TRaC help to HALT reliability problems on military vehicles

Confidence in product reliability, above and beyond meeting conventional "qualification testing" is becoming increasingly more demanding across defence land systems.

As product designs evolve through functional enhancements or obsolescence, accelerated life testing plays an increasingly important role in assuring reliability where conventional field proven data does not exist.

As part of an on-going series of technical training seminars, TRaC hosted a successful HALT (Highly Accelerated Life Testing) and HASS (Highly Accelerated Stress Screening) training day to a wide section of the defence land system community in May, ranging from the MOD, prime contractors through to LRU manufacturers.

"HALT/HASS technical seminar held at TRaC Warwick, May 2010" (right)

As a reliability tool, HALT is rapidly emerging in military land systems as a recognised means to dramatically cut equipment development timescales through a process of accelerated aging. This

Simple single button operation, small size and weight make the Crowcon Tetra 3 the easiest to use gas detector on the market.

Based on the proven and highly successful Tetra product, the Crowcon Tetra 3 is designed for use in demanding industrial environments. Despite its compact size the Crowcon Tetra 3 is ultrarugged and waterproof.

Meets ATEX approvals ATEX II 2G EEx iad IIC T4 (Tamb -20°C to +55°C) BASEEFA05ATEX0187

The four gases detected by the Crowcon Tetra 3 are:

• Flammable 0-100% LEL
• Oxygen 0-25%
• Hydrogen Sulphide 0-50ppm
• Carbon Monoxide 0-500ppm

Supplied with batteries
Manufacturer: Crowcon
Part No : CROTET3-CH4-H2S-02-C0

Designed for hazardous environments, the Digitron P200L is suitable for use with non-corrosive, non-ionic liquids and gases. Liquid pressure can be measured using an air buffer.

The Digitron P200L measures from 0-199.9mbar on the low range to 0-500mbar on the high range. Connections are push fit 4mm/0.157" I.D. 6MM/0.236" O.D. nominal, retaining nut supplied.

Certified by BASEEFA, the UK's leading ATEX approvals house, the Digitron P200L is classified as EEx ia IIC T4. This certification is equivalent to EN 50 014:1997 + Amendments 1&2 and EN50 020:2002. The units are ready for site use anywhere, immediately.

Case proven the tough construction of the Digitron P200L makes them extremely durable and, therefore functional in not only hazardous atmospheres but also rough environments.
Manufacturer: Digitron
Part No : DIGP200L

Based on the Fluke 87V, the Fluke 87VEx has all the measurement and troubleshooting functions that the Fluke range offers.

Unlike most other ATEX-certified tools, the Fluke 87VEx can be used both inside and outside the hazardous zone (ATEX Zones 1 & 2, safety rating II 2G EEx ia IIC T4) without compromising performance or compliance, so there's no need to carry different tools for use in different areas. The Fluke 87VEx also has a built-in thermometer with TC probe, further reducing the need to purchase extra ATEX tools, which can be costly.

The key features of the Fluke 87VEx are:

• True-RMS voltage and current for accurate measurements on non linear signals
• 20kHz Bandwidth
• Selectable filter for accurate voltage and frequency measurements on motor drives
• Large backlit LCD display with analogue bargraph
• Auto & manual ranging for maximum flexibility
• Min-Max-Average

An ATEX approved loop calibrator for use in explosion endangered areas. The Fluke 707Ex is certified in accordance with the ATEX directive (Ex II 2 G Eex ia IIC T4) in Zones 1 and 2.

The Fluke 707Ex is a high performance solution for calibration, repair and maintenance of current loops. The new "Quick Click" knob makes it extremely fast and easy to use.

Features of the Fluke 707Ex include:

• One handed user interface with "Quick Click" detented knob, mA sourcing
• Simulation and measurement, 0.025% accuracy and 0.001mA resolution
• Simultaneous mA and % of span display
• Selectable step or ramp outputs
• 24 V Loop supply with mA measure including 250Ω HART resistor & 0-28 VDC measurement to check Loop Voltage

Supplied with red holster, TL75 test leads, alligator clips, battery and intruction sheet.
Manufacturer: Fluke
Part No : FLU707EX

The Seaward Type C is designed to measure voltage from 80 - 650V AC / DC. Previously classed as "Intrinsically Safe" for use in hazardous areas, it should be noted that this item DOES NOT meet the current ATEX standard. Please Click Here to read the compliance statement from Seaward.

The Seaward Type C conforms to BS1259 for Intrinsically safe circuits and to the UK Electricity Council Engineering Recommendation G9.

The Seaward Type C is a neon voltage indicator, enclosed within shock resistant enclosure, and is unaffected by immersion in water.
Manufacturer: Seaward
Part No : SEAC

HMS Dauntless stays on TRaC

HMS Dauntless, the second of the Royal Navy's class of air defence destroyer arrived at Portsmouth Naval base for the first time in December. Dauntless is one of six new Type 45 destroyers which will provide the backbone of the UK's naval air defences for the next three decades.

The impressive Sampson Radar from BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies is a striking feature, and was a particularly interesting project for TRaC in supporting BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies with qualification through means of vibration testing, finite element analysis and modal testing.

 

Image courtesy of BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies

 

Owing to the size of the unit under test (7m and 6 tonnes), the process for qualification went beyond conventional testing, and TRaC Employed a number of physical

TRaC Reaches Milestone in Worldwide Approval

TRaC, your partner for worldwide market access, has reached a major milestone, by now providing a turn-key test approvals management service for accessing over 150 countries.

The process of gaining test approvals for worldwide markets is complex; every region requires its own unique demonstration of compliance, making a 'one certificate fits all' approach impossible. Just as the CE mark applies to all goods traded in any European Member State, including those produced outside the zone, other worldwide markets impose their own compliance requirements. In developed countries such as the Americas, the requirements may be familiar to OEMs successfully trading in the European market. For developing regions, such as the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) or the Africas, the process is much more complicated.

Gaining access to the developing regions of the world is viewed by many as essential for growth. As traditional markets become saturated,

New automotive EMC test equipment

TRaC has purchased new automotive transient test equipment. TRaC customers can now benefit from testing automotive Electronic Sub-Assemblies (ESAs), with a continuous high current rating to the latest automotive transient specification ISO7637-2:2004, complementing the existing equipment.

Vehicles are in a very different environment from a house or office where large voltage transients are caused from the vehicle during a typical journey. These transients include cranking the engine, switching of large inductive loads (e.g. air conditioning), cables being disconnected inadvertently and other forms voltage spike.

ISO7637-2:2004 forms the basis of almost all the specific manufacturer specifications as well as the automotive directive 2004/104/EC (used for e-marking) and also products that are used in this environment to the EMC Directive (2004/108/EC).  The new NSG5000 system enables all the core pulse parameters to be adjusted to meet an individual manufacturer specification

Stress Analysis and Physical Testing - Complementary Processes or Alternatives?

A Presentation to the Engineering Integrity Society. TRaC, leading providers of environmental testing and finite element analysis (FEA) is delighted to be part of the Engineering Integrity Society (EIS) upcoming "Instrumentation, Analysis & Testing Exhibition" at Silverstone Race Track on 23rd February 2010.

The exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to see and evaluate the latest industry developments within the Instrumentation, Analysis and Testing environment.

Dr. Peter Moir, TRaC's Technical Director, will deliver a paper on "Stress Analysis and Physical Testing - Complementary Processes or Alternatives". Finite Element Analysis is a commonly used means for de-risking the reliability and robustness of a design against its mechanical performance specification, particularly given the demands of faster times to market, cost reduction, etc.  Despite its widespread use, belief in computer simulation is still seen as a leap of faith by many technical and non technical decision