EMC - Heavy vs. Light Industrial Locations

[geezer]

Standards used to assess compliance with the EU EMC Directive (EN 50081-1 & -2, EN 61326-1, and EN60601-1-2) distinguish between Heavy Industrial Locations, which must meet CISPR 11/16/22 Class A emission levels, and Light Industrial Locations, which must meet more stringent Class B emission levels. Am I correct in assuming:
1) the distinction between “Heavy” and “Light” is a function of local zoning laws and
2) the lower emission limits for “Heavy” locations is allowed because these locations have power distribution grids separate from residential ones?

While clinics are obviously located in residential areas and therefore fall under “Light” Industrial Location Class B limits, what about hospitals?
3) Can equipment designed for use in hospitals be designed for Class A emission limits?
4) Is it necessary to design for worst case limits – Light Industrial emissions & Heavy Industrial susceptibility?

 

[ccaserta]

1. No heavy VS Light is based on the facility environment and the electrical installation. For example, I will be installing an office computer in to my CNC lathe "wrong" the office computer is a pluggable device meant for light commercial environments therfore meeting class B emissions in a heavy indutrial enivornmeant is not suggested it probably will not work. So Normally Fixed installation where other large equipment that also sends out high emissions is Heavy industrial. Light commercial are environments where other equipment of the same type will be expected to be found.
2. The ditribution grid can be taken into consideration for some tof the test like harmonics and Flicker. If I'm on a separate grid and provide isolation between me and the real world it is acceptable not to perform a harmonics and Flicker test.
3. Good quetion again look at the type of device and how it will be isolated from other equipment. If it is in the same room as everything else then you dhould meet the lowest emission values class B. If your in a room that is lined for RF emissions like cancer patient treatment equipment then the room probably has an isolator or separate power source, class A would be acceptable.
4. If you do not know where your product will be used and you wish to market for all environments then yes design worse case. Christopher Caserta
ccaserta@us.tuv.com
Ph:904-225-0360

 

[geezer]

Very helpful. Thanks!