EN/IEC 61000-6-4

IEC 61000-6-4

Generic EMC emissions standard for industrial environments — a detailed guide to its scope, Class A emission limits, measurement methods, and Compatible Electronics' NVLAP-accredited testing services. Part of the Compatible Electronics Learning Center.

What is IEC 61000-6-4?

IEC 61000-6-4 (harmonized in Europe as EN 61000-6-4) is Part 6-4 of the IEC 61000 electromagnetic compatibility series. It is the generic emissions standard for industrial environments — applying to electrical and electronic equipment for which no dedicated product-specific or product family standard exists and which is intended for use in industrial locations.

Industrial environments are typically supplied from a dedicated transformer separate from the public low-voltage grid — factories, production plants, substations, and heavy industrial facilities. Because these locations are not directly shared with domestic premises and broadcast receivers, the emission limits in IEC 61000-6-4 are less stringent than those in IEC 61000-6-3 (the residential/commercial standard).

Compatible Electronics provides dedicated EN 61000-6-4 generic emissions testing services and is NVLAP-accredited for multiple versions of the standard across all three lab locations.

When Does IEC 61000-6-4 Apply?

IEC 61000-6-4 is a fallback standard — it applies when no more specific standard covers your product for the industrial environment. If a product-specific or product family standard applies (for example, IEC 61326-1 for measurement equipment, or CISPR 11 for ISM equipment), that standard takes precedence.

Typical applications include:

Industrial control equipment and PLCs without a dedicated product standard
Variable speed drives and motor controllers
Process instrumentation and sensors installed in industrial facilities
Industrial power conversion equipment
Any electrical equipment installed in a dedicated industrial supply environment

ⓘ Environment classification: The key question is whether the installation is supplied from a dedicated industrial transformer (IEC 61000-6-4 applies) or directly from the public low-voltage network (IEC 61000-6-3 applies). When in doubt, applying the more stringent residential limits (IEC 61000-6-3) is the conservative choice for CE Marking purposes.

Emission Requirements

IEC 61000-6-4 specifies emission requirements with Class A limits — the same class designation used in CISPR product family standards for commercial/industrial equipment. These limits are less stringent than the Class B limits in IEC 61000-6-3, reflecting the different electromagnetic environment and reduced risk to broadcast reception in dedicated industrial installations.

Conducted Emissions — Mains Port (150 kHz – 30 MHz)

Measured using a CISPR-compliant LISN. Both quasi-peak and average detector limits apply, referenced from CISPR 11 Class A or CISPR 32 Class A depending on the applicable measurement method. Class A conducted limits are typically 10 dB less stringent than Class B limits in the most critical frequency ranges.

Radiated Emissions (30 MHz – 1 GHz and above)

Measured at a standard distance (typically 10 m or 30 m) in an accredited semi-anechoic chamber or on an OATS. Class A radiated limits apply. For equipment with internal frequencies above 108 MHz, measurements extend above 1 GHz. Compatible Electronics measures radiated emissions at our Lake Forest/Silverado, Brea, and Newbury Park facilities.

Disturbances on Signal and Control Ports

For equipment with signal or control ports, IEC 61000-6-4 may also require assessment of conducted disturbances on those ports. The measurement procedure and limits depend on the port type and the operating frequency range of signals on those lines.

Relationship to IEC 61000-6-2 (Immunity)

IEC 61000-6-4 covers emissions only. The companion immunity standard for the same industrial environment is IEC 61000-6-2, which specifies immunity test levels required for equipment in industrial locations — generally more stringent than the residential immunity standard because industrial environments experience heavier electromagnetic disturbances. See our EN 61000-6-2 testing services page for details.

Standard Version	Locations Accredited
IEC 61000-6-4 (2006-07)	Lake Forest/Silverado, Brea, Newbury Park
IEC 61000-6-4 (2006) + A1 (2010)	Lake Forest/Silverado, Brea
EN 61000-6-4 (2007) + A1 (2011)	Lake Forest/Silverado, Brea, Newbury Park