EU Makes Eleventh-Hour Changes to Test Requirements

In a Herculean effort to have most of the test standards in place by Jan. 1, 1996, the European Commission published more updates to the EMC list of harmonized standards in the Official Journal on Sept. 15, 1995. Although enforcement of the standards is only weeks away, these new changes must be incorporated into your testing to ensure that your products can enter the European Union. For most manufacturers, here are the important items:

EN 50082-2 is the generic immunity standard for the heavy industrial environment, typically industrial, scientific and medical equipment. This standard can be used immediately. Previously, heavy industrial could meet the letter of the law only through a Technical Construction file.

The EN 50082-2 does require some additional testing from previous versions. When a product must meet both the light and heavy industrial environment, use the worst-case test requirements from EN 50082-1 and EN 50082-2.

The EN 55022 (CISPR 22 1993) information technology equipment updates two important aspects of this standard. First, the 10-meter Class A test now is allowed. In the past, this test was performed at 30 meters. The second change defines Class A and B in more detail.

EN 55104 is the new product immunity standard for household appliances, tools and similar apparatus (HHA). This is a very important standard because it and EN 60601-1-2 are the first harmonized nongeneric immunity standards.

EN 55104 breaks HHA into four categories:

Category I–simple mains rectifiers; no immunity testing.

Category II–mains-powered devices with an oscillator frequency of <15 MHz; immunity testing of -2, -4, -5 and -6 to 230 MHz, and -11.¹

Category III–battery-powered products not normally connected to mains with an oscillator frequency <15 MHz; immunity testing to the -2, -4 and -6 standards.

Category IV–all other devices with oscillator frequency >15 MHz; immunity testing of -2, -3, -4, -5 and -6 to 80 MHz and -11.

As stated in the forward to this new standard, the commission gave a one-year extension to comply with EN 55104:

“For products which have complied with EN 50082-1:1992 before Jan. 1, 1996, as shown by the manufacturer or by a certification body, this previous standard may continue to apply for production until Jan. 1, 1997.” This means that products tested to EN 50082-1 and having a Declaration of Conformity dated prior to Jan. 1, 1996, have until Jan. 1, 1997, to update their tests to the additional requirements of -5, -6 and -11 standards.

EN 60601-1-2 is the product EMC standard for medical equipment. It requires surge testing as well as testing to IEC 801-3 from 26 MHz to 1,000 MHz, amplitude modulated. Manufacturers meeting EN 50082-1 must extend 801-3 testing from 26 MHz to 1,000 MHz, use modulation and add surge testing before they can place the CE mark on the product on Jan. 1, 1996.

References

1. This refers to the EN 61000-4 and ENV 50XXX type standards.

About the Author

Donald Sweeney is the owner of D.L.S. Electronic Systems. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois Department of Electrical Engineering and is a certified EMC engineer through NARTE. Currently, Mr. Sweeney teaches at the University of Wisconsin, serves on the Board of Directors of the IEEE EMC Society, and chairs the Chicago Chapter of the EMC Society. D.L.S. Electronic Systems, Inc., 1250 Peterson Dr., Wheeling, IL 60090-6454, (708) 537-6400.

Newly Accepted Standards in the Official Journal

Reference	Title	CENELEC Ratification
EN 50082-2	Electromagnetic Compatibility–Generic Immunity Standard Part 2: Industrial Environments	1994
EN 55022	CISPR 22: 1993 Limits and Methods of Measurement of Radio Disturbance Characteristics of Information Technology Equipment	1992
EN 55104	Electromagnetic Compatibility–Immunity Requirements for Household Appliances, Tools and Similar Apparatus–Product Family Standard	1995
EN 60601-1-2	IEC 601-1-2: 1993 Medical Electrical Equipment Part 1: General Requirements for Safety 2. Collateral Standard: Electromagnetic Compatibility–Requirements and Tests	1992