LEARNING TEST METHODS ACCORDING TO CISPR 11

Electromagnetic disturbance characteristics & Limits and methods of measurement for Industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio-frequency equipment

EN 55011 is a modified product of CISPR 11 and applies to industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment and also to electrodischarge machining (EDM) and arc welding equipment. Additionally, requirements for other types of lighting apparatus and UV irradiators operating at frequencies within the ISM frequency bands are also covered in EN 55015.

The European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), the organization responsible for standardization in the electrotechnical engineering field in Europe, produced EN 55011.

EN 55011 is an emission only standard, covering radiated and conducted emissions, so compliance with this standard gives partial presumption of conformity with the European EMC Directive, 2004/108/EC. Most products also require assessment to immunity standards such as: (1) EN 61326-1 – Electrical equipment for measurement, control and laboratory use; or (2) EN 61000-6-2 – Generic Standards Immunity for industrial environments. Both of these specifications contain additional requirements for electromagnetic interference and transient phenomenon. Also, devices powered via the A.C. mains may require additional testing for power line harmonics and power line flicker.

ISM equipment tested against EN 55011 under the EMC Directive, are designed to generate (and use locally) RF energy for industrial, scientific, medical, domestic or similar purposes, excluding applications in the field of telecommunication. Typical ISM applications are the production of physical, biological, or chemical effects such as heating, ionization of gases, mechanical vibrations, hair removal and acceleration of charged particles.

EN 55011 does not apply directly to medical devices within the scope of the Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC. The reason is that for medical devices falling within the scope of 93/42/EEC, the EMC directive does not apply directly, but rather the EMC directive’s essential requirements are incorporated within the Medical Device Directive. Other standards harmonized under the Medical Device Directive, namely EN 60601-1-2 call, use EN 55011 to assess the electromagnetic disturbance characteristics of medical devices.

The prefix “EN” stands for “European Norm” and are written by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The vast majority of ENs that are relevant for the EMC Directive are produced by the CENELEC.

Harmonized standards are European Norms produced by CEN, CENELEC or ETSI. This is following a mandate issued by the European Commission for use with one or more directives. The lists of harmonized standards suitable for each Directive are published from periodically in an official publication called the Official Journal of the European Union, often referred to as “the OJ”.

The date of publication (dop) for an EN standard is commonly 6 months from the date of availability (dav), while the date the standard becomes mandatory is its date of withdrawal (DOW).

Formed by a consensus among enterprises, public authorities, consumers, and trade unions, all European Standards, EN 55011 included, take shape through a process organized by independent, recognized standardization bodies at national, European and international level.

Ref: EN 55011