Blog
Disney’s Test Track Educates on Automotive EMC, Safety & Environmental Simulation
On a recent trip to Disney World, we were impressed with Epcot’s Test Track, a General Motors-sponsored ride. Not only is it thrilling, it is highly educational, introducing the concepts of automotive electromagnetic compatibility, safety, and environmental simulation to the general public. Like all the best Disney rides, the experience begins in the pre-ride waiting... Read More
EMC Society Covers EMI in Electric Power Substations
Earlier this week, the IEEE EMC Society Santa Clara Valley Chapter featured a presentation on “EMI in Electric Power Substations” by John Tengdin, a senior partner with OPUS Consulting Group. MET Labs’ James Bojorquez was in attendance and took these notes: Much of the presentation recounted the history of how IEEE 1613-2003 “Standard Environmental and Testing Requirements... Read More
A2LA Technical Forum Includes ENERGY STAR CB & Test Lab Guidance
The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) 2011 Technical Forum and Annual Meeting was March 28 – April 4, 2011. MET Laboratories was in attendance. Following is a summary of one element of the forum – the ENERGY STAR Program Meeting – as recorded by MET’s ENERGY STAR Program Manager Sam Tetteh. A2LA will conduct ISO... Read More
Medical Product Safety Training Yields Insight on IEC 60601-1 3rd Edition
MET Laboratories’ product safety engineers undergo regular training to stay up-to-date with changing standards and regulatory requirements. When possible, we will share highlights of these sessions with customers. Following are some of the key points of a recent training session on IEC 60601-1 3rd edition: It is an entirely new standard and does not match... Read More
ENERGY STAR Meeting Covers Tablets, Netbooks & Workstations
Late last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a two-day meeting to discuss the V2.0 ENERGY STAR® Computer Server Program and the V6.0 Computer Program. MET Laboratories’ ENERGY STAR Program Manager Sam Tetteh was there. Here are his notes: Tablets & Netbooks The EPA proposed the introduction of tablets and netbooks as a product category in... Read More
EMC Simulation Best for Determining Relative – Not Absolute – Emissions
For those not based in the Bay Area, we will occasionally cover IEEE EMC Society Santa Clara Valley Chapter events that we think are relevant to Compliance Today readers. After all, the IEEE Santa Clara Valley Section is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and is the world’s largest IEEE section. Tuesday featured an interesting... Read More
Products Subject to MIL-STD Testing May Be Exempt from ITAR
For manufacturers of products that require military standard (MIL-STD) testing, but have more of a commercial than military application, the product may be exempted from restrictive provisions in the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). If after reviewing the U.S. Munitions List and other relevant parts of the ITAR,... Read More
IEC 60601-1 3rd Edition Challenges Medical Products Industry
Rarely has a standard change elicited as much confusion – and anguish – as the transition to the third edition of 60601-1. Much of the confusion surrounds the varying rates of adoption of the new edition in different countries and regions. Here is a basic primer: IECEE CB Scheme – Issued in 2005, IEC 60601-1... Read More
Politicians Push Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) Labeling for Cell Phones
Starting this month in San Francisco, retailers are required to list the Specific Absorption Rate of all mobile phones they sell. The city is the first locality in the United States to have such a requirement. Here are the key points of the new ordinance that was signed into law last July: The Specific Absorption... Read More
Safety Certification to UL/IEC 61010-1 Evolves
Product safety certification for healthcare & other laboratory equipment continues to evolve. Thirteen months ago, on January 1, 2010, all new products and alternate constructions of listed or recognized products were required to be evaluated to UL 61010-1 2nd Edition. The Second Edition combines UL 61010A-1 for laboratory equipment, UL 61010B-1 for test and measurement... Read More
