This International Standard relates to the immunity requirements and test methods for electrical and electronic equipment subjected to static electricity discharges, from operators directly, and to adjacent objects. It additionally defines ranges of test levels which relate to different environmental and installation conditions and establishes test procedures.

The object of this standard is to establish a common and reproducible basis for evaluating the performance of electrical and electronic equipment when subjected to electrostatic discharges. In addition, it includes electrostatic discharges which may occur from personnel to objects near vital equipment.

This standard defines: - typical waveform of the discharge current; - range of test levels; - test equipment; - test set-up; - test procedure.

This standard gives specifications for test performed in "laboratories" and "post-installation tests" performed on equipment in the final installation.

This standard does not intend to specify the tests to be applied to particular apparatus or systems. Its main aim is to give a general basic reference to all concerned product committees of the IEC. The product committees (or users and manufacturers of equipment) remain responsible for the appropriate choice of the tests and the severity level to be applied to their equipment.

In order not to impede the task of coordination and standardization, the product committees or users and manufacturers are strongly recommended to consider (in their future work or revision of old standards) the adoption of the relevant immunity tests specified in this standard.