The IEC 61298-2 standard is a critical international benchmark that establishes general methods and procedures for conducting tests under standardized reference conditions for process measurement and control devices. Overview of IEC 61298-2
The standard, titled "Process measurement and control devices – General methods and procedures for evaluating performance – Part 2: Tests under reference conditions," is part of a larger series designed to ensure reliable, repeatable, and comparable measurement results across industrial automation.
Scope: Applies to both analogue and digital devices that are characterized by specific input and output variables.
Purpose: It provides a foundation for assessing functional and performance characteristics, acting as a complement to product-specific standards.
Current Edition: The most widely cited version is IEC 61298-2:2008, which replaced the original 1995 edition. Key Evaluation Parameters
The standard defines several technical metrics used to judge the performance of a device under test (DUT). Key terms and definitions includes: iec 612982
Maximum Measured Error: The largest positive or negative difference between a measured value and the average upscale or downscale value at measurement points.
Hysteresis: The property where a device provides different output values for the same input, depending on whether the input value was reached by increasing or decreasing.
Non-linearity: The deviation of the device's actual output from a theoretical straight-line relationship with its input.
Dead Band: The finite range of input values within which a change in the input does not produce a noticeable change in the output. The IEC 61298 Series Structure
To fully implement Part 2, it is often used alongside other parts of the series: The IEC 61298-2 standard is a critical international
Part 1 (IEC 61298-1): General considerations and principles.
Part 3 (IEC 61298-3): Procedures for evaluating the effects of influence quantities (environmental, electrical, or mechanical factors).
Part 4 (IEC 61298-4): Guidelines for the content and structure of the evaluation reports. Availability and Equivalents
You can find and purchase the official document through major standards bodies such as: IEC 61298-2:2008
The range through which an input can be varied without initiating a measurable change in the output. This is critical for mechanical instruments and valves. The core principles of IEC 61298—repeatability
IEC 61298-2 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It specifies the general methods and procedures for testing the performance of process measurement and control devices (such as transmitters, controllers, recorders, and converters).
Specifically, Part 2 focuses on tests performed under reference conditions. These are the "ideal" environmental and operational conditions under which a device is meant to operate. Testing under these conditions allows manufacturers to determine the intrinsic accuracy and performance capabilities of the device without the influence of external variables like extreme temperatures or vibration.
The core concept of this standard is the "Reference Condition." These are the specific limits of the operating environment in which the device is tested. While specific reference values can vary based on the device type, standard reference conditions typically include:
The standard outlines rigorous testing procedures to ensure data integrity.
As industrial IoT (IIoT) and "smart" sensors proliferate, IEC 61298 is being extended. The upcoming amendments will address:
The core principles of IEC 61298—repeatability, hysteresis, influence quantities, drift—remain timeless. But the methods are adapting to software-defined instruments.