CSA Group, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, has built a new European headquarters in Plattling in the State of Bavaria, Germany. As part of this project, CSA Group is considerably expanding its testing capabilities for German and European customers. For example, new test labs will enable a wide variety of product tests and certifications even of very large devices weighing up to 20 tonnes. The required test and measurement and amplifier equipment comes from EMC market leader Rohde & Schwarz.
CSA Group is a leader in standards development and in testing, inspection and certification around the world including Canada, the U.S., Europe and Asia. In late 2021, the Canadian organization has commissioned two state-of-the-art test labs at its new European headquarters in Eastern Bavaria. With the opening of the new facility, the company is now able to offer its customers a comprehensive service portfolio, including a wide variety of testing, inspection and certification services, from a single source, in the heart of Europe. Services will cover the areas of electrical and functional safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), as well as radio, energy efficiency, environmental testing and explosion proof tests. CSA Group intends to apply for numerous accreditations for this facility, including recognition as a notified body of the EU, IECEx and IECEE CB Scheme accreditation, and accreditation as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).
EMC and radio test chambers for DUTs up to 20 tonnes
CSA Group′s European headquarters include two test chambers for EMC and radio measurements. The larger of these chambers will allow testing even very large devices of up to 4.2 m in width and 4.8 m in height, with an 8 m turntable supporting loads up to 20 tonnes.
State-of-the-art T&M equipment from Rohde & Schwarz
CSA Group has selected T&M and amplifier equipment for the two test chambers from Rohde & Schwarz. The EMC test solutions support all common civil, military, automotive and aviation standards, and all ETSI and FCC standards governing electromagnetic interference and audio breakthrough measurements. With its decades of experience in EMC testing, Rohde & Schwarz is considered a global leader in EMC test equipment.
Electromagnetic susceptibility measurements in both chambers are conducted using R&S SMB100B RF signal generators, which offer excellent spectral purity, very high output power and a large scope of functions. They are complemented by R&S BBA150 broadband amplifiers, designed for high availability and counting among the most advanced products on the market, and R&S NRP6AN power sensors, specifically designed for EMC measurements.
To measure electromagnetic interference, Rohde & Schwarz supplies the most powerful EMI test receivers on the market. The R&S ESW for certification measurements comes with excellent RF characteristics and fast test times. It offers ultrafast FFT based time domain scans and real-time spectrum analysis, enabling detailed investigation of electromagnetic interference. The T&M equipment also includes artificial mains networks and antennas.
Rohde & Schwarz has set up its test solutions in the new facilities in Plattling and commissioned the systems this autumn. “We are proud to furnish the test center of a certification organization as renowned as CSA Group with our T&M equipment. We are providing CSA Group with state-of-the-art EMC T&M equipment that supports all common standards worldwide. Particularly when many different tests need to be performed on a DUT, this can save considerable time and cost”, says Matthias Keller, Product Manager for EMC test equipment at Rohde & Schwarz in Munich.
“CSA Group′s new European headquarters will house one of the largest EMC labs in Europe”, explains Dieter Fröhlich, Managing Director of CSA Group in Bavaria. “The new labs will provide a comprehensive solution for our customers, offering direct access to electronic experts and state-of-the-art T&M equipment. With a strong global reputation and decades of experience in the field of EMC measurements, Rohde & Schwarz was selected to supply the T&M equipment for our 10 m and 3 m EMC test chambers. Not only does the company provide the right solutions for our unique testing requirements, the close proximity to its Munich headquarters also offers convenience for future maintenance.”