Can ferrites be retro fitted to solve EMC issues at all frequencies?

Ferrites are very handy as retro EMC “Fix-Its” to get rid of unwanted common mode noise on cables and hence possible radiated emissions issues however they are limited in the frequency range they can be used at. The general rule of thumb is that the lower the frequency, the larger amount of Ferrite you need, so at a couple of MHz, 6 ferrites the size of your fist with six cable turns around each is needed just to get rid of a few dBs of unwanted noise.

A more practical approach for unwanted noise below 30MHz is to use filtering.

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You indicated that there is no legislation for cards; would they not need to comply with REACH?

REACH only really applies to importers of chemicals. Downstream users and consumers do not have to. A lot depends on the chemicals you are importing to produce the cards. If you are just importing completed cards and distributing or retailing them this should not be a major impact. That said Cards are now moving into Product Group 3 as from Issue 3 of the Consumer Product Standard so this potential issue is captured.

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TÜV SÜD: Economical heating adds valuable kilometres

Power-guzzling heating and air-conditioning systems are a major cause of low range in electric vehicles. Reducing power consumption can add extra kilometres to the range of a vehicle and place its driver at the head of the mobility race. For this reason, the experts at TÜV SÜD Automotive concentrate their attention on individual vehicle components when measuring vehicle range in line with the TÜV SÜD E-Car Cycle (TSECC). Initial results show that power units tailored to the needs of electric vehicles can slash power consumption by up to 15 per cent, adding an average of 15 kilometres to the range of the vehicle. Electric mobility is one of TÜV SÜD's key themes at the IAA, held in Frankfurt am Main from 15 to 25 September 2011.

According to manufacturers' specifications, the average range of today's electric vehicles is approximately 150 kilometres - but this range can be slashed by more than half when temperatures plummet. The reason, in addition to the fact that battery performance declines in below-zero temperatures, is primarily the high power consumption of heating and air-conditioning systems. To counteract this effect, electric vehicles generally use special types of heating systems – electrically or petrol-driven designs which may be with or without air-conditioning. However, these systems may discourage consumers previously used to unrestricted mobility and pleasant temperatures from buying electric cars.

To read the full article please follow the link: http://www.tuvps.co.uk/home-psuk/company/news-and-downloads/tuev-articles/tuev-sued-economical-heating-adds-valuable-kilometres

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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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Are components subject to CE marking?

Components are covered by the regulations provided they fall within the scope of the regulations. E.g. a resistor being a passive device and falling outside the scope of the regulations is NOT subject to CE marking. A dc-dc converter module is covered by the regulations and therefore CE marking applies. If we take the case of the Low Voltage Directive only components which are “electrical equipment” need to comply with the regulations. Interestingly and unfortunately the term “electrical equipment” is not defined in the regulations and as such we suggest you use the standard dictionary definition: Electrical – “operated by means of electricity” Equipment – “the things collectively necessary to perform an activity or function”.

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TÜV SÜD: Sharing is good – inspection is better

No need to hunt for parking spaces, the newest model at your beck and call, and still a money-saving option? Car sharing is growing into a major trend. While a few years ago spur-of-the-moment car hire was still the province of a few eco-freaks, more and more people are turning to car sharing as a viable alternative to owning a car – especially in large cities. Almost 200,000 car drivers in Germany now share over 5,000 vehicles. But what about safety aspects when drivers hand over cars without an interim inspection? TÜV SÜD's experts bring reassurance; this need not be a problem if a few points are taken into consideration. 

 'Stattauto', 'Stadtmobil', 'Cambio', 'teilAuto' - just a few of the names in Germany's car-sharing sector, now numbering more than 100 companies - and rising. Car hire companies and car manufacturers have also picked up on the trend, some even offering their own hire systems. According to the German association Bundesverband Car-Sharing e.V., over 5,000 vehicles are now available at 2,400 hire points in 300 cities and municipalities, making Germany the European leader in car sharing. The younger generation in particular is changing its patterns of behaviour and increasingly abandoning owning in favour of sharing when it comes to personal mobility. The benefits are obvious; a smartphone detects the location of the nearest available car, an electronic code opens the door, the driver is billed monthly - including insurance, road tax and often even fuel. Vehicles receive regular maintenance checks and are in tip-top condition.

To read the full article please follow the link: http://www.tuvps.co.uk/home-psuk/company/news-and-downloads/tuev-articles/tuev-sued-sharing-is-good-inspection-is-better

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Can the declaration of conformity by someone outside of the EU? (CE marking)  

The responsible organisation based in the EEA is the first point in the supply chain who can: - apply CE marking - produce the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) - compile and hold Technical Documentation

Where the manufacturer is not established within the EEA they can apply CE marking, produce the DoC and compile Technical Documentation.

If they have an authorised representative within the EEA that representative should hold the DoC and Technical Documentation.

For manufacturers outside the EEA with no authorised representative the DoC and Technical Documentation should be held by the first supplier of the equipment within the EEA.

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