Genuine Motorola accessories are tested to withstand up to five years of rugged use, but as with all tools, they have an estimated lifespan.

In the field, genuine Motorola accessories take a beating! They are dropped, pulled, stretched, shaken, twisted, drowned, burnt, run over and we’re sure it doesn’t stop there! To subject accessories to these conditions, Motorola developed Accelerated Life Testing (ALT) to ensure superior and long lasting accessory products which will keep your total communication system operating at its optimum.

Like all tools however, accessories facing the wear and tear of everyday use need to be regularly maintained and replaced at timely intervals. A regular, structured programme of accessory maintenance and replacement means your team is equipped with accessories which are reliable and safe to use, and that your entire communication system will perform better.

The table below (figure 1) gives estimates for these popular accessories, that were derived following Motorola’s rigorous ALT programme.

About Accelerated Life Testing
ALT is conducted for all genuine Motorola accessories in certified Motorola or external testing laboratories to give users of genuine Motorola accessories peace of mind that they are investing in hardy accessories that will perform in countless situations.

Motorola accessories undergo a whole range of testing. Below are examples of the ALT tests which simulate five years of hard use and involve:
• Water resistance tests - simulating blowing rain onto the accessory.
• Extreme temperature tests (shock tests) – simulating freezing temperatures and then the sudden transfer to extreme heat.
• Vibration capsules - simulating rough handling and transportation vibration.
• Rusting and corrosion tests - simulating salt and fog which surrounds an accessory to test rust corrosion.
• Cable durability and reliability test:
° Cable Cyclical bending tests - require automated machines which simulating rugged use.
° Cable tensile pull tests - simulating unexpected pulls and the effect of harsh environments on cables and antennas.
• Solar radiation tests – exposing accessories to a radiation chamber to ensure no surface discoloration is experienced.

Motorola recommends that you keep a record of when you buy your accessories so you can easily and regularly check and test performance, particularly at the estimated timeframes indicated in figure 1.

Reliability and durability are what genuine Motorola accessories are tested and renowned for, but as with any tool, it pays to keep your communication tools up to date and maintained.

What affects accessory lifespans?
Battery lifespans
A battery’s one to two year lifespan is given as an estimate after it has faced the extreme conditions of Motorola’s rigorous testing. However, batteries experience another form of wear through the charging and discharging cycles that occur through their lifespan.

In order to lengthen the lifespan of the batteries you purchase, take note of the different battery chemistries which are available: Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride and Lithium Ion, and be sure to choose the right battery for how your business communication needs operate. Some batteries are more suited to long working shifts, whereas others are better to use if odd or inconsistent periods of charging and discharging are typical. Speak to your Motorola accessories expert to extend the lifespan of your battery by matching the right type of battery to your needs.

Remote speaker microphones, ear pieces and carrying applications
These accessories often bear the brunt of everyday working conditions as their external nature to the radio unit often means they are exposed to being stretched, knocked or pulled, through the course of a working day. Vehicle mounted remote speaker microphones may be stretched outside a vehicle. Ear pieces may fall onto muddy ground or get caught on other objects. Carrying accessories featuring pivot joints may swing excessively with fast body movements and the weight of the radio over the unit’s life. Motorola has designed and tested these accessories with typical working environments in mind, allowing accessories to survive and perform in the constant pressure and workloads you throw at them. Use figure 1 as a guide for keeping your accessories working as one with your radio system.

Chargers (excluding vehicle chargers)
As chargers are often used in more docile environments they are given a longer estimated lifespan, but these units can bear the brunt of forceful connection if a radio is jammed into the charger or its connections can gather dirt if a radio is not clean when inserted into the charger. Making staff aware of placing radios cleanly and smoothly into chargers can extend the life of your charger and will also keep the performance of your radios at an optimum.

Don’t let the condition of your charger affect the reliability of your batteries through improper charging. Maintain the correct techniques required to place the radio in the charger to prolong maintenance and replacement.

Superior technology matched with strenuous testing techniques enables Motorola to produce consistently reliable and rugged accessories that are ready for the extremes of harsh working environments, time after time.