ANSI C62.45: Guide On Surge Testing For Equipment Connected To Low-Voltage AC Power Circuits

ANSI C63.16 elucidates explanations, best practices, and guidance for avoiding the pitfalls associated with electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing to IEC and other international standards. ESD standards are provided and should be considered a supplement to these standards, rather than a replacement. Unique ESD test procedures related to connecting charged peripherals to equipment in use are also included. ANSI C63.16 Foreword This standard for performing electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing incorporates the latest research in ESD waveform characterization and strives to ensure product quality through proper operation in actual equipment installations. The discharge source is based on the hand/metal model: discharges from a human with an intervening metal object between the hand and point of contact. The modes of contact discharge and air discharge are specified, as well as direct (on the product) and indirect (near the product) discharge points. One of the primary goals of this standard will be to address the deficiencies in existing ESD standards, including IEC 61000-4-2. Existing ESD standards were written based on the state of the art in measurement technology and the industry’s understanding of the ESD phenomena at the time, and they have done much to improve the immunity of electronic devices to ESD.  The variation of human-metal ESD is large over typical voltage arc length ranges and differs from furniture ESD or human-skin ESD. The problem of finding a waveform that provides a reasonable level of product protection is difficult and leads to a compromise. For example, a present requirement of IEC 61000-4-2 is a 0.7 to 1 ns rise time, which is slower than many actual ESD events. Faster rise times like 200 ps will cover more of the very often occurring low voltage ESDs and the fast-rising high voltage ESDs (usually in very dry air), but it may be too fast compared to many ESDs above 4 kV in the moderately humid air. With contact

ANSI C63.4 describes the United States standard procedures for measuring RF signals and noise generated by electronic and electrical instruments over the frequency range of 9 kHz to 40 GHz. ANSI C63.4 does not include either generic or product-specific emission limits. The specifications within ANSI C63.4 are harmonized with separate national and international standards utilized with similar intent. ANSI C63.4 is designed to standardize the implementation of emissions testing concerning compliance requirements intended to protect communications services. The standard can be applied to the emissions monitoring of a variety of devices, including both stand-alone units and interconnected units. Notwithstanding other possible uses, this standard is intended to be used for making emission measurements of unintentional radiators (including digital devices and receivers) and for making emission measurements of the digital device portions contained in or used in intentional radiators. Buy Standard

ANSI C63.2 lists requirements for measuring instruments used for electromagnetic interference (EMI) measurements are provided, involving quasi-peak, peak, and average detection in the frequency range 9 kHz to 40 GHz. ANSI C63.2 specifies requirements for measuring receivers [i.e., electromagnetic interference (EMI) receivers and spectrum analyzers with and without preselection] used for radiated and conducted emission measurements. Specifications relate to the measuring equipment only, not transducers like antennas, line impedance stabilization networks (LISNs), or current probes. ANSI C63.2 has been prepared to consolidate the applicable requirements found in CISPR 16-1-1:2010 as well as ANSI C63.2 into one standard to provide a harmonized set of specifications such that the same instrument can be used for measurements in accordance with national and international standards. Additional requirements have been added to address domestic measurement needs as well as requirements for the frequency range 18 GHz to 40 GHz. Buy Standard

ANSI/IEEE C37.90 specifies standard service conditions, standard ratings, performance requirements, and testing requirements for relays and relay systems used to protect and control power apparatus. The standard establishes a common reproducible basis for designing and evaluating relays and relay systems. According to ANSI/IEEE C37.90, a relay system may include computer interface equipment and/or communications interface equipment, such as a carrier transmitter/receiver or audio tone equipment. ANSI/IEEE C37.90 does not cover relays designed primarily for industrial control, for switching communication or other low-level signals, or any other equipment not intended for control of power apparatus. Retrieved from IHS 10-31-2013

The standard has two types of design tests for relays and relay systems that relate to the immunity of this equipment to repetitive electrical transients.  IEEE C37.90.1 covers test generator characteristics, test waveforms, selection of equipment terminals on which tests are to be conducted, test procedures, criteria for acceptance and the documentation of test results. The tests are to be applied to any part of the relay system that can be exposed to conducted or coupled transients under normal installed operating conditions.   This standard establishes a common and reproducible basis for evaluating the performance of relays and relay systems when subjected to repetitive transients on supply, signal, control, and communication lines or connections. This standard establishes that an evaluation is performed during both normal (non-tripped) and abnormal (tripped) relay operating conditions.   Retrieved from standardsforum 10-31-2013

ANSI/IEEE C62.41 specifies standard service conditions, standard ratings, performance requirements, and testing requirements for relays and relay systems used to protect and control power apparatus. According to ANSI/IEEE C62.41, a relay system may include computer interface equipment and/or communications interface equipment, such as a carrier transmitter/receiver or audio tone equipment. ANSI/IEEE C62.41 does not cover relays designed primarily for industrial control, for switching communication or other low-level signals, or any other equipment not intended for control of power apparatus.  

ANSI/IEEE C95.1:2019 offers safety limits for the protection of persons against the established adverse health effects of exposures to electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields in the frequency range 0 Hz to 300 GHz are presented in this standard. ANSI/IEEE C95.1:2019 sets these exposure limits as intended to apply generally to persons permitted in restricted environments and to the general public in unrestricted environments. These exposure limits are not intended to apply to the exposure of patients by or under the direction of physicians and medical professionals, as well as to the exposure of informed volunteers in medical or scientific research studies, and might not be protective with respect to the use of medical devices or implants. Compliance with IEEE C95.1:2019 In 2019 the IEEE updated the exposure reference levels (ERL), previously called maximum permissible expose (MPE). The ERL for unrestricted tier (lower tier) remain the same as in IEEE Std C95.1:2005. But the upper tier whole-body exposure ERLs above 300 MHz are different from those in IEEE Std C95.1:2005 to maintain a consistent 5× factor between tiers and to harmonize with ICNIRP guidelines. Per the chart below, the 2019 standard is significantly more stringent than the former 2005 standard, especially for frequencies above 2 GHz. As such, if you are using Narda Safety Test Solutions Shaped Response instruments that use the older IEEE C95.1:2005 “Shaping” for conducting RF Compliance measurements, you may exceed the ERL (MPE Limits) by a factor of two. Narda Safety Test Solutions has a full line of “Shaped Response” instruments which complies with the IEEE C95.1:2019 exposure reference levels (ERL).   Previous IEEE C95.1:2005 Standard The ANSI/IEEE C95.1:2019 test standard supersedes the previous C95.1:2005 standard. ANSI/IEEE C95.1:2005 offers recommendations to prevent harmful effects in human beings exposed to electromagnetic fields

Building envelope testing is the process of testing the physical separator between the interior and exterior of a building to determine if there are any air, water, or thermal leaks within the structure. The building envelope consists of all parts of the outer exterior that keep the building environment dry, heated, or cooled for climate control.   Building Envelope Leaks & Contamination Many different intrusions can result from an improperly built or maintained building envelope, such as air intrusion, water intrusion, and thermal intrusion. Leaky roofs are a common source of water and water vapor leakage, which can damage walls. Water infiltration is particularly harmful to any building’s structural integrity because it can cause extraordinary damage and remain undetected for a while. Many of these building code problems can be addressed by adhering to the standards established by the NIBS, the ASTM and the AAMA. Moisture and Water Analysis Moisture control is imperative to maintaining a building’s structural integrity, as well as quality health and safety standards. Therefore, waterproofing is necessary to prevent water damage to a building’s foundation. Air barriers must also be in place to prevent unnecessary ventilation and drafts in the building. Any HVAC system installed must be designed specifically for the purpose of air pressure testing. Building Forensics Building forensics also discover damage to a structure and determine possible causes using scientific processes. These tests investigate the materials, products, compounds, and structures that either fail or do not operate as intended. Failures can cause injury or damage to property, which are often costly and time-consuming. Building Envelope Testing Building envelope testing plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental health and safety. Universities, corporate campuses, healthcare, hospitals, medicine, and military bases

Testing your clean room is essential to achieve contamination-free research and manufacturing as well as efficient operation and financial saving. Manufacturers of semiconductors, flat panel displays, and memory drives have extremely high requirements, and biotech and pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, healthcare facilities and other organizations that produce, store and test their products are regulated by law. The sensitive technologies handled in clean rooms require careful vigilance—a single speck of dust, for example, has the potential to destroy a semiconductor’s microscopic electronic components. To maintain a controlled environment, clean rooms are pressurized with filtered air, regulated by ISO, IEST and cGMP standards, and tested annually with the following methods and equipment.   Clean Room Testing Equipment Particle Counters The measurement of particles in the air is essential to a clean room setting. Particle counters are the ideal tool; these highly sensitive devices index how many particulates of a specified sizes are present. Most counters can be adjusted to the allowable threshold of the particle sizes. Ensuring the clean room always meets standards requires the installation of a continuous monitor particle counter that is always running. This practice is essential to maintaining a controlled environment and protecting products or equipment from contamination. The process of how particle counting should be performed is defined in ISO 14644-3. Portable particle counters can be utilized for continuous monitoring, but they and handheld particle counters are typically used in the authentication and confirmation of the continuous monitoring counter and in localizing the source of particles. A variety of manufactures, including Particle Measuring Systems, Fluke, and Met One, supply clean room particle counters with top models like: Particle Measuring Systems Lasair III 110 Beckman

EMI/EMC testing indicates to engineers whether a device is compatible with its electromagnetic environment as well as whether it will produce electromagnetic interference (EMI) in real-world situations. In a world without testing, the risk of helicopters falling out of the sky, respirators going silent, or your cell phone losing its signal would increase. All of these machines rely on technology which can be disrupted by rogue electromagnetic energy, and thus undergo EMC testing with the appropriate equipment to fulfill requirements standards dictated by IEC, CISPR, and MIL-STDs and achieve EMI compliance. ATEC explains what EMC is, the test methods and their standards, and some of the instruments that perform each type of test. Keep reading to learn more.   What is EMC? Electromagnetic compatibility, commonly referred to as EMC, is a branch of electrical engineering focused on EMI/EMC testing. Jets, gaming systems, and automobiles, for example, all need to be configured to protect against harmful electromagnetic interference, or EMI. Products themselves may also emit electromagnetic interference and must avoid crossing signals. A device which interrupts cell tower signals or damages airplanes could cost companies millions in fines or lawsuits—and such incidents did happen before the consequences of EMI were widely known. For the details on EMI specifically, read our blog What is Electromagnetic Interference?   EMI/EMC Testing Procedure Find the Standards. “Which standards apply to my product?” is the first question you should ask yourself. Varying between product type and geography, standards can be difficult to define or pin down and missing an EMC standard can be disastrous for manufacturers. Contact an EMC lab and determine which standards you need to meet before sending your product in or develop a plan yourself if you’re familiar with the requirements. To do your own research, visit

Achieving shaft alignment is a perennial task in machinery maintenance: roughly half of all machinery fails due to some degree of misalignment and requires connecting shafts to be tested and re-aligned. Alignment measurements can be performed with a feeler gauge, calipers, straightedge or dial indicator(s), but laser shaft alignment offers the distinct advantages of portability along with unrivaled speed and precision measurement. How To Use A Laser Alignment Tool To Test Rotating Equipment Perform pre-alignment check Perform rough alignment Eliminate obvious soft foot Tighten bolts Perform final soft check Mount sensors to stationary and movable shafts or hubs Turn on lasers Follow on-screen prompts Enter dimensions Select tolerances Perform readings, 3 measurement points Correct for both horizontal and vertical misalignment Watch the following video for a step-by-step shaft alignment performed with the Vibralign Fixturlaser EVO:   What Is A Laser Shaft Alignment Tool? A laser shaft alignment tool performs measurements by means of two sensors mounted on two connected shafts. Both sensors fire a laser beam and receive the other sensor’s beam simultaneously; a comparison of the beams reveals whether the shafts are aligned and within a specified tolerance. The data then appears on a display unit, tablet or PC, allowing for analysis and correction to be performed. Considered to be on the cutting edge of dimensional analysis in the world of manufacturing, laser alignment tools are vital allies to test engineers charged with mechanical reliability. Laser beams are free from the laws of gravity, immune to bracket sag and eliminate coupling anomalies. A laser shaft test system can rotate to compensate for coupling anomalies, calculate precise values for horizontal and vertical (shimming) corrections, and can even measure more than two machines, all in the same

Walking into a military compound like marine corps base Camp Pendleton in San Diego, north of ATEC’s corporate headquarters, few civilians imagine what thorough testing each piece of technology they encounter undergoes. Jeeps humming along in the distance are lightning-proof after undergoing indirect lightning testing. Inside a laboratory, walls tested by sound level meters offer refuge from noise pollution. Military testing standards pervade every part of military life; even the ground below a marching unit holds tested machinery, the piping beneath the troops’ feet carefully measured by flow meters.   What is a MIL-STD? In the military, testing is crucial to the safety and efficiency of operations. Manufacturing is regimented like any other faction of military life, and engineers navigate a labyrinth of testing requirements for their products to emerge from the bunkers of R&D ready to operate under fire. Electromagnetic interference, or EMI, for example, could pierce a weak point on an M1-Abrams tank if untested for its susceptibility to rogue electromagnetic emissions. Countless other pieces of military equipment would fail in the line of duty, too, if it were not for the safeguards of military manufacturing: MIL-STDs. MIL-STDs, or military standards, are requirements approved by the U.S. Department of Defense that engineers must conform to when developing and testing military technology. Standardization encourages defense contractors who supply government goods to craft safe and efficient products, and many times commercial manufacturers ensure their products undergo EMC testing as well. A smartphone which can withstand the blistering desert heats of Afghanistan is considered to be well-qualified to serve civilian needs.   Types of MIL-STD Testing To meet a certain military standard, engineers need to acquire specific equipment to achieve compliance. Advanced Test Equipment Rentals (ATEC) is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited test