Overview
ISO 16750-1:2023 - "Road vehicles - Environmental conditions and testing for electrical and electronic equipment - Part 1: General" defines the general framework for environmental requirements, terminology and test planning for automotive electrical and electronic (E/E) systems and components. It applies to systems including electric propulsion components with voltage class B and outlines how environmental stresses are classified by mounting location, operating mode and functional status. Note: electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is not covered and the standard excludes motorcycles and mopeds. Systems already released or under development prior to publication may be partially exempted from some changes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Terminology and coding system: Standardizes terms across the ISO 16750 series and provides a coding scheme to define complete environmental requirement sets.
- Classification by mounting location: Distinguishes compartments (engine/electric motor, passenger, luggage/load, exterior/cavities and others) so tests match expected real-world exposure.
- Operating modes: Defines operating modes (including additions for 48 V and voltage class B DUTs) to reflect realistic vehicle power states during tests.
- Functional status classification: Specifies functional classes (A–E) for condition assessment during/after tests.
- Tests and requirements: Establishes general test conditions, sequences, setups, procedures, parameter checks and visual/physical analysis requirements for environmental testing.
- Mass and volume considerations: Recognizes component mass/volume impacts on vibration and thermal response and includes a sample mass classification (Annex C) to adjust test profiles.
- Test planning tools: Includes informative annexes with example test plans, life-test/reliability statements and component mass classification.
Practical applications
ISO 16750-1:2023 is used to:
- Develop robust test plans for automotive E/E components and systems.
- Define environmental requirement sets based on mounting location and expected usage.
- Guide design validation, reliability and life-cycle testing for sensors, ECUs, inverters, motors and other E/E equipment.
- Support suppliers and OEMs in specifying and verifying environmental resistance to temperature, vibration, shock, humidity, dust, pollution and altitude.
Who should use this standard
- Automotive OEM design and validation engineers
- Tier‑1 and Tier‑2 suppliers of E/E components (including electric propulsion components)
- Automotive test laboratories and quality engineers
- Product managers and compliance teams planning environmental testing and documentation
Related standards
- ISO 16750 series (other parts covering specific test types and levels)
- For electrical testing of voltage class B and 48 V circuits, see ISO 21498 and ISO 21780 (as referenced in the introduction)
ISO 16750-1:2023 is essential for anyone specifying or testing road-vehicle electrical/electronic equipment against internationally harmonized environmental conditions.