25 August UCA International Users Group Testing Quality Assurance Program Funding Issues 25 August 2010/ Updated 12 October 2010 Jack Robinson, UCAIug Secretary Bruce Muschlitz, Chair UCAIug Testing SubCommittee

25 August Testing Quality Assurance OBJECTIVES The Testing Quality Assurance Program (QAP) for IEC Product Testing and Test System Accreditation and Recognition provides a major benefit to the members and saves time and money The Testing Certificate shows users that the device has been tested and the Vendor is a participant in the UCAIug QAP

25 August Funding Questions on Testing UCAIug Testing Program (QAP) fully funded from member dues at this time Approved Testers charge a fee and make a profit by running tests using the UCAIug Test Procedures Vendors with Certificates gain a marketing advantage by participating in UCAIug QAP UCAIug QAP workload is increasing: Should we charge a fee for QAP participation? Who should pay?

25 August Bottom-Line Benefits Test and certification activities that lower costs for users Provide input to international standards activities at no additional cost and no travel Members only access to: –Resolution of technical issues related to standards –Industry experts via a global help desk –Technical documents and best practices from existing users –On-line discussion forums –Qualified Tester and Issued Certificates Listings Discounts on paid seminars and exhibitions

25 August Testing QAP High Level Process Testers join UCAiug then apply for “permission to issue certificates upon successful test outcome” UCAIug audits result and either confirms or denies permission for the tester to issue certificates Vendors contact UCAIUg for list of approved vendors Vendors and testers jointly agree that a specific product should be issued a certificate UCAIug advertises vendor certificates (only) during the time that the vendor is member of Users Group Buyers and Utilities have a level of confidence that tested devices are conformant UCAIug monitors compliance of testers and vendors to our QAP

25 August QAP High Level Process Tester Responsibilities Maintain UCAIug membership Negotiate certificate issuance with Vendors Notify UCAIug upon certificate issuance UCAIug Responsibilities Verify continuing membership of all Testers and Vendors Post Certificates on UCAIug Web Site Monitor Tester and Vendor compliance to QAP rules (Testers have signed agreement with UCAIug)

25 August Testing High Level Process - UCAIug Testing Budget is covered by UCAIug membership fees only at this time Administration of the Testing QAP Process Audits Prospective Testers: Initially and Annualy Audits result and either confirms or denies permission for the Testing Company to issue certificates Advertises vendor certificates (only) during the time that the vendor is member of UCAIug

25 August Testing High Level Process - Testers Testing Companies are responsible for conducting tests and issuance of Certificates in accordance with the UCAIug QAP Testers must maintain UCAIug membership at all times in order to issue UCAIug certificates Tester DO NOT incur an annual fee to maintain the right to perform tests Testers collect a fee from each vendor who submits a device for testing (this is totally transparent to the UCAIug)‏

25 August UCAIug Current Testers Approved Test Centers for IEC Products 1. AEP/ Dolan Test Facility (Level A) 2. KEMA (Level A) 3. Nari-Relays (China) (Level B) 4. ABB (Switzerland) (Level B) 5. KEMA (Client and 9-2 LE Testing) 6. AREVA T&D (UK) (Level B) 7. KETOP (China) (Level B) Several additional candidates under review

25 August Some Funding Open Issues Work Load increases each year: Presently 7 Testers Some Prospective Testers Require Additional Time (lack of understanding of UCAIug Test Procedures or QAP)‏ Annual Audits Necessary to Ensure Conformance and Viability Daily Activity Continues to increase: Posting Certificates, Answering Questions, Maintaining Help Desk, Maintaining Web Site, Monitoring QAP Qualified Staff Working as Volunteers: Delays are Possible

25 August Some Funding Open Issues Possible Additional Fees to Support UCAIug Testing Program (charged to Participating Testers and Vendors) Schedule? Present Tester Agreements allow for future fees but Tester review and approval is needed Requires development of Funding Agreement Deliverables –Cost Levels? –Processing and collecting fees –Technical documents, new signed Tester Agreement, and best practices for QAP Compliance –Web Site Support and Features –On-going Monitoring

25 August UCAIug Testing QAP Information For Public Documents and Information Go To: For Testing Site: Click on Testing (at top Main Page) Questions? Please Contact Bruce: or for comments or questions on funding