IEC/EN 61000-4-11: Testing & Compliance Guide for Manufacturers

In certain circumstances, voltage dips can occur — short, momentary periods in which the total voltage level of a power supply system drops below its normal level. Modern electronic devices need to be designed to tolerate these dips without malfunctioning or suffering damage.

Enter IEC 61000-4-11. Developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), this international standard tests and measures the ability of electrical devices to function effectively following and during voltage dips, short interruptions and other voltage variations.

As an electronic device manufacturer, it’s important that your device is compliant with the IEC 61000-4-11 standards. IEC compliance indicates that your product is safe, reliable and built to tolerate the needs of its users, whether it’s a consumer or industrial device.

As specialists in compliance testing for electronics, we provide testing and certification for IEC 61000-4-11, other IEC standards, and regulations set by the FCC, European Union and other government agencies.

For more information about compliance or to request a free quote for your device, contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287.

You can also continue reading to learn more about what IEC 61000-4-11 is, how the standard works, and the steps you can take to achieve compliance for your device. 

What is IEC 61000-4-11?

IEC 61000-4-11 is an international standard produced by the IEC. It’s one of several IEC 61000 sections, which set standards for the functional safety, electromagnetic emissions and immunity, and other quality factors for electronic devices.

More specifically, IEC 61000-4-11 is a standard that focuses on the testing and measurement of voltage interruptions, dips and variations that may affect electronic devices. 

Voltage interruptions, dips and variations can occur for a variety of reasons. For example, power systems may experience voltage interruptions after the starting or large motorized equipment, or when devices are turned on or off suddenly.

Certain power system faults or weather events may also result in abrupt changes in voltage that could affect non-compliant equipment.  

Main Elements of the IEC 61000-4-11 Standard

There are three main elements of the IEC 61000-4-11 standard:

• Voltage dips. These are temporary reductions in electrical supply voltage. Voltage dips can occur due to short-circuits in the grid, switching operations and other events.
• Short interruptions. These refer to complete interruptions in supply voltage that occur for a brief period of time.
• Voltage variations. These are sustained, longer changes or fluctuations in the voltage level supplied to a device. 

Why is IEC 61000-4-11 Compliance Important?

As an electronics manufacturer, achieving IEC 61000-4-11 for your product is an important step in showing your target customer audience that your device is reliable and designed to meet the standards they expert. It’s a strong signal of a high quality, reliable product.

Devices that aren’t designed to handle electrical disturbances may malfunction, reset, develop damage, or experience data loss as a result of electrical disturbances, causing significant costs for both commercial and home users. 

These issues can affect your company’s brand image and reputation. They can also have short term financial consequences, such as product returns and warranty claims. In a severe case, a non-compliant product may need to be recalled at a significant cost to the manufacturer. 

In certain markets, IEC 61000-4-11 compliance is also important for complying with regulations and achieving market access.

The IEC 61000 test standards are used as baseline EMC standards in the European Union and form a key part of harmonized standards in other important markets. Many countries look to the IEC standards when setting their own standards for home and industrial electrical devices. 

How to Achieve IEC 61000-4-11 Compliance

Understand the IEC 61000-4-11 Standard

The most effective way to ensure your device complies with IEC 61000-4-11 is to understand the standard and incorporate it into your design process.

You can do this by purchasing a copy of the standard from the IEC, or by contacting our team online to discuss the IEC 61000-4-11 requirements and the necessary decisions you’ll need to make during product development. 

Familiarizing your team with IEC 61000-4-11 early can help you to avoid any potentially costly changes to your device design that may occur later in development.

Incorporate the Requirements During Your Design Phase

After your team is familiar with the IEC 61000-4-11 requirements, incorporate them during the design phase of your product. This may mean selecting certain components for your product, making changes to your initial design, or making other adjustments. 

By considering the requirements of IEC 61000-4-11 in the design phase, you can ensure your final product will stand up to testing. 

Complete IEC 61000-4-11 Testing for Your Product

To achieve IEC 61000-4-11 compliance, you’ll need to test your product through an accredited testing lab. 

As specialists in compliance testing for IEC and other international standards, our testing lab is accredited by ANSI and can complete all necessary tests to ensure your product complies with IEC 61000-4-11 and other relevant standards and regulations. 

Talk to Our Team About IEC 61000-4-11 Testing & Compliance

As an accredited testing lab, we specialize in helping electronic device manufacturers achieve compliance and certification with IEC, FCC, CE and other standards and regulations.

To discuss IEC 61000-4-11 testing for your device, request a free quote, or simply talk with our engineers, contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287.