EN IEC 61000-3-2 is an international standard concerning the harmonics emitted by electric equipment. This standard addresses the limitation of harmonic currents injected into the public supply system. It specifies limits of harmonic components of the input current which can be produced by equipment tested under specified conditions. It is applicable to electrical and electronic equipment having a rated input current up to and including 16 A per phase, and intended to be connected to public low‑voltage distribution systems. This standard is part of a compliance testing regulation that can show compliance to the EU EMC directive 2014/30/EU.
This standard identifies 4 different classes of equipment:
Class A: Balanced 3-phase equipment, household appliances (excluding equipment identified as class D), tools, excluding portable tools, dimmers for incandescent lamps, audio equipment, and all other equipment, except that stated in one of the following classes.
Class B: Portable tools, arc welding equipment which is not professional equipment
Class C: Lighting equipment.
Class D: PC, PC monitors, radio, or TV receivers. Input power P ≤ 600 W.
This standard has been recently updated with the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) an update of the emission limits for lighting equipment with a rated power ≤ 25 W to take into account new types of lighting equipment
b) the addition of a threshold of 5 W under which no emission limits apply to all lighting equipment
c) the modification of the requirements applying to the dimmers when operating non‑incandescent lamps
d) the addition of test conditions for digital load side transmission control devices
e) the removal of the use of reference lamps and reference ballasts for the tests of lighting equipment
f) the simplification and clarification of the terminology used for lighting equipment
g) the classification of professional luminaires for stage lighting and studios under Class A
h) a clarification about the classification of emergency lighting equipment
i) a clarification for lighting equipment including one control module with an active input power ≤ 2 W
j) an update of the test conditions for television receivers
k) an update of the test conditions for induction hobs, taking also into account the other types of cooking appliances
l) for consistency with IEC 61000-3-12, a change of the scope of IEC 61000-3-2 from equipment with an input current ≤ 16 A to equipment with a rated input current ≤ 16 A
For more information regarding harmonic current emissions or other testing requirements, contact D.L.S. at 847-537-6400 today.