The landscape for industrial automation is shifting with the development of the new , a critical update to the international standard for evaluating the performance of process measurement and control devices. Currently under development by the IEC Technical Committee 65 (TC 65/SC 65B) , this new version is slated for a forecast publication date of June 5, 2026 . What is IEC 61298-2?
Modern plants use variable frequency drives (VFDs) and switch-mode power supplies that inject harmonics and high-frequency ripple onto the 24V DC loop. The old test used a pure DC source.
If your products were certified under the 2008 edition, you must transition. Here is a practical timeline.
| Standard | Title | Key Focus | |---|---|---| | IEC 61298-1:2008 | General considerations | Foundational principles, framework, and general requirements for performance evaluation | | IEC 61298-2:2026 | Tests under reference conditions | Performance testing under ideal, controlled conditions (this article) | | IEC 61298-3:2008 | Tests for the effects of influence quantities | Examination of how environmental and other influence quantities affect device performance | iec 612982 new
for accuracy or dynamic behavior mentioned in the new draft? IEC 61298-2:2026 PRV
: Plant engineers use the metrics to evaluate incoming equipment, ensuring components comply with strict procurement specifications.
: Panel meters, digital loop controllers, and process recorders. The landscape for industrial automation is shifting with
Before unpacking the "new" elements, let us establish the foundation. IEC 61298-2 is part of a three-part standard (alongside Parts 1, 3, and 4) that specifies test procedures for process measurement instruments such as pressure transmitters, temperature sensors, flow meters, and level instruments.
(IEC 61298-2:2026) is currently in its final drafting stages and scheduled for official release around June 2026. The Evolution of IEC 61298-2
In the world of industrial automation and process control, standards are the silent guardians of safety, interoperability, and reliability. Among these, the IEC 61298 series has long been the benchmark for evaluating the performance of transmitters, sensors, and control devices. Specifically, —which focuses on Test methods for influence quantities —has recently undergone significant revisions. Modern plants use variable frequency drives (VFDs) and
The previous 2008 edition was written when industrial facilities were transitioning from analog loops to early-stage digital networks. Today, industrial environments depend on advanced digital systems, smart diagnostics, and edge computing. The update modernizes test boundaries to prevent overlap with newer standards, such as the , which now handles Process Measurement Transmitters (PMT). Key Technical Scope and Exclusions
The error rate shall not exceed (10^-6) under any influence quantity.
The 2026 edition clarifies the boundaries of the standard more precisely than its predecessor.
IEC 61298 series is a foundational set of international standards for evaluating the performance of process measurement and control devices. While the current active version of Part 2 (IEC 61298-2) dates back to 2008, new third edition