What standard is used for testing audio or audio visual apparatus?
Can I have my product tested to all of those standards at the same time?
What documentation do I need to send with my apparatus for safety testing to IEC or EN standards?
Why do you need the certificates, surely an approval mark on the component is good enough?
Supposing the component is CE marked, or the supplier will provide a certificate of conformity, will that do?
I’m having a product tested to IEC60065, why do I have to buy a V-0 classified switch?
The switch I intend to use has ENEC marking, does this mean that it is rated V-0?
Can I incorporate a pre-approved power supply in my audio product?
I have a CD/DVD player for testing, do I have to supply any additional documentation for the laser pickup?
What colour wires should I use for internal wiring?
Why can’t I have 4mm banana-plug sockets on my audio product?
What standard is used for testing electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use?
Can I have my product tested to all of those standards at the same time?
What documentation do I need to send with my apparatus for safety testing to IEC or EN standards?
What documentation do I need to send with my apparatus for safety testing to North American standards?
Why do you need the certificates, surely an approval mark on the component is good enough?
Supposing the component is CE marked, or the supplier will provide a certificate of conformity, will that do?
Can I incorporate a pre-approved power supply in my product?
What colour wires should I use for internal wiring?
Q: What standard is used for testing audio or audio visual apparatus?
A: For Europe the standard is EN60065:2002, the USA requires UL60065 7th Edition, Canada, CAN/CSA60065-03 and the rest of the world IEC60065:2001.
Q. Can I have my product tested to all of those standards at the same time?
A: It can be tested to any of the standards either individually or at the same time. It saves money if the product is tested simultaneously to more than one standard because some of the tests are common and the administration costs are lower.
Q: What documentation do I need to send with my apparatus for safety testing to IEC or EN standards?
A: Circuit diagrams, component placement drawings, approvals certificates for all safety-critical components, transformer data sheets, and safety instructions.
Q: Why do you need the certificates, surely an approval mark on the component is good enough?
A: An approval mark doesn’t tell the engineer what standard or part of a standard has been used to evaluate the component. Often the standard that is being used to test the apparatus calls up specific component standards.
Q: Supposing the component is CE marked, or the supplier will provide a certificate of conformity, will that do?
A: No, CE marking or a C of C is a self-declaration from the manufacturer or distributor. For the purpose of product certification component approvals must be via an independent third-party testing organisation.
Q: I’m having a product tested to IEC60065, the engineer doing the testing says I have to buy a V-0 classified switch. Why is this?
A: IEC/EN60065 is different from other standards, in that a mains switch must not only be approved to the switch standard IEC/EN61058 but must additionally be rated V-0 for fire resistance. Most switch manufacturers will supply V-0 rated switches on request.
Q: The switch I intend to use has ENEC marking, does this mean that it is rated V-0?
A: No, the ENEC mark means that a component has been tested to the relevant European standards, but the requirement for V-0 flammability rating is not required for ENEC marking of switches.
Q: Can I incorporate a pre-approved power supply in my audio product?
A: Yes, if the power supply is approved to a current edition of IEC60065, or IEC60950 if you can supply the full test report that relates to its CB certification.
Q: I have a CD/DVD player for testing, do I have to supply any additional documentation for the laser pickup?
A: Yes, for IEC/EN certification you will need to supply approvals to IEC60825-1, for N. America CFR21 Part 1040 is required.
Q: Why can’t I have 4mm banana-plug sockets on my audio product?
A: These sockets are the same size as the mains plug used in many parts of Europe, and pose a danger because of this. They are allowed in N. America.
Q: What standard is used for testing electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use?
A: For Europe the standard is EN61010-1: 2001, the USA requires ANSI/UL Std No.61010-1 (Second Edition 2004), Canada requires CAN/CSA-C22.2 No.61010.1-04 (Second Edition 2004), and the rest of the world IEC61010-1: 2001.
Q. Can I have my product tested to all of those standards at the same time?
A: It can be tested to any of the standards either individually or at the same time. It saves money if the product is tested simultaneously to more than one standard because some of the tests are common and the administration costs are lower.
Q: What documentation do I need to send with my apparatus for safety testing to IEC or EN standards?
A: Circuit diagrams, component placement drawings, approvals certificates for all safety-critical components, transformer data sheets, and safety instructions. For an evaluation against a European Standard, approval certificates to European standards are required.
Q: What documentation do I need to send with my apparatus for safety testing to North American standards?
A: Circuit diagrams, component placement drawings, approvals certificates for all safety-critical components, transformer data sheets, and safety instructions. For an evaluation against a North American Standard, approval details to North American standards are required (UL file number, CSA report number, component designated part number, any limits on the application of the certified component (conditions of acceptability), details of the UL and CSA standards the component was tested to).
Q: Why do you need the certificates, surely an approval mark on the component is good enough?
A: An approval mark doesn’t tell the engineer what standard, what edition of the standard, what part of a standard has been used to evaluate the component, and any limits on the application of the certified component (conditions of acceptability). Often the standard that is being used to test the apparatus calls up specific component standards.
Q: Supposing the component is CE marked, or the supplier will provide a certificate of conformity, will that do?
A: No, CE marking or a C of C is a self-declaration from the manufacturer or distributor. For the purpose of product certification component approvals must be via an independent third-party testing organisation.
Q: Can I incorporate a pre-approved power supply in my product?
A: Yes, if the power supply is approved to a current edition of IEC61010-1, or IEC60950-1, if you can supply the full test report that relates to its CB certification. IEC61010-1 has some different requirements to IEC60950-1, for example IEC61010-1 considers all temperatures at an ambient temperature of 40°C. If the power supply has been evaluated to IEC60950-1, but not at ambient temperatures as high as 40°C, information in the full test report should direct us to the components that would require temperature measurement, and their insulation class could be established. This would enable us to determine suitability/compliance of the power supply within the product.