testing

Three pre-compliance measurement software packages are put to the test, comparing how each one automates radiated emissions testing and shaves hours off manual measurement work. The review shares hands-on pricing, quirks, and lessons learned from running each tool in the field.

Ken Wyatt walks through pre-compliance radiated emissions testing for automotive modules under CISPR 25 and military products under MIL-STD-461, including spectrum analyzer setup and how to work around ambient RF interference on a home-built test bench.

Turning a spectrum analyzer reading into a real E-field number takes more than eyeballing the display. This installment walks through the gain and loss calculations, test setups, and ambient signal workarounds that determine whether your pre-compliance data actually holds up.

Third-party EMC chambers can cost millions to build, so what does an accurate in-house setup actually require? This first installment breaks down the analyzers, antennas, preamplifiers, and tripods needed for radiated emissions pre-compliance testing, plus real-world test locations that stand in for a proper chamber.

A simple antenna positioned right on your bench can reveal radiated emissions in real time. Learn how to separate product harmonics from ambient RF noise, track down capacitive and inductive coupling paths, and use copper tape and foil to hunt down leaky seams and apertures.

When cables become the culprit in radiated emissions failures, an RF current probe can catch what near-field probes miss. This installment of EMC Bench Notes walks through measurement technique, transfer impedance math, and a downloadable E-field calculator for pass/fail estimation.

This whitepaper underscores that precise calibration of high-voltage test gear — especially when measuring 1 kV–150 kV systems — is essential for safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. It details measurement techniques (voltage dividers, step-down transformers, etc.), the impact of environmental and connection factors on accuracy, and why traceable calibration (e.g. to NIST / A2LA) is a must to ensure consistent, reliable results.

As hospitals fill with wireless devices—from patient monitors to smartphones—radio frequency interference threatens medical device performance and patient safety. This article explores the critical testing methodologies, regulatory requirements, and risk management strategies manufacturers need to ensure their wireless medical devices work reliably in today's crowded spectrum environments.

Apex Test Labs has acquired the operations of Bureau Veritas’ electrical testing laboratory in Auburn Hills, Michigan, significantly expanding its electrical component testing capabilities.

Aircraft power systems endure dramatic electrical events—voltage surges, frequency shifts, and sudden dropouts during engine transitions. Power line testing ensures avionics can withstand these harsh conditions, from flight-critical computers that must survive 50ms power failures to everyday equipment that keeps passengers comfortable at 30,000 feet.