SEDL / STP / STP1139-EB / STP15860S

Personnel Qualification and Certification for Acoustic Emission Testing of Aerial Devices

Pollock, AA
Director of Training and Director of AE Marketing, Physical Acoustics Corporation, Princeton, NJ

Ternowchek, SJ
Director of Training and Director of AE Marketing, Physical Acoustics Corporation, Princeton, NJ

Pages: 11    Published: Jan 1992

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Abstract

The ASTM Standard Test Method for Acoustic Emission for Insulated Aerial Personnel Devices (F 914-85) requires personnel performing the method to be qualified consistent with SNT-TC-1A, a recommended practice of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). SNT-TC-1A provides recommendations for employer certification at three levels of responsibility, based on training, examinations and on-the-job experience.

This paper describes programs developed for two electric utilities for the qualification of their AE inspectors in accordance with F 914 requirements. Starting with a pre-existing General course and examination, Specific and Practical trainings and examinations were developed and delivered to candidate Level I and Level II personnel. This led to several AE inspectors being duly certified under their utility's in-house procedure for NDT personnel. A well documented test procedure proved to be an important prerequisite to the personnel qualification process. Practical examinations in AE proved to be best conducted in the context of a fullscale test of an actual aerial device.