World First in High Voltage Testing

Roke Manor Research Ltd (Roke) today launches the world’s first commercial generic high voltage test facility.

The new service can accommodate Radio Frequency (RF) power and voltage on a massive scale. It combines high voltage isolation with screening to 18 GHz, whereby most other facilities only allow for testing at 50 Hz or at low voltage.

Previously the preserve of government establishments, the Roke High Voltage Facility will offer an additional option to both public and private sector organisations that wish to test and commission high voltage and high power RF equipment such as accelerator components, ultra high power RF amplifiers, associated transmission lines plus electrostatic systems.

The high end facility will be targeted at R&D specialists designing systems that require multiple high power amplifiers that have tight synchronisation demands and signal distribution complexity. In a controlled and isolated environment, the energising and test of high voltage power supplies, high power drivers and transmission lines can be conducted in complete safety.

Roke will also use the new high voltage test facility itself, allowing it to develop and test a range of novel high power systems for the RF and electrostatic accelerator community, plus systems for the military, energy and medical markets.

Alastair Cook, Industrial and Medical Business Sector Manager at Roke, said:

“A major issue for organisations wanting to test high power and high voltage systems is the availability of facilities and management of the hazards. Reliance on government or academic services can mean that an organisation outside that sphere of influence doesn’t get priority when booking in lab time or full system tests can’t be done. This presents a serious dichotomy for organisations that want to accelerate time to market for their products, but also need to conduct complex and often hazardous tests first. Our new High Voltage Facility represents the largest single investment Roke has made in testing for a number of years and we hope that organisations across the world will recognise the benefit of this unique and easy to access resource.”

The high voltage facility has two screened chambers, one for the equipment under test and a second to hold test equipment and power supplies. Control is performed from a remotely operated and isolated console from which tests can be controlled and progress viewed via a high resolution camera link and optically isolated test gear. The primary test chamber is 4.8m x 4.5m x 4.5m in volume and has double door access that can allow heavy structures to be maneuvered into position.

To complement the facility there is a team of trained and competent personnel to help customers using the service, along with a robust set of procedures to enable a safe operating environment.

About Roke Manor Research Ltd
Roke Manor Research Limited is wholly owned by Siemens, and based in Romsey Hampshire. Founded in 1956 and wholly owned by Siemens since 1991, Roke is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of innovative solutions and contract research and development. Roke employees 450 staff and has over 430 patents to it’s name. Roke pioneers developments in electronic sensors, networks, and communications technology.

About Siemens in the UK
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 166 years ago and now employs 18,402 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £3.7 billion. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry and health-care. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk
(source www.roke.co.uk)

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Mike is a finance industry executive with expertise in test, IT and avionics equipment acquisition, resale, residual valuation, leasing, renting and consignment.
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