EN 61000-6-2
EN 61000-6-2 is the European harmonized generic standard for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) immunity in industrial environments. It is published by CENELEC and based on the IEC 61000 series of EMC standards. The current harmonized version is EN IEC 61000-6-2:2019, which implements IEC 61000-6-2:2016.
The standard defines minimum immunity levels and test methods to ensure that electrical and electronic equipment used in industrial environments can continue to operate as intended when exposed to electromagnetic disturbances.
Scope and Application
EN 61000-6-2 applies to equipment that:
Is intended for use in industrial locations such as factories, workshops, and power generation plants
Does not have a dedicated product-specific EMC immunity standard
Must demonstrate adequate resilience to common electromagnetic disturbances in harsh environments
It covers equipment connected to the public low-voltage supply network as well as DC-powered or battery-operated devices used in industrial environments.
Key Technical Requirements
| Test Category | Standard Reference & Test Levels |
|---|---|
| Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) |
EN 61000-4-2 ±4 kV contact, ±8 kV air |
| Radiated RF Immunity |
EN 61000-4-3 10 V/m, 80 MHz – 1 GHz (extensions up to 6 GHz depending on IEC 61000-4-3 updates) |
| Electrical Fast Transients (Burst) |
EN 61000-4-4 ±2 kV on supply lines, ±1 kV on I/O lines |
| Surge Immunity |
EN 61000-4-5 ±2 kV line-to-earth, ±1 kV line-to-line |
| Conducted RF Immunity |
EN 61000-4-6 10 V, 150 kHz – 80 MHz |
| Power Frequency Magnetic Fields |
EN 61000-4-8 30 A/m, 50/60 Hz |
| Voltage Dips & Interrupts |
EN 61000-4-11 30% reduction for 10 ms, 60% for 100 ms, >95% for 5 s |
| Test Category | Standard Reference | Typical Test Levels |
|---|---|---|
| Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) | EN 61000-4-2 | ±4 kV contact, ±8 kV air |
| Radiated RF Immunity | EN 61000-4-3 | 10 V/m, 80 MHz – 1 GHz (extensions up to 6 GHz depending on IEC 61000-4-3 updates) |
| Electrical Fast Transients (Burst) | EN 61000-4-4 | ±2 kV on supply lines, ±1 kV on I/O lines |
| Surge Immunity | EN 61000-4-5 | ±2 kV line-to-earth, ±1 kV line-to-line |
| Conducted RF Immunity | EN 61000-4-6 | 10 V, 150 kHz – 80 MHz |
| Power Frequency Magnetic Fields | EN 61000-4-8 | 30 A/m, 50/60 Hz |
| Voltage Dips & Interrupts | EN 61000-4-11 | 30% reduction for 10 ms, 60% for 100 ms, >95% for 5 s |
- Performance criteria: Equipment must continue to operate as intended during and after tests, with acceptance criteria (A or B) depending on disturbance type.
- Measurement methods: All tests are conducted according to the respective EN 61000-4-x basic standards.
Typical Test Setup
ESD: ESD simulator gun applied to accessible surfaces of the Equipment Under Test (EUT)
Radiated RF: Semi-anechoic chamber with uniform field area, broadband antennas, and RF amplifiers
Burst and Surge: Coupling/decoupling networks connected to AC/DC lines and I/O ports
Conducted RF: Injection via coupling clamps into cables or lines
Certification and Compliance
Under the EMC Directive (2014/30/EU), EN 61000-6-2 is a harmonized standard used to demonstrate conformity with immunity requirements in Article 5.
It is applied when no product-specific EMC immunity standard exists.
Test reports according to EN 61000-6-2 must be retained as part of the technical documentation and referenced in the EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC).
Lifecycle Relevance
Supports pre-compliance testing during R&D to verify immunity performance.
Provides the framework for final EMC certification in the absence of a product-specific standard.
Remains relevant for design changes or reassessment when new harmonized versions are published in the Official Journal of the EU.
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Further Reading & Official Resources
Official IEC Standard (Purchase Required)
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IEC 61000-6-2:2016 – Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Generic standards – Immunity for industrial environments
This is the official source. For full and up-to-date regulatory documentation, please refer to the official portals of the relevant authorities. All references were verified as of September 2025.