CHALLENGE:
A customer approached us stating they are currently developing a Power Conditioning System (PCS) for Energy Storage applications (Li-Ion battery based), and plan to get the product certified to UL-1741 and IEEE 1547. They asked us if we have ever been through this process and if we could recommend a consultant and/or laboratory that specializes in shepherding products through the pre-certification and actual certification for these specific standards.
They also asked us for the following services:
- Product BOM/Design Review, which would entail a detailed product/BOM review with a paper report as the deliverable. This report would identify any UL-1741 non-compliance issues that would need to be addressed, before beginning certification testing.
- Certification Testing, which would require project management responsibilities to take the product through the actual laboratory compliance testing.
DRF’S SOLUTION:
DRF then conducted a comprehensive review for ratings for all components used in the PCS. DRF verified that all components are suitable for the customer planning to use them.
This process is relatively quick, especially when suppliers can provide all the information necessary to conduct a complete component review.
DRF ran an assessment of the product at the customer’s facility, before submitting it to UL. Conducting pre-pre-compliance review, before submitting it to UL, makes for a more cost-effective and faster testing process.
To ensure the success of this process, we took the time to understand how this product will be used in the field. For example, frequency regulation application will subject the PCS to more electrical and thermal stress than application to address the Arbitrage market.
It is, by far, easier to design a product with UL requirements in mind, than to redesign a product to meet a set of requirements. If you are new to UL, or simply uncertain about your product construction, reach out to DRF Engineering. We’ll evaluate your prototype designs, and assist in pre-production product conformance. Pre-testing advice is cost-effective, and may often offset final testing costs.
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