PD IEC TR 61000-4-38-2015 PDF

Full title and description

STB PD 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 national PD adoption reproduces the IEC Technical Report that defines test and calibration protocols for flicker (voltage fluctuation) test systems used for compliance testing against IEC flicker limits.

Abstract

IEC TR 61000-4-38:2015 provides a systematic test, verification and calibration protocol for flicker test systems intended to perform compliance tests in accordance with IEC 61000-3-3 and IEC 61000-3-11. The report specifies test signals, operating conditions and acceptance checks to confirm that a flicker test system meets the design and performance specifications referenced in IEC 61000-4-15:2010 (Table 5). It is published as a basic EMC publication (IEC Guide 107) to support manufacturers, testing laboratories and conformity assessment bodies in ensuring repeatable and verifiable flicker measurements.

General information

• Status: Published / Active (national PD adoption of IEC TR 61000-4-38:2015)
• Publication date: 24 August 2015
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) — national PD designation
• ICS / categories: 33.100.20 (Immunity / Electromagnetic compatibility)
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2015)
• Number of pages: 25

Scope

This Technical Report sets out test, verification and calibration procedures for flicker (voltage fluctuation) test systems that generate controlled voltage disturbances used in compliance testing to IEC 61000-3-3 and IEC 61000-3-11. It addresses a wide range of fluctuation amplitudes and frequencies (as reflected in IEC 61000-4-15:2010, Table 5), and provides methods to check that a test system meets required performance and measurement quality for repeatable conformity assessment and inter-laboratory comparability.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of a verification and calibration protocol for flicker test systems (test signals, waveforms and procedures).
• Requirements to demonstrate test-system performance for the range of voltage fluctuation amplitudes and frequencies used in compliance testing.
• Reference to applicable limits and measurement methods in IEC 61000-3-3 and IEC 61000-3-11.
• Use of the flicker meter and assessment methods described in IEC 61000-4-15 (reference to Table 5 test conditions).
• Acceptance checks, tolerance criteria and recommended measurement uncertainty practices for test-system verification.
• Guidance for manufacturers, test houses and calibration laboratories to document and demonstrate system conformance.

Typical use and users

Primary users are manufacturers of flicker / voltage-fluctuation test equipment, accredited testing and calibration laboratories, conformity assessment bodies and electrical/electronic product manufacturers performing EMC and power-quality compliance tests. The report is also used by standards committees, research groups and utilities concerned with power quality and flicker assessment.

Related standards

Standards and documents commonly referenced alongside this TR include IEC 61000-3-3 (limits for voltage changes, voltage fluctuations and flicker for equipment up to 16 A per phase), IEC 61000-3-11 (limits for equipment with higher rated current), IEC 61000-4-15 (flickermeter and measurement methods, 2010 edition), IEC 60050-161 (EMC vocabulary) and IEC Guide 107 (basic EMC publication guidance). Other related EMC and power-quality measurement standards may also be relevant depending on application.

Keywords

EMC, flicker, voltage fluctuation, flicker test system, test protocol, verification, calibration, flickermeter, power quality, IEC 61000 series

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is a technical report (IEC TR 61000-4-38:2015) that defines test, verification and calibration protocols for flicker (voltage-fluctuation) test systems used in EMC and power-quality compliance testing. The STB PD designation indicates a national publication/adoption of the IEC TR.

Q: What does it cover?

A: The report covers recommended test signals, operating conditions, acceptance checks and calibration/verification procedures to confirm a flicker test system meets the performance and design specifications required for conducting compliance tests to IEC 61000-3-3 and IEC 61000-3-11, with reference to the flickermeter methods in IEC 61000-4-15.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers of flicker test equipment, EMC test laboratories, calibration services, product manufacturers performing compliance testing, conformity assessment bodies and standards committees involved in power-quality and EMC testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The technical report was published on 24 August 2015 (Edition 1.0). It carries a stability date in the IEC system; users should verify with their national standards body or the IEC for any later amendments, revisions or superseding documents before relying on the text for formal compliance work.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 4-38 of the IEC 61000 series covering EMC testing and measurement techniques. It is intended to be used together with the related IEC 61000-3 series (limits) and IEC 61000-4 (testing) documents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: EMC, flicker, voltage fluctuation, flickermeter, calibration, verification, test system, IEC 61000-4-38, power quality.