General Guidelines
Be Prepared
You should try to arrive for a test with everything you need to operate your Equipment Under Test (EUT), e.g., cables, peripherals, 48V DC power supplies (if required), host computers, special software (tested), etc., so your test time will not be lost searching for needed items.
General Guidelines - Checklist for Testing
All I/O ports used in a typical application must have a cable connected. Ports that can be connected by the user to cables longer than 3 meters (10'), must be provided with at least a 3 meter cable for some tests. For best results, we suggest you use only high quality cables, and please bring spare cables of each cable type.
At least one of each interface type must be connected to a typical peripheral. Other ports of a similar type should also be provided with I/O cables; the termination of the cable is left to your discretion. Though not a requirement, we suggest you use different peripherals. In the case of mutually exclusive ports, the "worst case" configuration with respect to EMI should be chosen. If this configuration cannot easily be determined, we'll need to perform separate tests for each configuration.
For different I/O protocols (such as USB, Firewire, RS232, or parallel), please bring separate (and different type) peripherals.
If your EUT has more than one operating mode, for example: (1) a video adapter card that can operate at multiple resolutions and refresh rates, or (2) a network adapter card that can operate at 100 Mb/s or 1000 Mb/s, or (3) different configurations of a single device (that can connect to either a serial or parallel device, but not both simultaneously), it may be necessary to test your EUT in different modes and configurations to determine the worst case operating condition.
During testing, your EUT should operate so that all functions and peripherals are fully exercised.
Your EUT (or the support equipment that provides power), should be set to operate at the nominal operating voltage for the intended market (e.g. Europe 230V/50Hz, US & Canada 120V/60Hz, Australia 240V/50Hz, and Japan 100V/50Hz). If your EUT is powered from an AC-DC adapter, the adapter must be capable of operating at each required voltage (this may require more than one adapter).
Elliott uses generic NEMA 5-15 (15A) and NEMA 5-20 (20A) 3-pin, US, AC outlets for both 230V/50Hz and 120V/60Hz AC. For multi-phase units, Elliott uses NEMA L21-30, 5-pin outlets. Adapters to convert to a variety of other outlets are available. However, we recommend that you call ahead to ensure the proper adapters will be at your test site when required.
If your equipment has special requirements (such as water or compressed air), or if your equipment draws more than 12 Amps per phase at 230V, please advise your Project Manager. This will allow us to reserve the required equipment in advance of your arrival.
Please prepare a test plan (in advance) and send a copy to Elliott to avoid potential configuration problems. The test plan should include the tests and test levels required; it should reference the basic standards and describe the configuration(s) to be tested; it should detail the performance criteria that will be applied for each of the immunity tests. If a test plan is not available, you may be asked to complete a test plan prior to commencing the test.
Elliott can prepare your test documentation more quickly if you bring the configuration details and serial numbers of your equipment. Please include a block diagram or schematic showing the cable connections between units, the I/O port names, the support equipment, and cable lengths and types. Please list your EUT's oscillator and clock frequencies (this will speed up testing and assist with any debugging). Please include this information in your test plan.
Please be sure your software and hardware are sufficiently reliable to operate continuously for 6 hours or more.
Please allow for the time it will take you to set up and tear down your equipment during your test session.
You must be escorted into the secured test sites; the sites are open only during the scheduled test time.
