about us

AQL EMC provide a complete test and consultancy service including . . .

LIGHTNING / ESD / POWER VARIATIONS HIGH FIELD MICROWAVE SUSCEPTIBILITY

. . . in addition to mainstream EMC testing.

AQL EMC, a privately-owned company, formed in 1988 to run the EMC department originally established at Aish and Co., Poole. We have a team of engineers and consultants with over 180 man years of experience in EMC, able to perform most types of EMC work quickly and efficiently.

 >> download >> test information form 
 >> download >> terms and conditions 

 

news

After the commissioning of our Multiple Burst and Multiple Stroke lightning transient system, we have successfully completed over 30 tasks on a wide range of platforms for clients from both Europe and the USA. The unique nature of our custom-designed system allows us to produce completely custom waveform sequences in response to specific client requirements.

Whilst other test houses are announcing their new systems or still planning them, AQL EMC is getting on with performing these tests for our clients, on time and on budget.

accreditation

We specialise in EMC testing for the defence and aerospace sectors and were the first EMC test house to gain UKAS accreditation (No. 0018). Gradually, we have augmented our schedule which can be viewed directly by clicking on the link below. This accreditation schedule covers both permanent and site testing.

>> download >> UKAS Certificate

>> view >> UKAS Schedule

Our accreditation is limited to those activities described on our UKAS schedule of accreditation

defence

AQL EMC is well-equipped to test to the requirements of specifications like RTCA/D0-160C, D, E & F; Mil Std 461 C, D, E & F; Def Stan 59-41 & 59-411 and specialist requirements for EFA; JSF; Northrop Grumman; Airbus; Boeing; Westland and Honeywell. We are the only test facility in the UK to offer RS105 testing. Our services include in-house test equipment for microwave emissions and susceptibility, transient testing including DCS04, DCS05, DCS06, DCS11, DCS12, CS115, CS116, DRE03, DMFS01 and RS105 and transients for client-specific requirements. We have the facility to test large cabins [<=20ft ISO] and up-to-date knowledge of many land platforms and systems.

aerospace

AQL EMC is well-equipped to test to the requirements of specifications like RTCA/D0-160C, D, E & F; Mil Std 461 C, D, E & F; Def Stan 59-41 & 59-411 and specialist requirements for EFA; JSF; Northrop Grumman; Airbus; Boeing; Westland and Honeywell. We are the only test facility in the UK to offer RS105 testing. Our specialist in-house testing services include microwave emissions and susceptibility, and lightning transient testing.

marine

The complete EMC service to the Marine industry and defence forces worldwide. Recently our EMC experts have worked on vessels as diverse as Oriana, Mirabella V, Sail Training ship Tenacious and Naval vessels from large helicopter carriers to small RIBS. We offer RADHAZ services specifically tailored to the Marine and Defence environments. We are acknowledged specialists in all aspects of Marine EMC, formal trials and on-board investigations.

lightning

AQL EMC are well equipped to test to the requirements of specifications such as RTCA/DO-160C and D, E & F including multiple burst and multiple stroke, and specialist requirements for EFA; JSF; Northrop Grumman; Airbus; Boeing; Westland and Honeywell. Our specialist in-house testing capability allows us to produce client specific waveforms using our fully-synthesized transient generator.

We are the only test facility in the UK to offer RS105 testing, and have significant practical experience of lightning protection and effects in the real world.

 >> download >> screened room 4 layout 

microwave

Our new custom-built microwave test facility provides us with the opportunity to perform emissions and susceptibility at levels in excess of 200V/m up to 40GHz. This new facility offers our clients efficient, cost-effective testing with complete computer control. Additionally, we have now commissioned our Mode-Stirred / Tuned chamber offering test levels in excess of 2kV/m at frequencies up to 18GHz. AQL EMC provide an effective service from experts with years of experience in microwave EMC testing.

 >> download >> screened room 2 layout 

large equipment

AQL EMC now have a large test chamber on site with a large access door [see Facilities] and we have extensive experience in all aspects of vehicle EMC, including armoured vehicles such as Challenger II, 430, 435, CRAAV and AS90 as well as soft-skinned vehicles such as Land Rover and Pinzgauer. We are acknowledged experts in EMC testing of large systems, offering a both flexible and cost-effective solutions.

We have the facility to test large cabins [<=20ft ISO] and up-to-date knowledge of many land platforms and systems. We can provide a complete test management service, including the arrangement of transport and crane hire if required. Our UKAS accreditation covers us for both on site and off site testing anywhere in the world. Testing the extraordinary is an every day task for us.

remedial

Apparently inexplicable failures of computer, communications or other electronic systems can often be traced to electrical interference. AQL EMC offer a worldwide investigation and rectification service to isolate EMC faults and implement remedial actions. We hold a number of contracts with large governmental, defence and private clients whereby we offer an EMC troubleshooting service on a callout basis. Our engineers endeavour to ensure that solutions are efficient and cost-effective.

facilities

Conference room with conference call and wi-fi. Office facilities [telephone, fax, copying, scanning, broadband etc.] are all available during your test booking. We are happy to assist customers with hotel bookings and other travel arrangements. This list is by no means exhaustive, so do please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

• Large partially-lined chamber with ante chamber and access suitable for vehicles and other bulky equipment

• One fully-lined Anechoic Screened Room
   >> download >> screened room 1 layout 

• Three partially-lined Anechoic Screened Rooms―all compliant with DO160D and Mil Std 461 D & E.

   >> download >> screened room 3 layout 
   >> download >> screened room 5 layout 
   >> download >> screened room 6 layout 

• One unlined Screened Room
   >> download >> screened room 2 layout 

• Larger vehicle-sized chambers an easily be arranged

• Screened room exhaust system―allowing engines to be run during tests

• 100A 3-phase 50Hz

• 60A 3-phase 60Hz

• 30A 3-phase 400Hz

• 100A 3-phase variable-frequency supply [300Hz―900Hz]

• DC at up to 100A―larger supplies can be made available

• Chilled water plant

• Forklift truck

We have many years experience in ensuring that all aspects of your testing programme run smoothly. Our constant aim is to make your EMC testing programme as painless as possible, by a highly flexible, responsive and quality service, all coupled with exceptional value for money.

on site

AQL EMC are acknowledged experts in On Site EMC. We offer a competitive, flexible service and will be pleased to provide fixed price quotations for testing your system at your premises under our UKAS site testing accreditation. This allows large systems to be tested to suitable specifications at a manageable cost. If you are presenting a major system for testing it can cause expensive delays if failures occur during tests and rework is necessary. This can be avoided by performing an informal pretest on either the whole system or critical parts of the system at an early stage. We can normally perform the basic tests needed to assess whether you have a major problem for less than £1300.

In the past we have investigated problems and implemented fixes on sites ranging from nuclear power stations to underground telecoms bunkers both in the United Kingdom and worldwide. If your system fails the required tests we can provide immediate consultancy at no extra cost to allow you to overcome the problem. Most solutions can be implemented in a prototype form at the time of testing, allowing you to complete your test programme without a further test house booking. We specialise in providing practical, cost-effective solutions to equipment failures, and are specialists in On Site testing. Indeed we are specialists in testing systems in the REAL WORLD!

consultancy

Acknowledged experts in providing solutions to your EMC and testing problems, we extend a unique range of skills and services under one roof. Our consultants are fully conversant with all aspects of EMC documentation and especially test plans, EMC control plans, EMC policy documents and bespoke EMC specifications.

hirf and attenuation

AQL EMC is pleased to announce further investment in our microwave HIRF capabilities between 1GHz and 40GHz. We are taking our already enviable microwave radiated susceptibility capabilities to even greater levels. AQL EMC have been performing high level microwave radiated susceptibility tests for over 16 years, and have an enormous depth of knowledge in this highly specialist area of EMC testing. We have invested in specialised equipment dedicated to large and small screened enclosure measurement which allows us to perform tests at many times the speed of our competitors. Our Category 1 UKAS accreditation allows us to perform accredited tests on screened enclosures at our site and on site after installation in their final location.

the aql emc difference

Experts in providing solutions to your EMC and testing problems, AQL EMC offer a unique range of skills and services under one roof. We are the longest-established UKAS Accredited EMC test house with the capability to test your equipment either during the design stages or on completion. Ongoing investment in People and Equipment enable us to offer an unrivalled range of services to a broad spectrum of clients, coupled with a flexible approach and a deserved reputation for ingenious solutions to EMC issues.

Our consultants are fully conversant in all aspects of EMC documentation with special regard to test plans, EMC control plans, EMC policy documents and bespoke EMC specifications. Results are presented in a comprehensive report that details measurements and offers conclusions, together with recommendations for remedial action where necessary. We hold a number of contracts with large governmental, defence and private clients whereby we offer an EMC troubleshooting service on a callout basis.

We specialise in remedial action―if during testing your equipment fails to meet a specification, we will do our utmost to avoid leaving you to find solutions on your own. Above all, our engineers endeavour to ensure that solutions are both efficient and cost-effective.

location