BS EN IEC 61800-3:2018

What is BS EN IEC 61800‑3 – Electrical power drive systems about? 

BS EN IEC 61800‑3 is a European standard that discusses the EMC requirements and specific test methods for adjustable speed electrical power drive systems.  

BS EN IEC 61800‑3 specifies electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements for power drive systems. These are adjustable speed AC or DC motor drives. Requirements are stated for PDSs with converter input and/or output voltages (line-to-line voltage), up to 35 kV AC RMS. PDSs covered by BS EN IEC 61800‑3 are those installed in residential, commercial and industrial locations with the exception of traction applications, and electric vehicles. 

The object of BS EN IEC 61800‑3 is to define the limits and test methods for a PDS according to its intended use. BS EN IEC 61800‑3 includes immunity requirements and requirements for electromagnetic emissions. 

As a product standard, BS EN IEC 61800‑3 can be used for the assessment of PDS. It can also be used for the assessment of complete drive modules (CDM) or basic drive modules (BDM) (see 3.1), which can be marketed separately. 

BS EN IEC 61800‑3 contains: 

• Conformity assessment requirements for products to be placed on the market, and 
• Recommended engineering practice (see 6.5) for cases where high-frequency emissions cannot be measured before the equipment is placed on the market (such PDSs are defined in 3.2.7 as category C4). 

Note: BS EN IEC 61800‑3 does not specify any safety requirements for the equipment such as protection against electric shocks, insulation coordination and related dielectric tests, unsafe operation, or unsafe consequences of a failure. It also does not cover the safety and functional safety implications of electromagnetic phenomena. 

Who is BS EN IEC 61800‑3 – Electrical power drive systems for? 

BS EN IEC 61800‑3 on EMC requirements and specific test methods applies to: 

• Electrical engineer 
• Manufacturing of electrical power drive systems 
• Quality testing 
• Manufacturer of motor drive 

Why should you use BS EN IEC 61800‑3 – Electrical power drive systems? 

An electrical drive is defined as an electronic device designed to control certain parameters of the motor for controlling the electrical energy into mechanical power in a precise controllable way. EMC ensures the correct operation, in the same electromagnetic environment, of different equipment items which use or respond to electromagnetic phenomena, and the avoidance of any interference effects. 

BS EN IEC 61800‑3 lists the equipment that meets the EMC requirements under all normal operating conditions as stated in the operating manual of the equipment when measured by the test methods specified in BS EN IEC 61800‑3. 

BS EN IEC 61800‑3 provides details regarding the modifications or additional requirements and information or specific test methods which are needed for practical implementation and application of the tests. As a user of BS EN IEC 61800‑3, you can ensure the tests are carried out at the rated supply voltage and in a reproducible manner. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN IEC 61800‑3:2018 supersedes BS EN 61800‑3:2004+A1:2012, which is withdrawn. It includes: 

• Clarification of requirements for the test report, particularly when a number of alternative test methods exist 
• General updates in the informative annexes 
• Introduction of a more detailed test setup for radiated emission measurements, along with the introduction of a 3 m measurement distance for small size equipment