Overview
IEC 61000-3-2:2018/AMD1:2020 is Amendment 1 to the international EMC standard IEC 61000-3-2 - “Limits for harmonic current emissions (equipment input current ≤16 A per phase)”. This amendment incorporates the English interpretation sheet (August 2021) into the published text and updates scope, definitions, measurement procedures and control-method restrictions. It applies to equipment with input currents up to and including 16 A per phase and clarifies how certain product types (for example, non‑professional arc welding up to 16 A) are handled.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and classification: Confirms inclusion of non‑professional arc welding equipment (rated ≤16 A per phase) and refines classification of equipment into Classes (A, B, C, D) - Class D includes equipment with specified power ≤600 W.
- Definitions and terminology updates: Revises terms relevant to lighting (lamp, integrated lamp, luminaire, lighting control gear, lighting equipment), adds terms such as external power supply (EPS) and light source, and clarifies what is considered lighting equipment vs. excluded devices.
- Control method constraints:
- Asymmetrical controls and half‑wave rectification on the mains are permitted only where they are the only practical safety solution, control active input power ≤100 W, or are used in portable short‑duration equipment.
- Symmetrical controls that produce integer harmonics up to the 40th order for heating loads are restricted - allowed only if heater full‑sine active input power ≤200 W or if emission limits (Table 3) are not exceeded. Special conditions apply for professional equipment and short‑use domestic devices.
- Measurement procedure:
- Harmonically‑resolved measurements must use 1.5 s smoothed RMS harmonic currents in each DFT time window per IEC 61000-4-7 (including AMD1:2008).
- Active input power for limit calculations is the maximum of 1.5 s smoothed power values across DFT windows.
- For Class C, the manufacturer‑specified fundamental current is used for limit calculations.
- Repeatability & reporting: Recommended repeatability of average harmonic values is better than ±5% of the applicable limit under identical test conditions. The test report text was revised (removal of “and power factor” wording in one clause).
- POHC: The term Partial Odd Harmonic Current (POHC) replaces older terminology and its calculation is defined in Annex C.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Manufacturers of household appliances, lighting equipment, luminaires, lighting control gear, and external power supplies seeking EMC compliance.
- Designers of non‑professional arc welding units (≤16 A), heating elements and dimmers who must meet harmonic emission limits.
- EMC test laboratories, compliance engineers, product certification bodies, regulators and procurement specialists enforcing harmonic emission requirements.
- EMC consultants and R&D teams integrating control methods that affect mains harmonic content.
Related standards (referenced)
- IEC 61000-4-7 (harmonics measurement techniques)
- Various IEC product safety and lighting standards cited for normative context (as listed in the amendment).
Keywords: IEC 61000-3-2, EMC, harmonic current emissions, amendment 1 2020, equipment ≤16 A, IEC 61000-4-7, POHC, lighting equipment, external power supply, harmonic limits, EMC compliance.
Open preview (PDF)Amendment 1 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 3-2: Limits - Limits for harmonic current emissions (equipment input current ≤16 A per phase)
