Compliance & Precision News Round-Up - Issue 30

This issue covers:

Clare HAL104 shines in testing at lighting specialists
EU ATEX standards are updated
Energy labelling goes online
New electronic engineering measurement guide
India targets electronic sector growth

Clare HAL104 shines in testing at lighting specialists

Martech UK Ltd, which designs and manufactures a wide range of energy efficient light fittings, has improved its electrical safety testing procedure by installing an automatic system provided by the advanced HAL 104 from Clare.

At its factory in West Yorkshire, Martech has been using ten HAL 104s on stock, assembly and sub-assembly production lines to test upwards of 600 units which it manufactures daily.

The HAL 104s perform a range of Class I, II and III tests to ensure compliance with EN 60598 and guarantee product quality, performance and reliability, including earth bond , insulation resistance and light-up/load tests.

The digital HAL 104s, which replaced three different types of test equipment, are fast, high performance automatic instruments which record test results and ensure accurate testing is carried out in line with relevant product standards at all times.

Edmund Reed, Martech’s quality manager, said the ability to set up the HAL 104 via a bar code input is advantageous, enabling tests to be fully controlled and operators to undertake testing in line within specific parameters.

He said: "Using the all-in-one features of the HAL has led to greater automated testing and ultimately improvements in production line manufacturing and quality. Features like the barcode scanner, which improves data logging and traceability, are particularly beneficial."

The HAL 104 combines the performance of a multi-function production line safety tester with load and power factor measurement for product energy consumption and ratings assessments. More details here.

EU ATEX standards are updated

The Commission of the European Union (EU) has published an updated list of standards that can be used to demonstrate conformity with the essential requirements of its directive concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

The so-called ATEX directive applies to both electrical and mechanical equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Full details are available at www.gov.uk/european-commission-product-directives.

Energy labelling goes online

The long-awaited Regulation to specify that energy labels should be displayed on-line (with specifications as to format and accessibility) is now under scrutiny with the European Parliament and Member States. Assuming that they have no last minute objections the Regulation is expected to be published in May.

This Regulation will essentially amend all the previously published Regulations (fridge-freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, air conditioners, tumble dryers, vacuum cleaners, etc).

At present virtual retailers are only required to state the energy rating and do not need to show the label itself or any of the other information on it. It has been argued that many consumers now search for appliances on-line, even if they ultimately purchase in a shop, and they need to see the energy label so that they can make informed decisions about which product to buy.

The new Regulation will apply from 1 January 2015. Details at www.amdea.org.uk

New electronic engineering measurement guide

The National Physical Laboaratory and the Institution of Engineering and Technologuy have jointly launched the Beginners Guide to Measurement in Electronic and Electrical Engineering. The guide provides an introduction to measurement, discussing the significance of good measurement and its relevance to electronic and electrical engineering.

NPL is responsible for maintaining the national standards and making them available to industry throughout the country. Life in the 21st century relies heavily on precision measurement. As Barry Brooks, President of the IET, states in his foreword:

"Satnav systems are dependent on ultra-stable clocks; different electrical components work together in personal electronic goods; and food producers use the optimal temperature necessary for perfection to prevent energy wastage. Precision measurement is at the heart of each of these products and services."

This guide provides sufficient information to enable an electronic or electrical engineer to carry out good measurement practice, learn about the International System of Units (SI) and understand how their measurements relate to national standards. Through the practical application of theory, it demonstrates how to read instrument specifications, introduce a defined measurement procedure and carry out uncertainty analysis. Details at www.npl.co.uk.

India targets electronic sector growth

It is reported that the Indian Government has reached out to eminent persons of Indian origin (PIOs) to put together a possible ‘board of global advisors’ that could help in developing the electronics sector in the country.

The electronics manufacturing industry has not taken off in India, primarily, it is reported due to a lack of a strong base and the failure to build a strong ecosystem.

However, with the country’s demand for electronics expected to reach $400 billion by 2020, and with imports accounting for nearly $300 billion of that total, the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), is reaching out to Indian-origin persons who could help by contributing their knowledge, experience and expertise.

To get things underway, the DeitY intends to formalise this association as a possible board of global advisors. Several eminent Indian-origin scientists and entrepreneurs have been asked to submit several proposals and ideas on what can be done to encourage an ecosystem for electronics manufacturing in the country. More at www.thehindu.com