IEC 61000-4-5, Test Levels & Classes
IEC 61000-4-5 is the basic standard that defines how surge immunity is tested -- every product-family standard, from medical to railway to automotive, points back to it for the test method, then adds its own required severity class.
IEC 61000-4-5 was developed within the IEC's broader 61000-4-x electromagnetic compatibility testing series to standardize how equipment is tested against surges from lightning and switching events on AC/DC power ports and long signal/telecom lines. Its scope covers the surge generator's combination-wave circuit, coupling and decoupling networks for each port type, and the test procedure -- but, like IEC 61000-4-2 (Module 04 of the ESD course), it is a basic standard: it defines the method, not the pass/fail severity level for any specific product.
| Class | Line-to-Earth | Line-to-Line | Typical Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.5 kV | 0.5 kV | Well-protected electrical environment (e.g. computer rooms) |
| 2 | 1.0 kV | 0.5 kV | Protected environment, indoor with some switching activity |
| 3 | 2.0 kV | 1.0 kV | Typical industrial / commercial environment |
| 4 | 4.0 kV | 2.0 kV | Severe industrial environment or exposed outdoor cabling |
| X | Special / open | Special / open | Level specified directly by the product committee (may exceed Class 4) |
Module 4 Quiz
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