IEC 61083-1-2021 PDF

Full title and description

Instruments and software used for measurements in high-voltage and high-current tests - Part 1: Requirements for instruments for impulse tests. This international standard specifies requirements, tests and calibration procedures for digital recorders (including digital oscilloscopes) and peak meters used to measure high impulse voltages and high impulse currents during laboratory and factory impulse tests; it also defines related terms and addresses access to raw data storage.

Abstract

IEC 61083-1:2021 (3rd edition) is a horizontal standard intended to ensure that instruments used for impulse-voltage and impulse-current measurements meet the measuring characteristics and calibration requirements needed to satisfy the measurement uncertainties and procedures specified in related high-voltage test standards (notably IEC 60060-2 and IEC 62475). The 2021 edition cancels and replaces the 2001 edition and includes technical changes such as removal of static INL/DNL requirements, addition of impulse scale factor non-linearity requirements, revised uncertainty requirements for impulse calibrators, and updated peak voltmeter requirements.

General information

• Status: Current (3rd edition).
• Publication date: 28 January 2021.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 17.220.20; 19.080.
• Edition / version: Edition 3.0 (2021).
• Number of pages: 50.

Key bibliographic and status details above are taken from the IEC publication record for IEC 61083-1:2021.

Scope

Applies to digital recorders and digital oscilloscopes used for measurements during tests with high impulse voltages and high impulse currents. It specifies the measuring characteristics, calibration methods and test procedures required to demonstrate compliance with the uncertainty and measurement procedures referenced in related high‑voltage standards. The standard also covers instruments that permit access to raw or stored data and includes requirements for peak meters used to measure extreme values of lightning, switching and current impulses.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and terminology specific to digital recorders and digital signal processing for impulse measurements.
• Required measuring characteristics (bandwidth, rise time, scale factor determination, dynamic behaviour) and performance tests for instruments used in impulse testing.
• Calibration methods and uncertainty requirements aligned with IEC 60060-2 and IEC 62475.
• Specific requirements and tests for peak voltmeters and peak-measurement functionality; revised requirements in the 2021 edition.
• Added requirement for impulse scale factor non-linearity and removal of static integral/differential non-linearity requirements compared to the previous edition.
• Procedures to demonstrate compliance, including access to raw data, record of performance and acceptance criteria for reference impulses used in tests.

Typical use and users

Used by high-voltage test laboratories, manufacturers of digital recorders/oscilloscopes and peak voltmeters, calibration and metrology institutes, independent test houses and technical committees developing or referencing high-voltage test standards. It is applied when specifying, purchasing, validating or certifying measurement instruments and when preparing test procedures that require traceable impulse measurements.

Related standards

Key related documents commonly referenced with IEC 61083-1: IEC 60060-1 and IEC 60060-2 (High-voltage test techniques — general test requirements and measuring systems), IEC 62475 (requirements and methods related to impulse calibrations and references), IEC 61083-2 (requirements for software for impulse tests), and IEC Guide 108 (horizontal standard guidance). These documents define measurement uncertainty limits, reference waveforms and methods used together with IEC 61083-1.

Keywords

impulse tests, high-voltage measurement, high-current measurement, digital recorder, digital oscilloscope, peak voltmeter, calibration, measurement uncertainty, impulse scale factor, IEC 61083, TC 42.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61083-1:2021 is the third edition of an IEC horizontal standard that sets requirements for instruments used to measure high impulse voltages and currents (digital recorders, oscilloscopes and peak meters) in impulse‑test environments.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers definitions, required measuring characteristics, tests, calibration procedures and acceptance criteria needed to meet measurement uncertainties and procedures referenced in related standards for high‑voltage and high‑current impulse tests; it also addresses access to raw data and peak‑measurement functionality.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: High‑voltage test laboratories, equipment manufacturers, calibration/metrology institutes, independent test houses and standards committees (especially IEC TC 42) use this standard when specifying, testing, calibrating or validating impulse‑measurement instruments.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: IEC 61083-1:2021 (3rd edition) is the current edition and cancels and replaces the 2001 (2nd) edition. The 2021 edition has a stated stability period and is listed as current in IEC records.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1 of the IEC 61083 series. Part 2 addresses software used for evaluation of impulse parameters from recorded data (IEC 61083-2), and the series is intended to be used alongside other high‑voltage measurement standards such as IEC 60060 and IEC 62475.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Impulse tests, digital recorder, oscilloscope, peak voltmeter, calibration, measurement uncertainty, impulse scale factor, high‑voltage testing, IEC 61083.