Lightning Protection Testing | Elite Electronic Engineering, Inc.

Demanding Electromagnetic Environments Call for Unique Test Lab Capabilities

Most industry EMC regulations call for a common suite of tests covering emissions measurements and susceptibility. Other regulations are more stringent and demanding, both for the test item and the lab equipment. The type and severity of tests depend on the environmental conditions in which the equipment will operate.

Commercial and military aviation are prime examples of where electromagnetic environments can be exceptionally severe. Such environments are created by atmospheric lightning, Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP), powerful ground-based and aircraft mounted radar, as well as radio communications equipment.

Elite has the specialty equipment, amplifiers, high gain antennas, EMC chambers, and expertise to create tests that will represent the severe environments and help clients meet their most demanding end use applications.

Elite's Lightning, HIRF, High Power, and EMP Testing Capabilities

Lightning Tests for Avionics

Elite has multiple Thermo Scientific ECAT Lightning Test Systems capable of level 5 waveforms. In addition to generating standardized lightning waveforms, Elite can engineer and develop specialized lightning and surge transients for customized requirements.

Lightning Capability: Single Stroke, Multiple Stroke and Multiple Burst Waveforms and Levels

Lightning Capability
- Single Stroke, Multiple Stroke
- Multiple Burst Waveforms
Cable Induction Methods
1. MIL-STD-461G CS117
2. RTCA DO-160F/G Waveforms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a
3. Single Stroke All Waveforms (Up to Level 5)
4. Multi-Stroke All Waveforms (Up to Level 5)
Ground Injection Methods
1. RTCA DO-160F/G Waveforms 1, 2, 4, 5a
2. Single Stroke All Waveforms (Up to Level 5)
3. Multi-Stroke All Waveforms (Up to Level 5)
Multiple Burst – Waveform 3 and Waveform 6H Capability
1. Waveform 3 multiple burst threat is applied by cable induction up to Level 5.
2. Waveform 6H multiple burst threat is applied by cable induction up to Level 3.

High Intensity RF Fields (HIRF)

Elite offers HIRF testing in Absorber Lined Shielded Enclosures (ALSE) semi-anechoic chambers that meet Military and Commercial Aviation specifications.
Elite also performs HIRF testing in reverberation chambers for Mode Tuned/Mode Stirred RF susceptibility testing.
- Elite’s reverb chambers are paired to produce radiated susceptibility testing starting at 100MHz and up to 40GHz.
- The combination of high powered amplifiers and test equipment, plus the reverberant characteristics of these chambers helps produce high fields for Pulse Modulated, Square Wave, and Continuous Wave HIRF susceptibility.

High Power Testing

CE Mark / International Lightning Surge Transients

IEC EN 61000-4-4 Electrical Fast Transients
IEC EN 61000-4-5 Surge 1.2 x 50 / 8 x 20 us
IEC EN 61000-4-12 Damped Oscillatory 1 MHz
Reverberation Chamber Testing Machine

Telecommunications Surge Testing

Type A Telecom Surge
Type B Telecom Surge
Power Line Surge

Power Line Lightning Protection Testing

IEEE ANSI C63.41
100kHz Ring wave 6kV, 500A
1.2us/50us, 8us/20us Comb. Wave 6kV, 3kA

ANSI C37.90.1

1 MHz Oscillatory, SWC Test Wave 3KV OC
Fast Transient SWC Test Wave 5 KV OC

EMP Testing

Elite’s Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) simulator is designed to test in accordance with MIL-STD-461 RS105.

Pulse amplitudes up to 50,000V/m
Wave shape requirements of 2.5ns rise time and 28ns decay

Elite also performs HEMP testing to IEC 61000-4-25 to evaluate the survivability of electrical and electronic equipment and systems exposed to high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) environments.

Our Lightning, HIRF, and High Power Testing Specialists

Equipment connected to power mains is vulnerable to the effects of power failures, voltage surges, and lightning transients. Among Elite’s impressive roster of experts is the experienced team testing and verifying equipment to assure survival when those events happen. Long experience and expertise are combined in these engineers for Lightning, HIRF, and EMP testing.

Meet our Staff