EMC Testing

Our EMC Testing Services offer you a fast and efficient way to CE mark with confidence, and we are committed to providing exceptional testing and EMC advice.

Our multiple test chambers enable us to offer you short lead times and/or parallel EMC test programmes, and our experienced engineers provide you with on the spot advice and solutions to achieve and maintain compliance.

Legal requirements of CE marking and EMC Testing

When importing electronic goods it is the legal requirement of the importer to maintain technical and test data for inspection by the authorities. Many goods are imported with a CE mark printed on the box but where little or no formal electromagnetic compatibility testing has been carried out. RN Electronics' CE Marking consultants can advise you on the validity of any technical files and also advise on the level of EMC testing necessary in order to comply with EU regulations.

EMC Testing at the Design Stage

New designs are the products of the future. If you are developing new products, you should consider looking at the EMC aspects of the design at an early stage. Often the decision to start EMC testing is left until the design is complete and the product is ready to place on the market, which can lead to costly production delays and expensive modifications to achieve compliance.

Our experienced engineers can help you from the outset of your design process, speeding up the development and production process and reducing the time it takes to get your new products onto the market.

Our extensive scope of accreditation, UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 2360, means that our final test reports are recognized internationally.

Our EMC Testing Capabilities

Radiated Emissions 10kHz-230GHz	Magnetic Emissions 30Hz-100kHz	Fast Transients (EFT/B) 0.2kV-4.4kV
Radiated Immunity 10kHz-18GHz	Magnetic Immunity DC & 16Hz-100kHz	Voltage Dips & Interruptions
Conducted Emissions 30Hz-100MHz	ESD 0.2kV-16.5kV	Harmonics <16A
Conducted Immunity 30Hz-400MHz	Surges 0.2kV-4.4kV	Flicker <16A

What is EMC Testing?

What is EMC? and why do products need to be tested?

EMC, or Electromagnetic Compatibility, is the interaction of electrical and electronic equipment with its electromagnetic environment, and with other equipment. All electronic devices have the potential to emit electromagnetic fields, and with the proliferation of electronic devices into everyday life, from the more obvious devices such as mobile phones and computers, to more mundane household appliances such at TVs and washing machines, there is a huge potential for devices to interfere with each other.

Why is EMC Testing necessary?

Although not as prevalent in the media as food or child toy safety, there have been several well publicised cases where, because electromagnetic compatibility was not fully considered, products have had to be recalled or withdrawn from the market at great expense and damage to the reputation of the manufacturer. To prevent the occurrence of EMC problems, the UK government adopted stringent laws, first back in 1992, forcing all manufacturers and importers of electronic goods to ensure that their products are electromagnetically compatible.

Business customers also often require that the products they buy are CE marked. This mark shows that the goods meet all the relevant 'CE Marking' standards, including the EMC Directive. Current legislation offers two basic methods to prove EMC Compliance:

Declaration of Conformity: EMC Testing to harmonised standards and make a declaration that the product complies, known as the EC Declaration of Conformity.

Technical Construction File: Agree an alternative or reduced test plan with a 'Competent Body', test and submit all relevant document to the body, known as the Technical Construction File.

EMC Testing - How to reduce the risk?

As EMC is an intangible phenomenon, the only real way find out if a product is EMC compatible is to conduct scientific EMC tests. These need to be performed with a production model, and may need to be repeated at a later date to ensure compliance is maintained following changes in production. OEM parts and accessories should come with a Declaration of Conformity and be checked for compatibility with the final product's intended use.

Industry Markets

As well as EMC testing all types of general electrical and electronics products, we are highly experienced in EMC testing products for a variety of specialized sectors:

Aerospace

We are able to undertake EMC tests for both civil and military aerospace industries

Professional Audio/Visual Equipment

We have particular expertise in the EMC testing of equipment for use within the professional audio/video industry. Ranging from Audio Mixing Consoles, Audio Amplifiers, and Digital Media Recorder's to Editor's and Induction loop devices.

Automotive Devices

We offer a fast and cost effective approach to EMC testing for the automotive sector. As a Technical Service, we perform 'e' mark and Regulation 10 tests on electrical/electronic subassemblies (ESA) and components as well as devices intended for after-market fitment.

Medical Devices

Medical devices require a particularly rigorous approach to testing due to their purpose and the environment they are used in. With the large numbers of medical instruments and devices in use on any ward, electromagnetic interference (EMI) leading to instrument malfunction can be very dangerous, causing inconvenience, and even potentially life threating situations. We offer a comprehensive and well equipped testing service to ensure your products meet the medical devices standards.

Military Devices

Military devices have to be able to with stand stringent test requirements as a result of the harsh environment they have to operate in. We can undertake many of the EMC tests to the defence standards, and offer RF immunity testing up to 26.5 GHz for military devices.

Railway/London Underground Industry

We can provide EMC testing for Railway and London Underground applications, including general EMC emissions, rolling stock and equipment, signalling and telecommunications, and fixed power supply installations and apparatus.