Services based on NOM-019-SCFI-1998 for electronic and industrial equipment

Introduction

Technical evaluation of electrical and electronic equipment in accordance with NOM-019-SCFI-1998 (Mexican product safety standard for data-processing equipment) is a fundamental tool in the pre-certification, development, and product validation stages. This type of analysis identifies electrical hazards, validates design criteria, and anticipates potential deviations before a unit is submitted to formal certification processes.

Beyond strictly telecommunications equipment, the principles of this standard are widely applicable to electronic systems in general, including industrial devices, data-processing peripherals, power sources, and storage systems such as batteries. The technical evaluation characterizes the electrical behavior of the equipment under controlled conditions, with a focus on safety, reliability, and performance.

Scope of Equipment Evaluated

The service covers a wide variety of electrical and electronic devices used in industrial, technological, and laboratory environments:

Telecommunications equipment such as routers, modems, gateways, and network terminals
Computer peripherals, including power supplies, monitors, interfaces, and expansion modules
Industrial electronic equipment, such as controllers, embedded systems, and automation modules
Energy storage systems, including industrial batteries, UPS units, and backup systems
AC/DC power supplies, converters, and regulators
Electronic test and measurement equipment

These devices share critical elements from an electrical standpoint, such as insulation, energy control, heat dissipation, and user protection.

Measurement Infrastructure and Equipment Used

The technical evaluation is performed with specialized instrumentation commonly used in electrical and electronic analysis laboratories. This equipment accurately characterizes the behavior of the device under test:

Programmable power supplies to simulate controlled operating conditions and voltage variations
High-accuracy digital multimeters for voltage, current, and resistance measurements
Digital oscilloscopes for analysis of signals, transients, and dynamic behavior
Impedance analyzers and LCR meters for characterization of components and electrical networks
Insulation testers (megohmmeters) to evaluate insulation resistance
Hipot equipment for dielectric strength testing
Electronic loads to simulate real-world power consumption conditions
Thermal imaging cameras for analysis of heat distribution

Our laboratory has this type of instrumentation available for testing and

Electrical Classification of the Equipment

As part of the analysis, a detailed characterization of the equipment’s electrical design is performed:

Identification of SELV circuits, where voltage levels are inherently safe
Evaluation of TNV interfaces in equipment connected to telecommunications networks
Determination of the protection class (Class I with protective earth connection or Class II with double insulation)
Analysis of insulation barriers between primary and secondary
Evaluation of current paths and accessibility of energized parts

This classification establishes clear criteria for electrical risk assessment and defines the limits of safe operation.

Technical Tests Performed

Tests are developed based on the electrical safety principles set out in NOM-019, adapted to the type of equipment evaluated:

Visual inspection and construction analysis: evaluation of physical design, insulation distances, material quality, and accessibility of energized parts
Dielectric strength test: application of a controlled high voltage to verify insulation integrity between critical sections of the equipment
Leakage current measurement: quantification of unwanted currents that may pose an electrical hazard during operation
Ground continuity verification: low-resistance measurement of protective paths in equipment that requires grounding
Power consumption characterization: analysis of current, power, and behavior under different load conditions
Thermal evaluation: temperature monitoring during operation using sensors or thermography to identify hot spots

Practical Application to Industrial and Electronic Equipment

In industrial equipment, these tests validate the integrity of control systems, power supplies, and electronic modules exposed to demanding conditions. For batteries and backup systems, the analysis focuses on electrical stability, heat dissipation, and safe operating conditions.

For computer peripherals and general-purpose electronic equipment, the evaluation identifies risks associated with poor insulation, ground faults, or overheating, which can affect both the user and the system into which the equipment is integrated.

Technical Scope of the Service

The service provides detailed information on the electrical behavior of the equipment, making it possible to:

Detect design flaws at early stages
Validate electrical safety conditions
Adjust operating parameters
Prepare the equipment for formal certification processes
Reduce uncertainty in integration or development processes

The approach is technical and results-oriented, with clear reports that support decision-making in engineering and product validation.

Coverage

Services are available for technical evaluation projects in northeastern Mexico, focused on industrial, electronic, and technology development applications.