Terry,
I don't have a copy of EN 61000-6-2, but it sounds similar to the IBM Lightning
Surge Susceptibility (LSS) test that we do on our network adapters during
development/qualification. We LSS test all products that have:
* Cables going outdoors through surge protectors,
OR
* Indoor cables longer than 120 meters (and for our own peace of mind, ones
with shorter network cables too),
just for the reasons that Michael Hopkins gave.
In our test procedure we:
1. Make sure that the network adapter is working with the network.
2. Disconnect the network adapter from the network, and connect it to the
Keytek surge generator.
3. Hit the product with 1 to 10 simulated lightning surges, between a specified
set of signals/shields at a given
voltage and polarity.
4. Disconnect the network adapter from the surge generator, and reconnect it to
the network.
5. Verify that the network adapter still works with the network. This may
require resetting/powering-down &
powering-up the network adapter and its associated equipment in some cases.
Our concern is that we don't
damage the network adapter. Upsetting it, or locking it up in a way that
require manual intervention, are okay.
6. Repeat the process until we have hit every specified signal/signal or
signal/shield pair with 10 positive zaps
and 10 negative zaps at the maximum specified voltage.
The test only calls for us to zap the cable interface at the maximum voltages.
But, having blown up a number of cards with this test since 1990, I like to test
at 25%, 50%, 75%, and then 100% of the maximum specified voltage, at least for
the first time I am testing a brand new design. I've also seen failures where I
had to zap a card several times before I destroyed it, and other times that the
very first zap at a voltage/polarity destroyed a part. Depending on my
confidence level, I may:
* Zap the card 10 times at a voltage/polarity before I check to see if it still
works.
OR
* Change the voltage/polarity/test-point, zap the card once and check it, then
zap it another 9 times and recheck it
before going to a new voltage/polarity/test-point.
John Barnes Advisory Engineer
Lexmark International
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