Pre Compliance
Introduction
The widespread proliferation of microprocessor-based equipment and wireless technology has fueled concerns for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in countless product arenas on a global scale. Once the exclusive concern of the military, EMC testing has expanded to include product areas ranging from medical electronics and industrial controls, to commercial aviation, consumer electronics, and automotive electronics.
Today, design and compliance engineers are faced with both EMC concerns and the diverse, ever-changing compliance regulations originating in a host of regulatory bodies. To continue to market products in an efficient, seamless fashion, manufacturers must be aware of, and comply with, EMC related regulations from an ever expanding list of regulators. For example, the Federal Communications Commission, Food and Drug Administration, Japanese VCCI, Australian AUSTEL, SAE, FAA, and the European Union CE represent only a handful of vitally important regulatory entities that require an engineer’s attention. And the list is growing rapidly.
EMC Solutions, with some 40 years of EMC testing experience and industry standards writing involvement, is fully staffed and equipped to assist you in meeting your EMC challenge.
Pre Compliance
Commercial and International Related EMC Services
EMC Solutions combination of staff, equipment, facilities and accreditations & approvals results in Commercial and International EMC testing services unmatched in the industry. ESD testing, as well as all forms of emissions and immunity testing, transmitter testing, site surveys, powerline simulation, and transients testing, are performed with typical efficiency and professionalism; and EMC Solutions continuing commitment to expansion and improvement ensures that we will always deliver state-of-the-art testing and results. This long-term commitment to the type and level of industry involvement mirrors our commitment to our customers: to provide the most timely, useful information and assistance by designing meaningful testing programs which result in worldwide data acceptance.
Pre Compliance
Military Related EMC Services
With the increasing introduction of high powered electronic equipment, together with complex micro controllers and a multitude of other electronic devices being installed on trains and other rail vehicles, Electro Magnetic Compatibility within the rail environment has become a critical issue in every aspect of the design and implementation of train and rail-associated apparatus. This has subsequently led to the mandatory requirement that all new railway applications, including stock (e.g. a single commercial railway unit), traction stock (e.g. electric and diesel locomotives etc), hauled stock (e.g. independent passenger coaches and freight wagons), main-line vehicles (e.g. high speed trains, freight trains etc designed to operate between cities) and urban vehicles (e.g. underground train sets, trams, LRVs etc.), must be tested for, amongst other things, compliance to the European and British Standard, (BS) EN 50121.
The directive EN 50121 addresses the three main aspects of the railway system that EMC concerns; the effect of the railway system on the surrounding environment; the effect of the railway system on signaling and communications equipment; and the ability of railway equipment and related apparatus to remain unaffected by the inherently severe environment within which it is intended to operate. It is further stated that the infrastructure controller and the train/rolling stock operator must take all reasonable measures to ensure that their actions and equipment do not compromise reliability due to EMI, under normal operating procedures.
To ensure that these issues are satisfied, and to help alleviate the concern of Health and Safety in an increasingly hazardous environment, it is now imperative that any newly introduced rail vehicle and associated equipment is tested to ensure that both the electromagnetic emissions and the level of immunity to external EMI are within the specified limits. This EMC testing now forms a compulsory part of the assessment undertaken by the small number of Vehicle Acceptance Bodies, within the UK, that approve all applicable equipment suitable for use on the nation's extensive rail network.
Pre Compliance
Rail Related EMC Services
EMC Solutions' services include the pre-compliance testing of the electromagnetic compatibility of Rolling Stock (Train and complete vehicle), and electromagnetic compatibility of Rolling Stock (Apparatus), EN50121-3-1 and EN50121-3-2 respectively, encompassed by the overall product specification of EN 50121, to the standards required by VABs to authorise the vehicle or equipment's suitability for use on the railway. These specifications can be suitably interpreted and adapted by our fully qualified engineers to enable their application to any relevant item of rail-associated equipment.
Tests Required to Satisfy EN 50121
The individual tests that form constituent parts of EN 50121, conducted by EMC Solutions to ensure compliance to the aforementioned standard, usually include the following elements, (dependant on the type of vehicle or rail-enabled system under test); SPECIFICATIONS:
- EN55011 Class B
- EN61000 - 4 - 6 Level 4
- EN61000 - 4 - 4 Level 4
- EN61000 - 4 - 2 Level 4
- EN61000 - 4 - 3 Radiated Emissions
- Conducted Immunity
- Immunity to Fast Transient Bursts
- Immunity to Electrostatic Discharge
- Immunity to Radiated Fields
Advice and Consultancy Service
Since the comprehensive implementation of EN 50121 in April 2000, EMC Solutions have worked with a number of different companies and clients, including VABs, vehicle manufacturers, and plant hire companies, etc. to test and approve a wide range of vehicles, which has subsequently provided us with a wealth of experience in this specialised field. EMC testing has been undertaken on vehicles such as; road/rail conversions; lighting rigs; JCB's; Unimogs; inspection vehicles; and other various brands and types of specialised vehicle. EMC Solutions is therefore able to offer a comprehensive and thorough service regardless of equipment size and type.
Having over 40 years of experience in the EMC industry, in a wide range of fields and applications, enables us to provide solutions to any EMC-related problems that may arise following testing, ensuring that all apparatus can ultimately be modified or adjusted to comply with EN 50121, and therefore satisfy the EMC components of the VAB's, or appropriate body's, assessment of the equipment's suitability for use on the railway.
Our Flexibility to Client's Needs
EMC Solutions' engineers are available to test both in-house at our suitably equipped facilities in the West Midlands, or, taking advantage of our wide range of portable test equipment, on-site at a customer's desired location.
With equipment, facilities, accreditations and proven results in Commercial, Military and International EMC testing, EMC Solutions provide a personalised service suitably tailored to each client's individual needs, to a level which is unrivalled within the industry.