EMC for test and measurement equipment
Test and measurement equipment is covered by the EN61326-x-x series of standards, which are all based around, and refer back to the general requirements standard EN61326-1. The EN61326 standards are applicable to electrical equipment, operating from a supply or battery of less than 1000 V a.c. or 1 500 V d.c. or from the circuit being measured, intended for professional, industrial-process, industrial-manufacturing and educational use, including equipment and computing devices for:
measurement and test;- control;
- laboratory use;
- accessories intended for use with the above (such as sample handling equipment), intended to be used in industrial and non-industrial locations
The standard specifies various emissions and immunity tests to be carried out on the product either through radiated means or by conduction along the signal or power supply cables. It specifies different test levels and limits dependant upon the environment the product is intended to be used in:
- Basic (standard requirements, for residential, commercial and light industrial)
- Industrial locations
- Controlled EM environments
The correct product specific EN61326 standard must be chosen by considering the actual application of the equipment and scope of each of the standards within the series:
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EN61326-2-1, sensitive test and measurement equipment for EMC unprotected applications (this standard is the general standard for most equipment outside of the scope of those below)
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EN61326-2-2, portable test, measuring and monitoring equipment used in low-voltage distribution systems
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EN61326-2-3, transducers with integrated or remote signal conditioning
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EN61326-2-4, insulation monitoring devices according to IEC 61557-8 and for equipment for insulation fault location according to IEC 61557-9
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EN61326-2-5, field devices with interfaces according to IEC 61784-1, CP 3/2
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EN61326-2-6, In vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical equipment
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EN61326-3-1, safety-related systems and for equipment intended to perform safety-related functions (functional safety) – General industrial applications
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EN61326-3-2, safety-related functions (functional safety) – Industrial applications with specified electromagnetic environment
The test requirements of these standards include mains harmonic emissions, flicker, conducted RF emissions, radiated emissions, radiated immunity, conducted RF and transient type immunity tests on power and signal cables as well as ESD (Electrostatic Discharge).
