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Is EMI to blame for Toyota's woes?
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now investigating whether EMI could be a factor in Toyota's sudden-acceleration problems. |
Possible sources of EMI interference range from external traffic lights to internal electronic controls. Read the full USA Today article.
MET's extensive environmental and EMC capabilities are excellent resources for testing the performance and reliability of automotive vehicles and electronic components to climatic, dynamic, and electrical environments from natural and vehicle-induced sources.
Learn more about MET's automotive EMI testing services |
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EPA to Verify ENERGY STAR® Rated Computers
Verification testing under the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Computers Version 5.0 will start upon the accreditation of three labs to conduct this testing. MET, A2LA accredited for ENERGY STAR 5.0 testing of computers, is pleased to be one of the first labs to gain accreditation to do this work.
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EPA has made the Verification Testing Procedures Manual available on-line. For more information contact Kathleen Vokes, US EPA, at vokes.kathleen@epa.gov |
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| Learn more about MET's alternative energy testing. |
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DOE Beefing Up Enforcement of Efficiency Standards for Appliances
Under federal law, manufacturers of a range of household appliances are required to certify that their models meet DOE’s minimum appliance conservation standards. DOE has made clear that failure to submit these energy use reports violates the Energy Policy Conservation Act of 1975 and will result in enforcement by the Department, including civil penalties or fines.
“Moving forward, we will aggressively pursue all manufacturers who have failed to comply with these certification requirements or whose products violate the country’s energy efficiency standards,” said DOE’s General Counsel Scott Blake Harris.
Learn more about green testing at MET. |
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MET Certifies Leading Hotel A/V Automation Product
When hospitality A/V automation leader Control4 had a new product to certify, it turned to MET. The MET-certified I/O |
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Extender Box provides additional inputs and outputs for integration of audio-video components in large hotel systems.
Control4's software and hardware products enable home theater control, multi-room music, smart lighting, temperature control and security, through a range of in-home and over-the-web remote control technology. Read the full USA Today article on Control4 and CEO Will West.
Learn more about MET's product safety certification services.
MET Labs Capability Spotlight: 85/85 Environmental Testing
MET offers 85°C/85%RH (relative humidity) testing in both of its California labs, utilizing walk-in chambers. 85/85 is the standard test for service life assessment of photovoltaic modules cited in IEC and UL standards. MET can test to any time duration as specified by the client
Learn more about MET's environmental testing services. |
Anti-Islanding Testing Now Available at MET
MET is always adding leading-edge testing services to meet new requirements. One of these is anti-islanding testing, which has become more prevalent with the growth of grid-connected alternative energy systems such as wind and solar.
Islanding occurs when a section of a utility system is disconnected from the main utility voltage source, but an independent generator continues to energize the utility lines in the isolated section. MET tests the anti-islanding required function of photovoltaic (PV) inverters in accordance to UL 1741.
Need testing? Request a quote.
Meet with us at these upcoming trade shows:
March 23-25, 2010 CTIA
Booth Location: 1930
Las Vegas Convention Center
March 28-29, 2010 APPA Engineering & Operations Technical Conference
Booth Location: 316
Qwest Center, Omaha, NE
May 4-5, 2010 National Hardware Show
Booth Location: 7321
Las Vegas Convention Center
May 16-18, MCAA Industry Forum
Hilton DFW Executive Conference Center
Dallas, Texas
June 26 -28, AAMI 2010 Conference and Expo
Booth Location: 643
Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL
July 13 -15, Intersolar North America 2010
Booth Location: 8526, 2nd Level
Moscone West Convention Center, San Francisco, CA
Coming up:
MET's Annual West Coast
Free NEBS Seminar!
Get more details |
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In this Issue:
EMI to blame for Toyota Woes?
ENERGY STAR computers
DOE Surveillance Efforts
MET lists Control4 device
85/85 testing 24/7
Anti-Islanding Testing
Ask an Expert
Q: What determines whether a product safety certification will need two or four follow up inspections per year?
A: Starting in 2003, OSHA changed its policy, reducing follow up inspections from four to two for most products. Four follow up inspections are still required for certain equipment and scenarios:
- Products intended for use in hazardous locations
- Manufacturer has a history of poor quality control or mark misuse
- Facility is in a region where counterfeiting occurs regularly
- There are safety concerns for the product
See OSHA’s full requirement for follow up inspections here.
Q: What is the difference between NEBS Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3 testing?
A: Level 1 does not address operability. It ensures that people and equipment hazards and network degradation are minimized.
Level 2 addresses equipment operability, but in a controlled environment.
Level 3 is the most stringent level, meeting all the requirements of GR-63-CORE and GR-1089-CORE.
Q: With EMI, what is the difference between narrowband and broadband emissions.
A: Usually expressed in volts per meter (V/m), narrowband emissions include communication transmitters such as single-channel AM, FM, and SSB. Narrowband spurious emissions include harmonic outputs of local oscillators, signal generators, test equipment, and many other sources.
Usually expressed in volts per meter per MHz (V/m/MHz), broadband emissions are composed of narrow pulses having relatively short rise and fall times. Examples include unintentional emissions from electric switch contacts, thermostats, motor speed controls, ignition systems, voltage regulators, and pulse generators. They might also result from galactic and solar noise, and from radio frequency pulses associated with electrostatic discharge.
Submit your questions via email to askanexpert@metlabs.com.
Hearing from our customers is a very important and necessary component to improving our service. Please feel free to pass on your comments, good and bad, by emailing us at info@metlabs.com.
Follow us at: http://twitter.com/metlabs.
For a fast quote:
Call us at:
800.638.6057
or request a quote on-line.
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