What is BS EN 60721-3-2:2018?

BS EN 60721-3-2:2018 is an internationally recognized standard for classifying environmental conditions. It provides guidelines to assess and categorize the influence of climate on equipment and systems. This standard is essential for industries that rely on the proper functioning of their equipment in different environmental conditions.

Scope and Application

The scope of BS EN 60721-3-2:2018 covers a wide range of environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and altitude. The standard provides a systematic approach to classify these conditions into different classes. Each class represents a specific set of environmental parameters that could potentially impact the performance or lifespan of equipment.

This standard is applicable to various industries, including but not limited to telecommunications, aerospace, defense, transportation, and industrial automation. It helps manufacturers, designers, and operators to understand the environmental conditions their equipment may encounter during its service life and take necessary measures to ensure reliability and durability.

Environmental Classification

The classification system of BS EN 60721-3-2:2018 is based on three main parameters - temperature, humidity, and altitude.

Temperature: The standard defines temperature ranges from extremely low temperatures like -60 degrees Celsius to extremely high temperatures like 70 degrees Celsius. Equipment is classified based on its ability to operate within these temperature limits.

Humidity: Different levels of humidity, ranging from dry conditions to high moisture environments, are considered while classifying equipment. Humidity can affect the performance of equipment, especially electronic components, and it is important to ensure compatibility with the designated humidity level.

Altitude: Altitude plays a significant role in determining the operating conditions of equipment. The standard outlines altitude limits and corresponding classes to ensure equipment can withstand the changes in atmospheric pressure that occur at different altitudes.

Benefits of BS EN 60721-3-2:2018

Adhering to the guidelines provided by BS EN 60721-3-2:2018 offers several benefits:

1. Reliability and Durability: By classifying environmental conditions and designing equipment accordingly, manufacturers can enhance reliability and durability. This helps in reducing failures and downtime, leading to increased productivity and customer satisfaction.

2. Compliance with Regulations: Industries often have to comply with specific regulations related to environmental conditions, especially in sectors like defense and aerospace. Following this standard ensures compliance with such regulations and allows easy integration into specific environments.

3. Interoperability: Equipment designed according to standardized environmental classification is more likely to work seamlessly in diverse environments. It promotes interoperability, allowing for efficient integration of various systems and components.

4. Cost Savings: Proper understanding and application of BS EN 60721-3-2:2018 can help optimize equipment design and selection, ultimately leading to cost savings by avoiding unnecessary repairs or replacements.

In conclusion, BS EN 60721-3-2:2018 is a crucial standard that classifies environmental conditions and guides industries in designing reliable and durable equipment. It covers temperature, humidity, and altitude parameters and ensures compatibility with specified conditions. Adherence to this standard offers multiple benefits, ranging from compliance with regulations to cost savings and improved interoperability.