About the Standard
Scope title: sinusoidal vibration test
IEC 60068-2-6 is a standard published by International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It publishes international standards for electrical, electronic and related technologies; it is the foundation of the EMC and electrical safety body of work. CISPR publications belong to a special committee within the IEC.
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Vibration and Shock — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that code IEC 60068-2-6 belongs to; it is not the text of the standard or the regime itself. The scope title of the code is given above, and technical requirements are shared at the quotation stage.
Vibration and shock testing shows whether a product withstands mechanical dynamic loads. The two phenomena are distinct: vibration is a continuous and repeated loading, while shock is a single instantaneous impact at high acceleration. They produce different failure modes and are required separately.
The failure produced by vibration is FATIGUE: a solder joint cracks, a cable sheath abrades, a screw loosens, a connector loses contact. The failure produced by shock is FRACTURE: a brittle component shatters, a bracket breaks, a board comes out of its holder. Testing a product under vibration therefore does not show that it also withstands shock.
Vibration is applied in three forms, each giving different information. Sine vibration sweeps at a single frequency; it is used to find the resonant frequencies of the product and is very valuable at the design stage. Random vibration represents the broadband nature of the real environment and is preferred as evidence of durability. Sine-on-random and random-on-random profiles simulate together the broadband noise superimposed on dominant frequencies from engines and rotors — this is necessary in helicopter and turboprop applications.
RESONANCE is the concept at the centre of the field. Every structure has its own natural frequencies; as the excitation frequency approaches one of them the amplitude grows and the product is exposed to an acceleration many times the input level. A resonance search is therefore carried out before the test, and a design change often takes the form of shifting the resonance rather than lowering the level.
In this family the FIXTURE is part of the result, and this is the most frequently overlooked point. How the specimen is attached to the shaker directly changes the energy transmitted and the resonance behaviour. A poorly designed fixture brings its own resonances into play and imposes a load the product would not otherwise see, or conversely damps the real load and protects the product. Results obtained with different fixtures cannot be compared.
The choice of measurement point also determines the result. The control accelerometer is placed on the fixture and monitoring accelerometers at critical points of the product; the report must document these positions. Accelerations measured at different points in the same test can differ markedly.
Profiles are divided by application area: transport vibration (packaging and shipping), vehicle vibration (by mounting location), rail (EN 61373 categories), aviation (DO-160 sections), military (MIL-STD-810 methods) and battery transport (UN 38.3 T3). The same product passes through different profiles under different programmes.
Method groups in this field
Sine vibration
Determining resonances by frequency sweep and withstand at defined frequencies; the most informative test at the design stage.
Random vibration
Durability with a broadband power spectral density profile; the approach that best represents the real environment.
Combined profiles
Sine-on-random and random-on-random; for dominant frequencies arising from rotating machinery.
Classical shock
Defined acceleration and duration with half-sine, sawtooth and trapezoidal pulse shapes.
Free fall and toppling
Realistic drop scenarios arising from handling; decisive for portable products.
Resonance search and monitoring
Detection of structural change (cracking, loosening) by sweeps before and after the test.
Commonly confused in this field
- Shock and vibration are not the same test; one produces fracture and the other fatigue, and they are required separately.
- A report that does not document the fixture cannot be compared; a fixture can bring its own resonance into play.
- Levels come from the product standard or the programme specification; the standard does not define a single universal level.
- Without a resonance sweep before and after the test, structural damage can go unnoticed; the product may appear to work while being cracked internally.
- The position of the measurement point must be reported; accelerations measured at different points in the same test differ markedly.
- If the product is not operated during the test, intermittent loss of contact remains invisible.
Which decisions these results support
- Verification of transport and in-use durability
- Transport and vehicle vibration conformity for batteries
- Rail, aviation and defence qualification files
- Root cause analysis of solder, connector and joint failures
- The decision to shift a resonance through a design change
Structure of the Code
- Published by
- IEC
- Serial number
- 60068
- Part
- 2-6
The last "2-6" is the section number of the standard. Chapters organize different coverages of the same series; The requirements of whichever section is written in the specification are applied.
Codes in the library without release year is kept. The current version changes over time; If the year is specified in your specification, that version is taken as basis, if not specified, the most current version is applied.
Scope
- Test
- Vibration and Shock
- Environmental Testing
- Vibration and Shock
Related Tests and Services
Of the 2 pieces of content this code is referenced in, the 1 with their own published page are listed below.
Test · 1
Technical Requirements
Standard texts are copyright of the relevant organization; test condition, sample and acceptance criteria cannot be fitted here.
Technical requirements specific to your product, once we clarify the scope At offer stage shared in writing.
Other Parts of the Same Series
IEC 60068 series is also present in the library with the following parts.
- IEC 60068series of environmental test methods
- IEC 60068-2-1low temperature (cold) test
- IEC 60068-2-2high temperature (dry heat) test
- IEC 60068-2-11series of environmental test methods
- IEC 60068-2-14change of temperature test
- IEC 60068-2-18series of environmental test methods
- IEC 60068-2-27mechanical shock test
- IEC 60068-2-30cyclic damp heat test
- IEC 60068-2-31drop and topple test
- IEC 60068-2-38series of environmental test methods
- IEC 60068-2-52series of environmental test methods
- IEC 60068-2-64random vibration test
- IEC 60068-2-75series of environmental test methods
- IEC 60068-2-78steady-state damp heat test
Other Adoptions of the Same Number
This number is also published by other bodies. Adoptions may carry a national annex; the code named in your specification is the one required.
Related Standards
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this standard mandatory for my product?
Whether it is mandatory depends on the product group, the target market and the applicable legislation. Once you tell us your product and market, we clarify in writing whether this standard is required.
How long does the test process take?
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