New accredited tests at COCH
We are pleased to announce that we are extending the scope of our accredited tests. From November 2021 we have an extended accreditation of the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA) No. AB 308, the full scope of which you can read on the website and the complete scope of accredited tests under the link.
We have summarized the most important extensions of accredited tests below:
1. Testing isothermal containers for transporting temperature-sensitive goods:
In addition to our accredited testing of temperature-controlled means of transportation in the cargo area used to distribute pharmaceutical products (for human or veterinary use) and heat-insulated motor vehicles for transporting perishable food items (for ATP certification), we will perform accredited testing for:
Refrigerated container is a mobile storage for goods requiring a specific temperature and humidity. They are used in various types of transport from which the most popular are sea and rail transport. These containers have the ability to regulate min. temperature and humidity, which means that transporting goods to any part of the world is not associated with potential spoilage. The offered testing of refrigerated containers is our response to the growing logistics demand for this equipment in present times. New refrigerated containers should comply with ATP regulations.
2. Acoustic and noise studies, including noise emitted by vibration of machinery and equipment:
These tests complete the offer of complex tests of cooling devices and heat pumps (among others tests for KEYMARK European quality mark). Thanks to professional equipment for acoustic tests, we are able to measure the A-weighted sound pressure level (in the range: 30-136 dB) and determine the A-weighted sound power level in selected measurement conditions specified in the PN-EN 12102-1:2018-03; PN-EN 12102-2:2019-06 and PN-EN ISO 3744:2011 standards.
Accredited tests refer to measurements for equipment such as air conditioners, liquid chillers, heat pumps, industrial process chillers and dehumidifiers with electrically driven compressors (air conditioners, liquid chillers, heat pumps, for space heating and cooling, dehumidifiers and industrial process chillers), heat pump water heaters and other machinery and equipment.
We are open to measure also other devices beyond accreditation.
3. Fan testing with consideration of Ecodesign (EcoDesign) regulations:
We have extended the scope of accredited testing for air blowers, which now also takes into account the provisions of the so-called Ecodesign. Ecodesign requirements for industrial fans are mandatory for all manufacturers and suppliers wishing to sell their products in the EU. These requirements include information about the product and its efficiency. The Ecodesign regulations are primarily driven by environmental and climate concerns. By using more efficient industrial fans, large electricity savings are possible.
The actual efficiency of a ventilator depends on its power requirements (high power fans are on average more efficient than low power fans) and type. By replacing a less efficient model with a high-efficiency one, you can save on average about 20% of your operating costs over the lifetime (15 years).
For fans, the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No 327/2011 of 30 March 2011 are important. They regulate the requirements that these devices must meet in order to be labelled with a range of relevant information, such as the measurement category, the efficiency category and the total efficiency of the product at the point of optimal energy efficiency.
As part of our accredited tests, we determine the temperature reached (-30-60 ºC), total pressure generated (0-2500 Pa), static pressure (range: 0-2500 Pa), power consumption (0.3-5000 W), capacity and efficiency of the device.
4. Safety tests for the use of electrical household and similar equipment: heat pumps, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and refrigerated furniture
These tests focus on determining and evaluating the characteristics of the equipment to classify it as safe for use. This includes tests to check the operation of such equipment under controlled conditions and to check the behavior during abnormal operation with overloading of the compressor motor and fan as well as the electronic circuits. In addition, mechanical strength, resistance to high temperatures, use of components, correctness of grounding connections, among others, are also assessed.
5. Refrigeration cabinets - expanding the offer to include the study of refrigeration equipment for home and similar and professional use, ice cream machines, freezers and chillers
The study of refrigeration furniture, which consists of refrigeration cabinets and counters for professional use, refrigeration equipment for domestic use, ice cream freezers, and blast chillers and freezers for professional use, is complemented by ice cream machines. The testing of these machines includes the determination of the chilling capacity of the plant or temperature tests and energy consumption. The requirements and test conditions for machines for the manufacture of ice cream and similar frozen desserts are described in the standard PN-EN 16764:2016-06. It defines the operating characteristics of machines and energy consumption, measured under specific conditions and test methods, using appropriate mixed tests.
The tests are directed to the following types of ice cream machines: commercial, soft and frozen, which are frozen from frozen products (e.g. milk, yoghurt), containing conventional operations and a pasteurization phase. The machine may include separate refrigeration systems for frozen products and fresh mixes and may be air or water cooled.
Ice cream machines are rated for efficiency (including maximum input energy, or maximum current, production capacity, energy production).
6. Refrigeration systems and heat pumps:
Herein, our standard offer for the safety and environmental assessment of refrigeration systems and heat pumps is supplemented by conformity testing of the vessels and piping in terms of leak tightness and installation strength, as well as measurement using the pressure method.
Requirements for stationary pressure vessels intended for use in refrigeration systems and heat pumps are regulated in PN-EN 14276-1:2020-07 and PN-EN 14276-2:2020-07.
The tests apply both to vessels, including welded or brazed additions, including flange outlet ends, bolted, welded or brazed connections, and to the edge to be welded or brazed at the first circumferential connection connecting piping or other components.
The tests apply to pressure vessels with an internal pressure up to -1 bar to account for the evacuation of the vessel before filling with refrigerant.
7. Accredited testing of air dehumidifiers in accordance with EN 810
In addition to the accredited electrical safety and acoustic tests of these devices, the COCH laboratory will also perform tests on the drying performance and energy consumption of dehumidifiers with electrically driven compressors as accredited tests.
Dehumidifiers made as stand-alone and portable devices are particularly suitable for applications where it is uneconomical or impossible to dehumidify facilities as part of fixed air-conditioning systems. Stand-alone, portable devices are mainly used in construction technology to accelerate the process of dehumidification of premises by lowering the relative humidity of the air in an enclosed space. These devices are referred to by their circulating name as condensing compressor dehumidifiers.
8. Testing for roof-top air conditioners:
This is the final new addition to our portfolio of accredited tests.
Testing to EN 17625:2021-01 covers air-fed and water-cooled rooftop units driven by electric compressor(s), which may be equipped with an auxiliary heater using electrical resistance or fossil fuel combustion. Accredited testing includes rooftop units with 2, 3, or 4 dampers, including those with several functions such as free cooling, mixing airflows (on both sides), and heat recovery.
Rooftop air conditioners provide space heating and/or cooling. To a large extent, the unit features tested overlap with the requirements for heat pumps, liquid chillers with electrically driven compressors, for space heating and cooling. During the tests, the SEER and SEERon, SCOP, SCOPon and SCOPnet efficiency values at part load conditions to determine the seasonal energy efficiency; efficiency values, EER and COP in active mode at part load conditions, among others, are determined.
Keywords:
Compressors, Refrigeration, Refrigeration Equipment, Definitions, Fans, Heat Exchangers, Heat Pumps, Radiators, Liquid Pumps, Measurements, Efficiency, Refrigeration, Coolers, Roofs, Space Heating Systems, Research, Fans, EcoDesign, Ecodesign, Acoustic Testing, Vibration,
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