IEC 61340-4-7:2025
(Main)Electrostatics - Part 4-7: Standard test methods for specific applications - Ionization
Electrostatics - Part 4-7: Standard test methods for specific applications - Ionization
IEC 61340-4-7:2025 provides test methods and procedures for evaluating and selecting air ionization equipment and systems (ionizers). This document establishes measurement techniques, under specified conditions, to determine offset voltage (ion balance) and decay (charge neutralization) time for ionizers. This document does not include measurements of electromagnetic interference (EMI), or the use of ionizers in connection with ordnance, flammables, explosive items or electrically initiated explosive devices. As contained in this document, the test methods and test conditions can be used by manufacturers of ionizers to provide performance data describing their products. Users of ionizers are urged to modify the test methods and test conditions for their specific application in order to qualify ionizers for use, or to make periodic verifications of ionizer performance. The user will decide the extent of the data required for each application.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) in Figure 5, a NOTE 3 was added to clarify that for AC bars and grids, a single emitter alternating between +/− polarity is used;
b) in Annex B, the relative error for measurement equipment was updated to include the consideration for the resolution of the voltmeter.
Electrostatique - Partie 4-7 : Méthodes d'essai normalisées pour des applications spécifiques - Ionisation
L'IEC 61340-4-7:2025 fournit des méthodes et des procédures d'essai pour évaluer et choisir le matériel et les systèmes d'ionisation de l'air (ioniseurs). Le présent document établit des techniques de mesure, dans des conditions spécifiées, destinées à déterminer la tension de décalage (équilibre ionique) et le temps de décroissance (neutralisation des charges) pour les ioniseurs. Le présent document ne traite pas des mesurages des brouillages électromagnétiques (EMI, Electromagnetic Interference) ni de l'emploi d'ioniseurs en relation avec des éléments pyrotechniques, inflammables, explosifs ou des appareils explosifs amorcés électriquement. Les méthodes d'essai et les conditions d'essai spécifiées dans le présent document peuvent être utilisées telles quelles par les fabricants d'ioniseurs afin de fournir des données de performance pour la description de leurs produits. Les utilisateurs d'ioniseurs sont encouragés à modifier les méthodes d'essai et les conditions d'essai de leur application spécifique afin de qualifier les ioniseurs pour l'utilisation ou d'effectuer des vérifications périodiques de la performance des ioniseurs. Il revient à l'utilisateur de déterminer la quantité de données exigées pour chaque application.
Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) une NOTE 3 a été ajoutée à la Figure 5 afin d'expliciter qu'un seul émetteur à alternance de polarité +/- est utilisé pour les barres et les grilles en courant alternatif;
b) à l'Annexe B, l'erreur relative aux appareils de mesure à été mise à jour pour prendre en compte la résolution du voltmètre.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
IEC 61340-4-7 ®
Edition 3.0 2025-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
COMMENTED VERSION
Electrostatics -
Part 4-7: Standard test methods for specific applications - Ionization
ICS 17.200.99; 29.020 ISBN 978-2-8327-0669-5
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CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Test fixture and instrumentation. 8
5 Specific requirements for equipment categories . 10
5.1 Specific requirements for all ionization equipment . 10
5.2 Room ionization . 11
5.3 Laminar flow hood ionization . 14
5.4 Worksurface ionization . 16
5.5 Compressed gas ionizers – Guns and nozzles . 18
Annex A (informative) Theoretical background and additional information on the
standard test method for the performance of ionizers . 20
A.1 Introductory remarks . 20
A.2 Air ions . 20
A.3 Mobility and ion current . 20
A.4 Neutralization current . 21
A.5 Neutralization rate . 21
A.6 Ion depletion and field suppression . 21
A.7 Charged plate monitor and charge neutralization . 22
A.8 Relationship between charged plate monitor decay time and actual object . 22
A.9 Offset voltage . 22
A.10 Preparation of test area . 23
A.11 Ion transport in airflow . 23
A.12 Obstruction of airflow around the charged plate monitor . 23
A.13 Effect of "air blanket" . 24
A.14 Sources of measurement error . 24
A.14.1 Typical decay time variability . 24
A.14.2 Plate isolation . 24
A.14.3 Charging voltage . 24
A.14.4 Materials near the plate . 24
A.14.5 Other field-producing devices in test area . 24
A.14.6 Effect of offset voltage on decay time . 25
A.15 Importance of ionization equipment maintenance . 25
Annex B (normative) Method of measuring the capacitance of an isolated conductive
plate . 26
B.1 Method . 26
B.2 Equipment . 26
B.3 Procedure . 26
B.4 Example . 27
B.5 Sources of error . 27
B.5.1 Measuring equipment . 27
B.5.2 Poor plate isolation . 28
B.5.3 Objects in the environment . 28
B.5.4 Stray capacitance . 29
Annex C (informative) Safety considerations . 30
C.1 General . 30
C.2 Electrical . 30
C.3 Ozone . 30
C.4 Radioactive . 30
C.5 X-ray . 30
C.6 Installation . 30
Bibliography . 31
List of comments. 32
Figure 1 – Charged plate monitor components for non-contacting plate measurement . 9
Figure 2 – Charged plate monitor components for contacting plate measurement . 9
Figure 3 – Conductive plate detail of the non-contacting CPM. 10
Figure 4 – Conductive plate detail of the voltage follower CPM . 10
Figure 5 – Test locations for room ionization – AC bars, grids and DC bar systems . 12
Figure 6 – Test locations for room ionization – Single polarity emitter systems . 13
Figure 7 – Test locations for room ionization – Two DC-line systems . 13
Figure 8 – Test locations for room ionization – Pulsed DC emitter systems . 13
Figure 9 – Test locations for vertical laminar flow hood – Top view . 14
Figure 10 – Test locations for vertical laminar flow hood – Side view . 15
Figure 11 – Test locations for horizontal laminar flow hood – Top view . 15
Figure 12 – Test locations for horizontal laminar flow hood – Side view . 16
Figure 13 – Test locations for benchtop ionizer – Top view . 17
Figure 14 – Test locations for benchtop ionizer – Side view . 17
Figure 15 – Test locations for overhead ionizer – Top view . 18
Figure 16 – Test locations for overhead ionizer – Side view . 18
Figure 17 – Test locations for compressed gas ionizer (gun or nozzle) – Side view . 19
Table 1 – Test set-ups and test locations/ and points (TP) . 11
Table B.1 – Example measurement data . 27
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
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Electrostatics -
Part 4-7: Standard test methods for specific applications - Ionization
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