IEC harmonic and voltage fluctuation/flicker test

Overview

Low frequency emission standards required for electrical appliances include IEC 61000-3-2 for harmonics and IEC 61000-3-3 for voltage fluctuation/flicker. The standard adjusted to the power supply voltage in Japan is JIS C 61000-3-2.

Harmonics refer to the distortion components of the current consumption waveform of equipment. When devices such as inverter-driven motors or switching mode power supplies are connected to a commercial power supply, frequency components that are integral multiples of the power supply frequency are generated from the devices, causing distortion in the commercial power supply. Harmonics not only increase the reactive power of a power system, but also cause adverse effects such as equipment malfunction, noise, and burnout.

Voltage fluctuation/flicker refer to variations in power supply voltage and flickering of lighting fixtures (flicker). Power supply voltage fluctuates due to load fluctuations caused by turning on and off electrical appliances. This can cause equipment malfunction and flicker.

CE Marking certification or product development and evaluation require testing to ensure compliance with the latest standards.

Challenges / Demands

Harmonic and voltage fluctuation/flicker tests require  measuring instruments meeting the requirements of each standard. The standards are frequently revised and updated, so you must always check for the latest version.

Because of the complexity of classifying the conditions for  target equipment in standard testing, it is hoped engineers will be able to complete jobs from condition setting to testing, and reporting without any specialized knowledge.

Harmonic test

Evaluate whether the harmonic currents of the power supply voltage are within the limits. IEC 61000-3-12 is a standard for large currents greater than 16 A.

Voltage fluctuation / flicker test

Evaluate whether power supply voltage fluctuations and flicker are within the limits. IEC 61000-3-11 is a standard for large currents greater than 16 A.

Solution / Proposal

The Precision Power Analyzer WT5000 (/G7 option) and the Integrated Software Platform IS8000’s Harmonic Current and Voltage Fluctuation/Flicker Measurement Software IS8011 / IS8012 can be combined to perform harmonic and voltage fluctuation/flicker tests in accordance with IEC standards.

-  Supported standards:

      • Harmonics
        EN61000-3-2, IEC61000-3-2, EN61000-3-12, IEC61000-3-12, and JIS C 61000-3-2

      • Voltage fluctuation/flicker

        EN61000-3-3, IEC61000-3-3, EN61000-3-11, IEC61000-3-11

-  30 A/ 5 A High Accuracy Element (760901/760902) are available.

-  GP-IB, Ethernet, and USB communications are available.

IS8011 / IS8012 Features

Example of IEC 61000-3-2 test report

Supported standards (as of April 2021)

Harmonic standards

IEC 61000-3-2: Ed3.0 (2005), Ed3.0 A2 (2009)

IEC 61000-3-2: Ed4.0 (2014), Ed5.0 (2018)

EN 61000-3-2: 2006, 2009, 2014, 2019

IEC 61000-3-12: Ed1.0 (2004), Ed2.0 (2011)

EN 61000-3-12: 2005, 2011

IEC 61000-4-7: Ed1.0 (1991), Ed2.0 (2002), Ed2.0 A1 (2008)

EN 61000-4-7: 1993, 2002, 2009

JIS C 61000-3-2: 2011, 2019

JIS C 61000-4-7: 2007

Voltage fluctuation / flicker standards

IEC 61000-3-3: Ed2.0 (2008), Ed3.0 (2013)

IEC 61000-3-3: Ed3.0 A1 (2017)

EN 61000-3-3: 2008, 2013, 2019

IEC 61000-3-11: Ed 1.0 (2000), Ed2.0 (2017)

EN 61000-3-11: 2000, 2019

IEC 61000-4-15: Ed1.1 (2003), Ed2.0 (2010)

EN 61000-4-15: 2003, 2011