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Standard Overview Products Used in Testing Related Compliance Standards

Standard Overview
IEC 61000-4-13 defines the immunity test methods and range of recommended basic test levels for electrical and electronic equipment with rated current up to 16 A per phase at disturbance frequencies up to and including 2 kHz (for 50 Hz mains) and 2,4 kHz (for 60 Hz mains) for harmonics and interharmonics on low voltage power networks. Establishes a common reference for evaluating the functional immunity of electrical and electronic equipment when subjected to harmonics and inter-harmonics and mains signaling frequencies. The test method documented in IEC 61000-4-13 describes a consistent method to assess the immunity of an equipment or system against a defined phenomenon.
 

The basic immunity test for harmonic and interharmonic distortion of 50Hz or 60Hz mains supplies is IEC 61000-4-13, which has been adopted unchanged as the harmonized European standard EN 61000-4-13.

The ideal mains voltage is a pure sine wave at the fundamental frequency (usually either 16.67, 50, 60 or 400 Hz), but non-linear leads and injection of signaling voltages cause the waveform to be distorted. The techniques of Fourier analysis are used to describe the distortion in terms of one or more frequencies superimposed on the pure sine wave fundamental. These added frequencies are classified as harmonic -when they are an integer multiple of the fundamental, and as interharmonic - when they are any other frequency.

What are harmonics and interharmonics?

Harmonics are split into two main types: odd-numbered (3, 5, 7, 9, ...39, etc) and even-numbered (2, 4, 6, 8, ...40, etc), because they can cause different problems and as a result may need to be treated differently. Odd-numbered harmonics are often called odd-order harmonics, and the same for even-numbered harmonics. They are further divided into those that are a multiple of 3 times the fundamental because, in three-phase power systems, triplens can be canceled out whereas other odd-order harmonics cannot be.

When nonlinear loads are connected to a pure sine wave source at the fundamental frequency, they draw non-sinusoidal currents. As these non-sinusoidal currents flow in the inevitable impedance of the power supply network, they cause non-linear voltage drops that distort the waveform of the supply, so it is no longer a pure sine wave. The lower the impedance of the mains power supply, the less will be the voltage distortion created by a given non-linear load.

Test Information

The outputs from the test generator are simply connected to the mains input of the EUT. Because this test does not use RF it is possible to perform it anywhere, with almost any variety of physical arrangements, and still achieve correct results. This makes it a test that is easy and low-cost for a manufacturer to perform since it does not need shielded rooms, anechoic chambers, costly RF test gear, or test engineers who have RF skills.

For example, the length of the cable from the power amplifier (mains synthesizer) to the EUT is not specified. In practice, to accurately control the levels of harmonics applied to an EUT it would be wise to keep this cable length to less than one-fiftieth of the wavelength of 2.4kHz in a PVC mains cable - about 1500m. So mains cable lengths of up to 1 km between power amplifiers and are perfectly acceptable as fewer manufacturers will need longer cables.

Advanced Test Equipment Rentals provides a variety of equipment for performing harmonics tests and other EMC tests. Check out all of the EMC test equipment we carry for rent or read more about EMC testing.

Related IEC Standards

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IEC 62233: Electromagnetic Fields of Household Appliances and Similar Apparatus with Regard to Human
IEC 62233 describes measurement methods for determining electric field strength and magnetic flux density for household and other electrical appliances. The standard covers electromagnetic fields from 0 to 300 GHz.  Along with test methods, IEC 62233 describes ideal testing conditions as well as recommended measuring distances and positioning. Methods specified in this standard are valid over a frequency range of 10 Hz to 400 kHz; frequencies below 10 Hz and above 400 kHz are regarded as complaint without testing, unless called out in IEC 60335.   IEC 62233:2005 is the latest version of the standard.     Applies To: Household Electrical Appliances Electric Tools Electric Toys Does Not Apply To: Heavy Industrial Apparatus Vehicle-Specific Apparatus Cables, Fuses, Switches, Circuit Breakers Medical Appliances Personal Computers TV, Radio, Audio, Video Equipment Electronic Musical Instruments Radio Transmitters Differences Between IEC and EN Versions EN 62233 is the European standard for household appliances and is nearly identical to IEC 62233. The few differences between the two standards can be found in the exposure limit values listed in Annex B of both standards. EN 62233 limit values are identical to ICNIRP limit values, whereas its IEC counterpart offers both IEEE and ICNIRP values.   Choosing a Test Method When testing to IEC 62233, choosing the correct test method is essential to ensure your setup is right for the appliance being tested. Your device may require a time domain evaluation, a line spectrum evaluation or alternative test methods depending on its specifications. The following diagram will help you to choose how you test:   Time Domain Evaluation Regardless of the signal type, testers can perform time domain measurements of the value of the magnetic flux density. A transfer function "a" can be implemented to take into account the dependency on the frequency
IEC 60050-444 International Electrotechnical Vocabulary Part 444: Elementary Relays
In the past, IEC 60050-446 (Part 446 of the IEV) listed the terminology for all types of electrical relays. In order to improve the precision of terms and definitions as well as the general visibility of relay terminology, it had been decided to split that part of the IEV into three separate parts optimised for the specific relay types covered.   Therefore, this part of IEC 60050 gives terms and definitions for elementary relays (nonspecified time all-or-nothing relays) superseding the terminology of IEC 60050-446 for such relays. The terminology for time relays is contained in IEC 60050-445 established in parallel with this part. A new part for measuring relays and protection equipment (IEC 60050-447) is also under preparation. When all these three parts are published, IEC 60050-446 shall be withdrawn from the IEV.   IEC 60050-444 Specifications:   The first edition of IEC 60050-444 was published in 1973. It includes physical and electrical specifications for a PI that approximates the purely resistive equivalent circuit of Figure 1 (the capacitance Cp is ignored). The construction technique described uses disk and rod type resistors. Two trimmers per Figure 2 are recommended for adjusting the phase response that is introduced by the network (which is largest when the network is short circuited) to be flat within +/-0.5 degrees over a frequency range of 1 to 125MHz. The PI is used to measure Zero-Phase frequency and resistance of crystals.   The second edition of IEC 60050-444 was split into several parts, each referring to different aspects of crystal measurement. Only Part 1 addresses the electrical specifications of the PI, while the remaining parts cover application and adaptation of the PI to various crystal measurements (see Reference 1). Part 1 of the second edition was published in 1980. One major difference compared to the original specifications is an extended frequency range to 200 MHz. The rod and disk construction and the
IEC 60255: Electrical Relays
IEC 60255 specifies common requirements and rules applicable to measuring relays and protection equipment. This includes any combination of devices to form schemes for power system protection such as control, monitoring and process interface equipment in order to obtain uniformity of requirements and tests. The IEC 60255 specifies measuring relays and protection equipment used for protection within the power system environment covered by this standard. Other standards in this series may define their own requirements which in such cases shall take precedence. For special applications (marine, aerospace, explosive atmospheres, computers, etc.), the general requirements within this standard may need to be enhanced by additional special requirements. The requirements are applicable only to relays in new condition. All tests in this standard are considered type tests, unless otherwise declared. The object of IEC 60255 is to specify limits and test methods, for measuring relays and protection equipment, taking into account cominbations of devices to form schemes for power system protection including the control, monitoring, communication, and process interface equipment within those systems. This standard specifies the requirements for electromagnetic compatibility for measuring relays and protection equiment. The requirements are applicable to measuring relays and protection equipment in a new condition and all tests specified are type tests only. This IRC 60255 standard is retrieved from IEC 10-31-2013. 
IEC 60270: Partial Discharge Measurements
IEC 60270 – partial discharge measurements (previously high voltage test techniques) – is applicable to the measurement of partial discharge which occurs in electrical apparatus, systems, and components when tested with DC voltage or AC voltage up to 400 Hz. Related Standards: IEC 60060-1, High-voltage test techniques – Part 1: General definitions and test requirements IEC 60060-2, High-voltage test techniques – Part 2: Measuring Systems CISPR 16-1:1993, Specification for radio disturbance and immunity measuring apparatus and methods – Part 1: Radio disturbance and immunity measuring apparatus Introduction to Partial Discharge Testing Partial discharge is a major factor in insulation failure and the failure of electrical equipment like power transformers, HV cables, switchgear, motors and generators. PD measurement allowsoperators to perform effective and reliable insulation testing of these high voltage devices in applications like factory acceptance testing, on-site commissioning and routine electrical maintenance. PD analysis techniques must adhere to IEC 60270, the international standard for the measurement of electrical discharges in insulation. Partial discharge testing, or PD testing, detects the presence of partial discharges in high voltage equipment. A partial discharge (PD) is a small spark within electrical insulation caused by insulation breakdown. PDs occur when an electrical insulation system experiences HV stress; a dielectric breakdown of a small portion of the insulation generates electrical discharges, which bridge the gap between two conducting electrodes. These dielectric breakdowns manifest across the surface of insulation material, in pockets found in solid insulation, within gas bubbles in liquid forms of insulation and proximal to electrodes in gases. As aging HV equipment continues to operate at high levels all around us, PD testing is more critical than ever to diagnose insulation