Systems are getting more complex every day. Today’s data centers require state-of-the-art equipment, including air filtration, lighting, and wiring that protects sensitive data and systems from threats such as smoke and heat. To meet these challenges, system manufacturers must ensure their hardware and software perform safely and efficiently. To do this, they must implement environmental quality testing programs to test devices for compliance with safety regulations like the FCC’s Universal Service Annual Report (USAR) program and UL’s 2401 standard for wiring of critical electronic components.
There are different types of environmental quality tests — from simulators used to simulate real-world conditions to bench tests to determine the extent of a product’s failure rate. Below is some general information about what you need to know about these tests.
What is a Systems Environmental Quality Test?
A systems environmental quality test (SEQT) is a test performed on all hardware and software components in a computer system to determine whether they meet safety standards. It is usually a test of the equipment as well as the wiring, signal conditioning, and power supplies. Devices that pass the test are considered to comply with safety regulations.
These tests are essential for system manufacturers to ensure their hardware and software components perform as required. They allow manufacturers to identify potential issues and take corrective action before a problem occurs.
How Does a Systems Environmental Quality Test Work?
Elbit systems environmental quality tests or any other systems test can be performed using a variety of different methods. One popular method is to use an electromagnetic interference (EMI) tester. This type of tester reads the electrical signals produced by equipment and sends them to a display where the test results are displayed.
Another method used for systems environmental quality testing is positron emission tomography (PET). PET is a type of radiation that only affects specific types of cells in the body. This type of testing is often used to see how strong a device’s radiation is and if it is safe to handle.
What to Expect from a Systems Environmental Quality Test
Most systems’ environmental quality tests involve simulating real-world conditions. Real-world conditions often mean conditions that a device might experience in use, like being placed in a data center or an industrial environment. These tests can be pretty easy to pass or pretty hard to pass. A pass means the device passed the test and no issues were detected. A fail means the device failed the test and an issue was detected. A device might fail a system environmental quality test if the test environment is too high for the equipment to survive.
A device might also fail a systems environmental quality test if it isn’t properly seated in the system or if the system is misaligned or out of alignment. Some systems environmental quality tests require the use of a specific machine to perform the test. These machines are typically more expensive and could affect the system’s ability to pass the test.
How to Pass a Systems Environmental Quality Test
A systems environmental quality test is usually easiest if the equipment to be tested is already located in the facility. This is because you will most likely be monitoring the equipment’s performance during the test to make sure it passed. If the equipment is located outside the facility, you will have to take the equipment out of the environment where it was located and place it in another environment that has similar conditions to those the equipment experiences in real life. It is also important to make sure the equipment’s power is off when you perform the test. This prevents potential circuit breakers or overloads from causing damage during the test.
How to Fail a Systems Environmental Quality Test
The most common way to fail a systems environmental quality test is if the test environment is too low for the equipment to survive. This could happen if there is a fire or an accident where equipment is being handled carelessly. In this case, the equipment could be damaged beyond repair and no longer needs to be tested.
Another common way to fail a systems environmental quality test is if the equipment is misconfigured. This could happen if someone connected the wrong equipment to the wrong circuit or if the equipment does not have a properly seated sensor. A third way to fail a systems environmental quality test is if the equipment doesn’t have the power it needs to perform properly. This could happen if there is a power failure during the test or if the equipment is not connected to the proper power source.
Conclusion
To be sure your hardware and software meet safety standards, you must implement an environmental quality test program. These tests help you identify potential issues with your equipment and take corrective action before they happen. The best systems environmental quality tests are those that involve simulators that allow you to test the real-world conditions your equipment experiences. These tests can help you identify possible issues with your equipment and take corrective action before they happen.
