In Situ Testing

EMC Directive and fixed installations

As stated in Article 13 (Fixed installations) of the EMCD the need to meet the relevant provisions of the directive is required.

Apparatus which has been placed on the market and which may be incorporated into a fixed installation is subject to all relevant provisions for apparatus set out in this Directive.

They also state the provisions of Article 5 (Essential requirements), 7 (Conformity assessment procedure for apparatus), 8 ('CE' marking) and 9 (Other marks and information) shall not be compulsory in the case of apparatus which is intended for incorporation into a given fixed installation and is otherwise not commercially available.

What is required is that the accompanying documentation shall identify the fixed installation and its electromagnetic compatibility characteristics and shall indicate the precautions to be taken for the incorporation of the apparatus into the fixed installation in order not to compromise the conformity of that installation. Also the information as stated in article 9 is required.

For conformity assessment the procedure in Annex II shall be used. Only at the discretion of the manufacturer does Annex III need to be followed. Annex III being the assessment by the notified body of the technical documentation. As a note here, there is no reference to a TCF and is now referred to as technical documentation.

As stated in Annex I Point 2 regarding specific requirements for fixed installations:

A fixed installation shall be installed applying good engineering practices and respecting the information on the intended use of its components, with a view to meeting the protection requirements set out in Point 1. Those good engineering practices shall be documented and the documentation shall be held by the person(s) responsible at the disposal of the relevant national authorities for inspection purposes for as long as the fixed installation is in operation.

When the EMC assessment and testing is based on published harmonized standards, which includes all requirements for emissions and immunity for the product and its intended use and environment, the need for a notified body is not required. Each requirement is assessed to determine the rationale for testing or waiving the test. The option for a notified body opinion is the discretion of the manufacturer.

Emissions

Using EN 55011 as the product family standard for emissions testing on industrial equipment is the proper harmonized standard and listed by the European Union under the EMC Directive. EN 55011 states specific requirements for the emission levels from large equipment that requires testing In-Situ or on site. The standard has sections for testing on a test site and testing in-situ.

When this standard is used and the equipment meets these requirements the product then meets the essential requirements given in Article 1(a) of Annex I for the EMCD for emissions.

Stated in annex ZZ of EN 55011:

Coverage of Essential Requirements of EC Directives

This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CENELEC by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association and within its scope the standard covers protection requirements as given in Article 1(a) of Annex I of the EC Directive 2004/108/EC.Compliance with this standard provides presumption of conformity with the specified essential requirements of the Directive concerned.WARNING: Other requirements and other EC Directives may be applicable to the products falling within the scope of this standard.

EN 55011 does not, however, meet all the requirements for the EMC Directive.

The EMCD Annex 1 states:

ANNEX I - ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 5

1. Protection requirements
   • Equipment shall be so designed and manufactured, having regard to the state of the art, as to ensure that:
     • The electromagnetic disturbance generated does not exceed the level above which radio and telecommunications equipment or other equipment cannot operate as intended;
     • It has a level of immunity to the electromagnetic disturbance to be expected in its intended use which allows it to operate without unacceptable degradation of its intended use.
2. Specific requirements for fixed installations
   • Installation and intended use of components
   • A fixed installation shall be installed applying good engineering practices and respecting the information on the intended use of its components, with a view to meeting the protection requirements set out in Point
     1. Those good engineering practices shall be documented and the documentation shall be held by the person(s) responsible at the disposal of the relevant national authorities for inspection purposes for as long as the fixed installation is in operation.

Immunity

Therefore Point 1(b) of Annex I will need to be met by using the generic standard for industrial locations, EN 61000-6-2, as a guide for selecting appropriate phenomena and test levels.