Electronics Department

Advice

• Technical problem: The department works with the potential client to determine whether a technical problem can be solved electrically and to what extent it is feasible. In complex cases, a preliminary assessment might be suggested. The outcome ranges from straightforward recommendations to a complete project formulation.
• Project formulation: The department can produce a complete project formulation based on wishes and technical requirements and/or the results of a problem analysis or preliminary assessment. The project formulation describes the technical requirements and feasible solution direction for the assignment in question, and where possible gives an indication of the time required and the cost.
• Outsourcing: The department has the necessary expertise and experience to oversee and coordinate an outsourcing process.

Support

• Technical support in finding solutions to technical problems with measurement and research setups or equipment. For example: malfunctions.
• Instructions: The department provides instructions on how to apply certain techniques. For example, the use of the LabView software package.

Electrical Equipment Repair

When repairing equipment, we check whether

• replacement parts are available,
• schematics and service manuals are available,
• the repair is economically viable, or whether purchasing new equipment is more cost-effective.

Equipment Maintenance

In addition to replacing parts subject to wear and tear, you can also consider:

• Periodic Safety Inspections: The Electronics department has measuring and testing equipment that specially authorized employees can use to perform periodic CE and NEN3140 inspections.
• Setting, Adjusting, and/or Calibrating Equipment: For proper functioning of instruments, it is important that they are regularly checked to ensure they still meet the specifications. If this is not the case, the instrument must be calibrated. These calibrations are not certified.
  
  The following parameters can be calibrated:
  • Electrical Current (direct current or alternating current)
  • Electrical Voltage (direct voltage and alternating voltage)
  • Ohmic Resistance
  • Impedance (a combination of self-induction, capacity, and resistance)
  • Frequencies (up to 520 MHz)
  • Temperature

  Calibration facilities are also available for oscilloscopes.

Loan of Electronic Instruments

Electronic instruments are only loaned out under the condition that the loan period does not exceed a few months. Examples include:

• Oscilloscopes
• Pulse and sine generators
• Pulse and time counters
• Digital data and data bus analyzers
• EMI test equipment
• Leads
• (Precision) voltmeters and ammeters
• Universal measuring instruments
• Impedance meters
• High voltage testers
• Temperature gauges

• Developing prototypes: If no solutions are available, the department can develop a unique test model or prototype. The prototype usually becomes the final product. To minimize costs and construction time, purchased parts or subsystems are used as much as possible.
• Implementing technical software: The required software is usually implemented using LabView, but microcontroller solutions, including the associated specific software, are also possible.
• Mechatronics: The realization of a project involves a strong synergy between electronic and/or software solutions on the one hand and mechanical solutions on the other. Electrotechnical and mechanical specialists work together in this process.
• Automation: Automating and/or coordinating large-scale systems designed to coordinate and/or automate several related measurement and control tasks. The department will use technical software and other information technologies, and the many data-acquisition resources and systems commercially available.
• Electrotechnical or electronic control and/or regulation systems for physical and/or chemical processes: Temperature control (ON/OFF, PID), pressure control, flow control, alerts when certain parameters are exceeded, as well as motor control, position control, or speed control, and similar systems. General process monitoring and security systems are also included.
  

The Electronics department maintains

• the catalogues and product ranges of suppliers and manufacturers of test, measuring, and operating equipment, and of electrical components, materials, sensors, and actuators.
• the mandatory Technical Construction Dossiers (TCDs), including copies of the user manuals. The TCDs must be available for the lifespan of the equipment in question, up to a maximum of 10 years after initial commissioning.
• the texts of directives relevant to electrical engineering and electronics. These include:
  • Standard Bundle NEN-EN 50110/NEN3140
  • CE Marking Directive
  • Low Voltage Directive
  • EMC Directive
  • NEN-EN-IEC 60204-1: Safety of Machinery - Electrical equipment of machines
  • NEN-EN-IEC 61010-1: Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use
  • NEN-EN-IEC 60950-1: Information technology equipment - Safety - Part 1: General Requirements

Research setups and equipment must comply with (European) regulations. For this purpose, a Technical Construction Dossier (TCD) must be compiled, which documents how the applicable rules and requirements are met. The law stipulates that a TCD must be retained for at least 10 years. The department can assist and advise throughout the entire TCD implementation process.

CE inspections

All equipment, whether purchased or self-built, must comply with the European CE marking guidelines. The Electronics Department can assist with compliance with the Low Voltage Directive and the EMC Directive by providing information and using the required test and measurement equipment.

NEN 3140 Inspections

By law, employers must ensure that electrical equipment can be used safely. Therefore, only approved electrical equipment may be used. These equipment can be identified by the NEN 3140 approval sticker.

The Electronics department has the measuring and testing equipment that authorized employees use to perform the legally required measurements.

An overview of the staff, including contact details, can be found on the Faculty Technical Support page.