Part 1 of this series introduced the concept of intrinsically safe design for explosive environments. Part 2 described considerations for the definition of explosive environments and how geographic regions for device use can impact both explosive atmosphere characterization and product implementation. Part 3 describes regulatory and quality requirements for ongoing production and sale of an intrinsically safe electronic […]
Intrinsically Safe Product Design Part 3: Production Quality Requirements
Part 1 of this series introduced the concept of intrinsically safe design for explosive environments. Part 2 described considerations for the definition of explosive environments and how geographic regions for device use can impact both explosive atmosphere characterization and product implementation. This blog describes regulatory and quality requirements for ongoing production and sale of an […]
Intrinsically Safe Product Design, Part 2: Defining the Hazardous Location Environment
Part 1 of this blog series introduced the concept of intrinsic safety. Part 2 describes the characterization of hazardous environments with respect to intrinsically safe electronic devices. Internationally, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is considered to be a benchmark in the definition of explosive atmospheres and certification of electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres via its IECEx […]
Intrinsically Safe Product Design, Part 1: Introduction to Intrinsic Safety
SECO USA designs and manufactures portable and handheld electronic devices that must have inherently low-power operation and high computational performance. One application area for which SECO USA designs and delivers electronic devices is intrinsic safety. Intrinsically safe (IS) product is designed to operate in hazardous areas, such as explosive environments, by limiting the energy available […]
Navigating GPS Alternatives for Custom Tablets and Handheld Devices
Custom tablets and other handheld devices, whether used for consumer, military, commercial, or medical purposes, frequently include GPS (Global Positioning System) to assist in determining current location and time. Specifically, GPS refers to the US owned and Air Force operated network of 24+ middle-earth orbit satellites. This global system has reliably been supplying location and […]
Supply Chain Issues Of Long Life Electronic Products
Companies that design and manufacture electronic products such as tablets, handhelds, and other devices must fully understand how supply chain issues can impact the manufacture and sale of high-tech products. Problems with supply chain and logistics can be cataclysmic, as missing a single part will prevent product from being assembled and sold. Until the part […]
Incorporating GPS into Production Test, A Review of Test Methodologies
Co-Authored by Willy Negrete, SECO USA Director of Quality Assurance/Test Portable devices that incorporate a Global Positioning System (GPS) have become a mainstay feature in most modern, handheld devices. While GPSs are a great feature, they can be tough to design-in to devices and they are equally as tough to test in a cost-effective and […]
Designing an Intrinsically Safe Handheld Device: A Multi-Disciplined Approach
SECO USA designs and manufactures portable and handheld electronic devices, specializing in product that inherently requires low-power operation, user interaction, and high computational performance. Particularly challenging is an application area known as intrinsic safety (IS). An intrinsically safe product is designed to operate in hazardous, potentially explosive areas by limiting the energy available for ignition of […]