Detachable Power Supply Cable Connection ESD Clarification

[BillySSK]

Hi Guys,

If a device has a detachable power cable with female connector and the device appliance inlet is with a male connector how to consider this test point in ESD testing?

For instance when operating on AC mains my device appliance inlet (Male Connector) would not be exposed and an air discharge test in the crevices of the appliance inlet can be done.Correct me If I am wrong here.

Vice Versa when the device is operating in Battery with the detachable power cord removed then the appliance inlet (Male connector) becomes exposed and is open.

1) Will this need to be subjected to a Direct contact discharge tests???

2) If yes does covering the male connector with a flap or rubber cap exempt the test point from direct discharge test???

Else

3) Can a manufacturer simply have a ESD sensitive label (IEC 60417-5134 (2003-04)) near the Appliance inlet and avoid any ESD test (Air & Contact) during compliance and qualification testing for the appliance inlet???

 

[Stijloor]

A Quick Bump!

Can someone help?

Thank you very much!!

 

[Krisp]

Hi Guys,

If a device has a detachable power cable with female connector and the device appliance inlet is with a male connector how to consider this test point in ESD testing?

For instance when operating on AC mains my device appliance inlet (Male Connector) would not be exposed and an air discharge test in the crevices of the appliance inlet can be done.Correct me If I am wrong here.

Vice Versa when the device is operating in Battery with the detachable power cord removed then the appliance inlet (Male connector) becomes exposed and is open.

1) Will this need to be subjected to a Direct contact discharge tests???

2) If yes does covering the male connector with a flap or rubber cap exempt the test point from direct discharge test???

Else

3) Can a manufacturer simply have a ESD sensitive label (IEC 60417-5134 (2003-04)) near the Appliance inlet and avoid any ESD test (Air & Contact) during compliance and qualification testing for the appliance inlet???

1) Yes, direct ESD discharge test would apply because the metal connection is accessible from the outside.

2) Maybe yes/Maybe not. If the user is able to open the cap without the use of a tool, then the connection is deemed to be an accessible part under IEC60601 and you will need to do contact discharge test (IEC60601-1-2, section 6.2.2.2)

3) For medical devices, if you want to use this strategy, you should look at IEC60601-1-2 regarding ESD exemptions.

 

[3dBUnderThe Limit]

Two questions:
Is this device intended for home use?
What version of 60601-1-2 are you using?

If you are targeting 60601-1-2:2014 I can se no requirements for ESD on the mains port.

 

[Krisp]

What version of 60601-1-2 are you using?

If you are targeting 60601-1-2:2014 I can se no requirements for ESD on the mains port.

I am targeting the MDD harmonized version of 60601, EN 60601-1-2:2007/AC:2010.

ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/european-standards/harmonised-standards/medical-devices/index_en.htm

 

[3dBUnderThe Limit]

If you look at the test procedures and exemptions in 60601-1-2:2007 and 61000-4-2 I would say that you would be able to use a labeling to avoid testing. That is if your device is not intended for home use.

I think that you will find an answer to your questions in a combination of 60601-1-2:2007 (6.2.2.2)and 61000-4-2 (8.3.2).

So my answers to your questions with the usual denial of any responsibility would be: No, No, Yes. My personal opinion is however that labeling is not very helpful for the user.

 

[Pads38]

A question I might ask is "what happens if I try doing an ESD test to the appliance coupler pins?"

You may find that is a 'non-event', that is nothing much happens. If you have filtering around your mains input it may be enough to stop anything untoward happening.

As this would be a test that could be set-up quickly and easily it would not be too difficult or expensive to try some pre-compliance testing, either at an EMC facility or you could hire in the necessary equipment.

 

[cdewitt]

A well designed AC input filter that's bonded to some combination of chassis shielding and PE should bypass the ESD discharge to chassis and/or PE. I always test the AC line connections but I've never seen a problem.