Carephones up for tech check

Company

NEAT Electronics AB is a Swedish leader in care phones for emergency response designed for elderly and disabled individuals, allowing them to call for help in emergencies. With a global presence and subsidiaries across Europe, Australia, and Latin America, NEAT is committed to enhancing safety and support for vulnerable populations.

Challenge

As a manufacturer of carephones and advanced sensors for automated monitoring, NEAT faces stringent compliance standards mandated by authorities. These products must meet tough robustness and reliability requirements, especially given their critical function in emergencies.

The challenge lies in ensuring that their devices, which also include smoke detectors and health monitoring sensors, consistently perform under varying conditions while complying with regulations across different regions.

Solution

To address these challenges, NEAT Electronics collaborates with EKTOS, the only accredited test lab in Denmark and Sweden for testing “Social Alarms.” EKTOS assists NEAT in navigating the complexities of compliance by conducting thorough tests for radio performance, electromagnetic compatibility, and electrical safety.

The testing process begins with a detailed discussion between NEAT and EKTOS to identify the relevant standards and specifications for each device. This initial consultation allows NEAT to streamline the testing phases by skipping unnecessary tests on previously evaluated components, significantly reducing time and costs. EKTOS’s approach emphasizes efficiency without compromising the rigor of the testing.

Once the parameters are established, EKTOS conducts several critical assessments:

• Radio Performance Testing: Ensuring that the devices can communicate reliably over designated frequencies, particularly in emergency scenarios where signal integrity is vital.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing: Verifying that the devices do not interfere with or get disrupted by other electronic systems, maintaining seamless operation in various environments.
• Electrical Safety Testing: Assessing the devices to ensure they meet low-voltage directives and operate safely under all expected conditions.
• Climatic Testing: Evaluating how devices withstand environmental stressors such as heat, cold, and vibration to ensure they remain operational in diverse conditions.

The collaboration also allows NEAT to develop care phones that communicate via dedicated radio frequencies, ensuring that the devices operate reliably even under lower transmission power. This capability is crucial for maintaining the integrity of alarms in emergency situations.

Results

Through their collaboration, NEAT has successfully launched multiple products that meet stringent regulatory requirements without the need for additional approvals from a Notified Body, thanks to their compliance with harmonized standards. David Busk, head of EKTOS TRS, emphasizes that NEAT’s care phones are rigorously tested to ensure they function correctly every time the red emergency button is pressed.

Ulrik Lundberg, Business Unit Manager at NEAT Electronics, praises the partnership: “They are competent people. You always get a quick response, and they are not making it more difficult than it is.” The successful collaboration has established a reliable testing framework that not only enhances product safety but also supports NEAT’s mission of providing essential care solutions globally.

Conclusion

The partnership between NEAT Electronics and EKTOS exemplifies how collaboration in testing and compliance can lead to improved safety solutions for vulnerable populations.

With its focus on innovation and development, NEAT continues to set the standard for care phones, ensuring that help is always just a button press away.

Ensure your products meet the safety standards!

If you’re looking to ensure that your products meet the highest safety and compliance standards, consider partnering with EKTOS.

Our accredited testing services can help streamline your approval process and enhance your product’s reliability.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your testing needs!