Clever thinking has been part of how we work at Mascot ever since the company was founded more than 80 years ago as a pioneer in the manufacture of radio equipment.…

International power supply specialist Mascot has once again demonstrated the prowess of its manufacturing operation and global supply chain by delivering a rapid ramp-up in battery charger production to help one of its major global customers support the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.…

A future-proofed battery solution Lithium ion batteries have in the past few years become the preferred choice in a broad spectrum of applications. It’s easy to see why: they are versatile, boast high energy density and low self-discharge - below half of that of nickel-based batteries - and require little maintenance. But they have their limitations too: issues around transportation are well-documented and they are also subject to aging, even when not in use, while a protection circuit is invariably needed to maintain voltage and current within safe limits. Unsurprisingly, the search for the ‘perfect’ battery solution continues unabated, and an increased area of focus is sodium ion products.…

Creating solutions for healthcare and medical applications is challenging on many levels. Every specification and requirement must be strictly followed. When it comes to electronic systems, these challenges extend beyond “simple” functionality and into patient safety - from stray electronic noise control, to preventing impact on medical monitoring systems and other sensitive circuits, inside and outside the patient.…

Most devices on the market now use rechargeable batteries. This creates a two-fold challenge for the engineer: addressing a string of battery chemistries in legacy products developed over a manufacturer’s lifetime, and the need to select the best available chemistry for a particular application. Understanding battery chemistry and testing and charging needs will ensure a product operates optimally and cost-effectively. Even a venerable and almost-vintage technology like lead acid is finding a new lease of life beyond the automobile in applications like microgrid storage.…

It is widely anticipated that the CE scheme will continue to apply to products marketed in the UK after Brexit - and certainly the CE mark is still acceptable for many goods being sold in the UK market during the transition period. However, a ‘no deal’ scenario is likely to see the CE marking scheme in the UK replaced from 1st January 2021 by a new national conformity system, equivalent to the CE scheme, but known as the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark.…

Some of the world’s largest economies may have started to re-open, but the coronavirus pandemic isn’t over yet. And the European Commission has taken stock: Member States, health institutions and economic operators will now prioritise the fight against the virus, thanks to a recent decision to postpone the application date of new Medical Devices Regulation. This new regulation was meant to come into force on 26 May 2020. The decision to postpone the new regulation by one year takes into account the unprecedented challenges that the pandemic is posing to health authorities around Europe. It also reflects the need for a rapid increase in the availability of vitally important medical devices across the union, whilst continuing to ensure patient health and safety until the new legislation becomes applicable.…

With so many voltages and AC/DC plugs worldwide, the need for universal power supply and battery charger solutions is clear. However, despite this statement of fact, many buyers fail to perform a proper check of this important criterion prior to purchase.…

Products for certain industries demand special attention, with the medical sector arguably top of the list. Medical equipment and devices are clearly high priority at present as the world continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the best treatment for all who need it, medical systems must offer optimised, reliable performance, which in turn necessitates a high reliance on power. For this reason, when it comes to devices that could conceivably save lives, power supplies and battery chargers are not immune to the application of rigorous quality standards.…

Within just a year or so, manufacturers of ICT and AV equipment will have to conform to a new standard for product safety, the IEC 62368-1. The date of withdrawal for the outgoing standards IEC 60950-1 and IEC 60065, is December 20, 2020.…