IEC 61298-3:2008

Overview

IEC 61298-3:2008 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that defines general methods and procedures for testing and reporting the functional and performance characteristics of process measurement and control devices. This part of the IEC 61298 series focuses specifically on assessing the effects of various influence quantities-environmental and operational factors that may impact device performance. The standard is applicable to a wide range of analogue and digital process devices, ensuring consistency, repeatability, and reliability in performance evaluation across the measurement and control industry.

Key Topics

IEC 61298-3:2008 covers a comprehensive set of test methods and criteria, including but not limited to:

• Influence Quantities: Identification and application of environmental and operational variables such as temperature, humidity, vibration, mounting position, power supply variations, and electromagnetic disturbances.
• Test Procedures: Guidelines for preparing test environments, selecting appropriate device input/output settings, stabilization periods, and data recording methodologies for each influence quantity.
• EMC Requirements: References to relevant parts of the IEC 61326 series for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), including specific performance criteria for devices under various electromagnetic disturbances.
• Reporting and Evaluation: Instructions on reporting changes in device output and performance during tests, including linearity, hysteresis, repeatability, and overall functional deviations.
• Specific Environmental Tests: Detailed procedures for ambient temperature cycles, humidity exposure, vibration (sinusoidal), shock, and drop testing, ensuring device durability and reliability under real-world operating conditions.

Applications

IEC 61298-3:2008 is widely used by manufacturers, test laboratories, and end-users of process measurement and control devices to:

• Evaluate Performance: Objectively compare and validate performance of new designs, upgrades, or competing products under realistic environmental and operational conditions.
• Ensure Compliance: Meet international and customer-specific requirements in sectors such as process automation, chemical processing, power generation, water treatment, and manufacturing.
• Quality Assurance: Standardize type testing, routine testing, and sampling tests during product development and lifecycle management.
• Support Product Certification: Provide essential baseline documentation for third-party certification, market access, and tender requirements.
• Develop Product-Specific Standards: Reference or build upon the general methods provided by IEC 61298-3 when creating new or revised product-specific standards within IEC or other standards bodies.

Related Standards

For a holistic approach to process device testing and performance evaluation, the following related IEC standards should be considered:

• IEC 61298-1: General considerations for process measurement and control devices.
• IEC 61298-2: Tests under reference conditions.
• IEC 61298-4: Content and format of evaluation reports.
• IEC 60654-1/2/3: Operating conditions for industrial-process measurement and control equipment - climatic, power, and mechanical influences.
• IEC 60068 series: Environmental testing methodologies (e.g., temperature, humidity, vibration).
• IEC 61326 (all parts): EMC requirements for electrical equipment in measurement, control, and laboratory use.
• IEC 61000-4 series: EMC testing and immunity procedures.

Practical Value

Adopting IEC 61298-3:2008 helps organizations increase the reliability, safety, and interoperability of process measurement and control devices. By providing standardized test methods for evaluating the effects of influence quantities, it supports efficient product development, consistent process control, and compliance with international quality expectations in industrial automation.