It protects against liability by providing objective, internationally recognized proof of device accuracy and build quality.
Industrial instruments must perform across long operational shifts without frequent manual recalibration.
Only if they cite the specific part and test conditions. A manufacturer claiming "tested to IEC 61298" without stating the part number and reference conditions is offering little value. Always ask: Which part? What influence quantities? Under what environmental range?
How much must the input change before the device even notices?
If an instrument is rated under IEC 61298-2 , a user can replace a broken unit with a competitor’s unit, assuming similar, verified performance metrics. iec 612982
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
IEC 61298 is an international standard titled "Process control instruments - Guidelines for the evaluation of the performance of process control instrumentation". The standard provides guidelines for evaluating the performance of process control instruments, including their accuracy, reliability, and response to various operating conditions.
is the definitive international standard specifying uniform methods to test and evaluate the performance of industrial process measurement and control devices under strict reference conditions. Published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) , this standard establishes a baseline for comparing analogue and digital instruments used in automated systems. By defining exact parameters for evaluation, it guarantees that accuracy, dynamic behavior, and functional characteristics remain consistent across global manufacturers. Scope and Application
Testing labs apply precise incremental inputs to the device across its entire operational span (e.g., 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the scale). The resulting outputs are recorded during both increasing and decreasing cycles to check for alignment with the manufacturer's specified transfer function. 2. Hysteresis and Dead Band Assessment A manufacturer claiming "tested to IEC 61298" without
Note: In updated frameworks like prEN IEC 61298-2:2024 , specialized Process Measurement Transmitters (PMT) are excluded, as they are governed by IEC 62828. Core Pillars of Evaluation
Confirms high electrical isolation to protect data lines from high-voltage spikes.
IEC 61298-2 outlines general methods for evaluating the performance of process measurement and control devices under reference conditions, emphasizing accuracy metrics like hysteresis and repeatability. A compliant report must document specific test results, such as measurement cycles and drift analysis, often utilizing structures from the IEC 61298 series. For the full standard, visit IEC Webstore iTeh Standards
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 Under what environmental range
Standardizes how findings are presented to end-users. Industrial Significance
The standard ensures reliable, comparable performance data across manufacturers.
: 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
Testing industrial instrumentation under arbitrary field conditions makes objective comparison impossible. A flow meter tested in an unconditioned, humid warehouse will register different drift patterns than one tested in an air-conditioned laboratory.