BS EN 62493:2015

What is BS EN 62493 - Lighting equipment human exposure to EMF standard about?  

Exposure to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (EMF), if they are strong enough, can lead to short-term health effects. Exposure to low-frequency fields that are strong enough can lead to dizziness, seeing light flashes, and feeling tingling or pain through stimulation of nerves. Exposure to radiofrequency fields that are strong enough can lead to heating of body tissue, and result in damage to tissues and organs. For both low frequency and radiofrequency fields exposure limits have been set below which these acute effects do not occur. 

BS EN 62493 establishes a suitable evaluation method for the influence of the electromagnetic fields in the space around the equipment mentioned in the scope and defines standardized operating conditions and measurement distances. BS EN 62493 applies to the assessment of lighting equipment related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). 

Who is BS EN 62493 - Lighting equipment human exposure to EMF standard for? 

BS EN 62493  on lighting equipment human exposure to EMF standard is useful for: 

• Manufacturers of lighting equipment 
• Product development / innovation / research teams 
• Quality control teams 

Why should you use BS EN 62493 - Lighting equipment human exposure to EMF standard?  

Exposure to electromagnetic fields is not a new phenomenon. Everyone is exposed to a complex mix of weak electric and magnetic fields, both at home and at work. Tiny electrical currents exist in the human body due to the chemical reactions that occur as part of normal bodily functions, even in the absence of external electric fields. For example, nerves relay signals by transmitting electric impulses. EMF influence the human body just as they influence any other material made up of charged particles. 

The assessment in BS EN 62493 consists of the induced internal electric field for frequencies from 20 kHz to 10 MHz and the specific absorption rate (SAR) for frequencies from 100 kHz to 300 MHz around lighting equipment. Included in the scope of this standard are: 

• All lighting equipment with a primary function of generating and/or distributing light intended for illumination purposes, and intended either for connection to the low voltage electricity supply or for battery operation; used indoor and/or outdoor 
• Lighting part of multi-function equipment where one of the primary functions of this is illumination  
• Independent auxiliaries exclusively for the use with lighting equipment 
• Lighting equipment including intentional radiators for wireless communication or control 

The sections on general requirements Van der Hoofden test, measurement procedure for the Van der Hoofden test, and assessment procedure intentional radiators are some of the many guidelines discussed in thorough detail in BS EN 62493. Using BS EN 62493 guidelines you can assess lighting equipment related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields. BS EN 62493 enables you to advance your products and provide your customers with suitable, reliable, and high-quality products and a safe experience. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 62493:2015 supersedes BS EN 62493:2010. BS EN 62493:2015 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 62493:2010. These include: 

• Identification of lighting product types deemed to comply with the standard without the need for test 
• Deletion of the need for CISPR-15-compliance as a prerequisite for IEC 62493 compliance 
• Inclusion of the consequences of the ICNIRP 2010 guidelines for (up to 100 kHz) 
• Adding some guidance to the Van der Hoofden test head method to improve reproducibility of results 
• Inclusion of compliance demonstration method for products having intentional radiators