Introduction
This article reviews the history of IEC Subcommittee 77C (EMC:
High Power Transient Phenomena), the publications completed to
date, and the new projects underway. The information provided
has been extended from the “Development of High Power Electromagnetic
(HPEM) Standards” published in the IEEE Transactions on
Electromagnetic Compatibility [1] and has been adapted from a
paper presented at the 4th International Symposium on Electromagnetic
Compatibility in Qingdao, China in October 2007 [2].
The International Electrotechnical Commission
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) was founded
in 1906 and recently celebrated its 100th year anniversary in
Berlin, Germany. The goal of the Commission is to promote international
cooperation on all aspects of standardization in the fields of
electricity, electronics and related technologies in order to
eliminate barriers to trade. It is the worldwide leader in the
development of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards.
The technical work of the IEC is carried out by experts in over
160 Technical Committees (TCs) and Subcommittees (SCs). One of
the IEC Technical Committees is “Electromagnetic Compatibility”,
TC 77. Standardization in the area of high power electromagnetics
(HPEM) is performed in a separate Subcommittee, SC 77C, “High
power transient phenomena”.
IEC Subcommittee 77C
In 1989, the IEC began the development of environment, protection
and test standards for commercial equipment that might be exposed
to the electromagnetic fields produced from a high altitude nuclear
burst. These fields are generally known as the HEMP (high altitude
electromagnetic pulse), although in actuality the term represents
a series of pulses with different frequency content that need
to be considered. These range from nanosecond pulses to pulses
with rise and fall times of seconds.
When the active work on HEMP began in 1992, it was assigned to
a new Subcommittee 77C (SC 77C) under the parent committee TC
77 (EMC). In June 1999, the scope of work in SC 77C was expanded
to include all high power EM transient threats, including those
from intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI).
The formal scope of the subcommittee today is: Technical Committee
No 77: Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – Subcommittee
77C: High power transient phenomena – Scope: Standardization
in the field of electromagnetic compatibility to protect civilian
equipment, systems and installations from threats by man-made
high power phenomena including the electromagnetic fields produced
by nuclear detonations at high altitude. (Note: High power conditions
are achieved when the incident field exceeds 100 V/m.)
The Subcommittee 77C has seventeen participating member nations:
China, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic
of), Mexico, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Sweden,
Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom and USA. In addition, there
are sixteen observing member nations: Austria, Belgium, Brazil,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Ireland, Israel,
Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, and Ukraine.
The Chairman is Dr. William A. Radasky (USA) and the Secretariat
is undertaken by the UK (Mr. Richard Hoad is the Secretary).
Publications Issued by SC 77C
Preparation of SC 77C publications is consistent with the development
of EMC publications within the IEC and is therefore structured
according to “IEC Publication 61000” which is divided
into seven major parts as indicated below:
Part 1: General
Part 2: Environment
Part 3: Limits
Part 4: Testing and Measurement Techniques
Part 5: Installation and Mitigation Guidelines
Part 6: Generic Standards
Part 9: Miscellaneous
Each part is further subdivided into several subparts or sections,
published either as International Standards or as Technical Specifications
or Technical Reports. A summary of each publication produced before
1 July 2007 by SC 77C follows:
Part 1: General
IEC/TR 61000-1-3 (2002-06)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 1-3: General
- The effects of high-altitude EMP (HEMP) on civil equipment and
systems. Project leader: W. A. Radasky, USA.
This technical report provides information concerning the effects
of high-altitude EMP (HEMP) on electrical and electronic equipment
and systems. This information is based on effects observed during
high altitude nuclear testing and from tests performed in HEMP
simulators in several countries.
IEC/TR 61000-1-5 Ed. 1.0 (2004-11)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 1-5: General
- High power electromagnetic (HPEM) effects on civil systems.
Project leader: F. Tesche, USA.
This technical report discusses the effects of high power electromagnetic
(HPEM) fields on civil systems, and illustrates the general protection
principles that can be applied to protect systems from this newly
emerging threat.
Part 2: Environment
IEC 61000-2-9 (1996-02)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 2: Environment
– Section 9: Description of HEMP environment - Radiated
disturbance. Project leader: G. Champiot, France.
This standard describes the radiated parameters for the early-time,
intermediate-time and late-time HEMP waveforms. This includes
electric and magnetic field time waveforms, HEMP amplitude and
energy, weighting of the early, intermediate and late-time HEMP,
and also reflection and transmission of the HEMP at the earth’s
surface. Typical variations in peak electric fields on the earth’s
surface for different burst altitudes are also explained.
IEC 61000-2-10 (1998-11)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 2-10: Environment
– Description of HEMP environment - Conducted disturbance.
Project leader: W. A. Radasky, USA.
This standard is based on the radiated waveforms in standard 61000-2-9.
It describes the conducted environment induced on conductors for
different positions and illumination cases statistically taken
into account. The description is based on extensive theoretical
calculations and experimental measurements. The object is to establish
a common reference for the conducted HEMP environment in order
to select realistic stresses to apply to equipment for evaluating
their performance.
Description of the conducted HEMP environment includes the early,
intermediate, and late-time HEMP external conducted environment,
antenna currents, and internal (to a building) conducted environments.
IEC 61000-2-11 (1999-10)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 2-11: Environment
– Classification of HEMP environments. Project leader: W.
A. Radasky, USA.
This standard presents environment classes for electronic equipment
based on the type of EM protection surrounding the equipment.
One reason for classification is to provide guidance for equipment
builders to help them decide on the proper immunity test levels
appropriate for their equipment. Another reason is to provide
systems designers with guidance regarding construction methods
and protective measures needed to achieve defined EM classes.
IEC 61000-2-13 Ed. 1.0 (2005-03)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 2-13: Environment
– High power electromagnetic (HPEM) environments –
Radiated and conducted. Project leader: W. A. Radasky, USA.
This document presents the emerging, man-made, high power electromagnetic
(HPEM) threat environments. Such threat environments can produce
damaging effects on electrical and electronic equipment in the
civilian sector, as described in 61000-1-5. It is necessary to
define the radiated and conducted environments, in order to develop
protection methods.
Part 3: Limits
Part 3 does not include any SC 77C project.
Part 4: Testing and Measurement Techniques
IEC 61000-4-23 (2000-10)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-23: Testing
and measurement techniques – Test methods for protective
devices for HEMP and other radiated disturbances. Project leader:
F. Tesche, USA.
This part provides the basic reasons behind HEMP testing and gives
a brief description of the most important concepts for shielding
element testing. It does not provide information on requirements
for specific levels for testing.
IEC 61000-4-24 (1997-02)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4: Testing and
measurement techniques – Section 24: Test methods for protective
devices for HEMP conducted disturbance. Project leader: W. Büchler,
Switzerland.
The standard covers testing of voltage breakdown and voltage-limiting
characteristics and also methods to measure the residual voltage
on protective devices under HEMP conditions, for the case of very
fast changes of voltage and current as a function of time. The
document complements the standard 61000-5-5 “Specification
of protective devices for conducted disturbance.”
IEC 61000-4-25 (2001-11)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-25: Testing
and measurement techniques – HEMP immunity test methods
for equipment and systems. Project leader: P. R. Barnes, USA.
This standard describes the immunity test levels and related test
methods for electrical and electronic equipment and systems exposed
to high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) environments. It
describes environment waveforms, defines ranges of immunity test
levels, selection of test methods, and suggests particular test
levels that can be applied.
IEC/TR 61000-4-32 (2002-10)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-32: Testing
and measurement techniques – High-altitude electromagnetic
pulse (HEMP) simulator compendium. Project leader: J. C. Giles,
USA.
The specific aim of this project is to provide information on
the various types of existing HEMP simulators throughout the world,
their uses, performance parameters, limitations, and availability.
This will allow all potential simulator users to evaluate the
adequacy of available simulators for testing large systems. Individual
data sheets for 42 simulators from 14 countries are identified.
The information comes from Canada, China, France, Germany, India,
Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine,
United Kingdom, and United States.
IEC 61000-4-33 Ed. 1.0 (2005-09)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-33: Testing
and measurement techniques – Measurement methods for high
power-transient parameters. Project leader: N. Carter, United
Kingdom.
This project provides information on the techniques applicable
to the measurement of high-power transient waveforms. It is important
for sensor performance to be standardized so that errors are not
made during high field and current testing. Very often normal
sensor design and qualification methods are not applicable when
high intensity fields and currents are present, often with rise
times on the order of 1 nanosecond.
The standard provides a basic description of the methods and means
(e.g., instrumentation) for measuring responses arising from high
power transient electromagnetic fields.
Part 5: Installation and Mitigation Guidelines
IEC/TR 61000-5-3 (1999-07)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 5-3: Installation
and mitigation guidelines – HEMP protection concepts. Project
leader: M. Ianoz, Switzerland.
This technical report provides elements for:
• The design of adequate protection for civil facilities
against HEMP;
• The evaluation of already existing protection methods
with respect to stresses imposed by HEMP;
• The comparison of the requirements of HEMP and lightning
protection in order to show if they can be combined at low cost;
• An emphasis of the differences between the requirements
of HEMP and lightning protection in order to permit an evaluation
of the consequences of HEMP when no additional measures are taken
beyond existing lightning protection.
IEC/TS 61000-5-4 (1996-08)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 5: Installation
and mitigation guidelines – Section 4: Immunity to HEMP
- Specification for protective devices against HEMP radiated disturbance.
Project leader: J. Delaballe, France.
This technical specification defines how protective devices for
HEMP protection of civil systems are specified. Specifications
of electromagnetic properties of shielding devices include (where
applicable) electric, magnetic and plane wave attenuation, d.c.
resistance, transfer impedance, transfer admittance, and electrical
conductivity.
IEC 61000-5-5 (1996-02)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 5: Installation
and mitigation guidelines – Section 5: Specification of
protective devices for HEMP conducted disturbance. Project leader:
W. K. Büchler, Switzerland.
This standard defines how protective devices for HEMP conductive
disturbance protection shall be specified. The standard covers
protective devices currently being used for protection against
induced HEMP transients on signal and low voltage power lines.
For basic specifications, reference is made to other relevant
standards dealing with phenomena other than HEMP. When such standards
do not adequately consider the requirements of modern electronics,
additional specifications, modifications or extensions based on
non-HEMP-relevant standards are defined.
IEC/TR 61000-5-6 (2002-06)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 5-6: Installation
and mitigation guidelines – Mitigation of external influences.
Project leader: W. A. Radasky, USA.
This technical report covers guidelines for the mitigation of
external electromagnetic influences impinging upon a facility,
aimed at ensuring electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) among electrical
and electronic apparatus or systems. These influences include
lightning, RF transmitters, power line and telecom transients,
high altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) and other high power
electromagnetic transients. More particularly, this publication
is concerned with the arrangement of shielding and screening against
radiated disturbances, and with mitigation of conducted disturbances.
These arrangements include appropriate electromagnetic barriers
for industrial, commercial, and residential installations.
IEC 61000-5-7 (2001-01)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 5-7: Installation
and mitigation guidelines – Degrees of protection provided
by enclosures against electromagnetic disturbances (EM code).
Project leader: C. Jones, USA.
The purpose of this standard is to provide a repeatable means
for evaluating the electromagnetic shielding performance of empty
mechanical enclosures, including cabinets and subracks, and to
specify a marking code to allow a manufacturer to select an enclosure
with a known capability for attenuating electromagnetic fields.
Part 6: Generic Standards
IEC 61000-6-6 (2003-04)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 6-6: Generic
standards – HEMP immunity for indoor equipment. Project
leader: P. R. Barnes, USA.
Generic standards are intended to provide a template for testing
equipment to a particular environment when there is no specific
product standard. This generic standard sets high altitude electromagnetic
pulse (HEMP) immunity requirements for electrical and electronic
equipment intended for use indoors. The indoor HEMP environment
depends on the electromagnetic shielding quality of a facility
and level of protection against the conducted environment. This
standard is intended for all facility types including residential,
commercial, light industrial, hospitals, heavy industrial, power
substations and power generation facilities. Indoor equipment
is intended to be connected to a low-voltage (1 kV or less) power
network, to the telecom network and/or to external antennas.
Part 9: Miscellaneous
Part 9 does not include any SC 77C project.
New SC 77C Projects
Three new projects have been initiated by the National Committees
of IEC SC 77C in 2006. Work has begun, and a brief summary of
each project is given below:
IEC/TR 61000-4-35 (CD produced 2007-06)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-35: Testing
and measurement techniques – High power electromagnetic
(HPEM) simulator compendium. Project leader: F. Sabath, Germany.
This technical report provides information about existing system-level
High-Power Electromagnetic (HPEM) simulators and their applicability
as test facilities and validation tools for IEC SC 77C immunity
test requirements. In the sense of this report, the group of HPEM
simulators consists of high and medium power narrow band microwave
test facilities and wideband simulators for radiated fields.
IEC/TS 61000-5-8 (CD expected 2008-02)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 5-8: Installation
and mitigation guidelines – HEMP protection methods for
distributed infrastructure. Project leader: W. A. Radasky, USA.
The aim of this technical specification is to provide guidance
on how to protect the distributed civil infrastructure (power,
telecommunications, transportation, natural gas, food and water
distribution, etc.) from the threat of a high altitude electromagnetic
pulse (HEMP). In order to accomplish this goal, it is necessary
to describe the special aspects of the HEMP threat to systems
that are distributed in nature. For example, any connected infrastructure
such as power or telecommunications will observe disturbances
simultaneously over a wide area.
IEC/TS 61000-5-9 (CD produced 2007-06)
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 5-9: Installation
and mitigation guidelines – System-level susceptibility
assessments for HEMP and HPEM. Project leader: A. Wraight, UK.
The aim of this technical specification is to provide information
on methods and techniques available to assess the impact of HEMP
and HPEM on systems. In this context, a system refers to a collection
of sub-systems, equipment and components brought together to perform
a function. Specifically, a methodology for the assessment of
systems to the effects of HEMP and HPEM is given along with their
advantages and disadvantages.
Conclusions
Significant work has been performed in the IEC dealing with high
power electromagnetic (HPEM) phenomena since 1989. The basic work
covering both the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) and
electromagnetic weapons that have the capability to produce intentional
electromagnetic interference (IEMI) is now complete. Future work
is planned to use the existing basic publications as a “tool
box” to solve more complex problems dealing, for example,
with the distributed civil infrastructure. Engineers with interest
in the field of high power electromagnetics are invited to join
the work in the IEC. Please contract William Radasky at wradasky@aol.com
if you wish to obtain information concerning IEC SC77C and how
you may become active in the work.
References
[1] Wik, M. W. and W. A. Radasky, “Development of High Power
Electromagnetic (HPEM) Standards” IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic
Compatibility, Volume 46, No. 3, August 2004, pp. 439-445.
[2] Radasky, W. A., “2007 Status of the Development of High-Power
Electromagnetic (HPEM) Standards in the IEC,” 4th International
Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Qingdao, China, 23
October 2007.
Dr.
Radasky received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering
from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1981. In
1984, he founded Metatech Corporation in Goleta, California, which
performs applied electromagnetics research for customers throughout
the world. He has published over 370 reports and papers dealing
with high power electromagnetic (HPEM) environments and effects
during his career. He is the Chairman of IEC SC 77C (EMC: High
Power Transient Phenomena) and the Chairman of the IEC Advisory
Committee on EMC (ACEC). He received the Lord Kelvin Medal from
the IEC in 2004 for outstanding contributions to international
standardization. Dr. Radasky is a Senior Member of the IEEE and
is the Chairman of TC-5 (High Power Electromagnetics) in the IEEE
EMC Society. He is also a registered Professional Electrical Engineer
in the State of California. EMC
