The PEHLA I&S IP 115 inspection system comprises five inspection programs:
Type A program: Inspection of tests in PEHLA laboratories accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025
Type B program: Inspection of tests at external customers’
Type C program: Inspection of damage within the scope of damage assessments and performance of failure analyses
Type D program: Inspection of equipment properties design and construction
Type E program: Inspection of proof of suitability of device characteristics
The inspection program A is reserved for internal PEHLA activities (internal relationship) and refers exclusively to the inspection of type tests in PEHLA laboratories accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025. This type of inspection is performed by the I&S inspector as a so-called "observer". His responsibilities are described in PEHLA Guideline 01 of the PEHLA Section "Testing".
All regulations concerning PEHLA inspections in PEHLA laboratories are subject to the quality management program of the PEHLA "Testing" Division.
The scope of this program covers the range of product standards covered by I&S.
I&S does not exert any influence on the QMS of the "Testing" area. The QMS of I&S only defines the administrative operation of the assigned inspectors in this function.
This inspection takes place in the so-called internal relationship in the company.
The inspection program B is reserved for external PEHLA activities (external relationship) and refers to inspection of tests at external customers. This program applies to various types of tests, such as type, routine and acceptance tests at manufacturers, as well as commissioning tests, e.g. at end customers, operators, etc.
The scope of this program covers the range of product standards covered by I&S and the technical requirements for equipment contained therein.
Inspections of type and routine tests are carried out on the basis of normative requirements according to product standards as well as (if desired) taking into account customer-specific requirements.
Inspections of acceptance or commissioning tests are carried out on the basis of customer specifications, which take into account the product standards and may include their own test contents.
The inspection program C includes the inspection of damage assessments and failure analyses. This gives manufacturers as well as end customers or operators the opportunity to have the damage analyses to be carried out by them on affected devices in their own or external laboratories/premises accompanied and assessed by an independent technical expert as a "Third-Party Conformity Assessment".
A damage assessment or failure analysis typically aims at a failure or malfunction of a device with regard to its type- and unit-tested as well as specified characteristics according to the product standard, such as:
- dielectric failure/misbehavior
- mechanical failure/malfunction
- thermal failure/malfunction
- etc.
The scope of this program covers the range of product standards covered by I&S and the technical requirements for the equipment contained therein.
During the assessment, the failure/misbehavior is analyzed by means of applicable methods (e.g. visual assessment, special examinations, supplementary individual tests and measurements of the laboratory, special examinations) and mirrored against the normative requirements with the aim of finding out the cause.
A damage or defect analysis can in principle have different outcomes, ranging from a clear finding of the cause, to a hypothetical conclusion, to an unidentifiable or untraceable cause. The result of an inspected damage assessment or failure analysis is fully documented by PEHLA I&S regardless of the outcome of the assessment.
The inspection program D includes the expertise on equipment with regard to its design and construction.
On the basis of the product data specified by the manufacturer, which are verified by type and routine tests and other declarations, their conformity with the requirements of the end user/operator is checked and confirmed.
The scope of this program covers the range of product standards covered by I&S and the technical requirements for equipment contained therein.
The inspection program E includes the expertise on suitability proofs of device characteristics.
On the basis of the product data specified by the manufacturer, which are verified by type and routine tests as well as further declarations, their applicability or validity for related devices is checked and confirmed (e.g. identical device with different technical data).
The scope of this program covers the range of product standards covered by I&S and the technical requirements for equipment contained therein.