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EMI or Electromagnetic interference and EMC or Electromagnetic compatibility testing are crucial to ensure that electronic devices are dependable and fulfill the industry standards. The testing procedure consists of running the devices through a battery of tests to determine the EMC and resilience to electromagnetic interference. In this post, we will highlight the significance of environmental and dynamics testing in the EMI and EMC testing process.
During the initial design, development, and testing stages, it is common for design engineers to develop a functional product that ticks all the boxes and is a promising prototype. But how do you promise the same when it enters the mass-production stage and the market? How can the quality and reliability of the device be tested over a long period under different climatic conditions? That is where environmental testing comes in.
These tests and inspections cover multiple components for qualifications. They also evaluate the functional adherence to industry standards and compliance. A manufactured board undergoes environmental tests to guarantee it is secure, long-lasting, and legal. Nobody wants to produce a batch of circuit boards only to discover after some time that they corrode or are not compliant. Suppose you are a Contracted Manufacturer (CM). In that case, you will need assurance that your next lot of devices will adhere to the industry safety standards and be fully functional before it is shipped off from the warehouse. Environmental testing can occur during the manufacturing or at a third-party facility's environmental and dynamics testing laboratory.
What Happens At Environmental Testing of Electronics?
Environmental testing involves more than just humidity and temperature checks. Shock and vibration tests and mechanical and altitude tests are examples of environmental tests. These tests are carried out in compliance with the environmental testing requirements of IEC 60068. These tests are designed to be carried out to confirm that the new product or device can withstand severe humidity and temperatures as well as in the operational setting. Altitude testing evaluates how well the device can work at high altitudes with low atmospheric pressure. And vibration testing determines the device’s capacity to endure vibrations or heavy movements caused during typical use or transportation.
Environmental testing is crucial as it helps detect any potential device faults, such as overheating or moisture damage. Engineers can then improve a device's design by running these tests to ensure it functions properly in different conditions.
What is Dynamic Testing?
Another critical aspect of the EMC/EMI testing is the dynamics testing. This involves exposing the device to physical impacts that could take place during usage or transportation. Drop testing analyzes and evaluates how the electronic device will behave when dropped from different heights. Engineers then use the findings from the dynamic testing to uncover structural flaws or component failures and make necessary design improvements. Let us look at some of the different kinds of environmental and dynamics tests.
Highly Accelerated Life Test
The highly accelerated life test (HALT) and the highly accelerated stress screen (HASS) are two examples of accelerated tests. These tests study and evaluate the reliability of the product in controlled settings with high temperature, humidity, and vibration while the device is powered on.
Humidity and Corrosion Test
Many PCBs or devices are used in extremely humid environments, and a very common test for PCB reliability is the water absorption test. In this test, a PCB is weighed before and after it is placed in a chamber with controlled humidity. Any absorbed moisture reflects on the device's weight and helps to eliminate it.
Thermal Testing
This test is usually performed independently of humidity testing. The test involves constantly changing the board's temperature and studying how the thermal expansion and contraction affect the device's reliability. Thermal shock testing involves rapidly moving the board between two extreme temperatures using a two-chamber setup. Thermal cycling is done in a single chamber, and the temperature is changed from one extreme to another at a rate of 10 degrees Celsius per minute.
Takeaways
It is established now that environmental and dynamics testing are essential components of EMC/EMI testing. These tests simulate real-world conditions and check the devices’ resistance to physical and environmental pressures.