What is BS EN 61000-3-3 - Electromagnetic compatibility about?
BS EN 61000 is a series on Electromagnetic compatibility. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is the ability of electrical equipment and systems to function acceptably in their electromagnetic environment, by limiting the unintentional generation, propagation and reception of electromagnetic energy which may cause unwanted effects such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) or even physical damage in operational equipment. BS EN 61000-3-3 is concerned with the limitation of voltage fluctuations and flicker impressed on the public low-voltage system.
BS EN 61000-3-3 specifies limits of voltage changes that may be produced by equipment tested under specified conditions and gives guidance on methods of assessment. BS EN 61000-3-3 is applicable to electrical and electronic equipment having an input current equal to or less than 16 A per phase, intended to be connected to public low-voltage distribution systems of between 220 V and 250 V line to neutral at 50 Hz, and not subject to conditional connection. The tests according to this part are type tests. Test conditions are given in BS EN 61000-3-3.
Note: Equipment that does not comply with the limits of this part of IEC 61000 when tested with the reference impedance Zref of 6.4, and which therefore cannot be declared compliant with this part, may be retested, or evaluated to show conformity with IEC 61000-3-11.
Who is BS EN 61000-3-3 - Electromagnetic compatibility for?
BS EN 61000-3-3 on Electromagnetic compatibility is useful for:
- Telecommunication equipment manufacturers
- Design engineers
- Electrical equipment manufacturers
- Quality control personnel
- Research and development facilities
Why should you use BS EN 61000-3-3 - Electromagnetic compatibility?
The goal of Electromagnetic compatibility is the correct operation of different equipment in a common electromagnetic environment. It is also the name given to the associated branch of electrical engineering. The limits in BS EN 61000-3-3 relate to the voltage changes experienced by consumers connected at the interface between the public supply low-voltage network and the equipment user’s installation. Consequently, if the actual impedance of the supply at the supply terminals of equipment connected within the equipment user’s installation exceeds the test impedance, it is possible that supply disturbance exceeding the limits could occur.
The limits in BS EN 61000-3-3 are based mainly on the subjective severity of flicker imposed on the light from 230 V 60 W coiled-coil filament lamps by fluctuations of the supply voltage. For systems with nominal voltage, less than 220 V line to neutral and/or frequency of 60 Hz, the limits and reference circuit values are under consideration. The basis for flicker evaluation is the voltage change characteristic at the terminals of the equipment under test, that is the difference Δ Uhp(t) of any two successive values of the phase-to-neutral voltages.
The limits are applicable to voltage fluctuations and flicker at the supply terminals of the equipment under test, measured or calculated according to Clause 4 under test conditions described in BS EN 61000-3-3. Tests made to prove compliance with the limits is type tests. Using BS EN 61000-3-3 you can specify limits of voltage changes that may be produced by equipment tested under specified conditions and give guidance on methods of assessment.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 61000-3-3:2013 supersedes BS EN 61000-3-3:2008. BS EN 61000-3-3:2013 includes a technical change with respect to BS EN 61000-3-3:2008:
- This edition takes account of the changes made in EN 61000-4-15:2011
