Hi Dave:
There are no "standard" definitions for critical components. However, do a Google search for "critical components list" and you will find a number of examples and opinions as to a definition of critical components. For example, http://www.tracglobal.com/sites/tracglobal.com/files/pdfs/componentacceptabilityforceproductsafety.pdf I prefer to think of a "critical component" as a "safeguard." A safeguard is a component, part, or assembly that provides protection against one or more hazardous energy sources. Basic insulation, supplementary insulation, and reinforced insulation are safeguards against electric shock. Failure of a safeguard can lead to an injury, or calls into play a supplementary safeguard such as supplementary insulation or grounding. The enclosure may be a supplementary safeguard against electric shock or against spread of fire or against both. The point is, you must know the safety function of the component, part, or assembly before you can identify it as a "safeguard" or "critical component." In practice, however, a critical component is any component the certification engineer says is a critical component. Best regards, Rich - ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to <emc-p...@ieee.org> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html (including how to unsubscribe) List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas <emcp...@radiusnorth.net> Mike Cantwell <mcantw...@ieee.org> For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: <j.bac...@ieee.org> David Heald: <dhe...@gmail.com>
