Slip Ring Compliance: ROHS, CE, REACH, And UL

Introduction

In modern electrical applications, slip rings are the heart of the system. For example, they transmit energy and signal in the wind turbine system. From medical to robotics, all harness the transmission capabilities of the slip rings.

When it comes to human safety, many certification authorities don't approve until they are sure of the 100% safety of your products. These certificates are also a green ticket in the global markets.

Certificates include ROHS, CE, REACH, and UL. Do you want to know how they help? Let's discuss these certificates and the process to verify them.

What is a slip ring?

A slip ring is a rotary interface that makes it possible to transfer power and signal between the stationary and rotary components of the equipment.

There are a few applications that deploy a slip ring. For example:

● Wind turbine pitch control systems

● CT scanners

● Packaging machines

● Radar and surveillance systems

Why does Slip ring compliance and certificates matter?

If you plan to sell globally without restrictions, you must ensure safety. These are the compliance certificates that allow instant entry.

Let's discuss more necessities.

Ensures product safety, reliability, and performance

Before an authority bestows a certificate, it checks the slip ring status, such as performance, consistency, and quality.

Certificates verify your products are 100% safe and up to standard.

Reduces legal and operational risks

There are a few risks associated with non-compliance. For example:

● Product recalls

● Fines or bans in certain countries

● Contract termination by OEMs

● Liability in case of failure

Do you want to escape all these additional charges and hassles? Certificates provide easy access to all the markets without parceling your business.

Increases trust with OEMs and end-users

Maintenance of trust is necessary. Non-compliance puts your business at risk and causes an environment of disbelief. Verified slip rings can:

● Facilitate long-term supplier relationships

● Assure buyers and engineers

● Support traceability and warranty processes

Enables entry into global markets

If you are selling in the European markets, authorities wouldn't let you sell without the CE certificates. Different certificates are a gateway to the global markets, such as:

● CE is mandatory in the EU

● UL is crucial in North America

● RoHS/REACH is essential for environmentally compliant sales

Overview of Certification and Directives

The four primary certificates include:

ROHS

RoHS is one of the crucial certificates with the name Restriction of Hazardous Substances. This certificate limits the use of ten hazardous elements, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, in different electrical and electronic equipment.

It reduces health risks and provides a safe environment to operate the devices. On the slip ring, you can find the following implementations.

● Brush and contact materials must not contain heavy metals.

● Soldering processes must use lead-free compounds to avoid lead toxicity.

● PCB components and coatings must comply with the required metal exclusion rules.

CE

Conformité Européenne is a certificate specially required for European consumers and retailers. The purpose of CE certificates is to deploy the EU safety, health, and environmental protection legislation on all electronic products.

Implementation of the slip rings includes:

● Slip rings should follow all the directives, such as the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and the EMC Directive.

● It should be safe and comply with the safety hazards and rules.

● There should be a proper risk assessment and assumption of safety after compliance.

REACH

REACH or Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals implements the rules regarding chemicals. Whatever you are importing, it should not contain toxic chemicals. In the slip ring cases, you can expect the following implementations.

● Raw materials must contain SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern) within required limits.

● Manufacturers can use the chemicals if permitted, but should disclose the quantity of regulated chemicals.

● This certificate covers surface coatings, greases, gaskets, plastics, and insulation.

UL

If you are a resident of the US and Canada, Underwriters Laboratories are the ideal certificates to grab in your hand. They offer a range of limits on the slip rings. For example, you can't exceed the limits of polymers used to ensure safety.

Standards often applicable to the slip rings include:

● UL 508 (Industrial Control Equipment)

● UL 746C (Polymeric Materials – Use in Electrical Equipment)

The UL certificates are golden tickets in the Canadian and North American markets. They ensure your products are safe and eligible for installation.

Compliance Integration into Slip Ring Manufacturing

You must handle all the discrepancies in the manufacturing phase. Here is what you should do.

Material sourcing

Source only those raw materials that do not contain the ten hazardous elements as mentioned before. During production, only allowed raw materials are used within their specified limits.

Testing and quality control

Third-party testing systems are there to check the quality and ensure compliance with the rules and regulations. Here are a few ways.

● RoHS screening (e.g., via XRF testing)

● Insulation resistance and high-pot testing (for UL)

● EMC testing (for CE)

Documentation and traceability

Main a technical construction file if using products in the European region. Also, test, assess, and check the qualifications of products for different markets.

3rd-party audits and certifications

UL can do the audit and issue you the certificates. You can comply with the manufacturing rules and invite the third-party services to check and verify the compliance.

Design implications

Design should comply with the different certification authorities. For example:

Component spacing, thermal management, and PCB layout should follow UL fire and creepage requirements.

Challenges in Achieving and Maintaining Compliance

There are a few challenges that keep manufacturers disorganized and elevate the overall cost of the products. Here are a few.

● Cost of compliance. When the manufacturers invite third-party audits, the overall prices skyrocket.

● Keeping up with regulation updates. Following rules is good, but sudden updates after production can hit the back.

● Complexity in multi-standard compliance. UL, CE, or REACH can cause trouble because of different rules and regulations. Following all these at once is itself a big challenge.

● Global trade and cross-border certification barriers. CE is valid in the European Union only. UL is valid in the North American industry only. To sell in both, you have to invite double trouble.

How to Verify Slip Ring Compliance

Verification of a slip ring's compliance with the different certification systems requires documentation and the necessary file numbers. Here is more to know.

Certification documentation (DoC, UL file number)

Certification documentation is ideal and proves to be worthy. Inquire about:

● Declaration of Conformity (DoC) – CE

● UL File Number – verifiable on UL's online database

● RoHS Test Reports – lab-certified, often from SGS, Intertek, or TÜV.

● REACH SVHC Declarations – listing any substances used

Product labeling and datasheets

Product labeling should have logos and QR codes to confirm the online safety of the products.

There should be:

● The CE logo is marked on the product.

● UL marks (e.g., UL Listed or Recognized Component logo)

● Product datasheets stating RoHS/REACH compliance status

Moreover, you can ask suppliers for:

● RoHS test reports

● REACH declarations

● CE Declaration of Conformity

● UL certification listing

Conclusion

Concerns about the safety and integrity of the electrical or electronic products are increasing. Products like slip rings require the necessary certificates to prove their sustainability and worth in the global markets.

Whenever choosing the supplier or purchasing the slip ring products, always test the safety and don't stop at the certificates, but get guaranteed safety and testing records.

As a strategically qualified supplier to Siemens, Philips, and GE Healthcare, 

NBG's slip rings are fully qualified and certified by CE, ROSH, REACH, UL, and other certifications.

When choosing a slip ring manufacturer, choose NBG！