IEC 61000-4-2 — Standard

About the Standard

Scope title: electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity

IEC 61000-4-2 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.

See the other 102 codes from IEC

Coverage areas

What Is IEC 61000-4-2?

IEC 61000-4-2 defines the electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity test. It is the most widely applied of the EMC immunity tests because the phenomenon it simulates is an everyday one: the discharge that occurs the moment a person charged by walking touches a device.

The magnitude of the event is counter-intuitive. A person walking on carpet in a dry environment can be charged to over ten kilovolts, and that energy discharges within nanoseconds. The peak current reaches tens of amperes; because the duration is so short, the person feels only a slight shock, but for an electronic circuit this is a pulse far beyond the limits of its design.

The standard defines TWO FORMS OF DISCHARGE. CONTACT discharge applies the pulse directly to a conductive surface; it is highly repeatable and is the preferred method. AIR discharge is the arc that jumps as the electrode approaches the surface; it is applied to insulating surfaces and gaps but, being sensitive to humidity and approach speed, it is less repeatable.

INDIRECT discharge is also defined: the pulse is applied not to the device itself but to a horizontal or vertical coupling plane beside it. This examines the effect on the device of a discharge occurring nearby — the scenario of someone touching a table and affecting the device on it.

The output of the test is not a performance measurement but a behaviour assessed against a PERFORMANCE CRITERION. Whether the device maintains its expected function during and after the test, recovers by itself or is not permanently damaged is assessed against the acceptance criteria defined in the product standard.

Why Does This Standard Exist?

Recognition that ESD is a serious threat to electronics came with the shrinking of semiconductor technology. As circuit dimensions fell, insulation layers thinned and the voltage they could withstand dropped. In the 1970s an integrated circuit could take kilovolts; in today's advanced processes hundreds of volts can cause permanent damage.

This gave rise to two separate disciplines. On the manufacturing and assembly side the concept of the ESD PROTECTED AREA developed: earthing, ionisers, antistatic flooring and wrist straps. On the product side, devices came to be expected to withstand a discharge from the user, and IEC 61000-4-2 addresses that second question.

Defining the test waveform is the most technical part of the standard. The human-metal discharge model consists of a fast initial peak followed by a slower tail. The initial peak, with its high frequency content, spreads through coupling and reaches sensitive circuits; the tail carries energy and is where the potential for permanent damage lies.

The repeatability problem of air discharge is a known weakness of the field. The approach speed of the electrode, ambient humidity and surface condition change where and how the arc jumps. The standard therefore prefers contact discharge wherever possible and provides for air discharge only where contact is not feasible.

Vehicle applications developed their own standard: ISO 10605. The waveform and discharge network differ because discharge scenarios inside a vehicle (a person getting out of a car in dry weather and touching the door) produce different energy levels. IEC 61000-4-2 results do not carry over directly into a vehicle file.

Which Products Require It

All electrical and electronic product groups
Devices with user interfaces, connectors and keypads
Industrial control and automation equipment
Medical electrical devices (through IEC 60601-1-2)
Measurement and laboratory instruments (through IEC 61326)

Related Legislation and Schemes

It is referred to in product and generic immunity standards under the EMC Directive (2014/30/EU)
The generic immunity standards IEC 61000-6-1 and -6-2 make this test mandatory
IEC 60601-1-2 for medical devices and ISO 10605 for vehicles are the corresponding provisions
For radio equipment, the EN 301 489 series covers this test

How the Assessment Runs

1Determining the points of applicationAll surfaces and connectors a user could touch in normal use are identified; inaccessible points are outside the scope.
2Selecting the level and discharge typeThe levels from the product standard are applied; contact discharge is used on conductive surfaces and air discharge on insulating ones.
3Recording the reference functionThe normal behaviour of the device is recorded before the test; the later assessment is made against it.
4Direct dischargeA defined number of pulses of positive and negative polarity is applied to the identified points.
5Indirect dischargePulses are applied to the horizontal and vertical coupling planes; the effect propagating to the device is monitored.
6AssessmentThe behaviour of the device is assessed against the performance criterion class in the product standard.

Neighbouring Standards and the Differences

ISO 10605
The counterpart for vehicle applications. The waveform and discharge network differ; the results do not carry over directly.
IEC 61000-4-4
Electrical fast transients (EFT/burst). A different phenomenon: a burst of pulses arising from switching and arriving over cables.
IEC 61000-4-5
Surge. It simulates lightning and supply network events; its energy is many times higher than ESD.
The IEC 61340 series
ESD control in manufacturing and assembly. A different discipline from product immunity: protecting the component during production.

What the Report Must Contain

To be usable, a report must carry the information below. An incomplete report may not be accepted in the supply chain or in an inspection even when its result is correct.

The levels applied and the discharge types (contact / air)
The list of application points and the justification for their selection
The number of pulses, polarity and repetition interval
The coupling planes to which indirect discharge was applied
The operating mode of the device and the parameters monitored
The performance criterion class applied and the assessment

Commonly Confused Points

The test level and application points come from the product standard; the laboratory cannot select them on its own.
In vehicle applications ISO 10605 is used; the waveform and discharge network differ and IEC 61000-4-2 results do not carry over directly.
The device being temporarily affected during the test is not always a failure; the acceptance criterion is assessed against the performance criterion class.
Air discharge is sensitive to humidity and approach speed; its repeatability is low and contact discharge is preferred where possible.
ESD control in manufacturing (IEC 61340) gets confused with product ESD immunity; these are different problems.
A test carried out without operating the device shows only permanent damage; temporary functional disturbances remain invisible.

Structure of the Code

Published by: IEC
Serial number: 61000
Part: 4-2

The last "4-2" 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
EMC / EMI Testing
EMC Tests

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

ESD – IEC 61000-4-2

Technical Requirements

Standard texts are copyright of the relevant organization; test condition, sample and acceptance criteria cannot be fitted here.

Basis: The IEC 61000-4-2 scope statement: contact and air discharge and the indirect (coupling plane) discharge arrangement; the ISO 10605 vehicle counterpart and the IEC 61340 manufacturing-side reference. Levels and acceptance criteria are defined in the product standard.

Technical requirements specific to your product, once we clarify the scope At offer stage shared in writing.

Other Parts of the Same Series

IEC 61000 series is also present in the library with the following parts.

Related Standards

Frequently Asked Questions About IEC 61000-4-2

At what level should the test be carried out?

The level comes from your product standard. Residential environments, industrial environments and medical devices prescribe different levels.

The device reset during the test — is that a failure?

It depends on the performance criterion class in the product standard. Some classes accept self-recovery, others expect uninterrupted operation.

Is this test sufficient for our vehicle component?

It is not. Vehicle applications use ISO 10605; the waveform and levels differ.

We take ESD precautions in production — is product testing still required?

Yes. Production precautions protect the component during assembly; the product test addresses the user touching the device. These are different problems.

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?

Duration depends on the scope of the standard, the number of specimens and current capacity. The exact duration is shared, together with the specimen and scope details, at the quote stage.

Do you issue certification against this standard?

Which activity is carried out under which accreditation scope is separately confirmed at the application stage. Up-to-date scope information is published on our corporate page.

What happens if the standard I need is not here?

The library is based on a continuously growing inventory. If you cannot find the code you are looking for, you can send it through the quote form; we will assess the relevant scope and get back to you.