Cranage Launch New Test Lab for Surge Protection

A new test laboratory with the facility for generating combination waves at 24kV 12kA has been launched by Cranage for evaluating the performance and safety of Surge Protection Devices in low-voltage power systems and telecommunication networks. Products such as trailing sockets, plugs, TV and telephone extension leads which incorporate surge protection components can now be fully evaluated to the requirements of EN61643-11 +A11 and EN61643-21. These standards are published in the Official Journal of the European Union as a requirement for implementing the Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC. The SPD test lab at Cranage is believed to be the only facility in the UK that is fully equipped to test to the new A11:2007 requirements for Type 3 SPD’s. This amendment, effective from July 2009, also specifies phase synchronous short circuit withstand testing up to 1500A. In the 12 months leading up to July, Cranage designed and developed suitable test equipment and constructed a safe working environment, isolated from other work in progress, as products would either explode or catch fire as a result of the test. Tests undertaken at Cranage on many electrical accessories which provide a surge protection function have shown that use of certified or approved components will not necessarily lead to a safe product. “Manufacturers that choose to verify conformity with the essential requirements of the Low Voltage Directive on the basis of having type approval documentation are probably not even aware of the risk they are taking,” warned Keith Richens, Managing & Technical Director of Cranage EMC & Safety, a UKAS accredited test house and approved product testing laboratory for TUV Rheinland, based in Shropshire. He also explained that declared protection ratings based on MOV component specs serve no purpose whatsoever. “In this market, we seem to be dealing with customers who are simply not aware of the design or manufacturing quality issues that can affect safety or performance,” he added, “both of which strongly influence the outcome of SPD compliance tests.” A PDF brochure is available from Cranage which outlines test procedures for CE marking and gives information on tests that can be applied for design confidence. For further information go to www.cranage.co.uk/spd.htm or email info@cranage.co.uk

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