What’s EMC about?
Applus 3C is the Test House that we recommend. We’ve tested directly with Applus multiple times and haven’t found better service.
EMC stands for electromagnetic compatibility. Any product with electronics in it can either cause other electrical devices to falter/fail or be affected by other devices. The protection clients have against this is the testing process known as EMC testing. In round figures, it costs about £1,500/day and will take about a week to complete (testing only) – but be aware that confidence of success and efficient and economic testing hang on how well the product and testing regime have been prepared. We are more than happy to help you with it – Contact Us.
Does my product need EMC verification?
If your product uses electrical energy, particularly involving electronics, you should assess its EMC profile. This might result in a need for about a week of testing (more or less depending on product and market), or it might be that the testing required is of a very low level because the application isn’t onerous. There are bespoke national and international standards for almost all types of electrical product, and a good test house will help you choose the right ones. Maybe you don’t need any! We can help you assess EMC needs well in advance. Feel free to Contact Us for a chat about it.
Can my electronics designer guarantee an EMC test pass by following good design practice?
The straightforward answer is No. If an electronics engineer could guarantee a pass of EMC testing through design only, there would be no market for EMC testing. EMC is complex and nuanced and there can never be a guaranteed pass – there is always a risk that rework will be necessary.
That said, there are definitely some things to watch out for from your electronics engineers – when they are asked this question:
- The engineer should identify all sensitive, noisy and digital sections in the circuit and partition effectively. The question to ask is: How have you partitioned the PCBA and/or equipment design to minimise noise issues. If the answer isn’t convincingly explained such that a layperson can understand, be suspicious.
- Find out if the engineer intends to generate a test plan for EMC test. If not, be suspicious.
- There are a multitude of highly technical examples of good practice that can’t be covered here, but the above works as a test.
How do I control the cost and understand what I am getting for my money?
In a nutshell, you need a test plan. There are myths associated with EMC testing and it as well to be aware of them from the outset:
- Test Houses have no authority to mandate compliance testing. The test plan should result from the following:
- A thourough understanding of the product and its use – it is often possible to avoid over-testing through this. The client is best placed to cover this.
- A full review of applicable standards. Your test house should be able to help, but knowledge of your product and market is essential if this is to got right. This is not always entirely in the test house’s gift. You need to feel comfortable with it yourself.
- Devices that already have valid tests may remove the need for some testing, but note must be taken of the fact that a number of CE/UKCA marked products joined together don’t equal a CE/UKCA mark for the combined product.
- Mutual agreement of a test plan – accept guidance from your test house but never peremptory instructions. You can’t ask the test house to lie or obfuscate results of testing, but it can’t tell you what it will or won’t test. The best testing is conducted when there is an air of mutual cooperation based on confirming compliance.
- There are other nuances – we are happy to help – Contact Us.
- It isn’t as bad as it seems – let us convince you of this!
