State-of-the-Art EMC Lab in Durham, UK, Provides Advanced Testing and Certification

The state-of-the-art SGS laboratory in Durham is one of the most technologically advanced Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing laboratories in the UK.

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing is a critical part of a product’s design journey and its life cycle. SGS offers a diverse range of EMC testing and certification services from its state-of-the-art laboratory in Durham – one of the most technologically advanced EMC testing laboratories in the UK. 

The Durham lab is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and supports manufacturers, product designers and innovators by detecting the slightest anomaly in the electromagnetic and electrical operation of their products. It also enables SGS to address due diligence, compliance and market-access challenges in the fast-growing and increasingly complex world of connected devices.

Why do you need EMC testing?

Compliance with EMC standards is required by several national and international laws and demanded by industries and consumers. EMC tests the ability of devices to withstand interference from other electrical or electronic equipment and environments. It also verifies that the emissions from the device do not cause harmful interference to other electrical or electronic equipment.

With its product testing and certification expertise, and global accreditations, SGS provides manufacturers with a comprehensive array of international approvals and marks for worldwide markets.

Coverage across product categories

SGS EMC testing capabilities covers the following range of products:

• IT equipment
• Household products, electric tools and products
• Electrical toys and recreational products
• Residential, commercial and light-industrial electrical products
• Industrial electrical products
• Luminaires/electrical lighting products
• Medical electrical products 
• Health, fitness and beauty products 
• Railway electrical products
• Electrical products for measurement, control and laboratory use

Pre-compliance and development testing

The EMC laboratory facilities can also be used for pre-compliance and development testing by local product design engineers and developers. SGS offers global experience and expert advice to companies at every step of the product launch process – from design, development to preparing for market access. This help to ensure compliance with regulations before and during production.

SGS also carries out on-site EMC testing of large equipment at client/manufacturer premises – anywhere in the UK.

With over 100 years of collective EMC testing experience, SGS offers the technical expertise, capacity, proximity and engineering expertise to streamline EMC compliance testing requirements for your products.

A wide range of EMC testing services

SGS offers EMC testing services for the two broad categories – immunity tests and emission tests.

EMC immunity tests

Immunity tests measure how a device will react when exposed to electromagnetic noise and other disturbances. This provides assurance that the device will operate as intended when used within its expected operating environment. SGS immunity tests include:

• Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
• Electrical fast transients/bursts 
• Surge 
• Conducted radio frequency (RF) immunity
• Radiated radio frequency (RF) immunity
• Power frequency magnetic field 
• Impulse magnetic field 
• Voltage dips and short interruptions

Emissions tests 

Emissions tests measure the amount of electromagnetic noise generated by a device during normal operation. These tests ensure that any emissions from the device are below the relevant limits defined for the device type. This provides a reasonable assurance that the device will not cause harmful interference to other devices operating within its expected operating environment. SGS emissions tests include:

• Harmonics current emissions 
• Voltage changes, Voltage Fluctuations and Flicker 
• Conducted emissions Disturbance Power 
• Radiated emissions
• Discontinuous interference (clicks)

Why SGS

The EMC laboratory in Durham enables SGS to respond to your needs, when and where they occur. With a reputation for independence, excellence and innovation that has established SGS as the market leader for services that improve efficiency, reduce risk and deliver competitive advantage to clients. 

SGS offers:

• Value-based pricing
• Advanced technology
• Fast turnarounds
• Stability
• Reliability
• Independence
• A specialist team
• Reduced risk
• One-stop solution

Wherever you are in the world, you can rely on SGS’s international teams of experts to provide specialized solutions to make your business faster, simpler and more efficient.

For further information on SGS EMC testing services, contact:

Haider Ali
Business Development Manager
T: +44 (0) 7966 171189