In article <[email protected]>, Rich Nute <[email protected]> writes
>However, once something is written in a >standard, and its meaning is confusing, >the statement will remain forever. That is a mite pessimistic. I have had some limited success over the years in removing some of the more blatant textual errors in standards. But it isn't easy. > This >is because no one wants to tamper with >the written word (because the objective >was never stated, and because the >rationale was never captured). It has taken five years, and it isn't as good as it would be if all the source documents could have been retrieved, but IEC TR 61000-1-4 (soon to be published) at least attempts to explain the way the limits in IEC 61000-3-2 and -12 were set. It is intended to compile a rationale report in parallel with a future revision of IEC 61000-3-2. Actually, I though it was intended that the new hazard-based multimedia safety standard would include, or be accompanied by, a comprehensive rationale. > The >default philosophy is that the statement >was put into the standard for a reason. >Even though we don't know the reason, and >because we don't know the reason, we must >retain the statement. "Tradition!" I don't think that is quite as powerful an argument now as it once was. In the IEC committees that I frequent, there is more a tendency to question everything. > >Note that engineering principles do not >enter into the process of standards >intepretation. I hope that is not so. Furthermore, in the case of EMC standards setting limits in a regulatory context, the UK is progressing a 'cui bono' approach in IEC. This seeks a 'market-place' justification, taking into account the costs of compliance as well as the benefits expected. -- Regards, John Woodgate, OOO - Own Opinions Only. The good news is that nothing is compulsory. The bad news is that everything is prohibited. http://www.jmwa.demon.co.uk Also see http://www.isce.org.uk This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to [email protected] Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/listserv/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] Jim Bacher: [email protected] All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc
