CE Compliance ...finally

[tubesinside]

Well after a year of fine-tuning, 6 prototypes, mountains of paperwork and extensive testing my Blues Reverb passed its EMC testing today. Yipeeee.
For any of you out there who are considering building to CE standards it's not for the faint hearted.

[VacuumVoodoo]

Well done! Been there, done that..

[xtian]

Loves me some anechoic chambers. So otherworldly! And they FREAK my ears out.

[kwijabo]

niiiiiiiiiiiiiice. i've been to a few chambers on the east coast of the U.S. but didn't recognize this one. was about to ask you where you went and i see you're in ireland! so, yeah, probably never been to this one.

how did you know what needed to be tested and to what limits? did you know this or did the testing company provide guidance? i have no desire to go through that process but was wondering what all is involved and i couldn't easily find any information on the internet about certifying a tube amp.

[Reeltarded]

OMG you should have just bootlegged the whole idea and stamped everything Made in Turkey!! . Congrats!!

[tubesinside]

kwijabo,
CE compliance is a 'self certifying' process. You have to comply...you have to identify the category into which your device fits and the directives that apply. There are at lease two directives that guitar amplifiers must comply with...Low Voltage Directive (safety) and EMC directive.
The LVD has many sub categories and Audio Amplifiers must comply with EN60065. The professional audio amp must comply with EN55103-1/2 E1, E2, E3 for EMC.
Strangely, the compliance documentation is not available for free download and is watermarked so that it can be traced if uploaded to a file sharing site. The EN60065 documentation is 160 pages of compliance and testing procedures and the EMC documentation is another 150 pages. (the documentation download alone costs about $550)
I have enough test equipment to complete the safety testing but I had to employ the services of an EMC lab (yes..in Ireland) to test and certify the component of compliance.
I have learned a lot in this process and had to make significant changes to my chassis and cabinet construction to comply. (have to protect access to power valves to avoid burns. No vents with more than 4mm holes etc.)

[tubesinside]

Here's the second from last prototype being demoed by a good friend.
(I had to make several changes to the graphics on the rear panel)
http://youtu.be/FxpiemhvoQY

[martin manning]

Very well done all around! Nice shots of the press break chassis forming too... a regular "How It's Made."

[xtian]

Oh. Man. The monster sheet metal brake in the video is awesome.

Nice work, brother!

[Teleguy61]

Holy shit! Keep your fingers away from that baby!
Nice job man, looks great, sounds great.

[ampdoc1]

I'm sure you have labored long and hard to get to this point! And, you have created a sterling example of guitar amplifier technology. Beautiful workmanship and great sound.

My hat's off to 'ya.

a'doc1

[rogb]

Nice work and well played and recorded too.
I wish you every success in your venture

[Sazafraz]

Beautiful in all aspects

Love the hows its made portion of the chassis. Have only ever seen a one piece brake before.

[milkyBK370]

I've been following your work for a while now and I'd like to say congratulations on finally getting this certification. Your amps are unreal in every single aspect from design to how they sound. Something to aspire to for me!!

Gary

[pdf64]

Well done, kudos to you for following the process through.
It's disappointing that the regulator is so cynical as to charge so much for the documentation as it (and the whole rigmarole) acts as a major hurdle to the little guys, one that doesn't exist in other jurisdictions.
Pete