EN 55014-1:2021 and EN 55014-2:2021 provide the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements for household appliances and similar, including those employing connected technologies. But what are the two standards exactly and how do they differ?
What is 55014-1:2021?
This is the product standard for electromagnetic disturbance (EMC emissions) requirements for household appliances, electric tools, and similar apparatus. It specifies the requirements that apply to the emission of radio-frequency disturbances in the frequency range 9 kHz to 400 GHz from household appliances, electric tools, and similar apparatus, whether powered by AC or DC (including a battery).
What is 55014-2:2021?
It indicates the electromagnetic immunity requirements in the frequency range of 0 Hz to 400 GHz that apply to the same household appliances, electric tools, and similar apparatus. Common domestic appliances like washing machines, tumble dryers, and refrigerators all fall under the scope of EN 55014, as do electric/electronic toys, automatic dispensing machines, personal care, and beauty care appliances.
A test engineer conducts an EMC test. Picture: Element
Frequency range extension
A key update and significant technical change to the previous editions include the extension of the frequency range for radiated emissions up to 6 GHz in EN55014-1 and EN 55014-2, the extension of the frequency range for radiated immunity up to 6 GHz.
Additional testing may be required
This extension of the frequency ranges for both radiated emissions and immunity now brings EN 55014 into alignment with other product-specific standards. For manufacturers, it means if they have a product that includes a clock frequency greater than 108 MHz, they will need to consider the additional radiated emissions testing.
Likewise, from an immunity perspective, if they have a mains-powered product that includes a clock frequency greater than 200 MHz, they will need to consider the new equipment category 5 requirements resulting in additional radiated immunity testing.
The addition of requirements for wired network ports also means affected products will require additional tests.
Element Materials Technology offers EMC testing services. Picture: Element
Additional technical changes
Other technical changes, the details of which are outlined in part one for emissions or part two for immunity of this product family standard, include:
-
an advanced categorization of equipment
-
revision of general test conditions and the addition of new specific test conditions. For example, for robotic equipment and IPT other than induction cooking appliances
-
clarification of requirements applicable to equipment incorporating radio functions
-
revision of definitions and addition of new ones
-
deletion of requirements referring to statistical evaluation. This information is now contained within informative Annex D for EN 55014-1: 2021.
Are you ready?
Manufacturers of any of the products covered by EN 55014-1 and EN 55014-2 need to check if any of the changes might have an impact on the compliance of their product against the standard.
Additional testing may now be required to ensure that a product is compliant with the standards before its transition period comes to an end in October 2023. If the test results are required to demonstrate conformity to legislation, such as the EMC Directive for CE marking, then any corresponding technical documentation and declarations will need to be updated accordingly.
This article was originally published by Element and is only reproduced here with their kind permission. For more information about Element’s testing and certification services visit their website.