EMC Testing – On Site EMC Test Criteria
There is, at this time, no EMC harmonized standard which can be used to demonstrate compliance with the EMC Directive 89/336/EC for EMC testing of industrial equipment whose physical parameters will not allow it to be tested on a normal test site or at its final location.
This standard is based on the industrial generic standards EN 61000-6-2 and EN 6100-6-4 to be used as a minimum basis by which industrial equipment whose physical parameters will not allow it to be tested on a normal EMC test site, can be approved using a Technical Construction File (TCF) under article 10.2 of the first edition of the EMC Directive, 89/336/EEC.
It should also be useful when using on-site tests as the basis for compliance with the 2nd edition of the EMC Directive, 2004/108/EC, with or without the involvement of a Notified Body.
When declaring compliance with the EMC Directive on the basis of on-site testing according to this standard (or any other on-site EMC testing methods), the EM phenomena that are tested, and the frequencies and test levels they are tested to, should correspond to the normal EM environment(s) that is(are) present at the intended operational location(s). Our website has a downloadable document on how to assess an EM environment.
Where high reliability, legal metrology or safety are concerned, the EM environment assessment should take account of all of the reasonably foreseeable EM phenomena and their worst-case frequency ranges, amplitudes and other characteristics (e.g. modulation frequencies, multiple interfering sources, etc.). We will be pleased to provide assistance with this.
An on-site test standard that could be used for all the EM phenomena that could possibly occur would be a huge document, so this standard restricts itself to the EM phenomena covered by the generic EMC standards EN 61000-6-2 and EN 61000-6-4. Please note that these will not always be sufficient, and a Competent Body or Notified Body would expect to see some evidence that an EM environment assessment had been carried out and that its results correlated with the on-site EMC tests actually carried out.
Before carrying out any of these tests, check that the EMC Competent Body (TCF route under 89/336/EEC) or EMC Notified Body (optional under 2004/108/EC) that it is intended to use is happy with the use of this standard. It is always best to involve the Competent or Notified Body as early as possible in a project, and follow their guidance, instead of simply presenting them with a finished test report.
This standard is written so that it may be used by people who are not already very familiar with on-site testing for EMC compliance. EMC testing experts might find it a bit wordy.
Scope
The limits and methods of measurement laid down in this standard apply to equipment may be specified by an EMC Competent Body as suitable for use as part of a Technical Construction File (TCF) under article 10.2 of the EMC Directive 89/336/EC.
These test methods may also be used for other purposes, as discussed above.
Description of locations
On site locations are usually factory-manufacturing areas, often in close proximity to other industrial equipment.
Examples of on-site locations are:
Indoor: manufacturing areas, semiconductor fabrication plants, power stations and other utilities etc.
Outdoor:ater treatment plants, cranes, access platforms, airports, docks, etc.
Performance criteria
Introduction
The Performance Criteria are used in immunity testing to ascertain whether the equipment continues to perform as specified. Large industrial machines will have many different modes and outputs but will in general have only one primary function. (E.g. a steel mill produces rolled steel).
Assessment of the equipment under test will be based on the primary function e.g.
Equipment under test becomes unsafe
Primary function is aborted (e.g. steel mill stops making steel)
Systems shut down
Fluctuation of displayed control data.
Acceptance criteria
Criterion A: System continues to operate as intended
Examples of Criterion A: Interference signals do not produce any effects. Minor interference such as corrupted displays and or indicators, which do not affect the primary function, are acceptable.
Criterion B: System continues to operate after the test.
Examples of Criterion B: Parameter displays that vary but do not affect primary function are allowed. The primary function may vary but it must be recoverable by the operator, using the normal controls, without the equipment under test becoming unsafe.
Conditions during testing
The equipment shall be installed and operated as specified in the users installation and operating manuals.
F-Squared Laboratories is a full service product conformity assessment organization founded in 1992. We have three testing facilities strategically located in Maryland, North Carolina and Ohio. ?Our mission is to strive for total client satisfaction while maintaining the highest level of quality and integrity. ?We are accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). ?We are able to provide a variety of services, including testing/certification of products for the FCC, Industry Canada, European CE, Australian Communication Authority (ACA), North American/Canadian ? Visit our website at: ?http://www.F2Labs.com
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