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.

Q: What colour wires should I use for internal wiring?
A: You can use any colour or colours except the combination green/yellow, which is reserved for protective earthing conductors.