18 Aug 2010

New lab will provide local EMC lab capacity for region’s manufacturers, and complement Intertek’s established product safety and performance testing capabilities in the area.

Chicago, IL, August 17, 2010 - Intertek (LSE: ITRK), a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, announced today that it is adding four (4) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) test chambers to its Grand Rapids, MI commercial testing facility to perform electrical interference and immunity evaluations to aerospace, automotive, consumer product, medical and military requirements. The new capabilities provide semi anechoic environments, with immunity test field strengths up to 200V/m from 10KHz to 40GHz and the ability to evaluate products to withstand induced transient effects of near lightning strikes. The laboratory is scheduled for completion in September, 2010.

Military and Aerospace EMC testing needs have steadily surged in recent years due to increasing product development and retrofitting of traditional commercial products for military applications. According to the Federal Procurement Data System, the Department of Defense Government contracts for EMC testing have increased by 108% over the past 5 years. Intertek’s Michigan laboratory was recently awarded a long-term contract from a major Military/Aerospace supplier to provide ongoing EMC pre-compliance and validation testing. In addition, with the evolution of rechargeable batteries for automotive, consumer, industrial and commercial applications the new EMC facility will provide a full complement of Safety, Performance and EMC testing capabilities for these applications.

“Intertek is committed to keeping pace with the evolving needs of manufacturers and technology trends,” said Tim Hubbard, Director of Operations. “This expansion not only provides the most complete bundle of EMC, performance and safety services in the Midwest, but also gives manufacturers the ability to get their products to market faster than ever before.”

Testing capabilities of the new, state-of-the-art EMC laboratory will include: 

  • The ability to perform radiated immunity testing up to 200V/m field strength in accordance with MIL STD 461 RS103 from 2MHz to 40 GHz and down to 10KHz if needed. This provides test capabilities for equipment located in aircraft and above deck on ships.
  • The ability to perform radiated immunity testing up to 200V/m in accordance with DO 160 section 20 from 100MHz to 18GHz. This provides test capabilities for equipment located in commercial aircraft category W and Y.
  • RI Testing in 3m semi-anechoic and reverb chamber.
  • Lightning Induced Transient Susceptibility to DO 160 Section 22 Level 5.

The Grand Rapids, MI facility will also provide Bulk Current Injection (BCI), Electro-Static Discharge (ESD), Radiated and Conducted Emissions and Radiated Immunity testing to the automotive, medical, laboratory equipment and consumer product markets.

For more information on Intertek’s EMC testing services, visit www.intertek.com/emc or call 1.800.WORLDLAB.

Contact
For further information, please contact
Linda Hall, Field Marketing Manager
Telephone: 616-656-1347
linda.hall@intertek.com  

About Intertek
Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace.

Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 25,000 people in 110 countries around the world. For further information, visit www.intertek.com.