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Vehicle-Based Testing
	Extension cables on self-retractable reels were experimented with to automate and expedite field testing. The vehicle pulled up to a residence and the cables would be extended to the power pole or meter base. The test meters, of laboratory grade, were mounted inside the vehicle and were permanently connected to the retractable cables, thus minimizing wiring set up each instance a residence was visited. The self-retractable cable reels are mounted on pivoting platforms that swing around, facilitating cable pulling from any direction. The swinging platforms are attached to a car bumper through special clamps in this deployment.
	The self-retractable wheels and their swinging platforms are attached to a customized rack that mounts either on a car roof or trunk, such as shown here. The testing instrumentation is laid out in the back seat of the car. Two reels were used. The red reel connects to a temporary remote ground, away from the testing area. The yellow cable reel contains a four wires cable that connects to a field test facility: power, telephone, or cable TV. This concept evolved into a full blown vehicle, such as jeep or van, that was customized for this work.

	Instrumented vehicles have allowed to perform sensitive testing in the field efficiently, consistently, and affordably. This was a key step in the data collection automation process and the success of the project.
	This is an example of testing before the development of vehicle-based testing. The make-shift tent was needed to protect the instrumentation laid on the ground from light drizzle on that day.

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` Last updated: June 5, 1998.