And you thought your EMC tests were difficult!

All electronics engineers are familiar with EMC testing, generally viewing it as yet another challenge to be overcome by good design.

Services for the Automotive Industry

TRaC deliver a comprehensive range testing and computational analysis of vehicle components and full vehicles to meet the EMC and environmental qualification, reliability and legislative demands of the automotive market. TRaC have developed the capabilities to support our clients homologation needs, from assessing in-car entertainment and communications systems, validating the robustness of electric and hybrid electric vehicle technologies, virtual test track simulation of mechanical stress, through to full vehicle electromagnetic compatibility testing on our rolling road. Our testing, validation and certification give our customers confidence in product safety, product reliability, product interoperability and compliance with essential legal requirements before the product goes into service.

Bluetooth^® Regulatory Testing

In addition to Bluetooth Qualification testing, it is very important to ensure that any Bluetooth product satisfies the regulatory requirements of the country or community in which it is to be marketed.

History of TRaC

In its present form, TRaC is a young company. But it stems from testing, validation and certification going back almost 61 years. TRaC is proud of that heritage and of the many milestones en route to today's leading position.

Services for the Defence Industry

TRaC Military / Aerospace facilities offer modern purpose designed test chambers and equipment. All laboratories are secure and have electronically controlled access therefore ensuring confidentiality for all our customers. TRaC has invested heavily over a two year period to be able to offer test facilities which compete and sometimes better others in the industry. All Military test chambers are located on one site within a large secure compound.

Designing for ZigBee - Understand the standards before developing wireless products

In a rapidly advancing world that appears to rely more and more on technology, it is evident that wireless technology is becoming one of the most essential of them all.

EMC for Automotive

TRaC offer a complete solution to automotive EMC approval for the EU (through directive 2006/28/EC amending 72/245/EEC) and United Nations affiliated countries.

EMC for civil aviation and military aircraft

TRaC aerospace EMC division serves both commercial and military customers. The aerospace market is very competitive, dynamic and growing on a global scale. Products produced for the aerospace market could be asked to meet a variety of different standards from the Airbus ABD0100 series, Boeing D6-16050 series and RTCA DO-160 for civil aircraft requirements.

EMC for Commercial Markets

In the UK, commercial EMC emissions and immunity testing is carried out predominantly to comply with the requirements of the European EMC Directive as part of CE marking for the European Union.

EMC for consumer electronics / household goods

White goods are covered by the standards EN55014-1 (EMC emissions) and EN55014-2 (EMC immunity). These EMC standards are applicable to the majority of household appliances in addition, also to products that are similar or motor operated and are not covered by another specific standard.

EMC for defence standards

Stringent procurement requirements can cause difficulties for contractors and manufacturers resulting in on-going testing and the possibility of delay in meeting deadlines often incurring extra costs.

EMC for Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) equipment

The International standard covering ISM equipment is CISPR 11. This standard covers many types of equipment and is probably the second most common standard to CISPR 22.

EMC for medical equipment

Medical equipment is covered by EN60601-1-2. This standard is applicable to all medical equipment and systems covered by the Medical Device Directive.

EMC for telecoms and radio equipment

TRaC facilities offers a wide range of accredited Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) and wireless testing services. Our experienced staff can assist with all EMC requirements for compliance testing to European and international standards, and can advise on pre-compliance investigative testing, which is invaluable in product development.

EMC for test and measurement equipment

Test and measurement equipment is covered by the EN61326-x-x series of standards, which are all based around, and refer back to the general requirements standard EN61326-1. The EN61326 standards are applicable to electrical equipment, operating from a supply or battery of less than 1000 V a.c. or 1 500 V d.c. or from the circuit being measured, intended for professional, industrial-process, industrial-manufacturing and educational use, including equipment and computing devices for:

EMC testing of electronic sub-assemblies (ESAs)

The requirements of the directive for electronic (electrical) sub-assemblies (ESA) is based on what those products may be exposed to in normal use in terms of electromagnetic radiation. The overriding objective is to ensure that the electronic sub-assembly remains safe and does not cause interference. The following flow chart provides a decision tree of what is included within the scope of the directive and what is not.

EMC Pre Qualification

The most cost effective approach to product development is to qualify the prototype design, early in the development cycle, allowing a confidence in EMC performance. 

No matter what the size or scope

EMC is becoming an increasingly important element of large infrastructure projects. From communications networks to transportation infrastructure to power generation, many projects require to use of dedicated EMC resources and expertise in order to ensure successful completion on time and to budget.

CE marking of defence equipment

The conditions of supply to defence customers is not well understood universally by all suppliers relating to product approval/qualification as there may be conflicting advice and multiple requirements. This paper highlights the issues regarding the supply of material to the UK's defence industry and highlights the requirements in the case of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

EMC Testing

TRaC provide an extensive range of EMC testing and consultancy services. We help you ensure that your product or installation is compliant with industry specific EMC standards for legislative, national and international approvals.

Fujitsu joins the TRaC Partner Laboratory Programme to Enhance Support for Companies Seeking European Certification

TRaC, the largest UK-based provider of testing, validation and certification, announces that Fujitsu General EMC Laboratory Limited has joined the TRaC Partner Laboratory Programme, enhancing services offered to manufacturers wishing to certify products for sale in the UK and Europe. This programme enables Fujitsu to provide CE certification to Japanese manufacturers with the support of TRaC's expertise.

Getting safety people to write EMC tests - surely that's not safe?

Over recent years there have been a number of instances where the safety of electrical products has been comprised by EMC phenomena. Toasters are often used as an example: in the past when a toaster was "off", it really was off, but nowadays toasters are microprocessor-based, creating the possibility of a transient on the mains power supply initiating a toasting cycle which could present a serious fire risk.

Home Office Approvals

Home Office approval requires a number of different types of tests to be performed to ensure that any evidence that the product generates will stand up to scrutiny in a court of law. In the case of mobile speed enforcement devices it also needs to be suitable to the rough treatment of things being thrown into the back of vans and cars on a regular basis. This means that the testing performed is particularly rigorous. The following headings are types of tests typically performed on products supplied to the Home Office.

Is above 1GHz the new Wild West?

Is the spectrum above 1GHz open for anyone, just like the old Wild West?

Services for the Medical Device Industry

From our modern and fully equipped, UKAS accredited laboratories, TRaC deliver a complete portfolio of services for medical devices and associated equipment, including Radio, EMC, Safety and Environmental testing to national and international product standards. In addition to this, the TRaC Approvals team can provide complete project and compliance management for truly worldwide market access.

New EMC General Manager for TRaC Ringwood

Steve Youngman has joined the TRaC Group to run its EMC testing laboratory in Ringwood, Hampshire. Steve brings extensive EMC experience with him, having previously worked as a  UKAS laboratory manager for a number of years.

Roundtable Discussion Hosted by Steve Hayes at Platform Technology for Military Vehicles 2009

The Ministry of Defence, military platform manufacturers and military technology companies, come together in roundtable to discuss and determine how best to meet the Electromagnetic Compatibility challenge:

Product approval, certification services - USA

Rail EMC

EMC Requirements for Rail Products. All products designed to be used in the rail environment must comply with the EMC Directive in addition to any other legislative or contractual requirements. In practice this means all products (including the whole locomotive) must be tested/assessed to the European Standard series EN 50121, published under the general title "Railway applications - Electromagnetic Compatibility".

Services for the Rail Industry

TRaC has worked on a variety of rail projects over the years with projects covering both physical testing and simulation analysis. Typical projects include, EMC testing, safety assessment, impact analysis, thermal analysis together with shock and vibration as well as radio approval requirements for wireless devices.

Seven Reasons to Conduct Pre-Compliance EMC Testing

Many of our customers are choosing to conduct pre-compliance EMC testing throughout the design stage.

Services for the Telecommunications Industry

TRaC delivers a comprehensive range telecoms validation and approval services to manufacturers of telecommunications equipment in order to meet the legislative, national and international product compliance and qualification standards required for market entry and safe end use. Our testing, validation and approvals give our customers confidence in product safety, product reliability, product interoperability and compliance with essential legal requirements before the product goes into service.

Testing & Analysis

Compliance with national and international standards is essential for manufacturers and suppliers to maintain credibility with customers. TRaC’s testing and analysis service is available to help businesses validate their products.

The process of CE Marking

The CE marking regime in the European Union (EU) is well established and mandatory in the twenty seven member states. 

TRaC Announces Plans for Major Investment in the North West of England

TRaC, the leading testing, certification and validation company, announces plans for a major investment of £1 million in a new test facility in Up Holland, Lancashire.

TRaC gains full accreditation for IEC/EN60601 medical device testing

TRaC is now able to offer testing of medical equipment in accordance with the IEC/EN60601 standard. TRaC is fully accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) to test equipment in accordance with the international standard.

TRaC Opens Largest Test Facility in North West of England

TRaC announces a major expansion of its operations in the North West of England. The company today opened a new 15,000 sq. ft. centre of excellence in Up Holland, Lancashire, making it the largest commercial facility in the North.

TRaC ready with equipment - test programme for LPPV

TRaC has announced that it has assembled a suite of services that is now ready to be accessed by any company developing electronic products for use in the Ministry of Defence’s Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) programme.

A single source solution to meet all of your Testing, Approvals and Certification needs

TRaC is the largest British test and certification company, providing a comprehensive service at seven locations across the country, as well as offering global reach through worldwide partnerships.

Whole vehicle EMC testing

TRaC is UKAS accredited for the EMC testing of whole vehicles as well as electronic sub-assemblies (ESA's).