Document baseline
Freeze the approved BOM, drawings, settings, software and test revision before inspection starts.
Inspection & acceptance
FAT and Quality Control
Pre-agreed material, workmanship, electrical and functional checks linked to the released design and recorded deviations.
Request technical reviewDIRECT ANSWER
A factory acceptance test is a documented workshop check against the released design and agreed test plan. It should show what was inspected, how functions were simulated, which deviations were found and whether retest evidence supports release.
01What should a control-panel FAT include?
It normally includes document review, material identity, workmanship, agreed electrical checks, power-up, I/O simulation, function tests and recorded deviations.
02Can FAT prove the final machine performance?
No. Workshop simulations cannot prove field wiring, real motors, plant networks, process capacity, mechanical behavior or final machine safety.
03Can a customer witness FAT remotely?
Remote witnessing can be planned if the test sequence, camera views, records, time zone and approval method are agreed beforehand.
Engineering decision framework
Define document baseline first
For fat and quality control, the quotation and technical response should address document baseline, material identity, workmanship and the remaining project boundary. Missing inputs are recorded as assumptions before selection or design release.
Material identity
Check complete article numbers, quantities, approved substitutes, damage and nameplate data.
Workmanship
Inspect mounting, clearances, wiring, labels, segregation, bonding, terminals and visible torque evidence.
Electrical checks
Perform agreed continuity, insulation, control-voltage, phase and protective-device checks where applicable.
Functional simulation
Test modes, I/O, interlocks, alarms, HMI, network data and drive or starter behavior within the available setup.
Punch list and release
Record each deviation, disposition, responsible person, retest result and release approval before packing.
Planning input
FAT evidence to agree
The protocol should be approved before the test, not reconstructed after shipment.
- Released drawings, BOM and software baseline
- Material and workmanship inspection records
- Electrical test method and results
- I/O simulation and functional cases
- Photographs or witness points when agreed
- Punch-list closure and final release record
Common buyer questions
Engineering answers before the RFQ
These answers cover the questions buyers usually ask when evaluating fat and quality control. Final product identity, ratings and deliverables are still verified against the complete article number and agreed project data.
What should a control-panel FAT include?
It normally includes document review, material identity, workmanship, agreed electrical checks, power-up, I/O simulation, function tests and recorded deviations.
Can FAT prove the final machine performance?
No. Workshop simulations cannot prove field wiring, real motors, plant networks, process capacity, mechanical behavior or final machine safety.
Can a customer witness FAT remotely?
Remote witnessing can be planned if the test sequence, camera views, records, time zone and approval method are agreed beforehand.
What happens when a FAT issue is found?
The issue should be logged, assessed, corrected or accepted by authorized parties, then retested where necessary before release.
Scope boundary
Workshop review and FAT do not replace machine risk assessment, final site wiring verification, process commissioning, local authority acceptance or functional-safety validation unless these items are separately contracted and documented.
Define the engineering scope