BS EN IEC 60268-3:2018

What is BS EN IEC 60268‑3 - Sound system equipment about?  

BS EN IEC 60268‑3 is the third part of the BS EN IEC 60268 multi-series that focuses on sound system equipment.  

BS EN IEC 60268‑3 applies to analogue amplifiers, and the analogue parts of analogue/digital amplifiers, which form part of a sound system for professional or household applications. BS EN IEC 60268‑3 specifies the characteristics that should be included in the specifications of amplifiers and the corresponding methods of measurement. 

BS EN IEC 60268‑3 specifies methods of measurement are those which are seen to be most directly related to the characteristics. This does not exclude the use of other methods that give equivalent results. In general, the methods are based on the simplest measuring equipment which can provide useful results.  Rated conditions and standard measuring conditions are specified in order to allow measurements to be reliably repeated. 

Note 1: The methods of measurement for digital amplifiers and similar equipment are given in IEC 61606 [1]. 

Note 2: This does not exclude the use of more complex equipment that can give higher accuracy and/or allow automatic measurement and recording of results. 

Who is BS EN IEC 60268‑3 - Sound system equipment for? 

BS EN IEC 60268‑3 on sound system equipment is useful for: 

• Audio system manufacturers  
• Communication device manufacturers  
• Acoustic foam and pads manufacturers  
• Audio technicians  
• Audio equipment companies  

Why should you use BS EN IEC 60268‑3- Sound system equipment?  

Amplifiers designed to take their power supply from batteries or small converters may be subject to larger variations of power supply voltage, which may be due to changing load, the temperature of batteries or the gradual decrease of battery voltage during life or discharge. For convenience in specifying how amplifiers shall be set up for measurement, sets of conditions are specified in BS EN IEC 60268‑3, under the titles of "Rated conditions" and "Standard measuring conditions". 

BS EN IEC 60268‑3 discusses rated conditions and standard measuring conditions, Classes of operation, interchangeable parts, automatic controls, power supply, the position of the volume controls, pre-conditioning for measurements, series of measurements, variable consumption apparatus, marking, operating environment, and characteristics to be specified, and their methods of measurement. 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN IEC 60268‑3:2018 supersedes IEC 60268-3, which is withdrawn. BS EN IEC 60268‑3:2018 includes some technical changes with respect to IEC 60268-3.  

These include: 

• Rated condition of digital input is newly specified 
• Tolerance of rated power supply is changed 
• Maximum effective output power is appended to output characteristics list 
• "Terms, definitions and rated values" clause is complemented