What kind of materials are usually used for bonding conductors?

This would depend vastly on the bonding that’s being carried out, whether its a safety earth style bond or a specific RF Bond. For RF bonds using RF braid then flat copper braid is the normal with the general rule of thumb, the shorter and wider the bond, the more effective it is. For metal plate bonding then Copper plate provides a good bond although there are other metals that will provide just as good a bond without the tarnish issue. Generally once bonds are in place then a milli-ohm measurement should be taken to ensure bonding between two metal surfaces has been made efficiently and the number to aim for is below 2.5 milliohms.

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Please could you highlight the differences between the residential and industrial EMC testing requirements? I also understand that there is a third category which is for use in EMC controlled environment. We are most interested in the requirements for apparatus for use in industrial applications. 

Emissions requirements for an industrial application are less severe than those stated for commercial areas. Immunity requirements however are more stringent as equipment will need to be tested to higher levels i.e. Radiated immunity levels are 10V/m for industrial applications and 3V/m for the commercial environment. Generic Standards for 'Residential, Commercial and Light-industrial' are as follows: EN 61000-6-1 = Immunity; EN 61000-6-3 = Emissions. Generic Standards for 'Industrial' environments are as follows: EN 61000-6-2 = Immunity; EN 61000-6-4 = Emissions. For more information regarding the classification of electromagnetic environments please refer to IEC 1000-2-5.

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Is it mandatory to have medical electrical equipment tested to 60601?

The safety of most medical electrical equipment is demonstrated by compliance with 60601-1, the applicable collateral standards and any Part 2 or other specific standard that relates to the item under consideration.

Is third party testing mandatory?  The answer is no, testing is not mandatory but compliance is.  (Equivalent safety is allowable but extremely difficult to establish.)

The next question is, can one ensure compliance without testing?  The only possibility is by a rigorous design process which allows no room for error.  This means in turn that the designer must be completely familiar with all the requirements down to the smallest detail and the construction of the equipment and the components must be error free.  This is an unrealisable goal for all but the simplest equipment.

An alternative for the biggest companies only is to do in-house testing with a fully equipped lab, a full complement of calibrated test instrument and an experienced tester.

Otherwise go to a competent accredited test house such as TUV SÜD.

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How can EMC standards be globalised when the power sources differ in frequency and amplitude across the globe? Won’t the specific criteria for each country differ for domestic items?

Well this is the stock text from the IEC website - The Scheme is essentially based on the use of international (IEC) Standards. If some members national standards are not yet completely harmonized with IEC Standards, national differences, Special National Conditions (SNC) and Regulatory Requirements are permitted subject to formally declaring and detailing them to the IECEE Secretariat for further publication. The CB Scheme utilizes CB Test Certificates to attest that product samples have successfully passed the test conditions and are in compliance with the requirements of the relevant IEC Standard(s). When applicable, the CB Test Certificate and its associated Test Report can also include declared national differences, Special National Conditions (SNC) and Regulatory Requirements of various member countries. The main objective of the Scheme, is to facilitate trade by promoting harmonization of the national standards with international Standards and cooperation among accepted NCBs worldwide in order to bring product manufacturers a step closer to the ideal concept of "one product, one test, one mark, where applicable'.

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TÜV SÜD China is hosting four seminars on Entering into the Chinese market in April and May.

In recent years, the rapid development and continued momentum of China has attracted worldwide attention. This change is accompanied by an influx of products and brands into China, forcing the government to take additional precautionary measures in reviewing the existing regulations surrounding the textile industry.

To tighten the state’s quality and safety specification, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine  (AQSIQ) of the People’s Republic of China has recently revised the state’s GB 18401 technical code on textile testing, which will go into effect on 1st August 2011. 

These seminars will address the concerns with regards to the new GB regulations providing customers with first-hand information and a valuable insight into the latest developments, key changes and implications. This seminar will assist you in complying with the regulations before they are formally announced.

Dates of seminars

6th April 2011 – 1.35pm- 5.00pm – Shanghai - for more information please contact Mr. Leon Lan at jin.lan@tuv-sud.cn
13th April 2011- 2.00pm- 5.30pm – Hong Kong – for more information please contact Mr. Poe Fong at poe.fong@tuv-sud.hk
22nd April 2011 – 1.45pm – 5.00pm – Guangzhou – for more information please contact Mr Jason Liang at Jason.liang@tuv-sud.cn
6th May 2011 – 1.45pm-5.00pm – Xiamen – for more information please contact Mr Jonny Jiang at jonny.jiang@tuv-sud.cn

To read more on the seminars please click here. [ PDF 150 kB ]

NEW FRENCH REGULATORY REQUIREMENT FOR SAR LABELLING OF MOBILE PHONES

The French Health Ministry has issued a decree regarding the labelling of mobile phones being
placed on the market in France.  The measured SAR value must be clearly indicated on the packaging and in any advertising literature. The lettering should be in BOLD and at least the same size as the largest font used.

The SAR value, expressed in Watts per Kilogram
(W / kg) should be indicated, preceded by the letters "DAS" (Débit d'Absorption Spécifique).  The maximum SAR value allowed is 2 W/kg.

The legislation is effective from 15th April 2011.

The introduction of this legislation indicates French concern over SAR issues.  ANFR, the French administration authority actively carries out market surveillance testing, including SAR testing of most mobile phones being placed on the French market.

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