CertifiGroup Receives ISO 17025 Accreditation for Product Testing Laboratory in Central NC
CertifiGroup’s ISO 17025 accreditation of the new Ingress Protection testing facility allows US manufacturers to certify products for outdoor use, including NEMA ratings for equipment and enclosures.
Cary, NC, May 15, 2011 --(PR.com)-- ISO 17025 is the international Standard for the competence of testing laboratories. With this accreditation, CertifiGroup is able to provide certified test reports for manufacturers of products that need to meet the Ingress Protection requirements. All outdoor products sold in Europe must have the required IP Rating indicating the product’s level of “ingress protection.”
Ingress Protection is a product’s ability to prevent the entry of dust, objects or liquid. IP Codes are arranged in a 2 digit numbering system. “Protection against foreign objects” is from 0 (not protected) to 6 (dust tight). The second digit “Protection against moisture” is from 0 (not protected) to 8 (protected from submersion). Some electric motors and electrical enclosures bear the IP55 designation: Dust protected and protected against water jets. Other products that need to withstand the most severe dust storm and be water tight would carry the designation IP68. For the complete IP table and reference material, visit www.CertifiGroup.com and go to the “IP Code Testing” page.
The CertifiGroup laboratory has tested enclosures, light fixtures, motors, monitors, hand held devices, and many other products for use in commercial, industrial, hazardous location, medical and residential markets. Some easily recognizable CertifiGroup customers include Toshiba, Cooper Lighting, Siemens, Lord Corp and more. The recent accreditation to ISO 17025 has resulted in more certified testing by well known product manufacturers.
Joshua Hunt, head of CertifiGroup’s IP testing lab talks about the advantages for manufacturers, “More and more industries are now requiring that all products used outdoors must have an IP rating. If a product is marketed for outdoor use and the manufacturer cannot provide an IP rating, the manufacturer will likely not receive as many inquiries or sales for their product. CertifiGroup can provide IP, NEMA type testing and other environmental tests to ensure their products can withstand an outdoor, dusty or wet environment. With an IP rating from an accredited lab, products can be marketed and sold with confidence.”
A multitude of Standards specify an IP rating testing condition. Hunt explains, “IEC 60529 is the basis of which all IP ratings are derived from and provides the classification system for degrees of protection under the IP code. IEC 60529 requires that the relevant product standard shall be followed first before commencing a test. The relevant product standard may have alternate testing conditions and acceptance criteria. Not all products can be tested to IEC 60529. It is required that the relevant BS/EN or IEC standard for the product is researched for an IP or environmental testing criteria. For example a light fixture requires an IP testing section within the relevant product standard IEC 60598-1 (Luminaires). The testing conditions and acceptance criteria are significantly different than in IEC 60529. Another example is that IP is required for computer controlled equipment - EN 60950 (Information Technology Equipment) requires IP testing per 60950-22. Bottom line, it’s critical to make sure that your product has the correct IP rating.”
If a product requires an IP rating and testing is delayed or overlooked, a manufacturer can miss production milestones and end up over budget for regulatory and safety compliance. CertifiGroup helps avoid this by assisting with design guidance, prototype review, and preliminary testing. Taking a new product to the testing laboratory can be expensive and frustrating without the right preparation. With this preparation, unexpected costs and delays can be avoided.
Manufacturers and designers who can bring their product to the CertifiGroup testing laboratory in Cary are eligible for a free preliminary session. Call 800-422-1651 to make an appointment, or visit www.CertifiGroup.com. CertifiGroup also provides UL and CSA Certifications, SEMI S2, CE Marking for Europe, hazardous location, medial, laboratory, lighting and many other equipment categories. CertifiGroup is already well known as the regional experts for assistance with solar, wind turbine and energy saving devices. CertifiGroup is staffed by former UL Engineers who understand how to avoid compliance delays.
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Ingress Protection is a product’s ability to prevent the entry of dust, objects or liquid. IP Codes are arranged in a 2 digit numbering system. “Protection against foreign objects” is from 0 (not protected) to 6 (dust tight). The second digit “Protection against moisture” is from 0 (not protected) to 8 (protected from submersion). Some electric motors and electrical enclosures bear the IP55 designation: Dust protected and protected against water jets. Other products that need to withstand the most severe dust storm and be water tight would carry the designation IP68. For the complete IP table and reference material, visit www.CertifiGroup.com and go to the “IP Code Testing” page.
The CertifiGroup laboratory has tested enclosures, light fixtures, motors, monitors, hand held devices, and many other products for use in commercial, industrial, hazardous location, medical and residential markets. Some easily recognizable CertifiGroup customers include Toshiba, Cooper Lighting, Siemens, Lord Corp and more. The recent accreditation to ISO 17025 has resulted in more certified testing by well known product manufacturers.
Joshua Hunt, head of CertifiGroup’s IP testing lab talks about the advantages for manufacturers, “More and more industries are now requiring that all products used outdoors must have an IP rating. If a product is marketed for outdoor use and the manufacturer cannot provide an IP rating, the manufacturer will likely not receive as many inquiries or sales for their product. CertifiGroup can provide IP, NEMA type testing and other environmental tests to ensure their products can withstand an outdoor, dusty or wet environment. With an IP rating from an accredited lab, products can be marketed and sold with confidence.”
A multitude of Standards specify an IP rating testing condition. Hunt explains, “IEC 60529 is the basis of which all IP ratings are derived from and provides the classification system for degrees of protection under the IP code. IEC 60529 requires that the relevant product standard shall be followed first before commencing a test. The relevant product standard may have alternate testing conditions and acceptance criteria. Not all products can be tested to IEC 60529. It is required that the relevant BS/EN or IEC standard for the product is researched for an IP or environmental testing criteria. For example a light fixture requires an IP testing section within the relevant product standard IEC 60598-1 (Luminaires). The testing conditions and acceptance criteria are significantly different than in IEC 60529. Another example is that IP is required for computer controlled equipment - EN 60950 (Information Technology Equipment) requires IP testing per 60950-22. Bottom line, it’s critical to make sure that your product has the correct IP rating.”
If a product requires an IP rating and testing is delayed or overlooked, a manufacturer can miss production milestones and end up over budget for regulatory and safety compliance. CertifiGroup helps avoid this by assisting with design guidance, prototype review, and preliminary testing. Taking a new product to the testing laboratory can be expensive and frustrating without the right preparation. With this preparation, unexpected costs and delays can be avoided.
Manufacturers and designers who can bring their product to the CertifiGroup testing laboratory in Cary are eligible for a free preliminary session. Call 800-422-1651 to make an appointment, or visit www.CertifiGroup.com. CertifiGroup also provides UL and CSA Certifications, SEMI S2, CE Marking for Europe, hazardous location, medial, laboratory, lighting and many other equipment categories. CertifiGroup is already well known as the regional experts for assistance with solar, wind turbine and energy saving devices. CertifiGroup is staffed by former UL Engineers who understand how to avoid compliance delays.
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Contact
CertifiGroup
Gregory Smith
800-422-1651
www.certifigroup.com
Gregory Smith
800-422-1651
www.certifigroup.com
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