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www.us - tech.com The Advantages of Renting Test and Measurement Equipment By Kris Kelly, Test Equipment Specialist, Advanced Test Equipment Corp. E


MC, electrical, mechanical, environ- mental simulation, and non-destruc- tive testing equipment may be avail-


able to rent rather than to buy. If a piece of testing equipment is only needed for a short- term project, it can be rented, used for the duration of the test, and then sent back, sav- ing a significant portion of the budget. It’s similar to needing a car on vacation —


buying a car for a short trip would be imprac- tical and renting is often the most sensible op- tion. From a budgeting perspective, equipment rental is considered an operating ex- pense, not a capital expense, making it much more likely to be quickly approved. Lab engineers and traveling con-


sultants in the medical device, automo- tive, aerospace, defense, communica- tions, EMC, consumer electronics and others rely on rental test equipment. In the past, MedTech companies like Boston Scientific, Modular Medical, Medtronic, Werfen, and others, have been known to rent RF power amplifiers, conducted immunity generators, and en- vironmental chambers, as an example.


With Engineers in Mind Whether it’s a Fortune 100 compa-


ny or a startup, the need is the same: get the required test equipment into the hands of engineers when they need it. Engi- neers don’t have the luxury of wasting time, especially when securing equipment for each test phase on their schedule. The equipment


RF test equipment.


ply describes the test requirements to a repre- sentative who suggests the appropriate solu- tion that meets their needs. The equipment is typically shipped within a day and arrives


must be ready when they are and must meet the highest standards of quality. Historically, when an engineer needed


test equipment, they had to determine the specific equipment the test requires, perform the required research, contact the manufac- turer’s representative, explain the test re- quirements, identify the correct model, place the order, then wait 2 to 9 months for deliv- ery since most test equipment is built after customers place their order. With rental equipment, the engineer sim-


within a week. This efficiency not only saves time but guarantees that engineers have ac- cess to high-quality, ready-to-use equipment, so they can focus on their core tasks.


Advantages Many have rented rather than purchased


for a variety of reasons. It provides cost-effec- tive solutions for short-term projects or over- load, protects against capital investments and product obsolescence, and saves time and mon- ey with immediate delivery. Renting also provides the ability to


evaluate the equipment before pur- chasing, gives the ability to choose from multiple manufacturers of the same type of equipment, and avoids wasting time and money on mainte- nance costs. Finally, renting can provide a


“Plan B” when allocated equipment fails, and in most cases rental expenses are tax deductible.


Trustworthy Partner There are several companies in the


U.S. that specialize in renting test equip- ment. Some are specific to types of equipment such as electrical or environ- mental testing, while others cater to a broader range of needs. Some are small,


independent operations, while others are part of multinational companies. Just like in any industry, the reliability


Continued on next page


Jan/Feb 2025


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