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You are specifying 200 pressure transmitters. Two vendors provide data sheets:
But Vendor B's data sheet includes statements like: "Tested according to IEC 61298-1 through -5. Reference accuracy: ±0.1% at 20°C. Additional temperature error: ±0.02% per 10°C. Long-term drift: 0.1% per year." Vendor A simply says "high accuracy."
Choose Vendor B. Why? Because you know exactly how the instrument will behave in your plant where summer temperatures hit 45°C. Vendor A's vague claim is unverifiable.
Confusion often arises because several IEC standards deal with industrial instruments. Here is a clear differentiation:
| Standard | Primary Focus | Key Question It Answers | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | IEC 61298 | Performance testing | "How accurate, repeatable, and stable is this device?" | | IEC 61508 | Functional safety | "Will this device fail safely if something breaks?" | | IEC 61326 | EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility) | "Does nearby radio noise or a lightning strike affect it?" | | IEC 60529 | Ingress protection (IP rating) | "Can dust or water get inside?" |
Note: A device can be IEC 61298-tested (accurate) but not safe (IEC 61508). Conversely, a safety-certified transmitter can have poor accuracy—but that is usually unacceptable.
IEC 61298-2 is an international standard that establishes a unified framework for testing and reporting the performance of process measurement and control devices under reference conditions iTeh Standards Core Purpose
The standard ensures that performance data for industrial instrumentation—such as sensors, actuators, and controllers—is reliable, repeatable, and comparable across different manufacturers. It applies to both analogue and digital devices
that are defined by specific input/output variables and transfer functions. iTeh Standards Key Performance Features Evaluated
The standard outlines specific procedures for measuring several critical device characteristics: Accuracy-Related Factors : Includes methods for selecting test ranges, determining hysteresis , and identifying the (the range where input changes don't affect output). Dynamic Behavior : Defines tests for frequency response step response
to analyze how a device reacts to time-dependent signal changes. Functional Characteristics : Covers technical hardware evaluations such as electrical input resistance
, insulation strength, and power consumption (both electrical and pneumatic). Drift Analysis : Provides guidelines to quantify start-up drift long-term drift
, ensuring the device maintains its performance over its operational life. Standardized Reporting iec 612982
: Specifies the use of uniform error curves, tables, and figures to support clear and objective comparisons in datasheets. iTeh Standards Current Status Active Edition : The most widely used version is IEC 61298-2:2008 (Edition 2.0). Future Updates
: A third edition (IEC 61298-2:2026) is currently in development as a technical revision to replace the 2008 version. IEC Webstore IEC 61298-2:2026 PRV
IEC 61298-2:2008 establishes standardized procedures for evaluating the performance of industrial process measurement and control devices under reference conditions. It covers testing methodologies for accuracy, linearity, hysteresis, and dynamic behavior, with a future revision (Edition 3.0) expected in 2026. For the official standard, visit IEC Webstore IEC Webstore IEC 61298-2:2008
IEC 61298-2 , titled "Process measurement and control devices – General methods and procedures for evaluating performance – Part 2: Tests under reference conditions," provides a standardized framework for evaluating the performance of industrial instrumentation. It ensures that performance data for analog and digital devices is reliable and comparable by testing them under controlled, ideal conditions. IEC Webstore Key Evaluation Areas
The standard details procedures for assessing several critical performance metrics: iTeh Standards
Guidelines for testing, data handling, and error curve generation. Dynamic Behavior: Procedures for step input and frequency response tests. Functional Characteristics:
Evaluation of power consumption, output signal ripple, and insulation resistance. Methods for measuring long-term and start-up drift. iTeh Standards Context and Applications
IEC 61298-2 (Process measurement and control devices – General methods and procedures for evaluating performance – Part 2: Tests under reference conditions) is a key international standard for assessing industrial instrumentation. It establishes rigorous, standardized methods to evaluate the accuracy and functionality of both analog and digital devices (sensors, actuators) under stable reference conditions. 1. Scope and Purpose
The standard ensures reliable, comparable performance data across manufacturers.
Applicability: Covers devices with defined input/output variables.
Exclusions: Typically excludes Process Measurement Transmitters (handled by IEC 62828).
Reference Conditions: Tests occur under strictly defined "normal" conditions (temperature, voltage, etc.) to establish a performance baseline. 2. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) The standard defines procedures for measuring: You are specifying 200 pressure transmitters
Accuracy Metrics: Measured error, non-linearity, hysteresis, and non-repeatability. Dynamic Behavior: Step response, rise time, and dead-time.
Functional Checks: Insulation strength, power/air consumption, and long-term drift. IEC 61298-2:2008
Understanding IEC 61298-2: The Standard for Process Measurement and Control Performance
In the world of industrial automation, accuracy and reliability aren't just goals—they are requirements. To ensure that instruments perform consistently under varying conditions, the International Electrotechnical Commission developed the IEC 61298 series. Specifically, IEC 61298-2 focuses on the methods and procedures for evaluating the performance of process measurement and control devices.
Whether you are a manufacturer testing a new pressure transmitter or an engineer validating a control loop, understanding this standard is essential for ensuring operational excellence. What is IEC 61298-2?
The full title of the standard is “Process measurement and control devices - General methods and procedures for evaluating performance - Part 2: Tests under reference conditions.”
While Part 1 of the series covers general considerations, Part 2 provides the "how-to" for conducting tests. It defines the specific procedures to determine how an instrument performs when environmental and operational factors (like temperature, humidity, and power supply) are kept at a constant, "ideal" state. The Importance of Reference Conditions
Before you can understand how an instrument fails or drifts in extreme heat or vibration, you must first establish its "baseline." Testing under reference conditions allows engineers to:
Establish Accuracy: Determine the intrinsic error of the device.
Ensure Repeatability: Verify that the device provides the same output for the same input multiple times.
Comparative Analysis: Create a standardized data set that can be compared against other manufacturers or models. Key Testing Procedures Covered
IEC 61298-2 outlines several rigorous testing cycles. The most critical include: 1. Accuracy and Hysteresis Tests But Vendor B's data sheet includes statements like:
The standard requires a series of "calibration cycles." Typically, this involves increasing the input signal in steps (e.g., 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) and then decreasing it back to zero. This reveals: Linearity: How closely the output follows a straight line.
Hysteresis: The difference in output at the same input point depending on whether you are "going up" or "coming down" the scale. 2. Dead Band Testing
This procedure measures the smallest change in input signal that results in a measurable change in output. For high-precision control, a low dead band is vital. 3. Repeatability and Reproducibility
The standard defines how to conduct multiple test runs over a short period to see if the device can replicate its own results consistently. 4. Step Response and Frequency Response
IEC 61298-2 isn't just about static accuracy; it's about timing. These tests evaluate how quickly a device responds to a sudden change in input (Step Response) and how it handles oscillating signals (Frequency Response). Who Should Follow IEC 61298-2?
Manufacturers: To provide standardized data sheets that customers can trust.
Calibration Labs: To ensure their certification processes align with international benchmarks.
End Users/Engineers: To verify that the equipment they have purchased meets the technical specifications required for their specific process.
IEC 61298-2 is the backbone of performance evaluation in the process industry. By following these standardized testing procedures, organizations can move away from guesswork and toward data-driven reliability. When an instrument is "IEC 61298-2 compliant," it means its performance has been vetted under a microscope of international consistency. ) required for an IEC 61298-2 audit?
IEC 61298-2:2008 establishes international methods for testing the performance and functional characteristics of process control devices under reference conditions. It covers accuracy, dynamic behavior, and electrical/pneumatic characteristics, with a new edition, prEN IEC 61298-2:2024, in development. Further details are available from the IEC Webstore. IEC 61298-2:2008
Given the closest standard I could find, which is IEC 61290 (which doesn't directly match but seems like it could be related), I'll provide some general information on what IEC standards entail and a placeholder for what one might expect from a document with a similar name.
The error of the device determined at reference conditions. This is the baseline error of the instrument.
| Standard | Focus | Key Difference | |----------|-------|----------------| | IEC 61298 | General performance testing of process instruments | Broad influence & dynamic tests | | ISO 9001 | Quality management system | Not device-specific | | IEC 61508/61511 | Functional safety (SIL) | Includes systematic capability + random failures | | NAMUR NE 107 | Device diagnostics | Only for failure handling | | ANSI/ISA 75.02 | Control valve flow testing | Only for valves | | ASTM E74 | Force transducer calibration | Only calibration, not environmental |
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.