Performance testing systems

When selecting a performance testing system, issues that could affect the practicality, accuracy, and general utility of the system include the specific performance tests that are included in the system, the availability of norms upon which performance can be evaluated (and upon which decisions regarding readiness to perform are based), the reliability and validity of the measures, the accuracy of the measurement, the user interface, and the administrative interface. The relevance of each of these issues is discussed, as are some of the specific questions that merit some consideration when evaluating performance testing systems. 

Hardware considerations for automated performance testing systems generally include the computer, software, monitor, and input devices. These features can be provided on multiple testing platforms, including personal computers, handheld personal digital assistants, Internet-based systems, or on platforms that are specially designed to simulate occupational contexts. 

There are a number of advantages associated with the use of personal computers for supporting performance testing systems. Given the ubiquity of personal computers, personal computers afford a fair amount of flexibility for equipment support and maintenance. If new equipment is acquired, personal computers can support a variety of services when not needed for performance testing. Finally, the availability of numerous personal computer vendors helps to assure reasonable prices and adequate product availability. 

Although not yet available, it is likely that Web-based performance testing systems will become available in the near future. Web-based systems will permit selected tasks to be presented on computers equipped with appropriate Web browser software. Hardware requirements include Internet access and appropriate memory and software to support Web-based applications. Depending on the design of the Web-based system, it is could be possible to tailor the specific tasks presented for the performance testing system from a menu of options. Alternatively, testing systems consisting of a standardized array of tasks can also be chosen. As such, the start-up costs of Web-based systems should be lower than with personal or handheld computer systems. Subject identification, date, and time can be recorded at the start of a test, and data from multiple subjects and test occasions can be stored in a central file for easy access to the data. 

There are some clear disadvantages associated with Web-based systems, as well. The most important limitation is that the flexibility of the performance test systems is necessarily restricted... 

In addition to considerations of impairment testing systems and the equipment and platform to administer the systems, the implementation of the testing system must also be considered. Test cost, frequency of administration, maintenance of stable patterns of performance (i.e., motivation), and worker acceptance are among the issues that merit consideration.11 In addition, concerns regarding the legal status of performance test systems, the manner in which labor unions and arbitrators might view such test systems, and whether there is a potential for misuse of the test system could affect system implementation.9... 

Misuse of performance impairment tests is related to the consequences of worker performance. Test systems can be implemented with the sole purpose of providing feedback to workers regarding their level of performance (i.e., no consequences associated with work activities are imposed). The objective of such testing procedures is to provide workers with information to use to adjust their own on-work and off-work behavior in an attempt to more accurately monitor their own levels of... 

Kennedy, R.S. et al., Development of an automated performance test system for environmental and behavioral toxicology studies, Percep. Mot. Skills, 65, 947, 1987. 

Figure 6. Schematic of the seal performance test system.

During take-off and landing, the wheels of modem aircraft are subject to great stress. New high-performance brake systems and aggressive environmental influences push the wheels closer and closer to their limit. These conditions as well as increased requirements for safety and quality control now necessitate that wheels are tested much more comprehensively than in the past. 

The ultrasonic instrument will be set up according to the test specification in the common way. Connection of the instrument to the ISONIC extends the flaw detector performance instrument to a reliable ultrasonic testing system which provides full documentation of the scan. 

The rapid development of the computer technique and the decreasing prices in spite of the increasing of performance have spread the use of personal computers (PCs) not only for industrial use but also for private use. Also, in spite of increasing requirements mea.surement and test systems become more and more economical, including NDT-systems. 

In order to test a wide range of materials a series of ultrasonic pulser/receiver boards has been developed. In combination with an ADC-board (analogue-to-digital converter) a PC can be converted to a high performance ultrasonic system not only for manual testing but also for automatic testing and imaging systems. 

The system has been in full use during the shutdown periods of 1996 and 97 in the nuclear industry in Sweden. Performed tests have produced excellent results under sometimes difficult conditions... 

The System of accreditation is a mechanism that ensures official recognition that calibration or testing laboratory has right to perform testing of measuring devices, specific testing or specific types of testing. 

Series capacitors for power systems General performance, testing and rating. Safety requirements. Guide for installation 98.35/1991 BS EN 60143-1/1993... 

The ASME, Performance Test Code on Overall Plant Performance, ASME PTC 46, was designed to determine the performance of the entire heat cycle as an integrated system. This code provides explicit procedures to determination of power plant thermal performance and electrical output. 

The initial performance test for all local ventilation systems is a smoke test, which provides easy airflow visualization between the source and the hood, it helps to identify, with little effort, the main features of airflow patterns. Such a test, recorded by a video camera, allows performance comparisons to be made before and after improvements. Real contaminant or tracer gas measurements are necessary in the case of more detailed testing. 

The most important hardware items appeared to be the detectors themselves. The gas detection system gave frequent spurious alarms, and on both platforms the ultraviolet (UV) fire detectors were also prone to spurious activation from distant hot work for example, and had a limited ability to detect real fires. The tmreliability of these systems had a general effect on response time and would, overall, lengthen the time to respond. The second aspect which was related to hardware was fimction and performance testing of the emergency blowdown systems. It is critical that the workers believe the systems will work when required, and this can only be achieved by occasional use or at least fimction testing. 

Development of Accelerated Performance Tests for Paint-Phosphate-Metal Systems. Surface Preparation of Metals , Aberdeen Proving Ground, USA (1955)... 

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