IEC 61000-4-39

What is IEC 61000-4-39?

IEC 61000-4-39 is one of the EMC standards. It specifies immunity requirements for electrical and electronic equipment when it is exposed to radiated electromagnetic energy from RF transmitters used in close proximity. It shows test levels and the required test procedures. The applicable frequency range is 9 kHz to 6 GHz. Full title of the standard is

ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY (EMC) –
Part 4-39: Testing and measurement techniques –
Radiated fields in close proximity –Immunity test

How to download IEC 61000-4-39?

IEC standards are not free of charge. Thus, IEC sells its standards via their web stores. Visit IEC webpage and buy online and download. Ensure that you are downloading the recent version of the standard. Current version is IEC 61000-4-39:2017.

For which products IEC 61000-4-39 is applied?

As mentioned on the Scope section, fixed-installation equipment being exposed to portable transmitting devices, mobile equipment exposed to fixed transmitting devices and mobile equipment exposed to other mobile transmitting devices are considered.

IEC 61000-4-39 aims to establish a common reference for evaluating the immunity requirements of electrical and electronic equipment that is exposed to radiated, RF electromagnetic fields from sources at close distances. It is understood that this part of IEC 61000 does not replace general immunity requirements of electrical and electronic equipment to radiated electromagnetic energy as given in IEC 61000-4-3 and other parts of IEC 61000 and that it is only applicable if an equipment or system is exposed to disturbance sources in close proximity.

In the context of this document, “close proximity” generally refers to a separation distance between the source and victim equipment of less than or equal to 200 mm for frequencies greater than 26 MHz and 500 mm for frequencies lower than 26 MHz.

Test methods of IEC 61000-4-39 describe consistent methods to assess the immunity of an equipment or system against a defined phenomenon in the respective frequency range. Product committees would consider the applicability of the test and then if necessary select the applicable test method depending on the EUT, frequency range, disturbance source, etc.

Which tests are applied according to IEC 61000-4-39?

IEC 61000-4-39 is shortly a field immunity test standard. Field immunity tests are grouped into two categories:

1) Magnetic Field Immunity tests (for frequencies lower than 26 MHz)

Field levels for magnetic field immunity tests defined as follows:

Test levels in the frequency range of 9 kHz to 150 kHz
Test levels in the frequency range of 150 kHz to 26 MHz

2) Radiated RF Field Magnetic Immunity tests (for frequencies greater than 26 MHz)

Field levels for radiated RF field magnetic immunity tests are defined as follows:
Test levels in the frequency range of 26 MHz to 380 MHz
Test levels in the frequency range of 380 MHz to 6 GHz

Which test instruments are used during IEC 61000-4-39 tests?

1. Magnetic Field Immunity Test System

2. Radiated RF field immunity Test System (field generating devices)

3. TEM Horn Antenna

4. Signal Generator

5. Amplifier

6. RF meter

7. Solenoid coil

8. Sensor coil

9. matching network 

10. Cables

11. Test Software

Which product standards refer to IEC 61000-4-39?

IEC 60601-1-2 Edition 4.1 which is the latest EMC standard for medical devices, refers to IEC 61000-4-39 tests. The latest update (Edition 4.1) adds a new test due to more potential sources of interference in homes, offices (places where medical equipment may be used), and hospitals. Three common frequencies are: 30 kHz, 134.2 kHz and 13.56 MHz. For this test, reference is made to the IEC 61000-4-39 standard for testing of fields in close proximity. The IEC 60601-1-2 test setup can be used to generate these test fields.