RE: TCF'sSome additional remarks : A TCF is to be prepared in either case. In the case where a competent body is involved, the TCF will be co -signed by the CB.
A TCF just is the term for a compliance assessment document to a
specific apparatus, or group of apparatuses.
It describes in full details
- what exactly you are producing
- what measures you take to ensure EMC:
- a) harmonized standards
- b) others
- test reports or justifications why not tested
- a strategy to maintain compliance in future
In case b) the co-sign is required. You will find that most bigger apparatus
such as machines and automotives and all outside installations will not
fit in the scope of a harmonized standard. The harmonized standards
framework
is mainly for the smaller equipment that can be carried in to a test lab.
Other applications have been described in this thread before.
My comment:
The CB involvement is a lack of trust in the manufacturers and contrary of
the
deregulation measures in Europe. The EC thinks now that the manufacturer is
truly
capable of determining appropriate measures to be taken to ensure
compliance,
being testing at a CB, anywhere else or not tested at all, given the fact
that he bears full responsibility by means of the DoC.
The CB co-signing does not create any discharge of liability anyhow if
somewhere later a compliance dispute is started.
There is a reasonable chance that the function of Competent Body is
to be suppressed, according to version 6 of the concept EMC-directive.
There is great opposition ( from CB's of course), but as the CB concept is
unique
for the EMC-directive, it's not sure if there opposition will convince the
EC.
Regards,
Gert Gremmen, (Ing)
Ce-test, qualified testing
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-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of
John Juhasz
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2001 3:05 PM
To: 'William D'Orazio'; emcpost
Subject: RE: TCF's
William,
That's a good question . . . but this is where the Competent Body
(that is actually the correct authority - not Notified Body),
comes in. If the 'variation' is developed after the TCF is made
for the installation, they would be the ones to determine if any
tests need to be performed, or a detailed addendum be added to the TCF.
Choose your CB wisely. Trust is important.
John Juhasz
Fiber Options
Bohemia, NY
-----Original Message-----
From: William D'Orazio [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2001 4:55 PM
To: emcpost
Subject: RE: TCF's
John,
What if the installation has variants, do the tests have to be
repeated,
or is it sufficient to compile a new TCF describing the changes.
Thanks,
William D'Orazio
CAE Electronics Ltd.
Electrical System Designer
Phone: (514) 341-2000 (X4555)
Fax: (514)340-5552
Email: [email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: John Juhasz [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2001 1:04 PM
To: 'Courtland Thomas'; emcpost
Subject: RE: TCF's
For the sake of brevity (?) I am going to try and keep it simple . . .
For one example a TCF (Technical Contruction File) is useful for a company
that has
numerous products in a product 'family'/ For instance, there may be a
dozen
variations based on one design (i.e. printed circuit board partially
populated
with components for one product, fully populated for another, etc).
This may make it difficult (or impossible) to test every single variation.
In that case, a manufacturer would take the TCF route to compliance. One
set
of tests and then a file consisting of documentation describing/detailing
all the variations along with engineering considerations for each.
That 'package' is reviewed by a Notified Body who basically agrees that,
based on the documentation presented, the one set of tests covers the
whole
product family. The NB affixes their 'stamp of approval'.
Another example maybe a product (installation) that is too large to
test. In that case certain sub-assemblies or groups of sub-assemblies
(the Notified Body will determine) would be tested to all or only
some of the tests, and a TCF describing the entire product (installation)
would be generated.
I was trying to keep this short, so I may have not described it completely
(or totally acccurate), but this should give you the idea.
John Juhasz
Fiber Options
Bohemia, NY
-----Original Message-----
From: Courtland Thomas [ mailto:[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]> ]
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2001 1:09 PM
To: emcpost
Subject: TCF's
Hello group,
I would like to know the intent of TCF's for CE. There are numerous
standards such as Radiated Emissions, Conducted Emissions, ESD, Radiated
Immunity, Fast Transients, Surge, etc..., that apply. What actually is the
intent of the TCF? Is it to allow the manufacturer to select only certain
standards in lieu of testing to all the standards?
Courtland Thomas
Patton Electronics
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<<attachment: Gert Gremmen.vcf>>
