Overview
IEC TR 62493-1:2013 is a Technical Report from the IEC that presents results from an EMF measurement campaign on lighting equipment carried out by the VDE Test and Certification Institute and ZVEI. It gives an empirical overview of electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions from a broad range of luminaires and lamp technologies using the Van der Hoofden head probe over the frequency range 20 kHz to 10 MHz. The report supports the application of IEC 62493:2009 by identifying construction features that affect EMF emissions and by summarizing measured factor values (F) vs. the compliance limit.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Measurement method: Tests follow IEC 62493:2009 procedures using the Van der Hoofden head; luminaires are placed at the standard distance (d) from the probe and measured across 20 kHz–10 MHz.
- Single-value metric (F): A single factor F is calculated by summing measured voltages weighted against frequency-specific limits across the whole band. The compliance limit is F = 0.85.
- Noise floor: Receiver thermal noise produces a baseline F ≈ 0.03; receiver attenuation settings affect this noise result.
- Results distribution: In the campaign, the majority of luminaires produced very low values (81% produced F ≤ 0.1; 99% were below half the limit), indicating low EMF levels for most current products.
- Influencing factors analyzed: lamp technology, lamp cover, luminaire type and shape, protection class, total lamp power, and housing material.
- Notable finding: One 58 W T8 luminaire with a thin transparent cover measured F = 0.84 on AC mains but fell to F = 0.13 on DC supply. The high AC result was attributed to frequency modulation of the electronic control gear by the 50 Hz mains (spectrum “smearing”).
Practical applications and users
- Manufacturers and product designers: identify enclosure, control-gear and shielding choices that reduce EMF emissions.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies: apply the Van der Hoofden-head procedure and interpret F results against the IEC 62493 limit.
- EMC/EMF engineers and compliance teams: use the campaign data to benchmark product families and prioritize design changes.
- Regulators, procurement and health & safety officers: assess risk and conformity of lighting equipment related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields.
Related standards
- IEC 62493:2009 - Assessment of lighting equipment related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields (normative reference used for test procedure).
- EN 62493 (equivalent regional text) and other parts of the IEC 62493 series (for broader guidance and additional test methods).
Keywords: IEC TR 62493-1, EMF measurement, lighting equipment, Van der Hoofden head, luminaires, electromagnetic fields, IEC 62493, VDE, ZVEI, EMF compliance.