Mechanical Testing
Telecommunications Equipment Evaluation
Contact Information
Jenny Ferren
Manager
Structural Dynamics & Product Assurance
(210) 522-2329
jferren@swri.org
Equipment is mounted atop the SwRI seismic facility and exposed to a simulated earthquake environment.
Equipment packaging is evaluated for effectiveness in transport by exposing it to simulated vibration and shock on electrodynamic shakers.
Mechanical testing of telecommunications equipment for NEBS compliance is conducted at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). In addition to mechanical testing, simulations and evaluations are available, including:
- Operating, transportation, and storage environments
- Low-level vibration that can be found in the installation location while the test item is operating (e.g., office vibration)
- Vibration encountered during transport (transportation vibration) or storage
- Large displacement vibration encountered during earthquakes
- Shock encountered during installation, transport, or storage of the test item
Key NEBS Mechanical Testing Features at SwRI
- Multiple electrodynamic shakers available for NEBS transportation vibration or ETSI random, sine or "bump" testing.
- Earthquake simulation facility has been audited by Telcordia to meet NEBS requirements.
- 10" displacement-capable earthquake simulation facility that is biaxial capable. Allows the client to test in two axes before having to rotate the concrete slab 90°.
- Digital video is taken during the earthquake simulation for inclusion in the electronic test report as an embedded MPEG file.
NEBS Mechanical Testing Capabilities
Earthquake Simulation Capabilities
- Using a 10-inch stroke, biaxial, hydraulic actuated earthquake simulator with computer control, SwRI runs synthesized waveforms like the Bellcore GR-063-CORE VERTEQII acceleration time history or synthesized random drive signals to meet required Shock Response Spectra (methods described in IEEE 344 and IEC 68-3-3).
Vibration Test Capabilities
- Sinusoidal, Random, Shock, or combinations of these are possible.
Drop Test Capabilities
- Frames or shelf level components can be dropped in accordance with the NEBS or ETSI defined configurations. A 5-ton overhead equipped with a pneumatic release is used for frames.
Related Terminology
NEBS • Verizon ITL • telecommunications equipment testing • earthquake simulation • fire testing • fire evaluation • EMC evaluation electrical measurement • in situ measurement of acoustic intensity • environmental chambers • electro-dynamic shakers • OSHA • NRTL • Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory • environmental testing • IEEE • ANSI • ASTM • ISO • ETSI • FCC • UL • CE Mark
