Major inspection problems I have encountered. Parts and records problems:
* Manufacturer's valid code mark on PCBs not found in the current UL "yellow" book. The mark may be new or just hard to find in the book. * Boxes of harness and cables not marked with appropriate CSA and UL labels. Sometimes this is caused by your own factory removing the parts from the original container and moving them to another box. * Spool of re-spooled wire not UL marked * No certificates from suppliers that molded plastic parts are made with Recognized materials Inspector problems: * Uncertainty of UL inspector on what to look for and what not to look for on "split inspection reports" * Erroneous instructions from European agencies (especially VDE) to local in-country inspectors to also inspect for EMC compliance * Local in-country inspector acting for another agency is unfamiliar with the agency's inspection requirements. This happens all over the world. * Inspectors erroneously asking to inspect hypot pass/fail records Solutions: Most parts problems can be prevented by appropriate incoming inspection procedures. However, when inventory is "dock-to-stock", the best bet is to periodically inspect the parts on the manufacturing floor and inspect the certificates for molded plastic parts. Inspectors must be controlled so they don't inspect an area not under their jurisdiction. You must understand what that jurisdiction is and be forceful if required. Complaining to the agency about an ignorant or rouge inspector is sometimes required. ---------- From: Jon D. Curtis [SMTP:j...@curtis-straus.com] Sent: Friday, July 02, 1999 8:54 AM To: emc-p...@ieee.org Subject: Follow Up Services/Factory Inspections I am writing an article on preparing for factory inspections. Please share with me your "gotchas" and any advice that a person should know before the inspector arrives. What did the inspector look for? What documents did you need to provide? Any references on what to expect published by the NRTLs or others such as NEMA? Thanks in advance for your comments. -- Jon D. Curtis, PE Curtis-Straus LLC j...@curtis-straus.com Laboratory for EMC, Safety, NEBS, SEMI-S2 and Telecom 527 Great Road voice (978) 486-8880 Littleton, MA 01460 fax (978) 486-8828 http://www.curtis-straus.com --------- This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to majord...@ieee.org with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the quotes). For help, send mail to ed.pr...@cubic.com, jim_bac...@monarch.com, ri...@sdd.hp.com, or roger.volgst...@compaq.com (the list administrators). --------- This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to majord...@ieee.org with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the quotes). For help, send mail to ed.pr...@cubic.com, jim_bac...@monarch.com, ri...@sdd.hp.com, or roger.volgst...@compaq.com (the list administrators).