In the HTV Institute for material analysis shootings for various TV consumer magazines take place regularly. Ordinary consumer products, such as household appliances, kitchen machines, tools or entertainment electronics, are meticulously tested via several test and analysis methods (e.g. stress test, X-ray analyses, thermal image test). In addition to quality, processing, functionality and handling, the tests focus is in particular on the operating life of the products.
Manufacturers frequently use “life-limiting predetermined breaking points” (planned obsolescence), such as undersized capacitors or capacitors intentionally placed next to heat sources or weak resistors. The products should preferably fail shortly after the warranty period, so that the customer can be sold a new device afterwards. The HTV-Life® quality mark, specifically developed to protect the environment and consumers, distinguishes products that do not contain such planned life-limiting predetermined breaking points.
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