CISPR 11 Amendment 1 Released

CISPR 11, “Industrial, scientific and medical equipment – Radio-frequency disturbance characteristics – Limits and methods of measurement,” has just been amended.  The Amendment 1 for the Edition 6.0 was released in June.  You have 2 options for your purchase — You can get the Amendment 1 as a standalone publication or you can get the Edition 6.0 with the Amendment 1 interfiled (called Edition 6.1).  Either way, you’ll be able to spot the updates, since the Edition 6.1 is a “redline” edition.  The changes are marked by the use of red (deleted) and green (added) text as well as lines in the margins.

CISPR 11 was developed due to the fact that ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) equipment emits what is known as RF (radio frequency) noise.  This “disturbance” can affect other equipment in the vicinity, thus creating a hazard.  Certain frequencies have been designated by ITU (the International Telecommunication Union) for unrestricted radiation from this type of equipment.  Other frequencies have to be “controlled.”  The CISPR 11 contains specific requirements for the control of RF disturbances caused by ISM RF appolications.

What’s new in the Amendment 1 for the Edition 6.0?  It introduces the fully-anechoic room (FAR) for measurement of the disturbance field strength.   This is a shielded enclosure with the internal surfaces lined with RF energy absorbing material.  In particular, the new FAR requirements are for RF disturbance field strength in the range of 30 MHz to 1 GHz.

In the scenario now permitted, the FAR can be used for measurements of equipment that fits a validated test volume.  The separation distance must be 3 meters only.  The FAR can be used for measurements of table-top equipment.  And it must be validated according to the protocols of CISPR 16-1-4.   Other requirements are also included.

If you’re used to working with standards, you’ll know a change like this can affect many areas of a publication.  So there will be new definitions in section 3 and new or modified material in other sections as well.  Look for updates in Section 6, Section 7, Section 8, and in a number of the Tables.

You’ll choose the amendment only if you want to integrate the changes yourself.  Since only the updates are included, it’s a quick way to see exactly what’s been done.  However, using the interfiled Edition 6.1 means that when you open up your document, you’ll always have the complete and correct information at hand.  It’s your choice which way to go.

As IEC mandates, you’ll need to use an authorized IEC distributor like Document Center Inc. to purchase your CISPR publications.  Search for and order standards at our webstore, www.document-center.com.  Here is a quick link to the order page for CISPR 11 and one for the CISPR 11 Amendment 1 for your convenience.  Have more questions or prefer to work with one of our staff members?  Contact us directly by phone (650-591-7600) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’ve been selling standards since 1982.  Make us your Standards Experts!