What is ECE R10?

In the domain of the automotive industry, UNECE has come up with a regulation called ECE R10. UNECE stands for “The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe”.

Till 18 Feb 2020, there are 56 member states in UNECE. ECE R10 defines the requirements of electromagnetic compatibility for every vehicle.

The product is also responsible for auto sub-assemblies used in vehicles.

What is the type of approval and why do I need it?

Mainly the type of approval of formal means of getting approval. Type approval is the authority that issues a certificate for any vehicle.

Approval means that a particular vehicle meets all the requirements of users on the road.

The vehicle could be component/STU) Separate Technical Unit or sub-assembly.

For vehicles and STU, there are some essential requirements. Examples are brakes, gas emission, lightning, vision, and EMC, Electromagnetic compatibility.

Type of approval is legally essential for some vehicles and components/STU. Especially before the sale or registration of those vehicles.

Two main systems of type approval prevail in Europe.

ECWVTA

It stands for European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval. It covers buses, goods vehicles, coaches, and passenger cars. The schemes in directives work for:

1. Low volume manufacturers
2.  small series manufacturers

Both working either in the EU or some other member state. It is also considered mandatory for IVA, i.e., Individual vehicle approval.

The other directives are for quadricycles, motorcycles, or tricycles. Besides this, it also covers foresty or agricultural vehicles.

1. The type-approval process includes the following steps:
2. Choose the right Technical service and the Approval Authority
3. Register for the conformity of the production
4. Complete the information Document
5. Agree on the test condition for the worse case
6. Perform the test
7. Apply for the Type approval process
8. Check the marking requirements
9. Check the post-approval

Which products are under the scope of ECE R10?

There are some products that are covered under the scope of ECE R10. The applicability of the ECE R10 regulation covers the following:

• Considering Electromagnetic Compatibility, all vehicles of L, M, N, O, T, R, S1 categories.
• Components and STU requirements meeting in these vehicles in line with electromagnetic compatibility.
• Other requirements related to the control of the vehicle. It includes conducted and radiated disturbance in the function. It could interrupt drivers and other road users. Disturbance could be due to the functionality of the vehicle data bus. It can also impact the vehicle statutory data.
• If requirements for conducted emission or unwanted radiations are met. It tracks the unwanted use of electrical/electronic equipment in one’s car or in other vehicles. Also, check the use of accessories that could cause disturbance for other cars.
• Some other requirements of ESAs and vehicles. It controls the contact between the power grid and the vehicle. The contact ensures safe emission as well as immunity of vehicles.

ECE R10 Testing

ECE R10 by UN shares the procedure for performing EMC testing. Different standards of tests are applied in the system.

EMC Tests by UN ECE R 10 can be performed in two ways or groups. Immunity as well as Emission tests.

There are referred test standards for both emission and immunity tests. The reference as per Revision 6 of ECE R10 are as follow:

• CISPR 12
• CISPR 25
• CISPR 16-1-4
• ISO 7637-2
• ISO 11451-1
• ISO 11451-2
• ISO 11451-4
• ISO 11452
• ISO 11452-1
• ISO 11452-2
• ISO 11452-3
• ISO 11452-4

• ISO 11452-5
• ISO-EN 17025
• ISO 11454
• ITU Radio Regulation edition 2008
• IEC 61000-3-2
• IEC 61000-4-4
• IEC 61000-3-3
• IEC 61000-3-11
• IEC 61000-3-12
• IEC 61000-4-4
• IEC 61000-4-5
• IEC 61000-6-3

Why LED Driving Light Has To Perform ECE R10 Electromagnetic Compatibility Approval

ECE R10 or Electromagnetic Compatibility refers to interoperability. It means the capability of an electronic device to work in an electric environment.

There should be no interference from any electronic devices in the surrounding environment.

In the case of an LED with no ECE R10 Approval, there might be electrical interference.

The independent working of the circuits is interrupted due to electrical interference.

Thus, electromagnetic compatibility approval is essential for LED driving lights. If you select LED lights for your vehicles (car, bus, motorcycle) make sure it is ECE R10 approved.