EN50491 series standard electromagnetic compatibility testing

The EN50491 series standards are European specifications for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements for Home and Building Electronic Systems (HBES) and Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS). The EMC Testing Center of Beijing Yizong Institute can conduct detailed tests for EN50491-5-1, EN50491-5-2, and EN50491-5-3 test items and requirements, and issue CNAS reports, CMA reports, and third-party testing reports.

1. EN50491-5-1:2010《General requirements for Home and Building Electronic Systems (HBES) and Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) - Part 5-1: EMC requirements, conditions and test setup》

Scope of application: Applies to the general EMC requirements for all HBES/BACS equipment, covering test conditions and installation environments.

Test items and requirements

1. Electrostatic discharge immunity (ESD)
• Test requirements: According to IEC 61000-4-2 standard, the equipment must withstand electrostatic interference from contact discharge (up to 8kV) and air discharge (up to 15kV), and its functions should not fail after testing.
• Test conditions: The equipment must be tested in a typical installation environment (such as grounding configuration, cable layout) to simulate immunity in actual usage scenarios.
2. Radiated emission test
• Test requirements: Measure the electromagnetic radiation generated by the equipment during operation, which must comply with CISPR 22 or similar standard limits to ensure it does not cause interference to other equipment.
3. Conducted emission test
• Test requirements: Evaluate high-frequency interference conducted through power or signal lines, which must meet the limit requirements of standards such as EN 55032.
4. Immunity tests (e.g., fast transient burst, surge)
• Test requirements: Include electrical fast transient burst (EFT/Burst) and surge tests, based on IEC 61000-4-4 and IEC 61000-4-5 respectively, to ensure the equipment operates normally under disturbances such as grid fluctuations or lightning strikes.

2. EN50491-5-2:2010《General requirements for Home and Building Electronic Systems (HBES) and Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) - Part 5-2: EMC requirements for HBES/BACS used in residential, commercial and light industrial environments》

Scope of application: Specifies specific EMC test requirements for HBES/BACS equipment used in residential, commercial, and light industrial environments.

Test items and requirements

1. Radiated emission (RE)
• Test requirements: Measure the electromagnetic radiation of the equipment in the 30MHz-1GHz frequency band, which must comply with the limits of EN 55032 or CISPR 11 to avoid interference with broadcast, communication, and other frequency bands.
2. Voltage dip and interruption immunity
• Test requirements: According to EN 50491-5-2 Clause 7.1.5, the equipment must maintain normal function or safely recover during short-term voltage dips (e.g., dropping to 70% of rated voltage) or complete interruptions (up to 5 seconds).
3. Power frequency magnetic field immunity
• Test requirements: Simulate power frequency magnetic field interference generated by electrical equipment (e.g., near transformers), and the equipment must operate normally under a magnetic field strength of up to 30A/m.
4. Immunity to conducted disturbances induced by radio frequency fields
• Test requirements: Verify the stability of the equipment in strong electromagnetic environments by injecting radio frequency interference signals (0.15-80MHz).

3. EN50491-5-3《General requirements for Home and Building Electronic Systems (HBES) and Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) - Part 5-3: Electromagnetic compatibility requirements for HBES/BACS used in industrial environments》

This part covers the EMC requirements for HBES/BACS in industrial environments. It extends the following content:

1. Electromagnetic compatibility requirements for industrial environments:
• May include stricter radiated and conducted emission limits to adapt to high-interference industrial environments.
• Immunity test levels may be higher, such as electrostatic discharge up to 15kV (air discharge) or increased burst test frequency.
2. Comprehensive testing in complex environments:
• May involve combined tests of temperature, humidity, and electromagnetic interference (refer to GB/T 2423 series standards).

Summary and additional notes

• EN50491-5-1 is a general EMC framework, covering basic test conditions and immunity requirements;
• EN50491-5-2 refines test items for specific environments (residential, commercial, and light industrial), such as voltage dip and power frequency magnetic field immunity;
• EN50491-5-3 extends testing for industrial environments.

Common test requirements: All tests must be conducted in a standard laboratory environment, and the equipment must provide circuit diagrams, key component lists, and installation instructions.

For further information on the test requirements of the EN50491 series standards, please contact the EMC Testing Center of Beijing Yizong Institute (Measurement Control Equipment and System Laboratory/Mechanical Industry Measurement Control Equipment and Network Quality Testing Center, Instrumentation Technology and Economy Institute). Laboratory address: No. 397A, Guang'anmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing.