EMC Directory recently interviewed Mr. Bas Verhoeven who is currently Testing, Inspection and Certification Division – KEMA Labs Executive Vice President at CESI. He received a degree in Power Engineering from the Eindhoven University of Technology before joining KEMA in 1991 as an R&D specialist on digital protection systems for high-voltage power networks. As of 1995, he worked as a consultant on international projects for high-voltage power network design and protection. In 2000, he was appointed as manager of KEMA’s High Voltage Laboratory, which became the world’s largest commercially operated laboratory under his guidance. Since 2011, he acted in various senior management roles in KEMA including High-Power Laboratory, High-Voltage Laboratory, innovation, marketing, and sales. Mr. Verhoeven held the position of Director of High Voltage Laboratories in the global KEMA Labs. He is a member of the Board of the NEC, the Dutch IEC, and member of the Board of the International Short Circuit Test Liaison (STL). He has authored numerous papers on testing and certification of power components.

Q. Can you give us a brief overview of CESI and its history, mission, and core areas of expertise in the field of testing, Inspection, and certification?

Bas Verhoeven: CESI Group, through its division KEMA Labs, is recognized as a leader in independent Testing,  Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services, with nearly a century of innovation in fields including EMCTesting. Globally renowned, we are committed to ensuring the safety, efficiency, and compliance of electrical equipment across various sectors. Our mission is to provide our clients with comprehensive TIC solutions through a vertically integrated approach. This approach combines product certification with direct lab ownership and operational control over the entire quality chain. Overall, CESI is a leading global engineering and consulting firm in the power sector, also offering expertise in civil and environmental engineering as well as space solar cell production.

Q. What specific EMC testing services does CESI offer? 

Bas Verhoeven: KEMA Labs provides a broad range of EMC testing services, including radiated emission and susceptibility tests with a frequency range of 30MHz to 6 GHz. We can also perform conducted emission and immunity tests, in the range from 9 kHz to 30MHz. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped of handle a variety of  EMC challenges, from electromagnetic field strength measurements to surge pulse generation, ensuring comprehensive coverage for all EMC testing requirements.   

Q. What EMC Directives / Regulation standards do you follow? 

Bas Verhoeven: KEMA Labs adheres to a rigorous set of general standards across different sectors, including but not limited to EN 61000 series for general, residential, industrial, and switchgear applications, as well as ISO and EN standards for passenger vehicles and industrial vehicles, ensuring compliance with strict regulatory standards. Our facilities, equipped to test oversized equipment and vehicles, along with a highly skilled team, allow us to excel in areas like smart grids and avionic device lighting testing.

Q. What certifications or accreditations does CESI hold in the field of EMC testing?

Bas Verhoeven: KEMA Labs is a conformity assessment body holding Testing Lab ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, and a wider portfolio of certification schemes covered by ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation which combined with Lab testing makes the vertical integration of the certification process possible. This reflects our dedication to maintaining the highest levels of quality and reliability in EMC testing. 

Q. Can you tell us more about your EMC Testing facility?

Bas Verhoeven: KEMA Labs is home to one of the world’s largest Semi-anechoic chambers worldwide, with dimensions that accommodate a wide range of test scenarios. Our lab is designed to accommodate a comprehensive suite of EMC tests, ranging from conducted emissions to fast transients, and has a floor load capacity of 2,500 kg/m². This ensures it can support large-scale industrial equipment.

Q. What Industries/Sectors do you cater to from an EMC Testing Point of view? Which sector is the largest for you? 

Bas Verhoeven: Our EMC testing services cater to a wide range of sectors, including T&D products, digital substation devices, large industrial equipment, passenger vehicles, electrical mobility, and smart metering products. Our service offerings are extensive, serving numerous sectors. The industrial equipment sector emerges as the primary demand driver for EMC testing. This is attributed to the complexity and power requirements of the machinery involved.  

Q. Can you tell us more about your EMC Testing cycle - from when the customer comes to you to the end of the EMC Testing/Certification process? 

Bas Verhoeven: The customer's journey towards EMC Testing and Certification with KEMA Labs is a streamlined process that begins with an initial request, followed by a detailed test plan evaluation. Once a service booking is confirmed, we proceed with the test performance, culminating in the issuance of a final report that serves as proof of excellence and compliance.

Q. What sets KEMA Labs apart from other EMC testing providers in terms of its expertise, customer service, and commitment to innovation? 

Bas Verhoeven: KEMA Labs sets itself with a unique blend of experience, state-of-the-art facilities, and a strong focus on customer needs. Our commitment to innovation is backed by half a century of expertise in T&D products, industrial vehicles, smart meters, and more. We go beyond merely meeting clients’ needs; we partner with them to enhance the reliability and safety of electronic equipment across various industries.