Sneak peek behind the scenes in the Megger UK test instrument factory - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: eggplantUK
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 18, 2016, 06:02:05 pm
content: A bit of historyAs I'm sure many of you will know, Megger was originally AVO. Both AVOmeter and Megger were registered as trademarks a long time ago by different companies, which were eventually swallowed up, along with other companies, into what is known as Megger Group Limited today. Therefore, the company was involved with Sydney Evershed's invention of the insulation tester in 1889 and Donald Macadie's invention of the multimeter in 1923. The former companies include Evershed & Vignoles, AVO, H.W. Sullivan, Thorn EMI, Taylor, Biddle and many more.Anyone with an AVOmeter is probably familiar with the Avocet House address printed on them in London. However, in 1960, they started looking for a place for bigger premises. Dover was considered ideal, being one of the busiest ports in the country at the time, with France only 20 miles away. They looked at former War Department land that made part of Western Heights, considered one of our strongest fortifications for centuries. However, it had not been used and fell into decay after the war. Part of Archcliffe Fort, known as Archcliffe Yard, was acquired for residential and commercial use in 1962, including the construction of the AVO facility.By 1963, they had 100 people working at the site producing 70 AVOmeters a week in converted stable buildings (up from just 5 at the end of 1962). They promised to employ 700 locals by 1965 to produce 1,200 meters a week. Their first purpose-built building was completed in early 1964, increasing production by 50%. In 1965, the millionth AVOmeter, a Model 8 Mark III, was made at the site. Finally, on 24 October 1966, the factory was officially opened by Admiral of the Fleet the Earl Louis Mountbatten of Burma. Whilst production levels are not quite as they were in the heyday of AVO, Megger still employ 1,300 people Worldwide with a 250 Million Euro turnover, 20% of which is achieved at Dover.Anniversary celebrationsTo celebrate the anniversary, Megger opened their doors for locals to see what goes on in the facility. This included demonstrations, a museum of old equipment (a lot kindly loaned byRichard Allanand a factory tour. Yes, they actually let the public look around (some of) the factory. The scale of the place is impressive - it's like a rabbit warren over several floors!I was allowed to take photos for the local paper. An online version of the article can be foundhere.But wait... that's not all! I also got permission to show you guys some images that were a bit geekier in nature... not really newspaper material, but hopefully something you'll enjoy. So, behold!You can't have a celebration without cake. Here's the Mayor of Dover cutting the Megger cake with the Managing DirectorThis section had a sign which read "current products" ...haha!An ex-employee happened to be standing next to this as I was looking around. He told me that most of them ended up in the Indian army, who used them for torture!Geek porn!Even more!Who hasn't used one of these bad boys at some point?Granddaddy MeggerPCBs during production stagesI'm starting to think Dave's teardowns could be more... torn down!!Modern artwork layersVintage Megger assembly drawings...phwoar!SMD placement in the factorySoldering in the factoryIf that little lot has whet your appetite, take a look at thewhole album!Enjoy!

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2016, 06:06:05 pm
content: Thanks for that write up. I will browse those galleries a bit later.