Hi John:
> >Some have questioned whether 61000-3-2 is even an EMC standard!
>
> If not, what do you think it is?
I fall into the group that question whether 61000-3-2
is an EMC -- Electo-Magnetic Compatibility -- standard.
The objective is to prevent reduction of peak voltage
on the public supply mains (in Europe) due to rectifier
and similar non-linear loads.
The method chosen is to require all loads to be near-
linear.
I suppose this is a compatibility issue -- a compatibility
between the source and the load.
And, it is electrical.
And, one can consider the harmonic content of the current
waveform as being an emission from the product.
But, this is purely a current emission. It is not measured
with a receiver as are the other 61000-series emissions.
Unlike radio-frequency emissions, incompatiblity affects
no one but the electricity supplier. (Don't argue that
other users on the public supply are affected; this is
only true if the electricity supplier does nothing at
his end.)
Non-linear current is not at all similar to the electo-
magnetic emissions issue addressed by the other standards
in the 61000-series.
If harmonic currents are an EMC issue, then so, too, is
x-radiation from cathode-ray tubes -- which is a MUCH
closer fit. Why isn't x-radiation emission included in
the 61000-series? Or laser emissions? Both of these are
much better fits to the 61000-series than is a non-linear
current.
Lastly, this is a Euro-centric issue, not a world-wide
issue. It shouldn't be in the IEC scheme.
Next thing that will happen is that the 61000-series will
include requirements against voltage emission (voltage on
accessible parts) to achieve compatiblity with people to
prevent electric shock! EMC!!!
:-)
61000-3-2 should be a stand-alone standard. But, if it
was a stand-alone standard, there would be no Directive
behind it to enforce it. So, in a self-indulging mode,
and by stretching the definition of EMC, 61000-3-2 is
enforced by the EMC Directive. That is why it is an
EMC standard.
Best regards,
Rich
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