IEC 61326-2-3:2020

Overview

IEC 61326-2-3:2020 is a Part 2 standard in the IEC 61326 series that defines EMC requirements specifically for transducers with integrated or remote signal conditioning. It complements IEC 61326-1:2020 by specifying detailed test configurations, operational conditions and performance criteria for devices that convert a non‑electrical quantity (mechanical, chemical, biological, thermal, etc.) into a process‑relevant electrical signal and output it at one or more PORTS. The standard covers transducers powered by AC, DC, battery or internal supplies and explicitly includes electrochemical and biological measured quantities.

Key topics & technical requirements

• Scope of application: Transducers that transform non‑electrical inputs into electrical outputs and include transmission links and signal‑conditioning units (integrated or remote).
• EMC test plan: Guidance on test configuration of the Equipment Under Test (EUT), required operational states during testing, and documentation.
• Immunity requirements: Conditions during immunity tests, required immunity test types and performance criteria (see Table 101 in the standard).
• Emission requirements: Measurement conditions and applicable emission limits for transducers and associated signal conditioning.
• Functional performance: Definition and specification of functional performance levels to judge acceptable behavior during and after EMC events.
• Test reporting: Required content for test results and the formal test report.
• Instructions for use: Information manufacturers should provide to users to ensure intended operating environment and EMC behavior.
• Annexes for specific transducer types: Additional requirements and exceptions for force (Annex AA), pressure (Annex BB) and temperature (Annex CC) transducers and normative guidance for portable test and measurement equipment (Annex A).

Practical applications & who uses it

• Manufacturers of sensors, transducers and smart probes that include or interface with signal conditioning.
• EMC and compliance engineers preparing test plans, conducting immunity/emission testing and creating compliance documentation.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies verifying conformance to EMC standards for measurement, control and laboratory equipment.
• System integrators, OEMs and R&D teams designing instrumentation for industrial process control, laboratory analysis, environmental monitoring, biotech and electrochemical sensing.
• Regulatory and QA teams that require traceable EMC conformance for equipment placed in specified industrial or laboratory environments.

Related standards

• IEC 61326-1:2020 - General EMC requirements for measurement, control and laboratory equipment (this Part 2-3 is to be used in conjunction with IEC 61326-1).
• Other referenced IEC normative documents listed in Clause 2 of IEC 61326-2-3 for specific test methods and definitions.

Keywords: IEC 61326-2-3, EMC requirements, transducers, signal conditioning, test configuration, immunity testing, emission limits, performance criteria, pressure transducer, temperature transducer, force sensor, electrochemical sensor.