IEC 61326-2 EMC Testing for Sensitive Lab Instruments & Transducers

IEC 61326-2 Laboratory Equipment EMC Testing

Compatible Electronics provides comprehensive testing to the IEC 61326-2 particular requirements series for specialized measurement, control, and laboratory equipment. Our NVLAP accredited laboratory holds direct accreditation for IEC 61326-2-1, -2-2, -2-3, and -2-6 — covering sensitive instruments, portable test equipment, transducers, and IVD medical devices.

NVLAP Accredited ILAC MRA Recognized ISO/IEC 17025:2017 4 Part 2 Standards

What is the IEC 61326-2 Series?

The IEC 61326-2 series provides particular EMC requirements for specific types of measurement, control, and laboratory equipment that have unique EMC considerations due to their sensitivity, function, or application. These Part 2 standards supplement IEC 61326-1 — they do not replace it. For equipment covered by a Part 2 standard, testing must be performed to both IEC 61326-1 (as the base) and the applicable Part 2 standard, which adds or modifies specific requirements.

The most common reason a Part 2 standard exists is that a particular category of equipment is either unusually sensitive to electromagnetic disturbances (requiring stricter performance assessment or modified immunity test configurations) or operates in an environment that differs significantly from the environments assumed by IEC 61326-1.

IEC 61326-2 Standards — Accredited Scope

Compatible Electronics holds NVLAP accreditation for the following IEC 61326-2 standards (Lab Code 200527-0, effective 2025-06-05 through 2026-06-30), all at Lake Forest/Silverado, Brea, and Newbury Park:

IEC 61326-2-1

Sensitive Test & Measurement Equipment

For equipment with high measurement sensitivity where small EMI-induced errors could exceed measurement uncertainty budgets or produce erroneous readings.

Accredited: IEC 61326-2-1 (2005) — all three locations
Applies to equipment with high-impedance inputs, low-level signal measurement, or precision reference outputs
Modified performance criteria — assessment against measurement specification, not just functional operation
Additional immunity requirements beyond IEC 61326-1 base standard
EMC unprotected applications

IEC 61326-2-2

Portable Test & Measuring Equipment

For handheld and portable instruments used directly in low-voltage distribution systems — equipment that is physically inserted into or connected to live distribution circuits during use.

Accredited: IEC 61326-2-2 (2005) — all three locations
Applies to clamp meters, power quality analyzers, installation testers, and portable multimeters used in LV distribution
Specific test configuration for portable equipment without earth connection
Modified immunity test setups reflecting handheld use scenarios
Performance criterion assessment during active measurements

IEC 61326-2-3 / EN 61326-2-3

Signal Conditioning Transducers

For transducers with integrated or remote signal conditioning — process instrumentation that converts physical measurements (temperature, pressure, flow, level) to electrical signals and transmits them over long cable runs.

Accredited: IEC 61326-2-3 (2006) — all three locations
Accredited: EN 61326-2-3 (2013) — all three locations
Addresses long cable connections and field-mounted installation challenges
Interface to process control systems (4–20 mA, HART, fieldbus)
Immunity test configurations for two-wire and four-wire transmitters
Performance assessment during active signal transmission

IEC 61326-2-6

In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Equipment

For laboratory medical diagnostic equipment — analyzers that perform tests on biological samples to diagnose disease, monitor treatment, or assess patient health.

Accredited: IEC 61326-2-6 Ed. 1.0 (2005-12) — all three locations
Applies to automated clinical chemistry analyzers, hematology analyzers, blood gas analyzers, immunoassay systems, and molecular diagnostic platforms
Coordinated with IEC 61010-2-101 safety requirements for IVD equipment
Performance criteria tied to diagnostic result accuracy during immunity testing
Clinical laboratory electromagnetic environment considerations

How Part 2 Standards Work with IEC 61326-1

Testing to an IEC 61326-2 standard always requires using IEC 61326-1 as the base, then applying the Part 2 modifications. Compatible Electronics manages this two-standard structure within a single integrated test plan:

Identify the Applicable Part 2 Standard

Determine which Part 2 standard applies to your equipment based on its type, function, and intended installation environment. Some equipment may not be covered by any Part 2 standard — in that case, IEC 61326-1 alone applies.

Apply IEC 61326-1 as the Base

All emissions requirements and most immunity test types come from IEC 61326-1. The test plan begins with the full IEC 61326-1 emissions and immunity test suite, selecting the appropriate electromagnetic environment (basic or industrial).

Apply Part 2 Modifications and Additions

The applicable Part 2 standard is reviewed for any modifications to test levels, test configurations, or performance criteria, as well as any additional tests not in IEC 61326-1. These are integrated into the test plan before testing begins.

Document Performance During Immunity Tests

For Part 2 equipment, performance criterion documentation is typically more rigorous — quantitative measurement data is often required during immunity tests, not just pass/fail functional assessment. Compatible Electronics configures monitoring to capture this data during testing.

Evaluate Against Specified Criteria

Results are evaluated against both the IEC 61326-1 base criteria and any Part 2 modifications. The test report clearly documents which standard version and criteria apply to each test.

Real-World Testing Examples

Precision Nanovoltmeter — IEC 61326-2-1 Sensitive Measurement Equipment

A metrology instrument manufacturer needed CE marking for a precision nanovoltmeter with 1 nV resolution, used in secondary standard laboratories and calibration facilities. The instrument was classified under IEC 61326-2-1 (sensitive test and measurement equipment) due to its EMC unprotected high-impedance input architecture. Compatible Electronics established a quantitative immunity performance baseline — the maximum acceptable reading deviation during immunity tests — before testing began. The ESD, radiated RF, EFT/Burst, surge, conducted RF, and magnetic field immunity tests were performed with the instrument measuring a stable DC reference signal. Reading deviation during each test was recorded and compared against the manufacturer's specified accuracy. The NVLAP accredited test report documented the full Criterion A performance evidence required for CE marking.

Wireless Process Transmitter — IEC 61326-2-3 + EN 61326-2-3

An industrial instrumentation manufacturer needed CE marking for a WirelessHART pressure transmitter intended for field installation in chemical processing plants. The two-wire, loop-powered device was covered by IEC 61326-2-3 (transducers with integrated signal conditioning). Compatible Electronics configured the test setup to reflect the actual field installation: 30-meter cable runs representing the typical installation, the transmitter powered from its loop supply, and monitoring of the 4–20 mA and WirelessHART output simultaneously. Radiated RF immunity was tested at 10 V/m (industrial environment). Performance criterion A was maintained throughout — the pressure reading remained within ±0.1% of span during all immunity tests. The EN 61326-2-3 (2013) test report supported CE marking for EU industrial market deployment.

Clinical Hematology Analyzer — IEC 61326-2-6 + IEC 60601-1-2

A clinical diagnostics manufacturer needed EU and US market compliance for a fully automated hematology analyzer used in hospital central laboratories. The instrument required dual standard compliance: IEC 61326-2-6 (IVD medical equipment EMC) and IEC 60601-1-2 Ed. 4 (medical electrical equipment EMC collateral standard). Compatible Electronics developed an integrated test plan covering both standards — coordinating the CISPR 11 emissions measurements, the IEC 61000-4 immunity suite at IVD levels, and the additional IEC 60601-1-2 Ed. 4 immunity tests. Performance was assessed against the analyzer's CBC reportable range during all immunity tests, with the instrument required to maintain result accuracy within its specification. The combined NVLAP accredited test report package — citing both IEC 61326-2-6 and IEC 60601-1-2 Ed. 4 — supported simultaneous CE marking under the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) 2017/746 and FDA 510(k) submissions.

Equipment Categories We Test

High Sensitivity (2-1)

Precision Measurement Instruments

Nanovoltmeters and picoammeters
Precision LCR meters and impedance analyzers
Low-noise lock-in amplifiers
High-resolution data acquisition systems
Calibration reference instruments

Portable LV (2-2)

Handheld & Portable Test Equipment

Clamp meters and power quality analyzers
Installation and loop testers
Portable multimeters for LV distribution work
RCD/GFCI testers
Insulation resistance testers used in LV panels

Transducers (2-3)

Process Instrumentation

Pressure and differential pressure transmitters
Temperature transmitters and RTD/thermocouple head transmitters
Flow meters with integrated signal conditioning
Level transmitters (radar, ultrasonic, guided wave)
HART, Foundation Fieldbus, and WirelessHART devices

IVD Medical (2-6)

In Vitro Diagnostic Equipment

Clinical chemistry and immunoassay analyzers
Hematology and coagulation analyzers
Blood gas and electrolyte analyzers
Molecular diagnostic and PCR systems
Point-of-care testing devices

Why Choose Compatible Electronics?

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Accredited for All Four Part 2 Standards

NVLAP accreditation for IEC 61326-2-1, -2-2, -2-3, and -2-6 at all three California locations — comprehensive Part 2 coverage under one roof.

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Integrated 61326-1 + Part 2 Test Plans

We manage the two-standard test structure in a single session — no need to coordinate separate labs for the base and particular requirements.

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IVD + Medical Device Dual Compliance

Accredited for both IEC 61326-2-6 and IEC 60601-1-2 Ed. 4 — enabling combined IVD + medical electrical equipment EMC testing in a single engagement.

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Quantitative Performance Monitoring

Equipment and expertise to monitor and record measurement output continuously during immunity tests — providing the quantitative Criterion A evidence that Part 2 standards require.

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