IEC 61000-4-2 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Immunity Testing
Radiometrics Midwest Corporation provides IEC 61000-4-2 electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity testing for electronic and electrical equipment at our A2LA-accredited EMC laboratory in Romeoville, Illinois.
IEC 61000-4-2 evaluates the ability of equipment to withstand electrostatic discharge events that can occur when personnel or charged objects contact or approach electronic equipment.
Radiometrics performs ESD immunity testing using the discharge methods, test levels, application points, and performance criteria required by the applicable product standard or customer test specification.
What Does IEC 61000-4-2 Testing Evaluate?
IEC 61000-4-2 testing applies controlled electrostatic discharges to the equipment under test (EUT) and its surrounding test environment while the equipment is operating and being monitored.
Depending on the equipment and applicable requirements, testing may include direct contact discharge to conductive surfaces, air discharge to insulating surfaces, and indirect discharge to horizontal and vertical coupling planes.
During testing, the EUT is monitored for unintended operation, resets, communication errors, loss of function, data errors, or other changes in performance.
Radiometrics IEC 61000-4-2 ESD Testing Capabilities
Radiometrics performs IEC 61000-4-2 ESD immunity testing on a wide range of electronic and electrical products. Test configurations are established according to the applicable product standard, equipment construction, accessible surfaces, and normal operating conditions.
Our ESD immunity testing capabilities include:
- Contact discharge testing
- Air discharge testing
- Indirect discharge to horizontal and vertical coupling planes
- Positive and negative polarity discharges
- Testing at levels specified by the applicable standard or customer specification
- Operation and monitoring of the EUT during testing
- Evaluation of multiple operating modes when required
- Engineering assistance when ESD susceptibility is observed
Planning an IEC 61000-4-2 ESD Test Program
The IEC 61000-4-2 test program depends on the applicable product standard, equipment construction, accessible surfaces, required test levels, operating modes, and the locations where electrostatic discharges are to be applied.
Before testing, Radiometrics reviews the equipment configuration and applicable requirements to establish appropriate discharge points and test conditions. Equipment should be configured in a representative operating condition with the peripherals, cables, and support equipment necessary to monitor its performance during testing.
Information Needed for an IEC 61000-4-2 Quote
To help Radiometrics develop an accurate ESD immunity test program and quotation, please provide the following information when available:
- Applicable product standard or customer test specification
- Product description and model number
- Product dimensions and physical configuration
- AC or DC power requirements
- External cables, peripherals, and support equipment
- Operating modes to be evaluated
- Required ESD test levels, if known
- Method used to monitor equipment performance during testing
- Previous ESD or EMC test results, if available
ESD Immunity Troubleshooting
If a product experiences a performance problem during ESD testing, Radiometrics can work with your engineering team to help identify the susceptible area and evaluate potential corrective measures.
Where practical, changes to grounding, shielding, cabling, filtering, enclosure configuration, or other design elements can be evaluated during the test program to determine whether they improve ESD immunity.
Schedule IEC 61000-4-2 ESD Testing
Radiometrics Midwest Corporation has provided EMC testing and engineering services since 1983. Contact us to discuss your IEC 61000-4-2 ESD immunity testing requirements, product configuration, scheduling, or quotation needs.