labelled with a PAT test Label, these labels must contain the following information:

• Status: if the appliance passed or failed the testing
• Test Date: the date when the appliance was tested
• Inspection due date: The nest time this appliance needs to be tested

Appliances that have failed the PAT Test must be labelled “failed” and taken out of use immediately, wither to be fixed or to be replaced. You must never use faulty electrics. 

There are many variations on the PAT Test Label and Label Sources large range of PAT Test Labels are extremely durable, can last through long periods between testing without deteriorating and will stick to any surface.  

Click to view our full range of PAT Test labels, If you cant fined the specific label that you are looking for please contact us via email at info@labelsource.co.uk or call us on 0800 3761 693 and a member of our specialist team will get back to you as soon as possible,