IEC TR 61000-4-38-2015 PDF

Full title and description

St IEC TR 61000-4-38-2015 — Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4-38: Testing and measurement techniques - Test, verification and calibration protocol for voltage fluctuation and flicker compliance test systems. This Technical Report defines a test protocol and verification procedures for flicker test systems used when performing compliance testing in support of IEC 61000-3-3 and IEC 61000-3-11.

Abstract

IEC TR 61000-4-38:2015 provides systematic methods for manufacturers of flicker test systems and testing laboratories to determine whether a flicker test system meets the IEC design and performance specifications across a wide range of voltage fluctuation magnitudes and fluctuation frequencies encountered in product testing. The document has the status of a basic EMC publication and supplies practical verification, calibration and test-protocol guidance to support consistent compliance testing.

General information

• Status: Technical Report (basic EMC publication).
• Publication date: 24 August 2015.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 33.100.20 (Electromagnetic compatibility - EMC).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2015).
• Number of pages: 25 pages.

Key bibliographic and status details above are taken from the IEC publication record for TR 61000-4-38.

Scope

The report specifies verification and calibration procedures and a test protocol for flicker test systems designed to perform compliance tests in accordance with voltage-fluctuation and flicker limits (notably IEC 61000-3-3 and IEC 61000-3-11). It addresses the range of voltage fluctuations and fluctuation frequencies referenced in the associated standards (including those listed in IEC 61000-4-15), and it is intended for use by test-system manufacturers and conformance laboratories to ensure reproducible, reliable flicker testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of a test, verification and calibration protocol for flicker/frequency patterns used in compliance testing.
• Performance checks and pass/fail criteria for flicker test systems over a specified range of voltage fluctuation amplitudes and frequencies.
• Procedures to demonstrate conformity of a test system with the measurement requirements referenced in IEC 61000-3-3 and IEC 61000-3-11.
• Guidance for test-system manufacturers and laboratories on equipment setup, calibration, and repeatability/uncertainty considerations.
• Relationship and cross-reference to other IEC EMC test and measurement TRs (e.g., guidance aligning harmonics/flicker verification with other TRs in the 61000-4 family).

Typical use and users

Primary users are manufacturers of flicker test equipment, EMC testing laboratories, conformity assessment bodies, and engineers responsible for product EMC compliance (especially for products subject to voltage fluctuation and flicker limits). The TR is used when establishing or verifying a flicker test setup, performing lab verification or round-robin checks, or when calibrating systems used to demonstrate compliance with IEC 61000-3-3 and 61000-3-11. Practical verification guidance for laboratories and equipment vendors is described in IEC TR 61000-4-38 and discussed in trade/technical literature on verifying powerline emissions and immunity test systems.

Related standards

Directly associated standards and technical reports include: IEC 61000-3-3 (Limitation of voltage changes, fluctuations and flicker for equipment ≤ 16 A per phase), IEC 61000-3-11 (Limits for equipment up to 75 A per phase), IEC 61000-4-15 (Methods of measurement for flicker — reference to flicker measurement tables), and other IEC 61000-4 series TRs that provide verification/calibration guidance for emission and immunity test systems (for example TR 61000-4-37 on harmonics verification). The TR is part of the broader IEC 61000 family of EMC test and measurement publications.

Keywords

EMC; flicker; voltage fluctuation; test protocol; verification; calibration; test system; IEC 61000; IEC TR; compliance testing; harmonics; flicker test system.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC TR 61000-4-38:2015 is a Technical Report that specifies test, verification and calibration protocols for voltage-fluctuation and flicker compliance test systems used in EMC testing.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers systematic methods to determine whether a flicker test system meets IEC design and performance specifications for the range of voltage fluctuations and frequencies used in compliance tests (supporting IEC 61000-3-3 and IEC 61000-3-11), including verification checks, calibration guidance, and test patterns.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of flicker test equipment, EMC laboratories, conformity assessment bodies, and engineers involved in EMC compliance testing for products subject to flicker/voltage-fluctuation limits.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The publication date is 24 August 2015 (Edition 1.0). The IEC record lists a stability date (planned review) through 2026; consult the IEC national body or IEC webstore for the absolute current status beyond that date.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the IEC 61000 series (Part 4 — test and measurement techniques, technical reports) and complements other TRs and parts in the 61000 family that address verification, calibration and specific immunity/emission test methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: EMC, flicker, voltage fluctuation, verification, calibration, test protocol, IEC 61000-4-38, IEC 61000-3-3, IEC 61000-3-11.