Overview
IEC TR 63167:2018 provides a technical overview for the assessment of contact current arising from human exposure to electric fields, magnetic fields and electromagnetic fields (EMF). It addresses situations where a non‑electrified conductive object acquires a potential because of induction and a person contacts that object. The report covers the frequency range DC to 110 MHz and deals only with steady‑state (continuous) contact currents; transient spark discharges before contact are explicitly excluded. The document complements electrical‑safety knowledge by summarizing measurement approaches, modelling practices and considerations used in EMF exposure assessment.
Key topics and technical content
- Scope and definitions: clear definitions of contact current, touch current, indirect effects and exposure scenarios relevant to EMF assessment.
- Frequency coverage: DC up to 110 MHz - reference levels in international EMF guidelines focus on avoiding shocks and burns (not ventricular fibrillation).
- Exposure situations considered:
- Capacitive and inductive coupling from power lines
- Induction heating equipment
- Wireless power transfer (WPT)
- Broadcasting sources and related conductive objects
- Measurement methods:
- Human subject measurements using standardized touch procedures
- Measurements using human‑equivalent impedances or circuits
- Calculation of contact current from open‑circuit voltage measurements
- Existing measuring networks for unweighted and perception‑weighted touch current
- Modelling and simulation:
- Use of human impedance models and realistic 3D body computational models to determine current paths and current density
- Consideration of different body parts and pathways (hand-to-feet, etc.)
- Standardization considerations: alignment with electrical‑safety measurement practice while addressing differences between live‑part contact and induced potential on not‑electrified objects.
Practical applications
- EMF exposure assessments for industrial and consumer environments
- Safety evaluation for equipment that can induce potentials (WPT systems, induction heaters, EV charging infrastructure)
- Design review and mitigation planning for broadcast sites, substations and other installations where conductive structures may be energized by fields
- Laboratory and field testing by accredited test labs to demonstrate compliance with EMF reference levels
Who should use this standard
- EMF assessors and health & safety professionals
- Test laboratories and compliance engineers
- Manufacturers of WPT, induction heating and RF equipment
- Regulators and standards developers seeking harmonized evaluation methods
Related standards and guidance
- International EMF guidelines (ICNIRP)
- IEEE exposure standards and guidance (e.g., IEEE C95 series)
- IEC technical documents on human impedance and electrical safety measurement practice (referenced in the report)
Keywords: Human Exposure Electric Fields, Magnetic Fields, Electromagnetic Fields, contact current, touch current, IEC TR 63167:2018, EMF assessment, measurement, wireless power transfer, induction heating.