BASEC's Cable Testing Lab - Awarded International Quality Standard By UKAS

By on 16th February, 2015

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BASEC Awarded For Competence And Quality Management System

The British Approvals Service For Cables (BASEC) has been accredited with ISO/IEC 17025 standard by UKAS, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. The ISO/IEC 17025 is an international standard that specifies the competence and quality management system requirements set out for labs that provide electrical cable testing and calibration services. 

In addition to the recent accreditation, BASEC also holds the UKAS accreditation to ISO/IEC 17021 for quality and environmental management systems. The British Approvals Service also holds the certification EN 45011 for product certification. 

The standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005 sets out the requirements for testing and or calibrating cables including sampling. The standard also covers testing and calibration carried out using standard methods, non-standard methods and laboratory developed methods. 

The Highest Level Of Accreditation Attainable

The ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation from UKAS is one of the highest levels that can be attained by any testing or calibration laboratory and is applicable to all organisations that are carrying out tests and or calibrations. 

To be accredited to this level, laboratories must demonstrate that they are equipped, staffed and technically competent and must be able to produce precise, repeatable test or calibration data. They must also have the correct quality systems in place to manage all aspects of testing, from admin to technical operations. 

BASEC's accreditation includes its electrical, mechanical, chemical and fire/smoke tests on cables. 

Pictured Right: BASEC Fire/Smoke Cable Testing

BASEC CEO Dr Jeremy Hodge stated: "With this accreditation, BASEC has demonstrated its fulfilment to meet the criteria for the highest quality laboratory systems and procedures. Our laboratory conducts a wide range of cable testing on a daily basis to serve the demands of cable manufacturers, users and standards authorities across the world. Achieving 17025 accreditation ensures that cable manufacturers, trade industry partners and end users have the utmost confidence in the integrity of the laboratory’s processes and procedures and it supports the BASEC mark of approval."

BASEC's World Class Testing Facilities 

In late 2012, BASEC opened its world class 18,000 Sq Ft cable testing laboratory in Milton Keynes. Compromised of three fully re-configurable test labs and a 3.5m tall ladder rack rig, the facility is adequately equipped for carrying out fire tests on cables for the standards IEC 60332-3-22 and BS EN 50399.

These facilities coupled with the existing three metre cube chamber for smoke emission tests (EN 614034-2) and halogen testing equipment represent the considerable investment that has been made. 

Pictured: Inside The BASEC Cable Testing Facilities

Category:  HV Cable Jointing & Terminating

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