Surge Immunity Testing

Surge Immunity Testing Services

Surge immunity testing evaluates your product's ability to withstand high-energy transients caused by lightning strikes and power system switching. Compatible Electronics provides comprehensive IEC 61000-4-5 surge testing services.

What is Surge Immunity Testing?

Surges are high-energy transients that can occur on AC power lines. See also the related EFT/Burst immunity test for fast transients due to lightning strikes (direct or indirect), switching of large loads, and fault conditions. These events can damage unprotected equipment and are a leading cause of electronic failures.

Our Surge Testing Capabilities

Voltage Levels

Up to ±4 kV (line-to-earth)
Up to ±2 kV (line-to-line)
Both polarities tested

Waveforms

1.2/50 μs voltage waveform
8/20 μs current waveform
Combination wave generator (1.2/50 μs - 8/20 μs)

Phase Synchronization

0° phase angle
90° phase angle
180° phase angle
270° phase angle

Standards We Test To

IEC / EN Standards

IEC 61000-4-5 - Surge Immunity
EN 61000-4-5 - European Standard
IEC 61000-6-1 / IEC 61000-6-2 - Generic Standards

Product-Specific

IEC 60601-1-2 - Medical Devices
IEC 61326-1 - Measurement Equipment

International

Test Configurations

Line-to-earth (L-PE, N-PE) - Common mode

Line-to-line (L-N) - Differential mode

DC power lines

Signal and telecommunications lines

I/O ports (where applicable)

Standard Test Levels

Level 1

±0.5 kV line-to-line, ±0.5 kV line-to-earth

Level 2

±1 kV line-to-line, ±1 kV line-to-earth

Level 3

±2 kV line-to-line, ±2 kV line-to-earth

Level 4

±4 kV line-to-earth only

Common Surge Failure Modes

Power supply damage

MOV or TVS device failure

Blown fuses or circuit breakers

PCB trace damage

Component breakdown. Our EMC design consulting team can advise on surge protection strategies.

Accredited Standard Versions & Locations

Compatible Electronics holds NVLAP accreditation for multiple editions of IEC 61000-4-5 including the UK BS EN version and Korean equivalents.

Standard	Description	Locations
IEC 61000-4-5 Ed. 3.1 (2017)	Current edition — referenced by EN 61000-6-1 (2019), EN 61000-6-2 (2019), IEC 60601-1-2 Ed.4. Introduced clarified earth connection and telecom port requirements.	Lake Forest
IEC 61000-4-5 Ed. 3.0 (2014)	Previous current edition — product standards 2014–2019	Lake Forest
IEC 61000-4-5 Ed. 1.1 (2001); EN 61000-4-5	Earlier edition — older CE marking and legacy product standards	Lake ForestBreaNewbury Park
BS EN 61000-4-5 (2006)	British Standard — UK UKCA marking submissions. See UK EMC learning page.	Lake Forest
KS C 9610-4-5; KN 61000-4-5	Korean equivalents — required for Korean KC/KCC certification	Lake ForestBrea
AS IEC 61000.4.5	Australian equivalent — required for RCM certification	Lake Forest

🔎 For current EU CE marking using EN 61000-6-1:2019 or EN 61000-6-2:2019, Ed. 3.1 (2017) is appropriate. For UK UKCA marking, the BS EN version applies. Read the generic standards learning page for context on applicable versions.