The inspection system IP 115 of PEHLA Inspection & Services (I&S) comprises five inspection programs:
Inspection program A: Observation of tests in PEHLA laboratories
Inspection program B: Inspection of tests
Inspection program C: Inspection of damage assessments and failure analyse
Inspection program D: Inspection of the identity of products in relation to the available test documents and design evidence
Inspection program E: Inspection of the product data specified by the manufacturer. Verification of the transferability of proof of conformity to variants of the inspected devices and systems
Inspection program A
This program refers exclusively to the conformity assessment of type tests in PEHLA laboratories accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025. This type of conformity assessment is performed by I&S inspectors as so-called “observers”. Their responsibilities are described in PEHLA Guideline 01 of the PEHLA "Testing" Division. The ISO/IEC 17020 quality standard is not applied in this program.
All regulations regarding PEHLA tests in PEHLA laboratories are subject to the QMS of the PEHLA “Testing” Division. I&S does not exert any influence on the QMS of the "Testing" Division. The QMS of I&S only defines the administrative mode of work of the inspectors deployed in this function.
Inspection program B
This program is used for various types of tests, such as type, routine, design and acceptance tests at manufacturers’ and commissioning tests, e.g. at end customers’/operating companies’.
The scope of this program extends to the range of product standards covered by I&S and the technical requirements for equipment contained therein.
Inspections of type and routine tests are performed on the basis of normative requirements in accordance with product standards and (if requested by the Customer) taking into account customer-specific requirements.
Inspections of acceptance or commissioning tests are performed on the basis of Customer specifications which take the product standards into account and may include their own test contents.
The inspection is only valid for the inspected object at the time of the inspection. There is no monitoring. All documents used to perform the inspection are stored and kept by I&S. This ensures comparability and reproducibility.
After the inspection, the Customer receives a document with the following information:
- statement regarding the result of the inspection.
- performed identification of the test object.
- suitability of the testing and measuring equipment.
- condition of the object after inspection.
Inspection program C
This program includes inspection of damage assessments and failure analysis. This gives manufacturers as well as end customers or operators the opportunity to have the necessary damage analyses on affected devices in their own or external laboratories/premises accompanied and assessed by an independent technical expert in terms of a "Third-Party Conformity Assessment".
A damage assessment or failure analysis typically aims at a failure or malfunction of a device regarding its type- and routine-tested as well as specified properties according to the product standard, such as:
- dielectric failure/malfunction.
- mechanical failure/malfunction.
- thermal failure/malfunction.
- etc.
The scope of this program extends to the range of product standards covered by I&S and the technical requirements for equipment contained therein.
The inspection is only valid for the inspected object at the time of the inspection. There is no monitoring. All documents used to perform the inspection are stored and kept by I&S. This ensures comparability and reproducibility.
After the inspection, the Customer receives a document with the following information:
- description of the inspected assessment.
- statement regarding the result of the inspection.
- performed identification of the test object.
- optional: suitability of the testing and measuring equipment.
- condition of the object after inspection.
- optional: photo documentation.
Inspection program D
This program includes expert opinion on devices with regard to their application.
The scope of this program extends to the range of product standards covered by I&S and the technical requirements for equipment contained therein.
On the basis of the product data specified by the manufacturer, which are substantiated by defined design statuses, proofs of the type and routine tests performed and supplementary declarations, compliance thereof with the requirements of the end user/operator is checked in detail and, if fulfilled, confirmed.
The inspection is only valid for the inspected object and its version status at the time of the inspection. There is no monitoring. All documents used to perform the inspection are stored and kept by I&S. This ensures comparability and reproducibility.
After the inspection, the Customer receives a document with the following information:
- statement regarding the result of the inspection.
- performed identification of the test object/s.
- evaluation with reference to the methodology used.
- list of proofs of conformity and relevant documentation.
- summary of inspection results.
Inspection program E
This program includes expert opinion on proofs of conformity regarding device properties with regard to transferability thereof.
Based on the product data specified by the manufacturer, their applicability or transferability to related specified devices is checked and confirmed in the case of fulfillment (e.g. identical device with deviating technical data).
This is performed on the basis of design documents, proofs of conformity of type and routine tests, proofs of measurements and supplementary declarations. The verification can be based on e.g. IEC TR 62271-307, or other applicable regulations, studies and recognized papers.
The scope of this program extends to the range of product standards covered by I&S and the technical requirements for equipment contained therein.
The inspection is only valid for the inspected object and its version status at the time of the inspection. There is no monitoring. All documents used to perform the inspection are stored and kept by I&S. This ensures comparability and reproducibility.
After the inspection, the Customer receives a document with the following information:
- statement regarding the result of the inspection.
- performed identification of the test object/s.
- evaluation with reference to the methodology used.
- list of proofs of conformity that have been accepted as the basis for transferability.
- summary of inspection results.