EN/IEC 61326-2-1
EN/IEC 61326-2-1 specifies EMC requirements for electrical measurement, control, and laboratory equipment intended for EMC unprotected applications — the most demanding immunity environment in the IEC 61326 series. Part of the Compatible Electronics Learning Center.
What is EN/IEC 61326-2-1?
IEC 61326-2-1 is Part 2-1 of the IEC 61326 series — "Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use — EMC requirements." Part 2-1 specifies particular EMC requirements for equipment intended for use in EMC unprotected applications: environments with no special protection against electromagnetic disturbances.
The IEC 61326 series forms the foundational EMC standard for measurement, control, and laboratory (MCL) equipment. Part 1 provides general requirements; Part 2-x sub-parts address specific application environments and configurations. Compatible Electronics provides accredited IEC 61326 testing services across the full series.
EMC Unprotected Applications — What This Means
IEC 61326-2-1 defines an "EMC unprotected application" as one in which no special precautions are taken to restrict electromagnetic phenomena at the point of use. This is the baseline condition — equipment is installed and operated in environments where the full range of electromagnetic disturbances defined in the standard may be present, without shielded rooms, filtered power, or other mitigation measures.
Examples include: portable measuring instruments used in field conditions, benchtop instruments in general laboratory settings, process control equipment in light industrial environments, and testing and measurement equipment used in service facilities.
Test Configurations and Performance Criteria
IEC 61326-2-1 specifies particular test configurations and operational conditions for EMC unprotected applications, including which ports are tested, how the equipment is configured during testing, and what performance criteria apply. Performance criteria in the IEC 61326 series are:
A
Criterion A
The equipment continues to operate as intended during the test. No degradation of performance or loss of function below a performance level specified by the manufacturer when the apparatus is used as intended.
B
Criterion B
The equipment continues to operate as intended after the test. During the test, degradation of performance is allowed, but no change of actual operating state or stored data.
C
Criterion C
Temporary loss of function is allowed, provided the function is self-recoverable or can be restored by operator intervention. No loss of stored data or change of operating state.
| Standard Version | Locations Accredited |
|---|
| IEC 61326-2-1 (2005) | Lake Forest/Silverado, Brea, Newbury Park |
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