Conformity Magazine - March 2008 - (Page 18)

confidence that if the product were fully tested to that standard – it would pass. It does not mean that it must be tested in an independent test lab. Manufacturers are free to decide on the amount and quality of EMC testing they do, and can do it themselves if they want. The Alternative Route to Conformity Manufacturers are under no obligation to apply any of the harmonised EMC test standards, or they might prefer to apply them but feel that some parts of them are: • Too onerous (too costly or time-consuming); • Not suitable for the actual EM environment(s) (often the case for vehicle mobile applications land/sea/air/space); • Unsuitable for the product (often the case with large machines, systems constructed on the user’s premises, etc., that cannot be fitted into the standard test chambers). So there is an alternative conformity route, essentially the “Technical Construction File” (TCF) route from the original EMC Directive without the need for assessment by a Competent Body. For products that are too large for a test method in a harmonised standard, in-situ (on-site) EMC testing is commonly used to provide evidence of compliance. Other methods of demonstrating conformity, that can be used singly or in combination and/or with the application of parts of harmonised standards, include: • Non-EU-harmonised EMC test methods (e.g., FCC, military, automotive, etc.); • EMC tests developed by the manufacturer; • Calculations; • Computer simulations; • Comparisons with compliant products using the same technologies and devices (but beware – technology and devices change very rapidly). Employing Notified Bodies 2004/108/EC has made the “Competent Body” scheme set up under the original EMC Directive obsolete, replacing it with a “Notified Body” scheme, who exist only to provide advice and assistance to whatever extent a manufacturer requires. Notified Bodies have no mandatory involvement at all with any aspect of EMC compliance, but following their advice is a good legal defence. Annex III of 2004/108/EC describes a procedure in which part (or all) of a Technical Documentation File (see The Technical Documentation File, below) is assessed by a Notified Body, whose report is then included with that Technical Documentation. This is essentially the same as the original TCF route, but which aspects the Notified Body reports on are entirely up to the manufacturer. Some manufacturers who are competent in EMC will be pleased with this change, because they no longer have to pay another expert to check their work. But many manufacturers will employ Notified Bodies where they once used Competent Bodies, either because they do not feel that they have sufficient expertise, or because they want the confidence of a second opinion. Testing Issues The less money spent on accurate testing, the more EMC expertise is required in design and assembly to achieve a given level of confidence in EMC compliance. EMC testing can be inaccurate, and the greatest confidence is achieved using labs that have been “accredited” by their national accreditation bodies for each of the EMC test standards required. Some test labs also put themselves through additional assessments by international experts who set the benchmarks in world-class EMC testing. The Technical Documentation File 2004/108/EC mandates the creation of “technical documentation,” generally referred to as a Technical Documentation File. This change brings the new EMC Directive into line with other EU directives. Comprehensive EMI Solutions, On Time & On Budget From design, quick-turn protos, and worldwide ISO9001 manufacturing, we are the superlative EMI solutions provider. The cornerstones of our mission are simple: Quality. Integrity. Service. Value. It is this commitment to total solutions without compromise that has led to our established position as a premier designer, manufacturer & distributor of EMI filters and magnetic products. Plug into our comprehensive solutions. Radius Power is a leader in the design & manufacture of power products used to condition, regulate and govern electronic performance. The company provides a broad line of EMI Filters, Power Entry Modules, Power Transformers & Inductors to meet front-end requirements for AC & DC power line applications. We offer free pre-compliance testing for conducted emissions at our labs or yours! Bring us your EMI challenge & we will provide an optimized solution usually within 48 hours. Call Radius today. 714-289-0055 PH 714-289-2149 FAX 1751 N. BATAVIA ST. ORANGE, CA 92865 www.radiuspower.com 18 Conformity marCh 2008 http://www.radiuspower.com http://www.radiuspower.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Conformity Magazine - March 2008

Conformity Magazine - March 2008 NewsBreaks Editor's Note Adelstein Renominated to the FCC Industry Canada Publishes FAQs On RF Fields FDA Gives Its Scientific Capabilities Poor Marks FDA Offers Guidance On its Product Review Process FDA Publishes Updates to List of Recognized Standards FDA Warns of Patient Risk From Electric Dental Handpieces Complying with the EMC Directive, Second Edition ESD Open Forum Emerging Issues in Standards - Korean "RoHS": Not Like RoHS at All The iNARTE Informer Challenges in Testing - Field-Induced Charged Device Model: What Really Happens Design Fundamentals - EMI Shielding Technologies for Consumer Electronics Equipment Focus On...Compliance Software Buyer's Guide Additional Standards Published for the EU's ATEX Directive Additional Standards for the EU's Medical Devices Directive Also Published China to Require Bar Codes to Enhance Product Safety CPSC Releases 2007 Self-Assessment CPSC Actions in News IEC Standards Update UL Standards Update Product Reviews Telcordia Standards Update From Our "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" Department Looking Back: Items from Past Issues of Conformity Advertisers

Conformity Magazine - March 2008

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