$600 2-hour RE Pre-scan

Assuming a setup & teardown time of less than 30 minutes, EMCI can perform a complete radiated emissions (RE) pres-scan from 30 MHz to 2 GHz in only 2 hours. At a rate of $275/hour, this means a complete pre-scan, quasi-peak and maximization of a product can performed for only $550. (Extending the frequency range of this test to 18 GHz only adds one more hour.) Data is taken in a fully-accredited 10-meter chamber, and this information gives the excellent information regarding how the product under test will perform during the formal testing.

Although primarily used for full-compliance testing, EMCI’s 10-meter chamber provides an excellent environment for trouble-shooting and mitigation. A number of clients who have taken advantage of this service have booked an additional two hours (i.e., a 4-hour block of time) so that they could trouble-shoot any problems they encountered during testing. Clients not familiar with 10-meter chamber testing have enthusiastically stated that not only was it well worth the cost, but that they accomplished more in four hours at EMCI than they could have accomplished in two days at an open area test site. Understanding the technical and logistical advantages of chamber testing versus OATS testing is important, and well-explained on our Chamber vs. OATS page.

Taking advantage of EMCI's pre-scan service gives clients a low-cost option for identifying potential problems early in the design cycle. This helps to ensure that products will be launched on schedule and within budget.

In the event that a product exceeds the recommended limits, the client can use the any remaining time to work on understanding the problem better, implement fixes, etc.  The client may also wish to take advantage of EMCI’s engineering expertise.  Our engineers have worked in product development and understand the importance of solutions that are both cost-effective and manufacturable.  To learn more about our capabilities in this area, click on Mitigation and Trouble-shooting.

Clients may also use a 4-hour block of time ($600) for pre-screening other environments on their product.  EMCI provides pre-scan testing for conducted emissions, harmonics, flicker and all the immunity tests required for full compliance.  A complete list of tests which EMCI has tailored for “pre-scanning” is as follows:

• Electrostatic discharge
• Radiated RF immunity
• Electrical Fast Transient/Burst
• Surge
• Conducted RF Immunity
• Power Quality Failure
• AC Power Line Harmonics
• AC Power Line Flicker

If, for example, a client has a device consisting of low-level, analog electronics, compliance with radiated emissions will be much less of an issue.  However, compliance with the various immunity environments may present a serious problem.  Given this scenario, a client may wish to book a ½ day pre-scan that would include radiated RF immunity and electrostatic discharge and electrical fast transient testing.

Clients have successfully used this strategy many times, saving both time and money in the production of their products.  By identifying EMC problems earlier in the design phase, there is a greater possibility that changes can be implemented in a more cost-effective manner.  If the client encounters a more difficult problem, the engineering staff at EMC Integrity is always ready offer trouble-shooting and mitigation support.

As with all commercial testing performed at EMCI, clients have the option of accompanying their products during test or simply shipping their products to EMCI.  In the event that a client is unable to support the testing, we ask that you make this arrangement this prior to testing.

All commercial EMC data taken at EMCI is stored as a soft copy on our file server.  Upon completion, engineering data is emailed to clients in .pdf format so that it may be easily reviewed.  Data plots will include any mitigation that was done to reduce the emission profile of the product.  To learn more about our testing, trouble-shooting, mitigation and design capabilities, Contact Us.