Immunity Specification
Test procedures for assessing the performance of electronic equipment when exposed to magnetic disturbances at power frequencies are defined by this international standard. Hardware subjected to iec 61000-4-8 testing is evaluated for its ability to function correctly in the presence of magnetic fields generated by nearby transformers or heavy power lines. The standard specifies various severity levels based on the intended environment of the device.
Most commercial electronics must survive a field of at least three amperes per meter.
Test Execution
Induction coils generate the required field strength around the equipment under test while it is in a normal operating state. The field is applied in several orientations to ensure that all internal components and sensors are adequately stressed. Sensitive components like Hall effect sensors or cathode ray tubes are particularly susceptible to these fields and may show signs of jitter or data corruption.
If the device experiences a loss of function that does not recover automatically, it fails the immunity criteria. Engineers use the results to determine if magnetic shielding or better component placement is necessary for the final product.
Performance Requirement
Acceptance depends on the degree to which the equipment continues to operate without operator intervention. Criteria are divided into categories ranging from no degradation to permanent hardware damage.
