IEC 61786-2-2014 PDF

Full title and description

Measurement of DC magnetic, AC magnetic and AC electric fields from 1 Hz to 100 kHz with regard to exposure of human beings — Part 2: Basic standard for measurements. This international standard (IEC 61786-2:2014) specifies requirements and guidance for establishing measurement procedures to evaluate human exposure to quasi‑static and DC electric and magnetic fields in the 1 Hz to 100 kHz range.

Abstract

IEC 61786-2:2014 defines measurement principles, measurement ranges, uncertainty considerations and practical guidance for measuring DC magnetic fields and AC magnetic and electric fields with frequency content between 1 Hz and 100 kHz. It addresses differing field characteristics across environments (temporal and spatial variation, polarization and magnitude), identifies sources of measurement uncertainty, and gives examples of sources to be measured (power lines, appliances, electric railways, aircraft, induction heaters, electric vehicles, MRI and DC equipment). The standard focuses on producing repeatable, traceable procedures for assessing human exposure.

General information

• Status: Published / current edition (active; stability date 11 December 2027)
• Publication date: 11 December 2014
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
• ICS / categories: 17.220.20 (Measurement of electrical and magnetic quantities; electromagnetic compatibility)
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (IEC 61786-2:2014)
• Number of pages: 71

Scope

This Part 2 standard gives the basic measurement requirements for assessing human exposure to quasi‑static magnetic and electric fields (1 Hz to 100 kHz) and to DC magnetic fields. It applies to establishing measurement procedures in different environments where field characteristics differ (frequency content, temporal/spatial variation, polarization, magnitude). The standard covers measurement of unperturbed electric field strength at a point in space or on conducting surfaces, specifies typical magnitude ranges covered (AC magnetic: about 0.1 μT to 200 mT; DC magnetic: about 1 μT to 10 T; electric fields: about 1 V/m to 50 kV/m), and gives guidance on uncertainty, calibration and when product‑specific EMF standards should be used instead.

Key topics and requirements

• Measurement frequency range: DC and quasi‑static fields with frequency content from 1 Hz up to 100 kHz.
• Field types covered: DC magnetic fields, AC magnetic fields and AC electric fields (unperturbed point measurements and conducting surfaces for E‑fields).
• Magnitude ranges typically addressed: ~0.1 μT to 200 mT (AC magnetic), ~1 μT to 10 T (DC magnetic) and ~1 V/m to 50 kV/m (electric fields).
• Requirements for establishing measurement procedures appropriate to the measurement goal and environment (temporal/spatial sampling, probe orientation, operator effects).
• Identification and treatment of measurement uncertainty sources and guidance for combining uncertainties to obtain total measurement uncertainty.
• Guidance on instrument selection, calibration and traceability (complementary to Part 1, which covers instrument requirements).
• Examples of typical sources to measure: power lines and appliances (50/60 Hz and harmonics), electric railways, aircraft (400 Hz), induction heaters, electric vehicles, MRI, DC transmission and industrial DC equipment.
• Notes on measurement limits: many provisions remain applicable outside the nominal ranges but require special attention to uncertainty and calibration.

Typical use and users

Used by EMF measurement laboratories, health & safety and environmental protection agencies, utilities and power‑industry field engineers, researchers studying human exposure to low‑frequency fields, instrument manufacturers and conformity assessment bodies. Typical applications include environmental surveys around power infrastructure, workplace exposure assessments, product and installation investigations, and research measurements for exposure assessment.

Related standards

IEC 61786-1 (Part 1: requirements for measuring instruments) — complements Part 2 by specifying instrument performance and test methods. IEC 61786:1998 is the superseded earlier edition replaced by Parts 1 and 2. The IEC 61786 series is used alongside national/adopted versions (EN/BS/NEN etc.) and with exposure guideline documents and product‑specific EMF standards where applicable.

Keywords

IEC 61786-2, low‑frequency EMF, DC magnetic field, AC magnetic field, electric field, quasi‑static, 1 Hz–100 kHz, human exposure, measurement procedures, measurement uncertainty, calibration, TC 106

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61786-2:2014 is Part 2 of the IEC 61786 series and provides the basic standard for measurements of DC magnetic, AC magnetic and AC electric fields (1 Hz to 100 kHz) with regard to exposure of human beings.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement objectives and procedures, typical magnitude and frequency ranges, guidance on sampling and probe orientation, identification and combination of uncertainty sources, and practical examples of sources and environments where measurements are performed.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: EMF/health & safety professionals, accredited test laboratories, utilities and electrical engineers, regulators, researchers and manufacturers of EMF measurement equipment.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The edition in force is IEC 61786-2:2014 (published 11 December 2014). It is the active Part 2 edition and replaces the earlier IEC 61786:1998 guidance; the IEC webstore lists a stability date through 11 December 2027.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 2 of the IEC 61786 series. Part 1 (IEC 61786-1) addresses requirements for measuring instruments; together the parts replace the former single‑document IEC 61786.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Measurement, magnetic field, electric field, DC, quasi‑static, 1 Hz–100 kHz, human exposure, measurement uncertainty, calibration, EMF.