Musician questions

 

I suspect that “test 102” refers to one of the standard tests on something like a SEWARD PAT tester.  We have a SEAWARD HAL which is basically a bench mounted PAT machine which is intended for doing end-of-line production tests. It has a series of pre-defined test sequences & associated pass/fail levels. I suspect that the OEM has simply quoted the standard test number that he uses for that product.

 

Yes. From memory I think the Robin Smartpats have standard programs 101, 102 etc

edit: just readable in this image

102 Class 1   visual check, 26A earth bond, fuse continuity, insulation, flash test, load test, earth leakage.

Of course, it might be a different instrument they have.

Sparkingchip: 

I found some good Pat labels on EBay 

Unpermitted advertising and rightly so.

Jaymack

it is normal practice to earth the audio sockets' metal outer parts to prevent danger under fault conditions.  Screened audio leads connect from mains powered appliances like combo amplifiers to things like metal microphone stands or instruments. If the screen is earthed then it should prevent mains appearing on touchable metal parts due to a fault, shocking musicians. 

I doubt that the earthing of the audio side was done with electrical safety in mind - the conductors would often be too small to reliably survive an earth fault current and Zs too unpredictable to reliably trigger ADS (especially in the pre-RCD days).

Connecting the audio side to mains PE actually has a disadvantage in that it can 'import' a fault potential from the mains side.

I believe the earthing was primarily to reduce interference on the sensitive audio circuit - in the screened cables and connectors in effect created a small Faraday cage around the circuit.

    - Andy.

From a testers point of view I would be considering the risks

• Equipment purchased, maintained and tested in-house by a theatre technician or by the owner and user is going to be low risk and unlikely to have had inappropriate modifications.
• Equipment that is hired out, but returned to the hire company if faulty for repairs is generally medium risk, however there is the possibility that it may be interfered with whilst out on site and/or abused.
• As a tester any equipment that is just being tested for an individual or company is high risk as you have no idea of what has been done to it in the way of repairs or modifications, unless there’s an adequate paper trail.
• Secondhand equipment, particularly any bought through an internet selling site has to be very high risk if it comes without a paper trail.

I would put the equipment owned by @RichMcGill in the first category low risk, anything off an internet selling site I would probably want to check far more throughly. 

Once there is a register with all the correct information in place retesting should be a doddle.

I suppose that electric stage guitarists do not need Hi-Fi quality sound, but others might, and cables matter.

The advantage of using XLR cables for demanding situations.

Z.