ITC ASIA

Electrical equipment is any equipment applying electrical power. To such equipment, the most often applicable directives are the LVD directive (electrical safety) and EMC directive (electromagnetic compatibility), but also another directives could relate to equipment in specific cases.

Electric and electronic devices work using electromagnetic transmissions. The devices can sometimes conflict with each other and subsequently fail to operate properly. For this reason, the law on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requires that emission levels be kept within certain limits.

1.3. Scope of the Directive EMC 89/336//EEC relates to any electrical and electronic equipment (including electronic components), liable to cause electromagnetic disturbances (sources of disturbance) or performance of which is liable to be affected by such disturbance (products sensitive to disturbance or electromagnetic interference). As no voltage limit is applied; the battery operated equipments are also objects of the EMC directive . Formerly, the cars and their parts were also subject of the EMC directive, but in the year 1995 based on the lobbying of automotive industry the new directive 95/54/EEC has been issPrued (amended by 2004/104/EC). practically all products listed in the previous article 1.2. are subject of EMC conformity assessment., including battery operated models and parts using lover voltage that 50 V.

Excluded is military equipment, a radioequipment used by radioamateurs, unless the apparatus is available commercially in retail shops, trucks, cars and their electronic components.

If protection requirements specified in EMC Directive are harmonized by specific Directives (medical devices, toys, machinery etc.), the EMC Directive shall not apply. However, the electromagnetic compatibility requirements must be evaluated in the frame of conformity assessment according to applied specific directives. The test reports on EMC measurement results belongs to obligatory documents included in technical file.

(a) it must not generate electromagnetic disturbance in level causing, that radio and telecommunications equipment and other apparatus do not operate properly
(b) it shall have satisfactory intrinsic immunity to electromagnetic disturbance to function correctly even in the common electromagnetic environment

Illustrative list of the principal protection requirements is set out in Annex III of the EMC Directive:

The maximum electromagnetic disturbance generated by the apparatus shall be such as not to hinder the use of in particular the following apparatus:
  (a) Domestic radio and television receivers
  (b) Industrial manufacturing equipment
  (c) Mobile radio equipment
  (d) Mobile radio and commercial radiotelephone equipment
  (e) Medical and scientific apparatus
  (f) Information technology equipment
  (g) Domestic appliances and household electronic equipment
  (h) Aeronautical and marine radio apparatus
  (i) Educational electronic equipment
  (j) Telecommunications networks and apparatus
  (k) Radio and television broadcast transmitters
  (l) Lights and fluorescent lamps.

Apparatus, and especially the apparatus referred to in points (a) to (l), should be constructed in such a way that it has an satisfactory level of electromagnetic immunity in the usual electromagnetic compatibility environment.

For the purposes of being able to test whether or not equipment complies with the Directive, tests are divided into five classes:

  1. Radiated emissions: Checks to ensure that the product does not emit unwanted radio      signals;
  2. Conducted emissions: Checks to ensure the product does not send out unwanted      signals along its supply connections and connections to any other apparatus;
  3. Radiated susceptibility: Checks that the product can withstand a typical level of      electromagnetic pollution;
  4. Conducted susceptibility: Checks that the product can withstand a typical level of      noise on the power and other connections.
  5. Electrostatic discharge: Checks that the product is immune to a reasonable amount of      static electricity.

As in the case of other directives, fulfilling of harmonized standard is understood as compliance with essential requirements.

Many harmonized standards have been written for individual electric and electronic equipment. The list of harmonized standards is available on the Internet pages of the European Commission, namely

2.2. PROCESS LEADING TO CE MARKING OF ELECTRICAL DEVICES - EMC CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

  1. The EC type examination (Module B) is only mandatory for telecommunications (i.e.      transmitting) apparatus and has been described by the R&TTE Directive (Radio and      Terminal Telecommunication Equipment).
   2. The module A - Internal Production Control is applicable, if the manufacturer has      applied fully the harmonized standards at the design of products and at the testing      confirming the successful implementation of requirements. The testing could      manufacturer perform either itself (if he has a suitable facility) or he can ask appropriate      testing laboratory (preferably the accredited one). The test report containing      description of testing condition and test results shall be written. Other obligation of      Module A follows:

Manufacturer shall issue EC declaration of conformity and keep it together with technical documentation

Manufacturer shall apply in production technology any measures to assure conformity of all products to essential requirements

Manufacturer gives CE mark on each product (if this is impossible, the manufacturer prints CE on the leaflet, instruction for use etc.)
3. The last procedure is used, if the manufacturer has not applied the harmonized standards or has applied them only in part at the design and testing of products.

Manufacturer must assembly Technical construction file, containing documentation explaining how the essential safety requirements are met. The obligatory part of this construction file is either Technical Report or Certificate one or other issued by the Competent Body. The next steps are the same as in the previous case of Module A:

The EMC Directive does not specify any Notified Bodies, only Competent Bodies shall be approved and registered in Brussels . The participation of Notified Bodies mentioned relates to another directive R & TTE (99/5/EC).

The only task of Competent Body is checking the documentation and verification, if the essential EMC requirements are met. In the positive case, the Competent Body issue either Certificate or Technical Report, according to customer choice.

ITC is approved Competent Body under EMC Directive with a right to issue Certificates and Technical Reports.

ITC ASIA is notified as competent person entitled to evaluate the conformity in accordance with the Governmental Order (GO) No. 18/2003 for the products:

Household appliances

Office and information technologies

Equipment in industrial facilities

Eequipment in dwelling space, of commercial and light industry facilities

Electrical measuring, controlling and laboratory equipment

Audio, video, audio-visual and controlling instruments of entertainment lighting for professional use

Gambling machines

Plays and toys