⚡ Immunity to electrical fast transients/bursts — 5/50 ns pulses in 15 ms bursts every 300 ms
In short
Bursts of pulses with a rise time of 5 ns and a duration of 50 ns, repeated at a frequency of 5 kHz or 100 kHz, are applied to the ports of the equipment. The test is performed according to PN-EN 61000-4-4:2013-05; Levels — power supply and protective earth: Level 1: 0.5 kV, level 2: 1 kV, level 3: 2 kV, level 4: 4 kV — each at a repetition frequency of 5 kHz or 100 kHz. The procedure comprises 8 steps (about 2 min in total); it is used for: Compliance testing with the electromagnetic compatibility directive before placing a product on the market, Assessment of the immunity of power supplies, controllers and automation systems to disturbances from switching inductive loads, Testing of single- and three-phase and DC power ports.
At a glance
- Standard: PN-EN 61000-4-4:2013-05
- Category: Electronics and EMC
- Procedure steps: 8
- Total time of stages: 2 min
- Levels — power supply and protective earth: Level 1: 0.5 kV, level 2: 1 kV, level 3: 2 kV, level 4: 4 kV — each at a repetition frequency of 5 kHz or 100 kHz
- Levels — signal, data and control lines: Level 1: 0.25 kV, level 2: 0.5 kV, level 3: 1 kV, level 4: 2 kV — each at a repetition frequency of 5 kHz or 100 kHz
- Tolerances: Open-circuit test voltage ±10 %, pulse repetition frequency ±20 %
Overview
The standard relates to the immunity of electrical and electronic equipment to repetitive electrical fast transients. It gives immunity requirements and test procedures relating to fast transients and bursts of pulses, additionally defines ranges of test levels and establishes test procedures.
The test levels relate to four kinds of equipment ports: power supply, protective earth, signal and control. For power supply and protective earth ports the peak voltages are 0.5 kV, 1 kV, 2 kV and 4 kV, and for signal and control ports 0.25 kV, 0.5 kV, 1 kV and 2 kV. The pulse repetition frequency is the same for each level and both kinds of ports: 5 kHz or 100 kHz. The standard explains that the use of 5 kHz is traditional, but 100 kHz is closer to reality, and it is the product committees that decide which frequencies are appropriate for a given product or product type. Test voltages are given with a tolerance of ±10 % and frequencies with a tolerance of ±20 %. Level "x" is not specified and must be given in the technical requirements of the product.
Note on editions: the frequency of 2.5 kHz at level 4 comes from an earlier edition of the standard and does not apply in the edition declared in this entry — the teaching materials of the Lodz University of Technology, used below for the generator and pulse waveform parameters, describe precisely that older edition. The values from the table of levels are given according to the preview of the IEC 61000-4-4:2012 edition.
The phenomenon represented in the test corresponds to disturbances arising from switching inductive loads and the operation of contactors. Polish accredited laboratories carry out this test on single-phase and DC power ports, on the earth port and on input and output lines, at levels of up to ±4 kV and repetition frequencies of 5 kHz and 100 kHz.
Method principle
The generator produces bursts of pulses of high steepness, applied to the ports of the equipment under test directly through a coupling/decoupling network or capacitively through a coupling clamp. A single pulse has a rise time of 5 ns ± 30 % and a duration defined at the 50 % level of 50 ns ± 30 %. The pulses repeat at a frequency of 5 kHz or 100 kHz, with a tolerance of ±20 %, the same for all test levels and both kinds of ports. The pulses are grouped into bursts with a duration of 15 ms ± 20 %, repeated with a period of 300 ms ± 20 %. The open-circuit output voltage, measured at the terminals of the energy storage capacitor, lies in the range from 0.25 kV minus 10 % to 4 kV plus 10 %, and the maximum energy is 4 mJ per pulse at 2 kV into a 50 Ω load. The test is carried out at both polarities of the test voltage, for a time of not less than 1 minute.
Applications
- Compliance testing with the electromagnetic compatibility directive before placing a product on the market
- Assessment of the immunity of power supplies, controllers and automation systems to disturbances from switching inductive loads
- Testing of single- and three-phase and DC power ports
- Testing of signal, data and control lines of industrial equipment
- Acceptance testing of railway, medical and industrial apparatus in accredited laboratories
Key parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Levels — power supply and protective earth | Level 1: 0.5 kV, level 2: 1 kV, level 3: 2 kV, level 4: 4 kV — each at a repetition frequency of 5 kHz or 100 kHz |
| Levels — signal, data and control lines | Level 1: 0.25 kV, level 2: 0.5 kV, level 3: 1 kV, level 4: 2 kV — each at a repetition frequency of 5 kHz or 100 kHz |
| Tolerances | Open-circuit test voltage ±10 %, pulse repetition frequency ±20 % |
| Pulse waveform | Rise time 5 ns ± 30 %, duration at the 50 % level equal to 50 ns ± 30 % |
| Burst structure | Burst duration 15 ms ± 20 %, burst period 300 ms ± 20 % |
| Generator output voltage | From 0.25 kV −10 % to 4 kV +10 % at the terminals of the energy storage capacitor; positive and negative polarity |
| Pulse energy | Maximum 4 mJ per pulse at 2 kV into a 50 Ω load |
| Test duration | Not less than 1 minute, at both polarities of the test voltage |
| Insulation withstand of coupling networks | 5 kV with a 1.2/50 µs test impulse |
Standard
- Standard number
- PN-EN 61000-4-4:2013-05
- Title (PL)
- Kompatybilność elektromagnetyczna (EMC) — Część 4-4: Metody badań i pomiarów — Badanie odporności na serie szybkich elektrycznych stanów przejściowych
- Title (EN)
- Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) — Part 4-4: Testing and measurement techniques — Electrical fast transient/burst immunity test
Step-by-step procedure
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Test plan
Determine the test level for each kind of port (power supply and protective earth, or signal, data and control lines), the coupling method and the operating conditions of the equipment under test.
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Checking the generator
Verify the pulse waveform: rise time 5 ns ± 30 % and duration at the 50 % level equal to 50 ns ± 30 %, as well as the repetition frequency corresponding to the selected voltage and the burst structure of 15 ms every 300 ms.
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Setting up the test bench
Place the equipment under test above the ground reference plane, connect the coupling/decoupling network to the power ports or fit the coupling clamp on the signal lines under test.
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Selection of the repetition frequency
Adopt 5 kHz or 100 kHz, with a tolerance of ±20 %. Both values are permissible for each test level and for both kinds of ports; the use of 5 kHz is traditional, while 100 kHz is closer to real disturbances. Which frequency is appropriate for a given product is decided by the product committee.
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Exposure — positive polarity
Apply bursts of pulses at the selected voltage with positive polarity for a time of not less than 1 minute, observing the operation of the equipment under test.
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Exposure — negative polarity
Repeat the exposure with negative polarity; both polarities of the test voltage are required.
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Further ports
Repeat the test for all intended ports: power supply, protective earth and input and output lines, applying the test levels appropriate to them.
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Assessment and report
Assess the operation of the equipment under test according to the performance criteria from the product requirements. In the report state the test levels, repetition frequencies, polarities, ports tested, coupling method, test duration and result.
Required equipment and apparatus
| Equipment | Example | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| Fast transient generator | Produces 5/50 ns pulses in 15 ms bursts every 300 ms, with an open-circuit voltage indicator and switchable polarity | — |
| Coupling/decoupling network (CDN) | For applying disturbances to power ports while decoupling the supply network; insulation withstand 5 kV with a 1.2/50 µs impulse | — |
| Capacitive coupling clamp | For coupling disturbances onto signal, data and control lines without interfering with the circuit | — |
| Ground reference plane | Metal plane of the test bench to which the disturbances are referenced | — |
| Auxiliary and monitoring equipment | For observing the operation of the equipment under test during exposure and assessing the performance criteria | — |
| Oscilloscope with a high-voltage probe | Verification of the pulse waveform: rise time and duration at the 50 % level | — |
Health and safety (OHS)
- Voltages of up to 4 kV at the generator output and in the coupling networks — guards, interlocks, no access to the terminals during exposure
- Mains-powered equipment under test during the test — protection against electric shock at the test bench and an emergency stop
- Coupling/decoupling networks with an insulation withstand of 5 kV — do not modify connections while live
- Coupling clamps fitted on signal lines — fit them with the generator switched off
- Risk of permanent damage to the equipment under test at a level higher than provided for in the product requirements
Frequently asked questions
Which standard describes this test?
The test is performed according to PN-EN 61000-4-4:2013-05 — “Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) — Part 4-4: Testing and measurement techniques — Electrical fast transient/burst immunity test”.
How does this method work?
The generator produces bursts of pulses of high steepness, applied to the ports of the equipment under test directly through a coupling/decoupling network or capacitively through a coupling clamp. A single pulse has a rise time of 5 ns ± 30 % and a duration defined at the 50 % level of 50 ns ± 30 %.
What is the measuring range and accuracy?
Levels — power supply and protective earth: Level 1: 0.5 kV, level 2: 1 kV, level 3: 2 kV, level 4: 4 kV — each at a repetition frequency of 5 kHz or 100 kHz; Levels — signal, data and control lines: Level 1: 0.25 kV, level 2: 0.5 kV, level 3: 1 kV, level 4: 2 kV — each at a repetition frequency of 5 kHz or 100 kHz; Tolerances: Open-circuit test voltage ±10 %, pulse repetition frequency ±20 %; Pulse waveform: Rise time 5 ns ± 30 %, duration at the 50 % level equal to 50 ns ± 30 %.
How long does the test take?
The times given for the individual stages add up to approximately 2 min. The procedure comprises 8 steps.
What equipment is required?
Fast transient generator, Coupling/decoupling network (CDN), Capacitive coupling clamp, Ground reference plane, Auxiliary and monitoring equipment, Oscilloscope with a high-voltage probe.
Where is this test used?
Compliance testing with the electromagnetic compatibility directive before placing a product on the market; Assessment of the immunity of power supplies, controllers and automation systems to disturbances from switching inductive loads; Testing of single- and three-phase and DC power ports; Testing of signal, data and control lines of industrial equipment; Acceptance testing of railway, medical and industrial apparatus in accredited laboratories.
What safety precautions apply?
Voltages of up to 4 kV at the generator output and in the coupling networks — guards, interlocks, no access to the terminals during exposure; Mains-powered equipment under test during the test — protection against electric shock at the test bench and an emergency stop; Coupling/decoupling networks with an insulation withstand of 5 kV — do not modify connections while live; Coupling clamps fitted on signal lines — fit them with the generator switched off; Risk of permanent damage to the equipment under test at a level higher than provided for in the product requirements.
Which laboratory can perform this test?
The test is performed by laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. On LabCoda you can find them by the standard number PN-EN 61000-4-4.