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Automotive Equipment

The Automotive and Equipment Section set Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards and provide guidance for the installation of electrical and electronic equipment, including radios and antennas, in Police vehicles.

The ACPO IMBA Committee exercises its interest in our work through the Vehicle Installation Steering Group (VISG). By bringing together the radio and other terminal industries with both the vehicle and on-board equipment manufacturers, we provide a unique and coordinated service to all Police forces and the wider policing family.

We have seven main functions in respect of vehicles and on-board equipment:

  • Research and development into motor vehicle EMC topics
  • Production of EMC specifications for Police vehicles and equipment
  • Validation and certification of vehicles/equipment against the EMC specifications
  • Provision of Guidance and Codes of Practice on vehicle installation matters see Installation Design Guide
  • Provision of a vehicle EMC workshop to support the above activities and to carry out installation assessments and investigations on operational vehicles
  • Provision of a "First Line Support Team" to Police forces on vehicle installations
  • Provision of guidance on antennas.

We provide independent guidance and support to the Police service and others. We set the standards to which vehicles and equipment should be designed and installed, for safe and effective operation by the relevant users.

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We have produced two EMC Specifications to cover both vehicles (cars and motor cycles) and the operational electrical / electronic equipment being installed, to ensure that:

(a) The emissions from the vehicle or any installed electrical / electronic equipment do not interfere with the police mobile radio that is very sensitive, working down to sensitivities of a few millionths of a volt.

(b) The immunity of the vehicle and any installed electrical / electronic equipment will withstand the high RF levels generated by the installed police mobile radio transmitter that may operate in excess of 20 Watts.

AES Conformance Specification 5 relates to the EMC performance of vehicle mounted, electrically powered equipment, designed for use with Police (and Fire) service vehicles.
AES Conformance Specification 6 relates to the EMC performance of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, to be used by the Police (and Fire) services.

First Line Support Team

In addition to the vehicle EMC workshops, we have also set up a First Line Support Team, based at the Carterton workshops.

Its function is to provide first line support to forces during and after the Airwave roll-out. The Team is managed by an engineer from AES, supported by additional customer facing staff.