Information typically required for testing

Even if equipment will be undergoing only an initial evaluation, product developers new to the compliance environment may benefit by reviewing these requirements.

  1. Description
    Brief description of the Equipment Under Test (EUT), including Official name and model number. What does the machine do? Use a descriptive sentence from advertising literature.
  2. Intended Environment
    Where will the EUT be installed and used? In what environments (e.g., residential, commercial. light industry, or heavy industry) will it be located?
  3. Physical Size and Weight
    1. How many units make up the EUT?
    2. What are its dimensions and weight?
    3. Is the floor loading reasonably well distributed?
  4. Test Requirements
    1. What standards will be applied? Regulatory agency, special (e.g., Telcordia) or initial evaluation (no compliance) measurement?
    2. What tests will be performed? What limits will be applied?
    3. What severity levels will be used when performing immunity testing (if applicable)?
  5. Test System
    Block diagram of system under test and supporting equipment (can be hand drawn). Diagram should show what is in the test area and what is outside the test area. It should include cables, EUT, and peripherals.
  6. Cabling
    Cable diagram or list of cables including cable lengths of system under test. Are the cables shielded, non-shielded, twisted pairs, or other?
  7. Power
    1. What are the power requirements (line voltage and current) for the EUT and support equipment?
    2. How many power cords are there for the EUT and support equipment?
    3. What type of power connectors are used? (Give range: 50 Hz - 60 Hz required.)
  8. Grounding
    List any special grounding requirements.
  9. Auxiliary Equipment
    List any equipment required to operate or serve as loads for the EUT.
  10. Modes of Operation
    1. How will the EUT be operated?
    2. How many modes will be tested?
    3. How many line voltages are required for the test?
    4. When only one mode is to be tested, provide rationale for selecting that mode. Example: This mode exercises all circuits and draws the most power from the power source.
  11. Configurations/Ports
    1. How many EUT configurations will be tested? (Use typical installation practices or regulatory requirements such as ANSI C63.4 for FCC tests.)
    2. How many ports are there and how will they be used?
    3. Is there shielding on the EUT signal ports, plug-ins, shelves, nodes, etc?
  12. Failure Modes
    1. A definition of what constitutes a failure. How will the errors be identified and monitored?
    2. What is the performance degradation criteria for immunity tests? (State level: none, brief shutdown, keep within specs, etc.)
    3. What is the critical error that will show performance degradation at an unacceptable level?
    4. How do you monitor this performance degradation? (e.g., via test set, remote simulation, etc.)
    5. Do you need special methods to monitor performance degradation? (e.g., via cameras, lighting, hardwire telemetry, etc.)
  13. ESD Test Points
    A diagram or photograph of EUT showing the ESD test points. (CE testing only.)
  14. EUT Frequencies
    List all clock/data frequencies.
  15. Software/Firmware
    Will special test software be necessary to populate CRT and data transmission?
  16. Security
    What are your security requirements? Must EUT be hidden or camouflaged while at GPCL/ETG?
  17. Other Considerations
    If you have support or monitoring equipment that will not be in the test chamber with your EUT, are the cables to that equipment at least thirty feet long?