Major inspection problems I have encountered.
Parts and records problems:
* Manufacturer's valid code mark on PCBs not found in the current UL
"yellow" book. The mark may be new or just hard to find in the book.
* Boxes of harness and cables not marked with appropriate CSA and UL
labels. Sometimes this is caused by your own factory removing the parts from
the original container and moving them to another box.
* Spool of re-spooled wire not UL marked
* No certificates from suppliers that molded plastic parts are made
with Recognized materials
Inspector problems:
* Uncertainty of UL inspector on what to look for and what not to look
for on "split inspection reports"
* Erroneous instructions from European agencies (especially VDE) to
local in-country inspectors to also inspect for EMC compliance
* Local in-country inspector acting for another agency is unfamiliar
with the agency's inspection requirements. This happens all over the world.
* Inspectors erroneously asking to inspect hypot pass/fail records
Solutions: Most parts problems can be prevented by appropriate incoming
inspection procedures. However, when inventory is "dock-to-stock", the best
bet is to periodically inspect the parts on the manufacturing floor and
inspect the certificates for molded plastic parts. Inspectors must be
controlled so they don't inspect an area not under their jurisdiction. You
must understand what that jurisdiction is and be forceful if required.
Complaining to the agency about an ignorant or rouge inspector is sometimes
required.
----------
From: Jon D. Curtis [SMTP:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, July 02, 1999 8:54 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Follow Up Services/Factory Inspections
I am writing an article on preparing for factory inspections.
Please
share with me your "gotchas" and any advice that a person should
know
before the inspector arrives. What did the inspector look for?
What
documents did you need to provide?
Any references on what to expect published by the NRTLs or others
such
as NEMA?
Thanks in advance for your comments.
--
Jon D. Curtis, PE
Curtis-Straus LLC [email protected]
Laboratory for EMC, Safety, NEBS, SEMI-S2 and Telecom
527 Great Road voice (978) 486-8880
Littleton, MA 01460 fax (978) 486-8828
http://www.curtis-straus.com
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