EN 61373 Section 9 Environmental Vibration Testing
EN 61373 covers random vibration and shock testing items to be fitted on railway vehicles. As a certified environmental lab, we realize the importance of simulated long-life vibration testing. Meeting the environmental EN compliance requirements can be difficult. We understand the challenges and guide companies through the process.
Keystone provides the peace of mind that all of your needs will be met. Keystone Compliance partners with customers to achieve environmental product compliance. When products do not meet the requirements, we assist with finding solutions. Keystone takes a consultative approach throughout the entire test program.
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Summary of EN 61373 Lab Testing Information
The EN 61373 international lab test specifies the requirements for testing items of equipment to be intended for use on railway vehicles. The vehicles are subsequently subjected to vibrations and shock from the nature of the railway operational environment. The test item must withstand tests of reasonable duration that simulate the service conditions throughout its expected life.
This EN 61373 environmental testing standard, however, is not intended to cover self-induced vibrations as these will be specific to particular applications.
Simulated long-life testing is achieved in multiple different ways. Each having their associated advantages and disadvantages. The following below is the most common:
- Amplification: Where the amplitudes are increased and the time base decreased.
- Time compression: Where the amplitude history is retained and the time base is decreased.
- Decimation: Where time slices of the historical data are removed when the amplitudes are below a specified threshold value.
This standard’s primary concern is with railway vehicles on a fixed rail system. However, its wider use is not precluded. For systems operating on pneumatic tyres, or other transportation systems such as trolleybuses, the supplier and customer must agree on the test levels at the tender stage.
EN 61373 Section 9 Simulated long-life Testing at Increased Random Vibration Levels
When the orientation at which the equipment will be installed is unclear or unknown, the equipment is subjected to the vertical test of the table below.
All categories of equipment are subjected to 15 hours of conditioning. Normally, conditioning is divided into 5 hour conditioning in each of three mutually perpendicular axes.
It is not necessary for the equipment to function during the test. Lastly, it is possible to reduce the amplitude of vibration. However, the test period is increased.
Follow the links for more information on EN 61373 Section 8 Vibration Testing or EN 61373 Section 10 Operational Shock Testing.
Expert EN 61373 Simulated Long-life Testing at Increased Random Vibration Levels
In addition to environmental EN 61373 testing, Keystone has a full scope of expertise including immersion, solar radiation, sand and dust, and humidity. Our team strives to give our customers more time and energy on product development instead of testing. Keystone has a full lab of test equipment which permits us to provide short lead times on scheduling.
Contact us to receive more information on long-life environmental vibration testing.