EMC/EMI Testing, Support, and Certification Services
About Northwest EMC, Inc.
A company is defined by its people, facilities, and quality system. Our focus is providing the very best EMC testing services and certification possible. We believe our success provides a competitive advantage to our clients. To that end, we strive for continuous improvement in the following areas.
Professional, Accredited EMC Testing Lab Environment
The company was founded in 1992 using Open Area Test Sites; technology now provides a better measurement tool in FCC-listed chambers. By implementing that technology, our FCC-listed 10m, 5m, and 3m chambers provide unparalleled testing accuracy and throughput. Coupled with automated test equipment, our state-of-the-art accredited testing facilities maximize testing efficiency. All of our systems are integrated; from the first quotation to the final invoice, each project is seamlessly tracked, completely documented, and accurately billed.
We are proud of our facilities and invite prospective clients to tour our EMC testing laboratories. Likewise, our customers are welcome to attend the testing of their products. Laboratories are conveniently located in California, Oregon, Minnesota, and Washington. A clean, temperature-controlled laboratory provides greater repeatability and a more productive work environment. Customer amenities include wireless Internet access, high quality rework tools, secure equipment storage, and conference rooms for meeting with co-workers or vendors.
Skilled Personnel
Our technical staff is comprised of engineers and technicians from a variety of backgrounds. Our three principal engineers each have extensive EMC testing experience. Professional certifications include NARTE EMC Engineer, NARTE ESD Engineer, and NARTE EMC Laboratory Personnel.
While technical competence is a must, the defining characteristic of any staff member at Northwest EMC is excellent customer service.
Quality Policy and Goals
Daily operations are defined by our quality policy and goals. This isn’t just filler for a quality manual; it is a corporate philosophy that guides our decision-making and prioritizes our work. All employees are required to know, understand and achieve the following:
All employees have a quick and easy way to report problems or make suggestions. Weekly management review results in assignments and follow-up on any outstanding items.
In order to fulfill continuing development goals, each employee must complete 40 hours of training every year. In-house training is provided, and off-site training opportunities are also supported.
Validation of the test bed is crucial in providing confidence in our test data. Frequent in-service checks are performed at every test station to identify problems prior to testing. Regular intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons provide an external reference point and demonstrate the competency of our facilities and personnel. In addition, internal audits insure compliance with our written policies and procedures.
Our continued success depends upon our responsiveness to customer inquiries. Phone calls and emails are quickly returned. Quotes are provided within hours of an RFQ. Management is easily accessible by phone or email to provide guidance on applicable rules or discuss other customer concerns.
We are very receptive to all customer feedback including criticism or complaints. Although customer complaints are few, we have procedures and training to resolve any issues that arise. All complaints are documented, thoroughly investigated, and resolved with the customer. We are committed to customer satisfaction.
Our laboratories are accredited by NVLAP to ISO 17025 standards. The scope of accreditation includes every test we perform. This accreditation, along with the eleven others we hold, provide our customers global acceptance of their test reports.
We are also a Product-Certifier for Wireless Devices. Accreditation to ISO Guide 65 allows us to operate as an FCC-designated TCB, an Industry Canada-recognized CB, and a European Commission-validated CAB.
Documentation is an integral part of the testing process. Word and Excel macros expedite the recording of test configurations and data in a standardized format. Both soft and hard copies of test data are available immediately after a test. A secure server provides delivery of the electronic data and test reports, thus avoiding the limitations of email servers and corporate firewalls.
Test reports are the final product and reflect the quality of our services. The highly readable test reports are typically available within two days of testing, in an Acrobat PDF format. Both the report format and content will impress upon the reader that the product has successfully undergone rigorous testing in a world-class laboratory. Through our personnel, facilities, and quality system, we endeavor to make our services a competitive advantage to our customers.
