SAT (Site Acceptance Test)
Quick answer
A Site Acceptance Test (SAT) is the agreed test performed after installation at the customer site to verify that the delivered automation system works with the real equipment, utilities, networks and operating procedures.
Key Takeaways
- A Site Acceptance Test (SAT) is the agreed test performed after installation at the customer site to verify that the del...
- Intermediate-level topic in Project Development & Documentation
- Commonly used in: Installed I/O and loop verification, Sequence, interlock and alarm testing
Detailed Definition
SAT confirms the installed system against approved requirements and test protocols under site conditions. It normally follows factory acceptance testing, installation and pre-commissioning checks, but the exact sequence is defined by the contract and regulated quality system.
A useful SAT record identifies the requirement being tested, prerequisites, test steps, expected result, actual result, evidence, tester, witness, date and deviation status. SAT does not replace electrical inspection, functional-safety validation or statutory certification; those activities need their own competent personnel and records.
Evidence and review status
This is a practical automation-project checklist, not a substitute for the project contract, regulated validation plan, site procedures or functional-safety validation standard.
Technical review date:
Critical behavior to understand
- Every test should trace to an approved requirement, drawing, FDS section or cause-and-effect entry.
- Prerequisites must state which utilities, guards, instruments and third-party systems are available.
- A deviation is recorded and dispositioned; it is not hidden by rewriting the expected result after the test.
- Restoration steps must return overrides, forces and temporary bypasses to a controlled state.
Verification checklist
- 1Approve the protocol and witness roles before execution.
- 2Record software, firmware, drawing and document revisions.
- 3Capture expected result, actual result and objective evidence for each test.
- 4Close deviations and verify all temporary forces or bypasses are removed.
Worked example
Test a pump low-suction interlock
The approved requirement states that Pump P-101 must stop and be prevented from starting while PSL-101 is in low-low alarm.
- 1Confirm the plant is in the approved test state and P-101 can be tested safely.
- 2Apply the documented PSL-101 test stimulus.
- 3Issue a start command and record command, permissive and output states.
- 4Restore the signal, reset according to the FDS and retest normal starting.
Expected result: The pump output remains off during the low-low condition, the specified alarm appears, and normal operation returns only through the approved reset sequence.
Common Questions
What is SAT (Site Acceptance Test)?
A Site Acceptance Test (SAT) is the agreed test performed after installation at the customer site to verify that the delivered automation system works with the real equipment, utilities, networks and operating procedures.
When should I use SAT (Site Acceptance Test)?
SAT (Site Acceptance Test) is particularly useful in scenarios such as Installed I/O and loop verification and Sequence, interlock and alarm testing. Consider implementing it when you need reliable, efficient solutions for these types of applications.
What should I verify before using SAT (Site Acceptance Test)?
Approve the protocol and witness roles before execution. Record software, firmware, drawing and document revisions. Capture expected result, actual result and objective evidence for each test. Close deviations and verify all temporary forces or bypasses are removed.
What are related concepts I should learn?
To fully understand SAT (Site Acceptance Test), you should also familiarize yourself with FAT (Factory Acceptance Test), Commissioning, and URS (User Requirement Specification). These concepts work together in industrial automation systems.
Continue Learning
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Quick Info
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- Intermediate
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- Essential
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