We provide support in all aspects of electrical, electronics and
instrumentation requirements of the Department. This includes purchase of
components, installation of sensors and instruments, repair of
instruments, operator/testing service and building new
instruments/apparatus for research and teaching. Advising on electrical
safety is also an important part of our work.
Electrical Safety (PAT intervals)
All new electrical equipment or any other electrical equipment brought into the Department for the first time must be registered with the Electronics Section and may require PATesting (Portable Appliance Testing) before use. Equipment is PATested for user safety at regular intervals and is then labelled. The user of any equipment should inform Electronics whenever the equipment is due for PATtesting. We should also be informed when equipment is moved from one room to another or is taken out of the Department so that our database can be updated. We can also advise on the safety of electrical items or apparatus before, during and after installation.
Equipment Database
Information about all electrical/electronics instruments in the Department is kept on a database. The database contains information such as service history, location, spares, technical specification etc. The Section has an extensive stock of electronics components and some sensors and equipment. Equipment can be loaned out and stored back in Electronics after use.
Repairs
Electronics Section can carry out repair of electrical apparatus or instruments. We can also make arrangements for repair with an outside company whenever necessary. When equipment is brought into Electronics Section, please complete a decontamination form if the equipment has been in contact with a chemical or biological hazard.
Test Equipment design and manufacture
We can design and manufacture various types of test equipment and apparatus. We can also interface equipment to a PC for data logging and write data logging software using packages such as Labview.
Instrument and Analysis Service
Electronics section also provides operation, training and testwork support for departmental equipment such as DSC, Micromeritics BET, Bohlin rheometer and Coulter particle analysers. There is small charge for the use of this equipment to cover yearly service and maintenance costs.
Wiring of sensors and instruments
We can carry out wiring of all types of sensors such as thermocouples and pressure transducers and can carry out installation of instruments and equipment. The Section has calibration facilities for temperature and pressure.