UL 982 Figure 58.7 PA145 Standad Test Finger Probe

Specifications:
• Probe Type: PA145 UL Standard Test Finger Probe (UL 982 compliant for refrigeration appliances)
• Finger Material: Stainless steel (rigid, corrosion-resistant, maintains dimensional accuracy under 10N thrust)
• Handle Material: Nylon (fully insulating, heat-resistant, non-slip for secure grip during testing)
• Key Dimensions:
– Finger Diameter: 12 mm ± 0.1 mm
– Effective Finger Length: 80 mm ± 0.2 mm
– Total Length (Finger + Handle): 180 mm ± 0.5 mm
– Finger Tip: Hemispherical, radius 6 mm ± 0.05 mm (smooth to avoid appliance enclosure damage)
• Applied Thrust: 10N ± 0.5N (simulates moderate accidental finger pressure on appliance openings)
• Core Function: Verifies inaccessibility of hazardous live/moving parts in household refrigeration appliances per UL standards

Test Procedures:
• Inspect the test finger for damage (e.g., bent stainless steel body, cracked nylon handle) to ensure accuracy.
• Power on the refrigerator/freezer and activate all functions (cooling, ice-making if applicable) to reach normal operation.
• Hold the insulating handle and align the finger tip with appliance access points (e.g., door gaps, vent slits, ice dispenser slots).
• Apply steady 10N thrust to the finger toward internal components.
• Check if the finger touches any hazardous parts (e.g., live wires, moving fans).
• Record whether the appliance meets safety requirements (pass/fail).

Applications:
• Safety testing of household frost-free refrigerators to block finger access to compressor wiring.
• Compliance checks for upright/chest freezers to ensure moving fan blades remain inaccessible.
• Verification of standalone residential ice makers (built-in or countertop) for U.S. market safety compliance.
• Quality control for embedded kitchen refrigerators during manufacturing.
• Post-production audits of compact refrigerators (e.g., dorm or RV models) to meet UL 982 standards.