BS EN 62586-1:2017

What is BS EN 62586-1 - Power quality instruments (PQI) about? 

BS EN 62586-1 is a safety standard on power quality instruments (PQI). 

BS EN 62586-1 specifies product and performance requirements for instruments whose functions include measuring, recording, and monitoring power quality parameters in power supply systems, and whose measuring methods (class A or class S) are defined in IEC 61000-4-30. These requirements are applicable in single, dual- (split phase), and 3-phase AC power supply systems at 50 Hz or 60 Hz. 

These instruments are used: 

• In the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, for example inside a power station, substation, or a distributed generator connection 
• At the interface point between the installation and the network, e.g., to check the compliance of the connection agreement between a network operator and the user 

These instruments are fixed-installed or portable. They are intended to be used both indoors and outdoors. Devices such as digital fault recorders, energy/power meters, protection relays, or circuit breakers can include power quality functions of class A or class S defined in IEC 61000-4-30. If such devices are specified according to BS EN 62586-1, then BS EN 62586-1 fully applies and applies in addition to the relevant product standard. BS EN 62586-1 does not replace the relevant product standard. 

Note 1:  These instruments can also be used for other applications, e.g., inside commercial/industrial installations especially where comparable measurements are needed (i.e., data centres or petrochemical plants). 

Note 2: BS EN 62586-1 does not address the user interface or topics unrelated to measurement performance of the device. 

Note 3: BS EN 62586-1 does not cover post-processing and interpretation of the data with, for example, dedicated software. 

Who is BS EN 62586-1 - Power quality instruments (PQI) for?  

BS EN 62586-1 on power quality instruments (PQI) is relevant to: 

• Manufacturers of digital fault recorders, energy/power meters, protection relays, and circuit breakers  
• Electricity generation departments 
• Manufacturers of measuring instruments 
• Electricians 
• Electrical engineers 
• Testing authorities of power quality instruments 

Why should you use BS EN 62586-1 - Power quality instruments (PQI)? 

Electricity, as delivered to the users, has several characteristics that are variable and that affect its usefulness to the users. 

Power quality instruments on the market have distinct characteristics. BS EN 62586-1 provides a common system of references to facilitate their selection, comparison and evaluation. BS EN 62586-1 specifies a classification based on product performance, environment, and safety. BS EN 62586-1 is a product standard that assists with measuring methods. BS EN 62586-1 is therefore complementing basic EMC standards with environmental, safety, and performance requirements. 

Overall, BS EN 62586-1 is useful as it assists with the instruments whose main function is to measure, record, and monitor power quality parameters in power supply systems. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 62586-1:2017 supersedes BS EN 62586-1:2014, which is withdrawn. 

BS EN 62586-1:2017 replaces the first edition published 2013. BS EN 62586-1:2017 constitutes a technical revision. 

BS EN 62586-1:2017 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: 

• Integration of the new measurement functions of IEC 61000-4-30:2015 (e.g. RVC and current functions) 
• Integration of the new requirements of IEC/TS 61000-6-5:2015, update of definitions of environment G and H, update of applicable EMC performance criteria 
• Correction of minor mistakes, improvement in specification