The investment, which complements existing scope in Hull and Hitchin, significantly expands Element’s existing UK electrical safety testing capabilities and creates a larger geographical footprint. It brings a broader range of services under one roof, reducing time and costs for customers also seeking electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and environmental testing on their products.
The laboratory’s capabilities will cover IEC 62368-1:2018 / EN IEC 62368-1:2020/A11:2020; and IEC 62368-3:2017 / EN IEC 62368-3:2020 wireless product qualification testing for a broad range of product types, including tablets, routers, printers, and audio-visual equipment.
Element Wimborne will also test to IEC 61010 standards for scientific laboratory equipment, which ensures safety compliance and provides a route to achieving a CE mark or UKCA certification.
Matt Hopkinson, EVP at Element, said, “This investment gives customers based in the south of the UK quicker access to an Element laboratory for their electrical safety testing requirements. Bringing these capabilities to the Wimborne facility in Dorset reduces transport costs and streamlines the test program.
“All of our customers seeking IEC 62368 and IEC 61010 testing will also require EMC testing and because we can now offer this at one location, we can provide global compliance services with a single project management team. This reduces both costs and lead times, providing a faster route to market for customers’ products.”
Element’s Wimborne laboratory is a European centre of excellence for EMC and environmental testing for customers in connected technologies, aerospace, military, transportation, energy and industrial manufacturing.