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The process of testing electrical equipment is often referred to as Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), although the process is officially recognized as In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. PAT methodology consists of a variety of tests, due to the range of types of electrical devices that are found in workplaces and other environments. The system of testing electrical equipment for safety has evolved from the use of a simple placard to more advanced technologies, including the use of barcodes.

The essentials of electrical equipment testing include an examination of the internal and external circuitry as well as an assessment of the environment in which the equipment will be used. The testing criteria will depend on the frequency of usage and the potential for hazards to employees and others who may be in the proximity of the electrical device. Variations in the level of sophistication relative to wiring systems has resulted in different test procedures, yet the results of such tests must always be displayed and readily visible.

The function of displaying the safety status of electrical devices includes various factors. The current status of a device is included in the information that is displayed on a test label, as is the testing entity’s contact information. Additionally, the date of the most recent test as well as the next scheduled test date will be included. All of this information is archived so as to provide a record of the safe operation of the device as well as any repairs or improvements that were required.

The history of an electrical device may be archived in the form of a log book or maintenance journal. It may also be stored in a database using barcodes. This technological advance has provided a more extensive means of recording relative information about not only the safety history of a device but its manufacturer identification codes, or product codes. This electronic system of data storage can be an advantage where a test label with barcodes may be more practical than a hand-written or typed test label.

Testing labels that use barcodes for identification and record archiving often include printed information in those cases where both forms of display are readily accessible for inspection. The option to access barcodes addresses the inclusion of newer code-scanners that are being employed. This system of recording test results and other information allows for completion of certain tasks during an inspection in a shorter amount of time, as well as a more reliable means of storing such information, in most cases.

Barcodes are most practical in those situations in which test labels may only be affixed in areas that inhibit accessibility. The electrical device can still be tested, yet may not provide an area sufficient to display the test label in such a way that the label is readily visible. The visibility of a test label is critical in order that the status of a machine or instrument can be assessed without searching for information. This is especially critical in environments where risk factors are considered to be high, as in certain manufacturing processes.

So you want to know how barcode scanners work. Well, we first want to narrow down which type of barcode scanner we are talking about. There are many types of barcode scanners from laser scanners, CCD barcode scanners, imager type scanners, and more. Our first focus will be on how a CCD barcode scanner works.

The CCD barcode scanner is a scanner that has no moving parts. CCD stands for Charged-Coupled Devise Scanner. The scanner has a light source that when pointed to an object or barcode, it illuminates that image. The image is usually a barcode. Once the barcode is illuminated, a reflection is created and the barcode scanner reads that image.

How does the barcode scanner read the image? Well, there is a linear photodiode within the scanner head. This photodiode can read the reflected light off the lines on the barcode. This reflection is a digital image that is then scanned electronically within the devise. When the image is scanned electronically, each bar on the barcode is converted to the corresponding number or letter.

The barcode scanner is connected to a PC or Mac and the CCD scanner then sends the sequence of numbers and/or letters to the PC or Mac to populate the field of entry. This connection can be made in a number of ways. On way is with a keyboard wedge. This is a Y connection where one end of the Y connects to the keyboard and the other end of the Y connects to the scanner with the bottom of the Y plugging into the PC where the keyboard would normally connect. This method is used many times when the PC does not have enough interfaces. Serial is another connection method and works with just a straight serial cable from the barcode scanner directly to the PC serial connection. USB is now about the most popular method, because most PC’s and Mac’s today have many USB ports. Just plug and play!

Now we can look at how a laser barcode scanner works. The laser scanner works by sending a low energy light beam or laser beam to read the spacing between a pattern on the image one space at a time. The beam is moving back and forth by using a mobile mirror which causes a blinking effect. You can usually see the read line moving over the barcode. The reflection comes back and is then read by the fixed mirror in the scanner. The scanner then generates analog and digital signals that match the pattern. A barcode reader decoder then processes the information and sends it through the data communications interface.

Wala! Knowing how a barcode scanner works answers a lot of questions about where you can use a barcode scanner. They are becoming so popular now, you can find them everywhere in retail stores scanning items.

Barcodes encode numeric or textual information in a printable, machine-readable form. The use of barcodes can significantly reduce cost of warehouse management and inventory. Two main forms of barcodes exist today: Linear or normal barcodes encode data over a horizontal stretch of space or one dimension. This kind of barcode typically encodes between four and forty digits or characters. So called area codes encode data in two dimensions, resulting in much higher density which allows for up to three thousand characters to be encoded.

Most linear barcode types will only encode numbers or digits. Two notable exceptions are Code 39 and Code 128 which can also encode alphanumeric characters like letters. Two dimensional area codes usually encode numbers, letters and special characters.

The most common linear barcode type is Code EAN which is used to encode article numbers in retail. It’s used throughout the world with the notable exception of the USA which uses a related code, Code UPC, for the same purpose. A special form of Code EAN carries a so called Addon, a smaller barcode next to the main barcode that can encode pricing information and the like. Code EAN with a five digit Addon is used to encode ISBN (International Standard Book Number), while Code EAN with a two digit Addon is used to encode ISSN (International Standard Serials Number).

Other notable linear barcode symbologies and their applications include Code 39 (used for pharmaceuticals), Code 128 (warehouse management and retail) and Code Two-Of-Five (warehouse management and inventory).

The most common two dimensional area codes are PDF417 and Datamatrix, both of which are used in manufacturing, package tracking and similar applications which require large data amounts to be encoded.

Barcode Checksums

To ensure safe and error free reading and scanning of barcodes, all common barcode symbologies support so called checksum or check digit schemes. A checksum or check digit is an additional character or number that is calculated from the encoded data and appended to the barcode. While reading the barcode the scanner or reader can verify the checksum and determine if the barcode was scanned correctly. This is especially important if the barcode can easily be damaged or be tampered with. Simple check digit systems like the sort that is used with most linear barcodes will only detect simple errors, like a missing character. More sophisticated systems, especially those used with area barcodes can not only detect but also repair any damage that may have occurred to the code.

Barcode Applications

Today barcodes enjoy wide spread use through all types of businesses. The first major application of barcodes was in the retail sector where the codes would encode article numbers, manufacturer data and pricing. Another prominent use of barcodes is in the transport industry where the codes carry address and tracking information. Finally, two dimensional area codes have recently gained much popularity for use in personal identity cards, drivers licenses and so forth. They are also used for the tagging of electronic parts like computer or memory chips.

The use of barcoding and barcode scanners has transformed operational efficiencies of a phenomenal number of businesses both large and small. Simple yet effective, the barcode as an invention has made itself indispensable purely by the multi-faceted advantages that its offers to the user across the entire barcoding spectrum – from generating barcodes through customizable barcode generating software right up to sophisticated barcode scanners and barcode readers. Here we present to you the killer advantages of these marvelous devices.

Super Advantage 1: Speed and Accuracy – A really good data entry operator would be able to enter a 12 digit number (like product code for example) on his keypad in approximately 4-5 seconds, but the average would be more like 7 seconds. The same operation if performed with a barcode scanner would take just one flick of the wrist, less than a second. The speed difference is evident – the use of the barcodes is unmatched in its ability to plough through large volumes of these operations effortlessly. While a data entry operator might make keyboard errors when he types in data, the chances of a barcode reader giving wrong output is practically nonexistent tending almost to zero. For all practical purposes, accuracy is exact, every time the barcode reader makes its flowing motion over the barcode.

Super Advantage 2: Implementation Ease – You decide you want to start using barcodes for your products but are worried that you have never done it before? Fear not, for in 10-20 minutes of your time that scenario will get reversed. The use of barcode readers is almost childishly simple with no prerequisite for usage. Not only can anybody do it, but they can do it quickly as well for the learning curve of using barcodes is extremely steep and short.

Super Advantage 3: Bang for the buck – If you could capture information quickly and accurately, it could only mean a tighter supply chain and well-knit business processes based on this information. With superior information, you can take superior business decisions that increase shareholder value. Imagine what disastrous consequences incorrect information could have on your business! A vast collection of barcodes and barcode scanner usage data has revealed that the investment made in this technology pays back in as short a period as 6 to 10 months – way faster than most modern technologies that attempt to improve the way we conduct our business. Thus the barcode genre is one where the customer truly gets good value for money and high return on investment.

One can never get enough of the importance and advantages of barcodes and barcode scanners. It now only remains for you to start scouring the market for various barcoding solutions to unlock the immense savings and gains that are lying in wait for your business! Go ahead and barcode your business growth in to the future!

Barcode software can be simple. The user inputs information and the printer spits out a barcode. Nothing too fancy about that! However, great barcode software can team up with a PC and a printer to do some great things. Labelview clearly illustrates that principle. The popular barcode software program offers a variety of special features that increase its value and utility considerably.

First, while many pieces of barcode software will support only a handful of the most popular printers, Labelview is fully compatible with literally hundreds of models. This allows for easy transition to the use of new barcode software and prevents many of the problems associated with programs that are less flexible. The program’s manufacturer also offers a web-based application that insures compatibility with future printer options, as well.

Second, Labelview barcode software is designed with the rigorous requirements today’s compliance labelling in mind. Instead of “flying blind” with respect to compliance, like many other barcode software products, Labelview provides users with a great deal of assistance in producing labels that will exceed even the strictest compliance guidelines.

Third, Labelview boasts a scaled-down version of the program for use with pocket PCs and compatible devices. By using Pocket Labelview, one can transform a pocket PC into a completely Labelview-compatible label generator for emergency and small-run use. This can be very helpful when unforeseen circumstances arise and the prospect of waiting for creation and delivery of a new label is unworkable.

Labelview is a solid piece of barcode software that carries all of the bells and whistles. The three “extras” listed here only scratch the surface of the full-featured program’s many bonus functions and helpful features. Anyone looking for barcode software than can handle almost any job should take a long, hard look at Labelview.