IEC 61000-4-2:2025

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4-2: Testing and measurement techniques - Electrostatic discharge immunity test

IEC 61000-4-2: 2025 relates to the immunity requirements and test methods for electrical and electronic equipment subjected to static electricity discharges from operators directly and from personnel to adjacent objects. It additionally specifies ranges of test levels which relate to different environmental, and installation conditions and establishes test procedures. The objective of this document is to establish a common and reproducible basis for evaluating the performance of electrical and electronic equipment when subjected to electrostatic discharges. In addition, it includes electrostatic discharges which can occur from personnel to objects near the equipment. This document specifies:
- ideal waveform of the discharge current;
- range of test levels;
- test equipment;
- test setup;
- test procedure;
- calibration procedure;
- measurement uncertainty.
This document gives specifications for tests performed in laboratories and guidance to post-installation tests. This document is not intended to specify the tests to be applied to particular apparatus or systems. The main aim is to give a general basic reference to all concerned product committees. The product committees remain responsible for the appropriate choice of the tests and the severity level to be applied to their equipment. This document excludes tests intended to evaluate the ESD sensitivity of devices during handling and packaging. It is not intended for use in characterizing the performance of ESD protection circuit IEC Guide 107.
This document forms Part 4-2 of IEC 61000. It has the status of a basic EMC publication in accordance with IEC Guide 107. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2008. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) added a calibration requirement for ESD generators with air discharge tip;
b) added a normative annex for test setups for particular kind of equipment (see Annex I);
c) added an informative annex for wearable devices (see Annex J);
d) added an informative annex on how to select test points and give guidance on how to specify the number of pulses for direct contact discharges (see Annex E);
e) moved Clause 9 into a new informative annex (see Annex K);
f) improvement of the current calibration procedure;
g) improvement of the measurement uncertainty considerations with examples of uncertainty budgets;
h) because post-installation tests cannot be performed in a controlled environment, this test method has been moved into a new informative Annex G.

Compatibilité électromagnétique (CEM) - Partie 4-2: Techniques d'essai et de mesure - Essai d'immunité aux décharges électrostatiques

IEC 61000-4-2: 2025 se rapporte aux exigences et méthodes d'essais relatives à l'immunité des matériels électriques et électroniques, soumis à des décharges d'électricité statique produites directement par les opérateurs, et entre le personnel et des objets situés à proximité. Elle spécifie en outre des plages de niveaux d'essais, qui correspondent à différentes conditions d'environnement et d'installation et elle établit des procédures d'essai.
Le présent document a pour objectif d'établir une base commune et reproductible pour l'évaluation des performances des matériels électriques et électroniques lorsqu'ils sont soumis à des décharges électrostatiques. Il intègre également les décharges électrostatiques qui peuvent se produire entre le personnel et des objets situés à proximité des matériels. Le présent document spécifie:
- la forme d'onde idéale du courant de décharge;
- la plage des niveaux d'essais;
- le matériel d'essai;
- le montage d'essai;
- la procédure d'essai;
- la procédure d'étalonnage;
- l'incertitude de mesure.
Le présent document donne des spécifications pour les essais réalisés en laboratoire et des recommandations pour les essais après installation.
Le présent document ne vise pas à spécifier les essais à appliquer à des appareils ou systèmes particuliers. L'objet principal est de donner une référence principale générale à tous les comités de produits concernés. Les comités des produits restent responsables du choix approprié des essais et du niveau de sévérité à appliquer à leur matériel.
Le présent document exclut les essais destinés à évaluer la sensibilité aux DES des dispositifs au cours de la manipulation et de l'emballage. Il n'est pas destiné à caractériser les performances des circuits de protection contre les DES.
Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition parue en 2008. Cette édition constitue une révision technique.
Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) ajout d'une exigence d'étalonnage pour les générateurs de DES à tête de décharge dans l'air;
b) ajout d'une annexe normative pour les montages d'essai pour un type de matériel particulier (voir l'Annexe I)
c) ajout d'une annexe informative pour les dispositifs portables (voir l'Annexe J);
d) ajout d'une annexe informative qui décrit comment choisir les points d'essai et donne des recommandations sur la manière de spécifier le nombre d'impulsions pour les décharges au contact direct (voir l'Annexe E);
e) transfert de l'Article 9 dans une nouvelle annexe informative (voir l'Annexe K);
f) amélioration de la procédure d'étalonnage actuelle;
g) amélioration des considérations relatives à l'incertitude de mesure par des exemples de bilans d'incertitude;
h) les essais après installation ont été déplacés dans une nouvelle Annexe G informative car ils ne peuvent pas être réalisés dans un environnement maît

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 06-Mar-2025
• ICS: 33.100.20 - Immunity
• Technical Committee: SC 77B - High frequency phenomena
• Drafting Committee: MT 12 - TC 77/SC 77B/MT 12
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 07-Mar-2025
• Completion Date: 28-Mar-2025

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61000-4-2:2008 - Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4-2: Testing and measurement techniques - Electrostatic discharge immunity test
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 61000-4-2:2025 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies testing and measurement techniques for electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity in electrical and electronic equipment. As a fundamental part of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards, this third edition replaces the 2008 version with significant technical updates. It defines immunity requirements and test methods for devices subjected to static electricity discharges from operators or nearby personnel, focusing on establishing a reproducible basis for evaluating equipment performance under electrostatic discharge conditions.

The standard covers various test parameters including discharge current waveforms, test levels, equipment calibration, setup, and measurement uncertainties. Additionally, it offers guidance for laboratory and post-installation testing environments, ensuring that product committees can select appropriate tests and severity levels for their specific apparatus. It excludes tests related to device handling sensitivity and ESD protection component characterization, maintaining a focus on general immunity evaluation.

Key Topics

• Electrostatic Discharge Immunity: Defines immunity criteria for equipment exposed to static electricity discharges both directly and indirectly.
• Test Levels: Establishes ranges of test voltages reflecting different environmental and installation conditions.
• ESD Generator Specifications: Details the ideal discharge current waveforms and calibration requirements for ESD generators, including new mandatory calibration for air discharge tips.
• Test Setup & Procedure: Specifies configurations for laboratory testing, including conditions for table-top, floor-standing, wall-mounted, and wearable devices, along with procedures for conducting direct contact and air discharges.
• Measurement Uncertainty & Calibration: Introduces enhancements to current calibration procedures and provides uncertainty budget examples to improve measurement accuracy.
• Post-Installation Testing: Offers guidance and new informative annexes dedicated to tests in uncontrolled environments outside laboratory settings.
• Annexes for Specific Equipment & Test Guidance: Includes normative and informative annexes addressing wearable devices, selection of test points, pulse quantity, escalation strategy, and evaluation criteria.

Applications

IEC 61000-4-2:2025 serves a critical role for manufacturers, test laboratories, and product certification bodies involved in ensuring the electromagnetic compatibility of equipment. Practical applications include:

• Electronic Device Design and Validation: Helps engineers design devices capable of withstanding common electrostatic discharge events, reducing field failures and enhancing reliability.
• Conformity Testing and Certification: Provides a standardized framework to certify devices for compliance with EMC immunity requirements, facilitating global market access.
• Quality Assurance in Manufacturing: Enables manufacturers to verify ESD immunity on production lines and after installation, ensuring consistent product performance.
• Risk Assessment and Product Improvement: Assists product committees in selecting suitable test levels and methods based on product use environments and risk profiles.
• Post-Installation Troubleshooting: Guides field teams in performing ESD immunity tests when equipment is deployed in less controlled environments, supporting maintenance and corrective actions.
• Testing Wearable Technology: Incorporates recent advances with specific test methods and considerations for wearable devices exposed to unique electrostatic environments.

Related Standards

IEC 61000-4-2:2025 is part of the IEC 61000 series on electromagnetic compatibility and relates closely to the following standards and guidelines:

• IEC 61000-4 Series: A comprehensive collection of testing and measurement techniques addressing various EMC phenomena beyond ESD, including radiated emissions and immunity, conducted disturbances, and surge immunity.
• IEC Guide 107: Provides guidance on the status, scope, and classification of basic EMC publications, under which IEC 61000-4-2 holds basic publication status.
• ESD Handling and Packaging Standards: Though IEC 61000-4-2 excludes device-level ESD sensitivity during handling, other standards cover those aspects to complement immunity requirements.
• Product-Specific EMC Standards: Individual product committees may reference IEC 61000-4-2 for general ESD immunity but specify additional or modified requirements tailored to their equipment.
• Electropedia and IEC Vocabulary: For standardized terminology used within the standard and EMC field globally.

---

IEC 61000-4-2:2025 remains an essential standard for protecting electronic and electrical equipment against the effects of electrostatic discharge, promoting product safety, interoperability, and reliability in diverse industrial and consumer environments. Compliance ensures that devices maintain electromagnetic compatibility, fostering smoother market acceptance and enhancing user confidence.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61000-4-2 ®
Edition 3.0 2025-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
BASIC EMC PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION FONDAMENTALE EN CEM
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) –
Part 4-2: Testing and measurement techniques – Electrostatic discharge
immunity test
Compatibilité électromagnétique (CEM) –
Partie 4-2: Techniques d'essai et de mesure – Essai d'immunité aux décharges
électrostatiques
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IEC 61000-4-2 ®
Edition 3.0 2025-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
BASIC EMC PUBLICATION
PUBLICATION FONDAMENTALE EN CEM

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) –

Part 4-2: Testing and measurement techniques – Electrostatic discharge

immunity test
Compatibilité électromagnétique (CEM) –

Partie 4-2: Techniques d'essai et de mesure – Essai d'immunité aux décharges

électrostatiques
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.100.20  ISBN 978-2-8327-0258-1

– 2 – IEC 61000-4-2:2025 © IEC 2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
INTRODUCTION . 8
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references. 9
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 10
3.1 Terms and definitions . 10
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 12
4 General . 12
5 Test levels . 13
6 Test equipment . 13
6.1 Overview. 13
6.2 ESD generator . 14
6.2.1 General . 14
6.2.2 General characteristics . 16
6.3 Calibration of the characteristics of the ESD generator . 17
6.3.1 General . 17
6.3.2 Equipment required for ESD generator calibration . 18
6.3.3 Setup for ESD generator current waveform calibration . 18
6.3.4 Procedure for the ESD generator calibration . 19
7 Test setup . 20
7.1 General . 20
7.2 Test equipment . 20
7.2.1 General . 20
7.2.2 Verification of the ESD test equipment . 21
7.3 Test setup for tests performed in laboratories . 21
7.3.1 General . 21
7.3.2 Test conditions . 21
7.3.3 Table-top equipment . 22
7.3.4 Floor-standing equipment . 23
7.3.5 Particular requirements for ungrounded equipment . 24
8 Test procedure . 27
8.1 General . 27
8.2 Laboratory reference conditions . 27
8.2.1 Climatic conditions . 27
8.2.2 Electromagnetic conditions . 28
8.3 Execution of the test . 28
8.3.1 EUT exercising . 28
8.3.2 Direct application of discharges to the EUT . 29
8.3.3 Indirect application of the discharge . 30
9 Test report. 31
Annex A (informative) Explanatory notes . 32
A.1 General considerations . 32
A.2 Influences of the environmental conditions on the levels of charge . 32
A.3 ESD phenomenon from charged human body . 33
A.4 Air discharge phenomena . 34
A.5 Variations in air discharge . 34

A.6 Temperature and humidity of air discharge . 34
A.7 Relevance of contact discharge test . 35
A.8 Selection of test levels . 35
A.9 Selection of elements for the ESD generator . 36
A.10 Rationale related to the generator specification . 36
A.11 Rationale related to the waveform specification . 36
Annex B (normative) Calibration of the current measurement system . 37
B.1 Current target specification – input impedance . 37
B.2 Current target specification – insertion loss . 37
B.2.1 Measurement chain . 37
B.2.2 Target adapter line . 38
B.2.3 Determining the insertion loss of a current target-attenuator-cable chain . 38
B.3 Determining the low-frequency transfer impedance of a target-
attenuator-cable chain . 39
Annex C (informative) Example of a calibration target meeting the requirements of
Annex B . 41
Annex D (informative) Radiated fields from human metal discharge and ESD
generators . 46
D.1 Overview of the processes causing intended and unintended fields . 46
D.1.1 General . 46
D.1.2 Human ESD . 46
D.1.3 ESD generator . 47
D.2 EUT response to ESD testing . 48
D.3 Transient fields of ESD reference event . 48
D.4 Induced voltage in a small loop . 50
D.5 Measuring radiated fields due to an ESD by using commercial field probes
and ESD generators . 51
D.6 Simple procedure to estimate radiated fields and voltages induced by ESD
generators . 53
Annex E (informative) Selection of test points and number of pulses . 55
E.1 General . 55
E.2 Exclusions . 55
E.3 Guidance for direct contact discharges . 56
E.4 Guidance for air discharges . 56
E.5 Guidance for indirect discharges . 57
E.6 Investigatory testing . 57
E.7 Number of pulses for direct contact discharges . 58
Annex F (informative) Measurement uncertainty (MU) considerations . 59
F.1 General . 59
F.2 Legend for contact and air discharge current waveform parameters . 59
F.3 Limitations . 60
F.4 Calculation of a coverage interval . 60
F.5 Uncertainty contributors to the ESD current discharge measurement

uncertainty . 61
F.6 Uncertainty of the ESD generator current discharge measurement . 61
F.6.1 General . 61
F.6.2 Rise time of the ESD current discharge . 61
F.6.3 First peak of the ESD current discharge. 63
F.6.4 Second peak of the ESD current discharge . 65
F.6.5 ESD current discharge at 30 ns or 60 ns . 66

– 4 – IEC 61000-4-2:2025 © IEC 2025
F.6.6 Further MU contributions to time measurements . 68
F.7 Rise time of the step response and bandwidth of the frequency response of
the measuring system . 68
F.8 Impulse peak distortion due to the limited bandwidth of the measuring
system . 69
F.9 Application of uncertainties in the ESD compliance criterion . 70
Annex G (informative) Test setup for post-installation tests . 71
Annex H (normative) Escalation strategy . 73
H.1 Variations in EUT performance . 73
H.2 Escalation strategy . 73
Annex I (normative) Additional or further test setup for particular kind of equipment . 74
I.1 Wall-mounted equipment . 74
I.2 Wearable devices . 75
Annex J (informative) Wearable devices . 76
J.1 General . 76
J.2 Additional experimental test procedures for a wearable device . 77
Annex K (informative) Evaluation of test results . 78
Bibliography . 79

Figure 1 – Simplified diagram of the ESD generator . 14
Figure 2 – Ideal contact discharge current waveform at 4 kV . 15
Figure 3 – Contact discharge tip of the ESD generator . 17
Figure 4 – Air discharge tip of the ESD generator . 17
Figure 5 – Arrangement for calibration of ESD generator performance . 19
Figure 6 – Example test setup for table-top equipment . 23
Figure 7 – Example test setup for floor-standing equipment . 24
Figure 8 – Example test setup for ungrounded table-top equipment . 26
Figure 9 – Example test setup for ungrounded floor-standing equipment . 27
Figure A.1 – Typical maximum values of electrostatic voltages to which operators and
materials can be charged while operating in different environments outside an
electrostatic protective area . 33
Figure B.1 – Example target adapter line attached to current target . 38
Figure B.2 – Example front side of a current target . 38
Figure B.3 – Example measurement of the insertion loss of a current
target-attenuator-cable chain . 39
Figure B.4 – Example circuit diagram to determine the low-frequency system transfer
impedance . 40
Figure C.1 – Mechanical drawing of a coaxial target showing central brass part . 41
Figure C.2 – Mechanical drawing of a coaxial target showing PCB and resistors . 42
Figure C.3 – Mechanical drawing of a coaxial target showing PTFE part . 43
Figure C.4 – Mechanical drawing of a coaxial target showing the cover . 44
Figure C.5 – Mechanical drawing of a coaxial target showing the mechanical assembly . 45
Figure D.1 – Electric field of a real human, holding metal, charged at 5 kV measured at

0,1 m distance and for a spark length of 0,7 mm . 49
Figure D.2 – Magnetic field of a real human, holding metal, charged at 5 kV, measured
at 0,1 m distance and for a spark length of approximately 0,5 mm . 49
Figure D.3 – Semi-circle loop on the ground plane . 50

Figure D.4 – Voltages induced in a semi-loop . 50
Figure D.5 – Example test setup to measure radiated ESD fields . 51
Figure D.6 – Comparison between measured (solid line) and calculated numerically
(dot line) voltage drop on the loop for a distance of 45 cm . 52
Figure D.7 – Comparison between calculated H-field from measured data (solid line)
and H-field calculated by numerical simulation (dotted line) for a distance of 45 cm . 52
Figure D.8 – Structure illuminated by radiated fields and equivalent circuit . 53
Figure D.9 – Radiated H-fields . 54
Figure G.1 – Example of test setup for floor-standing equipment, post-installation tests . 72
Figure I.1 – Example of test setup for wall-mounted equipment on non-conductive
surfaces . 74
Figure I.2 – Example of test setup for wall-mounted equipment on conductive surfaces . 75
Figure J.1 – Example of air discharge current waveforms for locations on a 1 kV
charged human body, discharged via an air discharge tip . 77

Table 1 – Test levels . 13
Table 2 – General ESD generator parameters . 16
Table 3 – Discharge current waveform parameters . 16
Table A.1 – Guidelines for the selection of the air discharge test levels from the
human body . 35
Table E.1 – Cases for application of ESD on connectors . 56
Table F.1 – Example uncertainty budget for ESD current discharge rise time (t ) . 62
r
Table F.2 – Example uncertainty budget for the first peak of the ESD current discharge
(I ) . 64
p1
Table F.3 – Example uncertainty budget for the second peak of the ESD current
discharge (I ) . 65
p2
Table F.4 – Example of uncertainty budget for the ESD current discharge at 30 ns (I ) . 66
Table F.5 – Example uncertainty budget for the ESD current discharge at 60 ns (I ) . 67
Table F.6 – α factor – Formula (F.3) – of different unidirectional impulse responses
corresponding to the same bandwidth of the system B . 69
Table J.1 – Example of waveform parameters to characterize discharge currents of the
ESD generator, hand-held and body-mounted electrodes with a 1 kV charged voltage . 77

– 6 – IEC 61000-4-2:2025 © IEC 2025
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY (EMC) –

Part 4-2: Testing and measurement techniques –
Electrostatic discharge immunity test

FOREWORD
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IEC 61000-4-2 has been prepared by subcommittee 77B: High-frequency phenomena, of IEC
technical committee 77: Electromagnetic compatibility. It is an International Standard.
It forms Part 4-2 of IEC 61000. It has the status of a basic EMC publication in accordance with
IEC Guide 107.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2008. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) added a calibration requirement for ESD generators with air discharge tip;
b) added a normative annex for test setups for particular kind of equipment (see Annex I);

c) added an informative annex for wearable devices (see Annex J);
d) added an informative annex on how to select test points and give guidance on how to specify
the number of pulses for direct contact discharges (see Annex E);
e) moved Clause 9 into a new informative annex (see Annex K);
f) improved current calibration procedure;
g) improved measurement uncertainty considerations with examples of uncertainty budgets;
h) moved post-installation tests into a new informative Annex G since they cannot be
performed in a controlled environment.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
77B/896/FDIS 77B/897/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61000 series, published under the general title Electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC), can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
– 8 – IEC 61000-4-2:2025 © IEC 2025
INTRODUCTION
IEC 61000-4 is a part of the IEC 61000 series, according to the following structure:
Part 1: General
General consideration (introduction, fundamental principles)
Definitions, terminology
Part 2: Environment
Description of the environment
Classification of the environment
Compatibility levels
Part 3: Limits
Emission limits
Immunity limits (in so far as they do not fall under the responsibility of the product
committees)
Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques
Measurement techniques
Testing techniques
Part 5: Installation and mitigation guidelines
Installation guidelines
Mitigation methods and devices
Part 6: Generic standards
Part 9: Miscellaneous
Each part is further subdivided into several parts, published either as international standards
or as technical specifications or technical reports, some of which have already been published
as sections. Others will be published with the part number followed by a dash and a second
number identifying the subdivision (example: IEC 61000-6-1).
This part of IEC 61000 is an International Standard which gives immunity requirements and test
procedures related to electrostatic discharge.

ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY (EMC) –

Part 4-2: Testing and measurement techniques –
Electrostatic discharge immunity test

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61000 relates to the immunity requirements and test methods for electrical and
electronic equipment subjected to static electricity discharges from operators directly and from
personnel to adjacent objects. It additionally specifies ranges of test levels which relate to
different environmental, and installation conditions and establishes test procedures.
The objective of this document is to establish a common and reproducible basis for evaluating
the performance of electrical and electronic equipment when subjected to electrostatic
discharges. In addition, it includes electrostatic discharges which can occur from personnel to
objects near the equipment.
This document specifies:
– ideal waveform of the discharge current;
– range of test levels;
– test equipment;
– test setup;
– test procedure;
– calibration procedure;
– measurement uncertainty.
This document gives specifications for tests performed in laboratories and guidance to post-
installation tests.
This document is not intended to specify the tests to be applied to particular apparatus or
systems. The main aim is to give a general basic reference to all concerned product committees.
The product committees remain responsible for the appropriate choice of the tests and the
severity level to be applied to their equipment.
This document excludes tests intended to evaluate the ESD sensitivity of devices during
handling and packaging. It is not intended for use in characterizing the performance of ESD
protection circuits.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.

– 10 – IEC 61000-4-2:2025 © IEC 2025
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1
accessible
surfaces of the EUT which can be touched by means of the air discharge tip of the ESD
generator
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-442:1998, 442-01-15, modified – “part” has been replaced by “surfaces
of the EUT” and “standard test finger” has been replaced by “air discharge tip of the ESD
generator”.]
3.1.2
air discharge method
method of testing in which the charged tip of the test generator is moved towards the EUT until
it touches the EUT
3.1.3
calibration
set of operations which establishes, by reference to standards, the relationship which exists,
under specified conditions, between an indication and a result of a measurement
Note 1 to entry: This term is based on the "uncertainty" approach.
Note 2 to entry: The relationship between the indications and the results of measurement can be expressed, in
principle, by a calibration diagram.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-311:2001, 311-01-09]
3.1.4
contact discharge method
method of testing in which the tip of the test generator is kept in contact with the EUT or coupling
plane and the discharge is actuated by the discharge switch within the generator
3.1.5
coupling plane
metal sheet or plate, to which discharges are applied to simulate electrostatic discharge to
objects adjacent to the EUT
3.1.6
degradation (in performance)
undesired departure in the operational performance of any device, equipment or system from
its intended performance
Note 1 to entry: The term "degradation" can apply to temporary or permanent failure.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-161:1990, 161-01-19]

3.1.7
direct application
application of the discharge directly to the EUT
3.1.8
electromagnetic compatibility
EMC
ability of equipment or a system to function satisfactorily in its electromagnetic environment
without introducing intolerable electromagnetic disturbances to anything in that environment
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-161:2018, 161-01-07]
3.1.9
electrostatic discharge
ESD
transfer of electric charge between bodies of different electric potential in proximity or through
direct contact
Note 1 to entry: Literature and teaching generally refer to transfers of charge, although strictly speaking charge
carriers (IEV 113-06-25) are transferred.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-161:2014, 161-01-22]
3.1.10
energy storage capacitor
capacitor of the ESD generator representing the capacity of a human body charged to the test
voltage value
Note 1 to entry: This element can be provided as a discrete component or a distributed capacitance.
3.1.11
holding time
interval of time within which the decrease of the test voltage due to leakage, prior to the
discharge, is not greater than 10 %
3.1.12
immunity (to a disturbance)
ability of a device, equipment or system to perform without degradation in the presence of an
electromagnetic disturbance
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-161:1990, 161-01-20]
3.1.13
indirect application
application of the discharge to a coupling plane in the vicinity of the EUT to simulate personnel
discharge to objects which are adjacent to the EUT
3.1.14
reference ground plane
RGP
flat conductive surface that is at the same electric potential as reference ground, which is used
as a common reference, and which contributes to a reproducible parasitic capacitance with the
surroundings of the equipment under test (EUT)
Note 1 to entry: In some regions, the term 'earth' is used in place of 'ground'.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-161:2014, 161-04-36, modified – Note 1 has been removed.]

– 12 – IEC 61000-4-2:2025 © IEC 2025
3.1.15
rise time
interval of time between the instants at which the instantaneous value of a pulse first reaches
the specified lower and upper limits
Note 1 to entry: Unless otherwise specified, the lower and upper values are fixed at 10 % and 90 % of the pulse
magnitude.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-161:1990, 161-02-05, modified, modified – the domain has been deleted
and, in the definition, "value and then a specified upper value" has been deleted and "and upper
limits" has been added.]
3.1.16
verification
set of operations which is used to check the test equipment system (e.g. the test generator and
the interconnecting cables) and to gain confidence that the test system is functioning
Note 1 to entry: Details of verification are given in 7.2.2.
Note 2 to entry: The methods used for verification can be different from those used for calibration.
Note 3 to entry: For the purpose of this document this definition is different from the definition given in
IEV 311-01-13.
3.2 Abbreviated terms
AD Air discharge
AE Auxiliary equipment
CD Contact discharge
EMC Electromagnetic compatibility
ESD Electrostatic discharge
EUT Equipment under test
FT Fourier transform
HCP Horizontal coupling plane
HV High voltage
IC Integrated circuit
IFT Inverse Fourier transform
MU Measurement uncertainty
PE Protective earth
RGP Reference ground plane
VCP Vertical coupling plane
VNA Vector network analyzer
4 General
This document relates to equipment, systems, subsystems and peripherals which can be
involved in static electricity discharges as a result of environmental and installation conditions,
such as low relative humidity, use of low-conductivity (artificial-fibre) carpets, synthetic-fabric
garments, etc., which can exist in all locations classified in standards relevant to electrical and
electronic equipment. Detailed information is specified in Annex A.
NOTE From the technical point of view, the precise term for the phenomenon would be static electricity discharge.
However, the term electrostatic discharge (ESD) is widely used in the technical world and in technical literature.
Therefore, it has been decided to retain the term electrostatic discharge in the title of this document.

Electrostatic discharges are categorized as contact discharges and air discharges. In addition,
contact discharges are categorized as direct discharges and indirect discharges. Direct
discharges are applied to conductive surfaces while indirect discharges are applied to coupling
planes in the vicinity of EUTs.
5 Test levels
The preferred range of test levels for the ESD test is specified in Table 1.
Contact discharge is the preferred test method. Air discharges shall be used where contact
discharge cannot be applied. Voltages for each test method are specified in Table 1. The
voltages shown are different for each method due to the differing test methods. This does not
imply that the test severity is equivalent between test methods.
Details concerning the various parameters which can influence the voltage to which the human
body can be subjected are given in Clause A.2. Clause A.8 also contains examples of the
application of the test levels related to environmental (installation) classes.
For air discharge testing, the test shall be applied at all test levels in Table 1 up to and including
the specified test level. For contact and indirect discharge testing, the test shall be applied at
the specified test level.
For further information on test level variations and applications between air and contact
discharge, refer to Annex A, specifically Clause A.3 through Clause A.7.
Table 1 – Test levels
Test voltage
Level
Contact discharge Air discharge
1 2 kV 2 kV
2 4 kV 4 kV
3 6 kV 8 kV
4 8 kV 15 kV
NOTE Product committees can specify different test levels.

6 Test equipment
6.1 Overview
The ESD generator is designed to meet the characteristics in 6.2.2 and shall be calibrated in
accordance with the procedure in 6.3 using a current measurement system calibrated in
accordance with Annex B.
– 14 – IEC 61000-4-2:2025 © IEC 2025
6.2 ESD generator
6.2.1 General
A simplified circuit diagram of an ESD generator is shown in Figure 1. Although construction
details (shape, size, weight, materials, etc.) of the generator are not specified, the following
main items are used in the design of an ESD generator:
– charging resistor R ;
c
– energy-storage capacitor C ;
s
– distributed capacitance C ;
d
– discharge resistor R ;
d
– voltage indicator;
– discharge switch;
– charge switch;
– interchangeable discharge tips (see Figure 3 and Figure 4);
– discharge return cable;
– power supply unit.
Components
C is a distributed capacitance which exists between the generator and its surroundings.
d
C + C has a typical value of 150 pF.
s d
R has a typical value of 330 Ω.
d
Figure 1 – Simplified diagram of the ESD generator
The ESD generator shall meet the requirements specified in 6.2.2 and indicated in Figure 2
when evaluated in accordance with the procedures in 6.3. Therefore, neither the diagram in
Figure 1, nor the component values are specified in detail.

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