IEC 62792:2015

Measurement method for the output of electroshock weapons

IEC 62792:2015 specifies a method for measuring the electrical outputs, current and voltage, from electroshock weapons (ESWs) that deliver an electrical stimulus to humans. Manufacturers, medical researchers, policy makers, users, and other interested parties involved with different aspects of ESWs use a variety of different measurement methods, different terminologies, and different parameters to measure and describe the performance of an ESW. These differences generate confusion and misunderstanding within this stakeholder community, and this impacts the ability to perform accurate, reliable, and reproducible measurement comparisons. By developing a generally-accepted terminology, set of performance parameters, and test methods, this standard will facilitate accurate and precise communication for the parameters that describe the electrical output, current and high voltage, of ESWs. This improved communication will aid this stakeholder community in collectively developing uniform methods for describing the ESW output and its effect on human physiology consistently and accurately, thereby enabling the development of safe use performance standards/regulations by the appropriate standardization body.

Méthode de mesure de la sortie des pistolets à impulsion électrique

L'IEC 62792:2015 spécifie une méthode de mesure des puissances électriques de sortie, du courant et de la tension des pistolets à impulsion électrique (ESW) qui envoient une décharge électrique aux humains. Les fabricants, les chercheurs dans le domaine médical, les décideurs, les utilisateurs et autres parties intéressées impliqués dans les différents aspects des pistolets à ESW appliquent de nombreuses et différentes méthodes de mesure et terminologies, et utilisent différents paramètres pour mesurer et décrire les performances d'un ESW. Ces différences sont source de confusion et de mauvaise interprétation au sein de cette communauté de parties prenantes et ceci pénalise la réalisation de comparaisons de mesure exactes, fiables et reproductibles. Grâce à l'élaboration d'une terminologie commune, d'un ensemble de paramètres de performances admis et de méthodes d'essai acceptées, la présente norme facilite une communication précise et claire quant aux paramètres qui décrivent la puissance électrique de sortie, le courant et la haute tension des pistolets à impulsion électrique (ESW). Cette communication renforcée permettra à cette communauté de parties prenantes de développer en commun des méthodes uniformes de description de la puissance de sortie des ESW et de son incidence en termes de physiologie humaine et ce de manière cohérente et exacte. De ce fait, ceci permettra aussi à l'organisme de normalisation compétent de développer des normes/réglementations de performances en toute sécurité.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 12-Feb-2015
• ICS: 17.220.20 - Measurement of electrical and magnetic quantities
• ICS: 95.020 - Military in general
• Technical Committee: TC 85 - Measuring equipment for electrical and electromagnetic quantities
• Drafting Committee: PT 62792 - TC 85/PT 62792
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 13-Feb-2015
• Completion Date: 15-Feb-2015

Overview

IEC 62792:2015 is an international standard established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that defines a precise measurement method for the electrical output of electroshock weapons (ESWs). These devices deliver an electrical stimulus to humans, and the standard focuses on consistent measurement of their electrical outputs - specifically current and voltage.

Manufacturers, medical researchers, policymakers, users, and other stakeholders have historically used a variety of measurement techniques and terminologies. This inconsistency has led to confusion and difficulty in comparing ESW performance data. IEC 62792:2015 addresses these issues by providing uniform terminology, performance parameters, and test methods to ensure accurate, reliable, and reproducible results.

By facilitating standardized communication within the ESW community, the standard supports the development of safe use regulations and performance benchmarks aligned with human physiological effects.

Key Topics

• Scope
  Applies universally to any electroshock weapon device delivering electrical stimuli to humans. Defines measurement protocols for both current and voltage outputs.

• Measurement System Requirements
  Outlines instrumentation demands including calibration, traceability, environmental conditions, and electrostatic discharge prevention to guarantee measurement accuracy.

• Waveform Measurement Techniques
  Specifies setups for capturing both current and voltage waveforms using probes designed for high-voltage, transient signals typical of ESWs.

• Waveform Parameters and Analysis
  Defines parameters such as impulse amplitude, pulse duration, pulse separation, charge (net and total), peak-to-peak values, energy per pulse, offsets, transition durations, and settling errors. These are critical for characterizing the electrical output accurately.

• Standard Terminology
  Develops a consistent lexicon for describing electrical stimuli from ESWs, reducing ambiguity and facilitating communication among technical, medical, and regulatory communities.

Applications

• Manufacturer Compliance & Quality Control
  Enables ESW manufacturers to consistently measure product outputs, ensuring compliance with safety standards and product specifications.

• Medical Research & Safety Analysis
  Provides medical researchers with reliable data to study physiological impacts of ESWs, improving safety assessments and health guidelines.

• Policy Development & Regulation
  Assists policymakers in creating grounded, performance-based regulations by providing standardized electrical output metrics.

• User Training and Evaluation
  Supports law enforcement and security agencies in evaluating device effectiveness and safety through uniform testing methods.

• Product Comparison & Certification
  Promotes fair comparison between different ESW models and facilitates certification processes by accredited testing bodies.

Related Standards

• IEC 60469:2013 - Covers terms, definitions, and algorithms related to transitions, pulses, and waveform analysis, providing foundational terminology used in IEC 62792.

• IEEE Std. 1057-2007 - Specifies standards for digitizing waveform recorders, informing measurement accuracy and data acquisition methods.

• The International System of Units (SI), 8th Edition (BIPM, 2006) - Establishes the SI units referenced in the electrical measurement methods of IEC 62792.

These complementary standards ensure that ESW electrical output measurements align with broader international practices in electrical testing and metrology.

---

IEC 62792:2015 is an essential international benchmark for anyone involved in the design, testing, regulation, or medical analysis of electroshock weapon systems. By implementing this standard, stakeholders can achieve consistent, precise, and transparent measurement and reporting of electrical outputs-supporting safety, regulatory compliance, and technological advancement in ESW applications.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 62792 ®
Edition 1.0 2015-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Measurement method for the output of electroshock weapons

Méthode de mesure de la sortie des pistolets à impulsion électrique

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IEC 62792 ®
Edition 1.0 2015-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Measurement method for the output of electroshock weapons

Méthode de mesure de la sortie des pistolets à impulsion électrique

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 17.220.20, 95.020 ISBN 978-2-8322-2222-5

– 2 – IEC 62792:2015 © IEC 2015
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Test measurement system . 15
4.1 General . 15
4.2 Instrumentation requirements . 15
4.2.1 General . 15
4.2.2 Minimum performance requirements . 16
4.2.3 Measurement system traceability . 16
4.2.4 System calibration . 17
4.3 Environmental conditions . 20
4.4 Electrostatic discharge (ESD) . 20
4.5 Current waveform measurements . 21
4.5.1 General . 21
4.5.2 Measurement set-up . 21
4.5.3 Current probe requirements . 22
4.5.4 Waveform acquisition . 22
4.6 Voltage waveform measurements . 22
4.6.1 General . 22
4.6.2 Measurement set-up . 23
4.6.3 Voltage probe requirements . 23
4.6.4 Waveform acquisition . 24
Waveform parameters . 24
5.1 General . 24
5.2 Waveform parsing . 24
5.3 Initial and final instants . 24
5.4 Average level . 25
5.5 Average absolute level . 25
5.6 Charge, net . 25
5.7 Charge, total . 26
5.8 Energy, pulse . 26
5.9 Impulse amplitude . 26
5.10 Peak, maximum (minimum) . 26
5.11 Peak-to-peak value . 26
5.12 Pulse duration . 26
5.13 Pulse separation . 27
5.14 Offset . 27
5.15 Transition duration . 27
5.16 Transition settling duration . 27
5.17 Transition settling error . 27
5.18 Waveform period . 27
Bibliography . 28

Figure 1 – Diagram of the ESW measurement system with voltage and current probes
in place . 15
Figure 2 – Set up for calibrating vertical channel of ESW measurement system . 18
Figure 3 – Set up for calibration of the magnitude frequency response of the ESW
measurement system . 19
Figure 4 – Set up for calibration of time response of ESW measurement system . 20

Table 1 – Waveform recorder minimum performance specifications . 16
Table 2 – Initial instants and final instants for the waveform sub-epochs . 25

– 4 – IEC 62792:2015 © IEC 2015
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
MEASUREMENT METHOD FOR THE OUTPUT
OF ELECTROSHOCK WEAPONS
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62792 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 85:
Measuring equipment for electrical and electromagnetic quantities.
All terms defined in Clause 3 are italicized in this standard.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
85/490/FDIS 85/507/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
– 6 – IEC 62792:2015 © IEC 2015
INTRODUCTION
Manufacturers, medical researchers, policy makers, users, and other interested parties
involved with different aspects of electroshock weapons (ESWs) use a variety of different
measurement methods, different terminologies, and different parameters to measure and
describe the performance of an ESW. These differences generate confusion and
misunderstanding within this stakeholder community, and this impacts the ability to perform
accurate, reliable, and reproducible measurement comparisons. By developing a generally-
accepted terminology, set of performance parameters, and test methods, this standard will
facilitate accurate and precise communication for the parameters that describe the electrical
output, current and high voltage, of ESWs. This improved communication will aid this
stakeholder community in collectively developing uniform methods for describing the ESW
output and its effect on human physiology consistently and accurately, thereby enabling the
development of safe use performance standards/regulations by the appropriate
standardization body.
MEASUREMENT METHOD FOR THE OUTPUT
OF ELECTROSHOCK WEAPONS
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies a method for measuring the electrical outputs, current
and voltage, from electroshock weapons (ESWs) that deliver an electrical stimulus to humans.
This International Standard is applicable to any and all ESWs.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60469:2013, Transitions, pulses and related waveforms − Terms, definitions and
algorithms
IEEE Std. 1057-2007, IEEE Standard for digitizing waveform recorders
BIPM, The International System of Units (SI), 8th Edition, 2006
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
impulse amplitude
difference between the specified level corresponding to the maximum peak (minimum peak) of
the positive (negative) impulse-like waveform and the level of the state preceding the first
transition of that impulse-like waveform
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.3.1]
3.2
correction
operation combining the results of the conversion operation with the transfer function
information to yield a waveform that is a more accurate representation of the signal
Note 1 to entry: Correction may be effected by a manual process by an operator, a computational process, or a
compensating device or apparatus. Correction must be performed to an accuracy that is consistent with the overall
accuracy desired in the waveform measurement process.
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.4, modified – Note 2 to entry has been deleted.]
3.3
effective number of bits
ENOB
for an input sinewave of specified frequency and amplitude, the number of bits of an ideal
waveform recorder for which the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) quantization error is equal to the
r.m.s. noise and distortion of the waveform recorder under test

– 8 – IEC 62792:2015 © IEC 2015
[SOURCE: IEEE Std. 1057-2007, 3.1.29]
3.4
electroshock weapon
ESW
weapon that generates a high-voltage transient electrical signal that is transmitted to a person
Note 1 to entry: The ESW comprises, at a minimum, a signal generator located in the body of the ESW and a pair
of electrical contacts to make electrical connection between the generator and a person.
3.4.1
long-range wired ESW
ESW that uses propelled, tethered, skin-penetrating or adhering (for example, to clothing)
barbed darts as the electrical contacts
Note 1 to entry: Adhering darts attach sufficiently close to the surface of the person to complete a circuit capable
of delivering an electrical charge to that person. These barbed darts are tethered to the ESW cartridge that is
mechanically attached to the body of the ESW and travel away from the cartridge when deployed. The ESW
cartridge is often used to convert a contact ESW to a long-range wired ESW.
3.4.2
long-range wireless ESW
ESW that is compact in size and that is fired or launched from a separate and independent
firearm, device, or apparatus and to which there is no physical connection between the ESW
and the firearm, device, or apparatus after it is fired or launched
3.4.3
ESW contact
ESW that uses fixed metal electrodes located on the body or cartridge of the ESW as the
electrical contacts
3.4.4
ESW cartridge
component of the long-range wired ESW that contains the tethered skin-penetrating or
adhering barbed darts and mechanically attaches and electrically connects to the body of the
ESW to complete the circuit and facilitate the delivery of electrical charge
Note 1 to entry: The ESW cartridge is often used to convert a contact ESW to a long-range wired ESW.
3.5
high voltage
voltage having a value above a conventionally adopted limit
Note 1 to entry: For ESW, this limit shall be specified by the user of this standard.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-151:2001,151-15-05, modified – Note 1 to entry has been added.].
3.6
impulse response
time response of a linear time-invariant system, which initially is in steady state U , V ,
0 0
produced by application of an impulse function ∆u (t) = K δ(t) to one of the input variables,
δ δ
where ∆v (t) = v(t) – V and ∆u (t) = u(t) – U
δ 0 δ 0
3.7
instant
particular time value within a waveform epoch that, unless otherwise specified, is referenced
to the initial instant of that waveform epoch
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.13]

3.7.1
final instant
last sample instant in the waveform
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.13.1]
3.7.2
initial instant
first sample instant in the waveform
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.13.3]
3.8
interval
set of all values of time between a first instant and a second instant, where the second instant
is later in time than the first
Note 1 to entry: These first and second instants are called the endpoints of the interval. The endpoints, unless
otherwise specified, are assumed to be part of the interval.
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.15]
3.9
level
constant value having the same units as y
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.17]
3.9.1
average level
pertaining to the value of the mean of the waveform level
If the waveform takes on n discrete values, y , all equally spaced in time, that average level is,
j
n
 
y = y
  . (1)
∑ j
n
  j =1
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.17.1, modified – The formula for the average level of a
continuous function of time has been deleted and the notes have been deleted.]
3.9.2
average absolute level
pertaining to the mean value of the absolute waveform value. If the waveform takes on n
discrete values, y , all equally spaced in time, the average absolute level is,
j
n
 1 
y = y
  . (2)
∑ j
n
 
j=1
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.17.2, modified – The formula for the average level of a
continuous function of time has been deleted and the notes have been deleted.]
3.10
measurand
quantity intended to be measured

– 10 – IEC 62792:2015 © IEC 2015
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.3, modified – The notes have been deleted.]
3.11
measured quantity value
measured value of a quantity
measured value
quantity value representing a measurement result
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.10, modified – The notes have been deleted.]
3.12
measurement trueness
trueness of measurement
trueness
closeness of agreement between the average of an infinite number of replicate measured
quantity values and a reference quantity value
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007,2.14, modified – The notes have been deleted.]
3.13
measurement uncertainty
uncertainty of measurement
uncertainty
non-negative parameter characterizing the dispersion of the quantity values being attributed
to a measurand, based on the information used
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.26, modified – The notes have been deleted.]
3.14
metrological traceability
property of a measurement result whereby the result can be related to a reference through a
documented unbroken chain of calibrations, each contributing to the measurement uncertainty
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.41, modified – The notes have been deleted.]
3.15
offset
algebraic difference between two specified levels
Note 1 to entry: Unless otherwise specified, the two levels are state 1 and the base state.
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.18]
3.16
parameter
any value (number multiplied by a unit of measure) that can be calculated from a waveform
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.20]
3.17
maximum peak (minimum)
pertaining to the greatest (least) value of the waveform
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.21 and 3.2.22]

3.18
peak-to-peak
pertaining to the value of the difference between the extrema of the specified waveform
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.23]
3.19
pulse duration
difference between the first and second transition occurrence instants
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.27, modified – Note 1 to entry has been deleted.]
3.20
pulse separation
duration between the 50 % reference level instant, unless otherwise specified, of the second
transition of one pulse in a pulse train and that of the first transition of the immediately
following pulse in the same pulse train
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.28]
3.21
pulse train
repetitive sequence of pulse waveforms
Note 1 to entry: Unless otherwise specified, all of the pulse waveforms in the sequence are assumed to be
identical.
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.29, modified – The figure has been deleted.]
3.22
reconstruction
waveform deconvolution
process of removing the effect of the measurement instrument on the acquired waveform
Note 1 to entry: This process mathematically removes the estimated impulse response of the test instrument from
the acquired waveform.
3.23
reference measurement procedure
measurement procedure accepted as providing measurement results fit for their intended use
in assessing measurement trueness of measured quantity values obtained from other
measurement procedures for quantities of the same kind, in calibration, or in characterizing
reference materials
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.7]
3.24
reference measurement system
reference system
measurement system that is used to support a reference measurement procedure
3.25
sample
element of a sampled waveform
3.26
signal
physical phenomenon, one or more of whose characteristics may vary to represent
information
– 12 – IEC 62792:2015 © IEC 2015
Note 1 to entry: This phenomenon is a function of time.
[Source: IEC 60050-701:1988, 701-01-02, modified – the note to entry has been replaced.].
3.27
state
particular level or, when applicable, a particular level and upper and lower limits (the upper
and lower state boundaries) that are referenced to or associated with that level
Note 1 to entry: Unless otherwise specified, multiple states are ordered from the most negative level to the most
positive level, and the state levels are not allowed to overlap. The most negative state is called state 1. The most
positive state is called state n. The states are denoted by s1, s2, …, sn; the state levels are denoted by level(s1),
level(s2), …, level(sn); the upper state boundaries are denoted by upper(s1), upper(s2), …, upper(sn); and the
lower state boundaries are denoted by lower(s1), lower(s2), …, lower(sn).
Note 2 to entry: States, levels, and state boundaries are defined to accommodate pulse metrology and digital
applications. In pulse metrology, the levels of a waveform are measured and states (with or without associated
state boundaries) are then associated with those levels. In digital applications, states are defined (with state
boundaries) and the waveform values are determined to either lie within a state or not.
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.40]
3.27.1
base state
state of a waveform that, unless otherwise specified, possesses a level closest to zero
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.40.1]
3.27.2
state boundaries
upper and lower limits of the states of a waveform.
Note 1 to entry: All values of a waveform that are within the boundaries of a given state are said to be in that
state. The state boundaries are defined by the user.
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.41]
3.27.3
state occurrence
contiguous region of a waveform that is bounded by the upper and lower state boundaries of a
state, and whose duration equals or exceeds the specified minimum duration for state
attainment
Note 1 to entry: The state occurrence consists of the entire portion of the waveform that remains within the
boundaries of that state.
Note 2 to entry: State occurrences are numbered as ordered pairs (s,n), where si refers to the ith state, and n is
the number of the occurrence of that particular state within the waveform epoch. In a given waveform epoch, when
the waveform first enters a state s1, that state occurrence is (s1, 1). If and when the waveform exits that state, that
state occurrence is over. If and when the waveform next enters and remains in state s1, that state occurrence
would be labeled (s1, 2); and so on.
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.42]
3.28
timebase
component of a measurement instrument that provides the unique instant for each sample in a
sampled waveform.
Note 1 to entry: The timebase provides a vector of sampling instants where each instant corresponds to a unique
sample in the waveform.
Note 2 to entry: Often the interval between sample instants is not uniform and exhibits both systematic and
random errors.
3.29
transient
any contiguous region of a waveform that begins at one state, leaves and subsequently
returns to that state, and contains no state occurrences
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.46]
3.30
transition
contiguous region of a waveform that connects, either directly or via intervening transients,
two state occurrences that are consecutive in time but are occurrences of different states
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.47]
3.31
transition duration
difference between the two reference level instants of the same transition
Note 1 to entry: Unless otherwise specified, these two reference levels are the 10 % and 90 % reference levels
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.48, modified – Note 2 to entry has been deleted.]
3.32
transition settling error
maximum error between the waveform value and a specified reference level within a user-
specified interval relative to the 50 % reference level instant
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.50]
3.33
waveform
representation of a signal (for example, a graph, plot, oscilloscope presentation, discrete time
series, equations, or table of values)
Note 1 to entry: Note that the term waveform refers to a measured or otherwise-defined estimate of the physical
phenomenon or signal
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.54]
3.33.1
impulse-like waveform
waveform that, when convolved with an ideal step, yields a step-like waveform
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.54.2]
3.33.2
sampled waveform representation
waveform that is a series of sampled numerical values taken sequentially or nonsequentially
as a function of time
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.61.2]
3.33.3
acquired waveform
sampled waveform that is the output of a measurement system before any corrections or
reconstructions are applied
– 14 – IEC 62792:2015 © IEC 2015
3.33.4
corrected waveform
sampled waveform that is the result of applying corrections to the acquired waveform
3.33.5
reconstructed waveform
sampled waveform that is the result of applying waveform reconstruction methods to the
corrected waveform
3.34
waveform epoch
interval to which consideration of a waveform is restricted for a particular calculation,
procedure, or discussion. Except when otherwise specified, the waveform epoch is assumed
to be the span over which the waveform is measured or defined
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.57]
3.35
waveform period
minimum duration after which a periodic waveform repeats
Note 1 to entry: The period of a repetitive two-state waveform is the duration between specified reference level
instants for the same transition, either the negative-going transition or the positive-going transition, of two
consecutive pulses in a pulse train. The period is equal to the sum of the pulse separation and the pulse duration.
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.60]
3.36
waveform measurement process
realization of a method of waveform measurement in terms of specific devices, apparatus,
instruments, auxiliary equipment, conditions, operators, and observers
Note 1 to entry: In this process, a value (a number multiplied by a unit) of measurement is assigned to the
elements of the waveform.
[SOURCE: IEC 60469:2013, 3.2.59]
3.37
waveform recorder
instrument or device for acquiring and subsequently storing a sequence of data corresponding
to the signal being measured
4 Test measurement system
4.1 General
Current
probe
Waveform
Voltage
Z
ESW Computer
L
recorder
probe
IEC
Z is the load impedance of the ESW.
L
Figure 1 – Diagram of the ESW measurement system with voltage
and current probes in place
ESWs generate a variety of different electrical signals. Often these signals have a long
duration, exceeding 10 s, and thus require the waveform recorders to be capable of acquiring
long waveform epochs. Furthermore, the transients in these signals may have durations less
than 10 ns, requiring a sampling interval of about 5 ns (sample rate to 2 × 10 samples/s) to
accurately capture the high-frequency content of the signal. Without a priori knowledge
regarding the effect of this low-frequency and high-frequency signal content on the ability of
ESW to perform its function, waveforms of the ESW signals are captured in such a way as to
simultaneously preserve the fidelity of the low-frequency and high-frequency content of the
signal. The waveform measurement processes and corresponding instrumentation described
in this standard support the acquisition of these high-fidelity waveforms. These waveforms can
be subsequently analyzed to extract the desired waveform parameters (Clause 5). Figure 1
provides a depiction of a generalized measurement system that can be used to measure the
output of an ESW. Details of the measurement system are given in 4.4 and 4.5.
Install in the ESW new or fully charged batteries of the type specified by the manufacturer of
the ESW. All measurements shall be made before approximately 10 % of the charged energy
of the battery has been depleted. If the ESW is taken out of field operation for post-
deployment testing and/or performance verification, the ESW shall be tested as received
without changing the battery unless otherwise indicated by the user of the standard.
4.2 Instrumentation requirements
4.2.1 General
The instrumentation requirements described in this 4.2 are those intended for laboratory
measurement conditions and not for emulating the effect of varying external conditions. Such
requirements would be the subject of a performance requirement or standard for the ESW.

– 16 – IEC 62792:2015 © IEC 2015
4.2.2 Minimum performance requirements
The minimum performance specifications for the instrumentation required to acquire ESW
waveforms are given here and listed in Table 1. For the waveform recorder, three sets of
performance specifications are provided. The waveform recorder shall be capable of
simultaneously demonstrating all the minimum performance specifications listed in this table.
One set reflects the minimum requirements for a reference measurement system, another for
a secondary system that shall be traceable to the reference system, and a third that shall be
traceable to a secondary or reference system. It is the responsibility of the user of the
secondary or tertiary system to demonstrate metrological traceability to the reference system.
Table 1 – Waveform recorder minimum performance specifications
Parameter Reference system Secondary system Tertiary system
a
Analog bandwidth (MHz) User defined
≥ 500 ≥ 100
a
9 8
Sampling rate (samples/s) User defined
≥ 1 × 10 ≥ 2 × 10
a
Epoch, min (s) ≥ 10 ≥ 2 User defined
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (dB)
≥ 40 ≥ 30 ≥ 30
[IEEE Std. 1057-2007, 8.3]
Signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SINAD)
≥ 40 ≥ 30 ≥ 30
(dB)
[IEEE Std. 1057-2007, 8.2]
Spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) (dB)
≥ 50 ≥ 40 ≥ 40
[IEEE Std. 1057-2007, 8.8]
Effective number of bits (ENOB) (bits)
≥ 7 ≥ 6 ≥ 6
[IEEE Std. 1057-2007, 8.5]
Input impedance: matched to probe Z ± 0,02 Z Z ± 0,05 Z Z ± 0,05 Z
probe probe probe probe probe probe
impedance, given by Z
probe
Input impedance: not matched to Z ≥ 10 Z ≥ 10 Z ≥ 10 Z
probe probe probe probe
a
The tertiary system allows the user of the standard to define performance specifications for certain parameters,
where these user-defined specifications are based on the user’s documented interpretation and knowledge of
the operation of ESW and expected response to exposure to ESW output. The user of the tertiary system shall
demonstrate metrological traceability to the secondary system.

The following list describes the minimum performance requirements for the connectors,
cables, and electrical loads used to test the ESW:
• Cables/connectors
– Characteristic impedance: 50 Ω ± 2 Ω
– Analog bandwidth: > 1 GHz
• Electrical loads
– Resistance: 300 Ω ± 3 Ω
600 Ω ± 6 Ω
1 000 Ω ± 10 Ω
– Inductance: < 0,01 L or 20 nH, whichever is greater, where L is the self-
ESW ESW
inductance of the wire connecting the barbs and body of a long-range wired ESW
4.2.3 Measurement system traceability
4.2.3.1 General
ESW measurement system traceability, by application of the definition of metrological
traceability, allows the measurement results of lower-performing measurement systems to be

traceable to the measurement results of an ESW reference measurement system through a
documented unbroken chain of calibrations, where each part of this chain contributes to the
measurement uncertainty for a measurand (the waveform parameter). Often this chain of
calibrations can be achieved with a properly selected artifact or transfer standard. The results
of the measurement of the artifact by the ESW reference measurement system yield the
calibration of the artifact. This calibration can be of the ESW output waveform or any of the
parameters describing the waveform.
The performance characteristics of three different measurement systems are described in this
standard (see Table 1): a reference system, a secondary system, and a tertiary system. The
performance characteristics of the reference system are selected to allow acquisition of
waveforms that represent the signals provided by the ESW with the greatest fidelity. The
reference system is suitable for metrology laboratories that support third-party laboratory
accreditation processes and provide guidance and recommendation on the measurement of
the output of the ESW. The secondary measurement system exhibits relaxed performance
specifications relative to that of the reference measurement system. The tertiary
measurement system is one in which the performance specifications are defined by the user
of the standard.
The user shall provide metrological traceability from their secondary measurement system to
the reference measurement system or from their tertiary measurement system to a secondary
or reference measurement system. Metrological traceability for the secondary and tertiary
systems can be achieved through artifact (transfer) standards. These transfer standards are,
for example, depicted as the calibrated instruments in the figures. Calibration of these
instruments shall be performed by an accredited testing laboratory.
4.2.3.2 Limitations
There are currently no methods for measuring the phase spectrum of a waveform recorder or
a measurement system comprising a waveform recorder nor are there any suitable phase
references. Consequently, the phase spectrum is computed from the frequency transform of
the step response of the measurement system. Metrological traceability for the phase
spectrum or step response will be limited by the availability of suitable pulse generators to act
as transfer standards and, if available, the uncertainty in the phase spectrum of the
generator’s output.
The user of the standard may wish to establish metrological traceability between
measurement systems by considering the waveform recorder and probes separately. In this
case, the waveform recorder can be calibrated using commonly-available pulse generators
and the probes using appropriate high voltage sources. However, if the transient response of
the probes shall be measured, which is the likely case, the measurement system should be
calibrated as a whole. In this case, a suitable high-voltage pulse generator shall be used to
establish metrological traceability.
For metrological traceability between the secondary and tertiary systems, there are
commercially-available high-voltage pulse generators that can be used as a transfer standard.
However, at the time of the writing of this standard, there are no commercially-available pulse
generators that output high-voltage, repetitive, fast-transient, step-like-pulses that can act as
a transfer standard to establish metrological traceability between the secondary and reference
measurement systems or to act as a check standard for the reference system. Consequently,
the user of the standard shall develop an appropriate high-voltage fast-transient pulse
generator transfer standard. The user of the standard shall also provide the metrological
traceability of the pulse generator output to a national metrology institute.
4.2.4 System calibration
4.2.4.1 General
Calibration of the instruments is performed to ensure accuracy, repeatability, and
reproducibility of measurement results. Reproducibility is essential for accurate interlaboratory

– 18 – IEC 62792:2015 © IEC 2015
measurement comparisons of a given ESW, for comparisons between different ESWs, and to
observe changes in the performance of a given unit over time. The measurement system
includes the waveform recorder, the electrical probes, and any cabling and connectors
required to connect the probe to the waveform recorder.
4.
...