The reverberation chamber provides the most realistic simulation/equivalency for electronics functioning within a cavity. Er-Ping Li and Xing-Chang Wei Electromagnetic Labs, Institute of High Performance Computing, Singapore INTRODUCTION The problem is familiar, but growing. The widespread and ever-growing use of electronic devices with high-speed components increases the … [Read more...]
Standards
Certification Programs: What’s Behind the Terminology?
The Merriam-Webster® Dictionary defines “certify” as “to attest authoritatively, to confirm, to present in a formal communication, or to attest as being true.” Consider the implications of these words and phrases—confirm, attest, true, or meeting a standard. These are serious statements. These terms are typically used by laboratories when they refer to data they are providing … [Read more...]
Compliance Guidelines for China RoHS
Compliance with EU RoHS does not equate to compliance with China RoHS. Grace Lin Crestron Electronics, Inc., Rockleigh, NJ, USA This article provides guidelines to comply with Chinese RoHS regulation, the “Administrative Measure on the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products”, which takes effect March 1, 2007. It addresses compliance requirements for … [Read more...]
Concerning Exposure of Workers and the General Public to Electromagnetic Fields
Keith G. Richens Cranage EMC & Safety Oakley, Shropshire, UK Introduction Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are universally present in the everyday environment, including workplaces and public areas. Measurements are made to identify and characterise them to ensure that people are not exposed to fields that could potentially cause injury or adversely affect … [Read more...]
The FCC Dynamic Frequency Selection Test Procedure
David A. Case NCE, NCT On February 3rd 2006, after three years of work the US ITAC-R group addressing the development of the proposed US DFS test procedure to be used to certify products under FCC Part 15 was completed. This test procedure is milestone in verifying the sharing of the 5GHz band with Radiolocation systems. The work group consisted of Industry experts as well as … [Read more...]
Accuracy of Flickermeters – Round Robin Results
Have the new standards improved measurement accuracy? Ken Hall Hewlett Packard, Roseville, CA, USA This article presents the results of an inter-laboratory comparison of a flicker measurement system. In the process of evaluating replacement equipment that met the new international requirements of IEC 61000-3-2,1 harmonics, and IEC 61000-3-3,2 voltage fluctuations commonly … [Read more...]
Options for North American Product Compliance
Jack Black D.L.S. Electronic Systems, Inc. Wheeling, IL Manufacturers and distributors of electronic and electrical devices are required to meet various product safety and EMC standards established by the United States and Canada. They may be asked to show proof of compliance for these products by residential and workplace end-users. Today, there are multiple options for … [Read more...]
Initial Evaluation of Proposed >1-GHz Site Validation Standards
All methods for validating a test site must provide the same unambiguous result indicating that the site meets or does not meet requirements. Ken Hall Hewlett Packard, Roseville, Calif., USA Site validation above 1 GHz has traditionally been done by extending the ANSI C63.4 Normalized Site Attenuation (NSA) requirements to the upper frequency a customer might request for … [Read more...]
Developments in Lightning Testing Standards for Aircraft Avionics
Test standards are running behind the fast pace of technological change. Nicholas Wright EMC-Partner, Laufen, Switzerland INTRODUCTION Escalating costs and increasing complexity in modern aircraft has ensured that aircraft design and assembly is now a global phenomena. Today, subsystems can be designed, manufactured, and tested at any location around the world, then … [Read more...]
ISO/IEC 17025: General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories – A Comparison of the First and Second Editions
Use of the new international laboratory standard should assure greater consistency between laboratories, testing and calibration. Daniel D. Hoolihan Hoolihan EMC Consulting, Lindstrom, MN, USA The First Edition of ISO/IEC 17025 was released in 1999 and the Second Edition was released in 2005. Both editions of 17025 rely heavily on an earlier version of a similar international … [Read more...]
