⚡ Immunity testing of electrical and electronic equipment with a rated current up to 16 A per phase to harmonics, interharmonics and mains signalling (ripple control) at the a.c. power port — disturbances up to 2 kHz on 50 Hz mains and up to 2,4 kHz on 60 Hz mains, test levels as a percentage of the fundamental voltage while keeping the nominal r.m.s. value of the voltage, harmonics ≥ 3 % up to the 9th order at 0° and 180° phase shift, “flat curve” and “overswing” waveforms, basic EMC publication, PN-EN 61000-4-13

Electronics and EMC PN-EN 61000-4-13

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN catalogue card of PN-EN 61000-4-13:2007 (Polish version), in full (our translation): “A method is given for assessing the functional immunity of electrical and electronic equipment with a rated current less than or equal to 16 A per phase at disturbance frequencies up to 2 kHz (for 50 Hz networks) and up to 2,4 kHz (for 60 Hz networks) subjected to harmonics or interharmonics and signalling frequencies in supply networks. Definitions of eight terms are given”. Scopes of the amendment cards: A1:2010 — “The subclauses that were changed are listed (5.2, 8.2.1, 8.2.2, 8.2.4, Annex B)”; A2:2016-05 — “The content of subclauses 4.1.3, 4.2.3, 5.2, 8.2 and 8.2.4 was changed.” We read the text of the standard in the preview of IEC 61000-4-13:2002+AMD1:2009+AMD2:2015 (consolidated version 1.2 with changes marked — deletions in red, additions in green, checked on the page images) from the cover to the end of 5.1 (page 10 of the standard); we do not have the level Tables 1–3 or the further clauses (generator, test setup, procedure, evaluation of results, test report) or Annexes A–C.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF IEC 61000-4-13 EDITION 1.2 (foreword, introduction, Clauses 1–5.1). The standard was prepared by subcommittee 77A (low-frequency phenomena) of IEC technical committee 77; it has the status of a basic EMC publication according to IEC Guide 107; Annexes A, B and C are informative; edition 1.2 combines the first edition (2002-03), amendment 1 (2009-05) and amendment 2 (2015-12). Scope and object (1): immunity test methods and range of recommended test levels for equipment with a rated current up to 16 A per phase, at disturbance frequencies up to and including 2 kHz (50 Hz mains) and 2,4 kHz (60 Hz mains), for harmonics and interharmonics on low-voltage networks; not applicable to 16 2/3 Hz or 400 Hz networks; object — a common reference for evaluating functional immunity; product committees decide on application, levels and criteria; outside the scope — reliability of components (capacitors, filters) and thermal effects longer than 15 min; levels are adapted to residential, commercial and light-industry environments — for heavy industry product committees define a class X; simple waveforms: “flat curve” (more often on single-phase systems) and “overswing” (more often on three-phase systems). References (2): IEC 60050(161), IEC 61000-2-2, IEC 61000-3-2, IEC 61000-4-7. Definitions (3): immunity, harmonic (component of order greater than 1 of the Fourier series), fundamental component, “flat curve” waveshape (each half-wave: sine from zero to the specified value, constant part, sine down to zero), “overswing” waveshape (fundamental with the 3rd and 5th harmonics at a specified phase shift), f₁, mains signalling frequencies (control and communication signals between harmonics), EUT. Phenomenon (4.1): harmonics — sinusoidal voltages and currents at frequencies that are integer multiples of the supply frequency, caused by non-linear loads and line-synchronised switching; harmonic currents produce voltage drops across the network impedance, and resonances (cable capacitance, line inductance, power factor correction capacitors) can amplify harmonic voltages far from the source; interharmonics — frequencies that are not integer multiples of the fundamental, discrete or broadband (summation of sources is not taken into account); mains signalling — after amendment A2: from 100 Hz (previously 110 Hz) to 3 kHz, limited to 2,4 kHz within the scope of this standard (previously “2 kHz/50 Hz”); A2 added a reference to the Meister curve (Figure 8, from IEC 61000-2-2:2007, 100–3000 Hz). Sources (4.2): of harmonics — mainly industrial and residential loads: rectifiers with capacitive smoothing (televisions, frequency converters, self-ballasted lamps), phase-controlled equipment, computers, UPS; of interharmonics — frequency converters, welding machines, arc furnaces; of mains signalling — utility transmitters operating (after A2) from 100 Hz to 2,4 kHz, with interrupted, short signals, usually between harmonics. Levels (5): the test level is the harmonic voltage as a percentage of the fundamental voltage; the basis is the nominal network voltage (U₁); the r.m.s. value of the resulting waveform must remain nominal (e.g. 230 V, 120 V) — the fundamental and harmonic voltages are adjusted according to the percentages in the tables. Harmonic levels (5.1): preferred ranges in Tables 1–3; harmonics at a level of 3 % or more, up to the 9th order, are applied with a phase shift of both 0° AND 180° with respect to the positive zero crossing of the fundamental, and below 3 % — without phase shift; compatibility levels — IEC 61000-2-2 with factor k, and immunity levels have to be higher (e.g. additionally × 1,5); testing of multiphase equipment — 8.2.5. In the consolidated text itself, the scope (Clause 1) speaks of 2 kHz for 50 Hz mains, while 4.1.3 after amendment A2 limits mains signalling to 2,4 kHz — we do not resolve this, as we do not have the level tables or the procedure.

STATUS (PKN catalogue cards as of 02.10.2026). The card of PN-EN 61000-4-13:2007 (Polish version, published 23-01-2007, 30 pages, price group P) has no “Withdrawn” header: Information and Communication Technology Sector, KT 104 Electromagnetic Compatibility, ICS 33.100.20, “Introduces: EN 61000-4-13:2002 [IDT], IEC 61000-4-13:2002 [IDT]”, “Replaces: PN-EN 61000-4-13:2003 – English version”, additional elements: /A1:2010 (English and Polish versions) and /A2:2016-05 (English version). The amendment cards have no “Withdrawn” header: A1:2010 (Polish version, 28-12-2010, 11 pages; introduces EN 61000-4-13:2002/A1:2009 and IEC 61000-4-13:2002/AMD1:2009) and A2:2016-05 (English version, 24-05-2016, 12 pages; introduces EN 61000-4-13:2002/A2:2016 and IEC 61000-4-13:2002/AMD2:2015). The PKN search for “PN-EN 61000-4-13” (02.10.2026) also shows PN-EN 61000-4-13:2003 (English version). IEC catalogue (read 02.10.2026): consolidated version 1.2 of 2015-12-14, stability date 2026; there is no newer edition.

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 61000-4-13 appears in 9 records at 7 laboratories: AB 003, AB 022, AB 117, AB 167, AB 171, AB 261, AB 295. In the current scopes on the PCA website (read 02.10.2026, issues from 30.12.2024 to 08.09.2026) six give the standard with both amendments (AB 003 additionally EN 61000-4-13:2002 with A1:2009 and A2:2016), and AB 117 — only the 2007 edition and amendment A1:2010, without A2. The “Laboratories” tab searches for entries STARTING WITH “PN-EN 61000-4-13” and shows all 7 laboratories — checked with the tab query on the production server labcoda.pl on 02.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (PCA entries). “Immunity to low-frequency disturbances” — of low-voltage electrical machines and equipment, including lighting, IT and traction equipment (AB 022), of electrical and electronic equipment (AB 295) and in the AB 261 entry, with the range “up to 2 kHz (50 Hz), up to 2,4 kHz (60 Hz)” (AB 167, two entries), with a test level “from 1,5 % U₁ to 12 % U₁” (AB 117); “harmonics and interharmonics” in three entries, among others of electrical, electronic and medical equipment (AB 003); “harmonics and interharmonics including mains signalling at the a.c. power port” in an entry also covering dips, fluctuations and unbalance of voltage (AB 171).

WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. R.m.s. value: the standard calls it “essential” that the r.m.s. value of the resulting waveform remains nominal — the fundamental voltage is adjusted together with the harmonics according to the percentages in the tables (5). Phase: harmonics at a level of at least 3 % up to the 9th order are tested at 0° AND 180° phase shift — the standard requires both positions, and below 3 % — without shift. Levels: the tables of the standard are a recommended range; the level and the assessment criterion are decided by the product standard, and immunity levels must be higher than the compatibility levels of IEC 61000-2-2. Scope: the standard covers equipment up to 16 A per phase and 50/60 Hz networks; it does not apply to 16 2/3 Hz and 400 Hz networks or to thermal effects longer than 15 min. Edition: AB 117 cites the edition without amendment A2, which changed among other things the range of mains signalling (from 100 Hz, up to 2,4 kHz) and subclauses 5.2, 8.2 and 8.2.4.

WHAT WE DO NOT STATE. We do not have 5.2 and the following clauses: level Tables 1–3 (harmonics, interharmonics, Meister curve, environment classes), requirements for the generator, the test setup, the test procedure for single- and multiphase equipment (Clause 8), the evaluation of results or the test report — we therefore give no test levels, durations or frequency steps.

Method principle

A generator adds harmonic and interharmonic components and mains signalling with frequencies up to 2 kHz (50 Hz mains) or 2,4 kHz (60 Hz) to the supply voltage of the equipment under test (up to 16 A per phase), at levels expressed as a percentage of the fundamental voltage while keeping the nominal r.m.s. value; it is assessed whether the equipment operates without degradation according to the criterion of the product standard.

Applications

• Electrical, electronic and medical equipment supplied from LV mains up to 16 A per phase — 7 laboratories in PCA scopes
• EMC immunity testing according to product and generic standards (levels and criteria chosen by the product committee)
• Immunity to control signals transmitted over the mains by utilities

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

PN-EN 61000-4-13:2007 (wersja polska; EN 61000-4-13:2002 IDT, IEC 61000-4-13:2002 IDT) ze zmianami PN-EN 61000-4-13:2007/A1:2010 i PN-EN 61000-4-13:2007/A2:2016-05

Title (PL)

Kompatybilność elektromagnetyczna (EMC) — Część 4-13: Metody badań i pomiarów — Harmoniczne i interharmoniczne wraz z sygnałami sieciowymi w przyłączu zasilającym prądu przemiennego — Badania odporności na zaburzenia małej częstotliwości

Title (EN)

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) — Part 4-13: Testing and measurement techniques — Harmonics and interharmonics including mains signalling at a.c. power port, low frequency immunity tests

Step-by-step procedure

1. Test plan

   Levels (Tables 1–3 or product standard), waveforms and assessment criterion according to the product standard. PN-EN 61000-4-13:2007 with A1 and A2 current (PKN cards as of 02.10.2026).

2. Setting the levels

   Harmonic voltage in % of U₁; adjust the fundamental so that the r.m.s. value remains nominal.

3. Harmonics

   Levels ≥ 3 % up to the 9th order with 0° and 180° phase shift, lower ones without shift; multiphase EUT — according to 8.2.5.

4. Interharmonics and mains signalling

   Frequencies between harmonics, mains signalling up to 2,4 kHz (Meister curve) — according to clauses outside the part we read.

5. Assessment

   Operation of the EUT according to the criterion of the product standard; test report according to the standard (outside the part we read).

Required equipment and apparatus

Health and safety (OHS)

• The test is carried out at mains voltage — safety rules for working with live equipment are set by the laboratory; the standard does not give them in the part we read
• TECHNICAL NOTE: the r.m.s. voltage must remain nominal; harmonics ≥ 3 % up to the 9th order at 0° and 180°; levels and criteria are chosen by the product standard

Frequently asked questions