⚡ Measurement of radio disturbance power emitted by equipment along a lead using absorbing clamps (ACMM method) in the frequency range from 30 MHz to 1 000 MHz — clamp factor, clamp reference point CRP, ACTS test site, narrowband and broadband, continuous and discontinuous disturbances, peak, quasi-peak, average and rms-average detectors, ambient noise preferably 20 dB and at least 6 dB below the measurement level, PN-EN 55016-2-2

Electronics and EMC PN-EN 55016-2-2

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. The PKN catalogue card of PN-EN 55016-2-2:2011 (Polish version) gives the scope: “CISPR 16-2-2:2010 specifies the methods of measurement of disturbance power using absorbing clamps in the frequency range 30 MHz to 1 000 MHz. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (2003), its amendment 1 (2004) and amendment 2 (2005). It constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the first edition: conditions for the use of spectrum analyzers in compliance measurements (Annex D) and the use of FFT-based measuring instrumentation (Clauses 3, 6 and 8). CISPR 16-2-2:2010 has the status of a basic EMC publication in accordance with IEC Guide 107” (our translation from the Polish text of the card). We read the text in the sample of CISPR 16-2-2:2010 (edition 2.0, 2010-07) to 6.3.1 (narrowband continuous disturbance); we do not have 6.3.2–6.5 (broadband and discontinuous disturbances, measurement times), Clauses 7 (clamp method — set-up, test site, procedure), 8 (FFT scanning), 9 (uncertainty) or Annexes A–D.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF CISPR 16-2-2:2010 (foreword, Clauses 1–6.3.1, table of contents). The standard was prepared by CISPR subcommittee A (radio interference measurements and statistical methods) in cooperation with CISPR/D (interference from vehicles and internal combustion engine devices). Scope (1): methods of measuring disturbance power with absorbing clamps in the range 30–1 000 MHz; note: according to IEC Guide 107 it is a basic EMC publication for product committees, which decide on its application. References (2): CISPR 16-1-1:2010, CISPR 16-1-3:2004, CISPR 16-1-4, CISPR 16-4-2, IEC 60050-161:1990. Definitions (3): absorbing clamp measurement method ACMM (the clamp is placed on a lead of the equipment under test), ACTS test site validated for this method, associated equipment; clamp factor — ratio of the disturbance power of the equipment to the voltage at the clamp output; clamp reference point CRP — position of the front edge of the current transformer in the clamp; slide reference point SRP (end of the slide on the equipment side, distance to the CRP); common-mode (asymmetrical) voltage and current; continuous disturbance — lasting longer than 200 ms at the IF output of the receiver, discontinuous (click) — shorter than 200 ms; lead under test (mains, coaxial, data bus etc.); measurement, scan and sweep times; measuring receiver according to CISPR 16-1-1 (tuned voltmeter, EMI receiver, spectrum analyser, FFT instrument); weighting depending on the pulse repetition frequency. Types of disturbance (4.2): a) narrowband continuous (e.g. fundamental and harmonics of ISM equipment — individual lines further apart than the receiver bandwidth); b) broadband continuous (e.g. commutator motors); c) broadband discontinuous (mechanical or electronic switching, e.g. thermostats, programme controllers — repetition below 1 Hz, fewer than 30 clicks per minute). Detectors (4.3): average (narrowband disturbances, discrimination), quasi-peak (weighted — annoyance to a radio listener), rms-average (weighted — effect on digital radio services), peak; all according to CISPR 16-1-1. Cable between the receiver and the clamp (5.2): shielded, with characteristic impedance matched to the receiver input. General requirements (6.1): reproducible measurements, independent of location and surroundings (especially ambient noise), with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio at the limit level, in a specified arrangement and operating conditions of the equipment. Ambient noise (6.2): if it exceeds the required level, this is recorded in the report; for compliance measurements the ambient should preferably be 20 dB, and at least 6 dB, below the measurement level — at 6 dB the apparent disturbance level of the equipment increases by up to 3,5 dB; the suitability of the site is assessed by measuring the ambient with the equipment in place but switched off; the ambient may exceed the −6 dB level if ambient and emission combined do not exceed the limit — the equipment is then considered to meet the limit; other actions are possible, e.g. reducing the bandwidth for narrowband signals. Narrowband continuous disturbance (6.3.1): the receiver is tuned to the frequency under investigation and retuned if the frequency fluctuates — here the sample ends.

STATUS (PKN catalogue cards as of 02.10.2026). The card of PN-EN 55016-2-2:2011 (Polish version, published 17-01-2014, 48 pages, price group T) has no “Withdrawn” heading: Information and Communication Technology Sector, KT 104 Electromagnetic Compatibility, ICS 33.100.01 and 33.100.20, “Introduces: EN 55016-2-2:2011 [IDT], CISPR 16-2-2:2010 [IDT]”, “Replaces: PN-EN 55016-2-2:2008 – Polish version”.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, data up to 17.09.2026, read 02.10.2026). The number 55016-2-2 appears in 7 records at 7 laboratories: AB 167, AB 171, AB 261, AB 295, AB 666, AB 1555, AB 1925. In the current scopes on the PCA website (read 02.10.2026, issues from 30.12.2024 to 08.06.2026) all seven laboratories give “PN-EN 55016-2-2:2011”; AB 261 additionally “PN-EN 55016-2-2:2011/Ap1:2013-06” (we did not check the card of that document). In the scope of AB 171 (issue No 21 of 13.05.2026) the part of the scope marked in bold italics was suspended at the request of the body — the line with PN-EN 55016-2-2 is not marked so; in the other scopes there are no suspensions at this number. The “Laboratories” tab (“PN-EN 55016-2-2”) shows 7 laboratories — checked with the tab query on the production server labcoda.pl on 02.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (PCA entries). AB 167 — household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus: disturbance power (next to PN-EN 55014-1:2017-06 and PN-EN IEC 55014-1:2021-08). AB 261 — the same products: disturbance power, frequency (0,03–1) GHz. AB 1925 — the same products: disturbance power, 30–300 MHz. AB 1555 — electrical and electronic equipment, lighting equipment: disturbance power, (30–300) MHz. AB 666 — household appliances, audiovisual equipment, TV receivers: disturbance power. AB 171 — electrical and electronic equipment with supply voltage up to 400 V: disturbance power in the band 30–1 000 MHz as part of radiated emission. AB 295 — electrical and electronic equipment: level of conducted and radiated radio disturbance emission.

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. Ambient noise: an ambient only 6 dB below the measurement level raises the apparent disturbance level of the equipment by up to 3,5 dB (6.2.2); the ambient has to be measured with the equipment in place but switched off, and exceeding the required ambient level has to be recorded in the report (6.2). Detector: quasi-peak and rms-average are weighting detectors — weighting depends on the pulse repetition frequency (3, 4.3), so the result has to be read together with the detector used. Type of disturbance: whether a disturbance is continuous or discontinuous is decided by its duration at the IF output (200 ms) (3). Range: the method covers 30–1 000 MHz; AB 1555 and AB 1925 have the band 30–300 MHz in their accreditation scopes, AB 171 and AB 261 — 30–1 000 MHz. Receiver: the cable to the clamp shall be shielded and impedance-matched (5.2); spectrum analysers and FFT instruments are permitted under the conditions of Annex D and Clauses 3, 6, 8.

WHAT WE DO NOT STATE. We do not have 6.3.2–6.5, Clauses 7–9 or the annexes: construction of the clamp and slide, the clamp measurement procedure, requirements for the ACTS site, measurement times, the FFT procedure or uncertainty — so we do not state these numbers or procedures. There are no disturbance power limits in the part we read — as a basic EMC publication the standard gives the method, and product committees decide on its application (1); AB 167 cites the product standard PN-EN 55014-1 next to it.

Method principle

Absorbing clamps are placed on a lead of the equipment under test (power or signal), on a slide with a defined reference point; the disturbance power is determined from the voltage at the clamp output measured with a measuring receiver (peak, quasi-peak, average or rms-average detector) and from the clamp factor, in the range 30–1 000 MHz, with the ambient noise sufficiently below the measured level.

Applications

• Household appliances and electric tools — disturbance power, next to the product standard PN-EN 55014-1 (AB 167); 7 laboratories in PCA scopes
• Lighting equipment, audiovisual equipment, TV receivers and other electrical equipment — emission of disturbances conducted along leads
• Compliance measurements with EMI receivers, spectrum analysers or FFT instruments meeting CISPR 16-1-1

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 55016-2-2:2011 (wersja polska; EN 55016-2-2:2011 i CISPR 16-2-2:2010 IDT)

Title (PL)

Wymagania dotyczące aparatury pomiarowej i metod pomiaru zaburzeń radioelektrycznych oraz odporności na zaburzenia — Część 2-2: Metody pomiaru zaburzeń i badania odporności — Pomiar mocy zaburzeń

Title (EN)

Specification for radio disturbance and immunity measuring apparatus and methods — Part 2-2: Methods of measurement of disturbances and immunity — Measurement of disturbance power

Step-by-step procedure

1. Configuration

   Arrangement, termination of leads and operating conditions of the equipment according to the product standard; lead under test passed through the clamp (6.1). PN-EN 55016-2-2:2011 current (PKN cards as of 02.10.2026).

2. Ambient noise

   Measure the ambient with the equipment in place, switched off; preferably 20 dB, at least 6 dB below the measurement level; record any exceedance (6.2).

3. Measurement

   Clamp measurement according to Clause 7 — outside the sample; narrowband disturbances: receiver tuned and retuned following frequency changes (6.3.1).

4. Detector

   Peak, quasi-peak, average or rms-average detector according to the product standard and the type of disturbance (4.2, 4.3).

5. Result

   Disturbance power from the voltage at the clamp output and the clamp factor; comparison with the limit of the product standard; uncertainty according to Clause 9 — outside the sample.

Required equipment and apparatus

Health and safety (OHS)

• In the part we read (Clauses 1–6.3.1) the standard gives no safety requirements

Frequently asked questions