EMI engineers designing components for satellite and other space applications now have an alternative to expensive and time-consuming Class S level testing, following the announcement of Souriau PA&E’s (Wenatchee, WA) new Class H EMI filter testing requirements. A new ‘hybrid’ approach adds most of traditional Class S tests to the company's standard Class B testing process.
According to Souriau PA&E, the primary difference between Class S and the new Class H testing is the number of component failures allowed per lot. Under strict Class S, a single component failure will cause an entire lot to be scrapped. With Class H testing, this restriction is loosened slightly to allow for no more than one failure per lot.
This slight variation in the process eliminates scrapping entire lots of serviceable and tested parts because of a single failure and, consequently, increases yields and decreases price while still providing highly-reliable and rugged EMI filters.
PA&E says its Class H EMI filters are inspected in accordance with MIL-PRF 28861 and must pass nearly 20 different tests that may include: temperature rise, thermal shock, vibration, current overload, corrosion (salt spray), terminal strength and destructive physical analysis. Hermetically sealed Class H filters are tested to 1x10-7 HE at one atmospheric pressure.
Souriau PA&E manufactures a number of EMI filter styles and sizes including micro and mini filters; eyelets, filter pins, as well as bolt and broadband filters. The company also manufactures custom caparrays, custom filter assemblies. For more information, visit http://www.pacaero.com.
