October 19, 2011. QuadTech, a provider of electrical safety test and passive component measurement products as well as AC/DC power sources and DC loads, has released CaptivATE 3.6, the latest version of its electrical safety test automation software. Designed for manufacturers who do not have the time or resources to create and validate their own software, CaptivATE automates electrical safety testing by combining all tests into one system. Benefits of CaptivATE include increased throughput and reduced operator error, through a simple user-interface and minimal user interaction.
CaptivATE Software features the ability to collect data electronically and allows users to output the test data to a CSV, XML or Word file. This function eliminates the need for handwritten data and produces quality-control records. Compatible with Windows 7 and Windows XP operating system, CaptivATE supports Word and Excel documents in the Office 2010 or 2007 environment.
One of the newest features of CaptivATE 3.6 is the ability to create a limit report that shows pass/fail limits for each step in the test program.
CaptivATE’s test screen features a simple GUI. The operator simply enters or barcode-scans the model number and serial number, and the test is automatically selected for that model. Once the test is complete, the data can be automatically printed and saved.
As with previous versions of the automation software, CaptivATE 3.6 complies with QuadTech’s documented Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) process to ensure built-in quality. QuadTech’s SDLC meets medical device manufacturers’ validation requirements for off-the-shelf (OTS) products. In addition, CaptivATE enables compliance with the FDA regulatory requirement of “Good Manufacturing Practice” (GMP) for medical devices by providing an Installation Qualification and Operational Qualification (IQOQ) protocol, allowing customers to verify the installation and operational parameters.
QuadTech VP of technical operations Robert M. Brown said, “QuadTech has made changes to CaptivATE that allow more customers to benefit from the automation software.” He said QuadTech has expanded its line of CaptivATE-enabled products to include the 31000 AC power-source series and the Guardian 500VA Plus hipot tester. The software also supports the use of 4-wire DCR measurements with the Hybrid 2000 dielectric tester and safety analyzer.
Additional CaptivATE enabled products from QuadTech include all Sentinel systems, the Guardian 6100 Plus electrical safety analyzer, the Guardian 6100 electrical safety analyzer, the Guardian 6000 Plus electrical safety analyzer, the Guardian 6000 electrical safety tester, the Guardian 1000 multipurpose AC/DC/IR/SC Series hipot Testers (CE Mark), the Guardian 1050 ground bond tester, and the Hybrid 2000 AC/DC/IR/DCR analyzer.