The ABB laboratory in Ratingen is the first of its MV products laboratory in the Intertek SATELLITE™ Program, a major milestone for the company as it allows them to fill the need for MV distribution products, like air and gas insulated switchgears, power houses, circuit breakers, switches and equipment that is ETL certified. In North America, aging infrastructure and a high number of blackouts in particular have driven demand for this equipment. Additionally, developing new technologies in emerging economies, rapid urbanization and increased housing and infrastructure investments, have led to an increased demand for MV products globally. This increased demand, coupled with quality and safety requirements, mean that authorities, industry and electrical utilities require more third-party testing and certification for these products. The other ABB laboratories under the SATELLITE Program focus on low voltage (LV) products, with one lab granting ETL marks for this range of products.
“ABB is thrilled to be granted this certificate under the Intertek SATELLITE Program and to deepen our relationship with the company,” said Stefan Göttlich, Global Testing Manager PPMV at ABB. “Through this partnership, we have been able to streamline our operations and bring our products to market faster in several key areas around the world, including Europe and North America and we look forward to continuing our efforts in the program.”
Intertek's SATELLITE™ Data Acceptance Program gives manufacturers control of product certification - delivering speed, market access and flexibility. Participation in the program allows manufacturers to use test results of their own laboratories, provided the laboratory meets global quality standard IEC 17025. The program also allows ABB to test products to North American safety standards, leading to ETL mark certification by Intertek. A team of Intertek engineers from the EMEA region were integral in partnering with ABB and working with them to achieve the SATELLITE Program certification.
“ABB’s certification for MV products to receive ETL certification is a major milestones for both of our companies,” said Pierrick Balaire, Global Business Leader, Intertek Transmission and Distribution Equipment. “We are pleased to see the continued success of our SATELLITE Program in allowing customers to gain certification quickly and more easily, and to work with our clients to ensure safe, better performing products for the market.”