ISO 16750-1:2023 Certification for Environmental Testing of Electrical Equipment in Road Vehicles
Quick Summary
ISO 16750-1:2023 is a critical international standard that defines the environmental conditions and testing procedures for electrical and electronic equipment in road vehicles. With the rise of advanced technologies in automotive systems, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving, the need for reliable and durable electronic systems is more important than ever. This standard ensure that automotive electronic systems can operate effectively under the harsh conditions they will face in real-world environments.
Introduction
With the growing reliance on electrical and electronic systems in road vehicles — from safety-critical features like airbags and braking systems to comfort and infotainment technologies — ensuring reliability under real-world environmental conditions has become essential. According to industry reports, electrical failures are among the leading causes of vehicle recalls, costing manufacturers billions annually. ISO 16750 provides a structured framework for environmental testing of vehicle components, helping manufacturers, suppliers, and testing labs verify durability, safety, and compliance.
Part 1 of the standard, ISO 16750-1:2023, outlines general requirements and guidance for applying environmental tests across automotive electrical and electronic equipment. It is widely used by OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and testing laboratories to design and validate automotive components.
In modern vehicles, the reliability of electronic and electrical systems depends on how well they withstand harsh environmental conditions.
The goal of this standard is to ensure that automotive components are designed to withstand the severe environmental factors they may encounter, including:
Temperature fluctuations:
Automotive systems are often exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures, from freezing conditions in northern climates to extreme heat in desert regions.
Vibration and shock:
Vehicles are subject to continuous movement, which can lead to vibrations and shocks that affect the performance of electronic systems.
Humidity and moisture:
Electronics in vehicles may be exposed to water or high humidity, especially in areas prone to rain or other wet conditions.
Electromagnetic interference (EMI):
Automotive electronic components must be designed to resist interference from external sources and other electronic systems within the vehicle.
Scope and Applicability
ISO 16750-1:2023 applies to all types of road vehicles (passenger cars, trucks, buses, and specialized vehicles) and their electronic or electrical systems. It addresses environmental factors such as temperature, vibration, mechanical shock, humidity, corrosion, dust, and chemical exposure.
Industries and stakeholders include:
Automotive OEMs – to ensure component reliability and safety.
Suppliers – Tier-1 and Tier-2 manufacturers delivering electrical/electronic parts.
Testing laboratories – for environmental validation of automotive equipment.
Regulators and certifying bodies – for compliance and quality assurance.
Related Standards in the ISO 16750 Series
Standard | Focus Area | Application |
|---|---|---|
ISO 16750-1:2023 | General requirements | Foundation for environmental testing of vehicle equipment. |
ISO 16750-2 | Electrical loads | Defines requirements for electrical load conditions. |
ISO 16750-3 | Mechanical loads | Covers vibration, shock, and mechanical stresses. |
ISO 16750-4 | Climatic loads | Focuses on temperature, humidity, and other climate conditions. |
ISO 16750-5 | Chemical loads | Defines tests for exposure to automotive fluids and chemicals. |
World geography and climate
Road vehicles are operated in nearly all land regions of the earth. Significant variations in environmental conditions due to climatic environment, including diurnal and seasonal cycles, can therefore be expected. Consideration has been given to worldwide ranges in temperature, humidity, precipitation and atmospheric conditions including dust, pollution and altitude.
Type of Vehicle
Environmental conditions in and on road vehicles can depend on vehicle design attributes, such as whether to equip an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor for vehicle propulsion, vehicle mass, vehicle size, electrical supply voltage and so on.
Vehicle Use Conditions and Operating Modes
Environmental conditions in and on the vehicle vary significantly with road quality, types of road surface, road topography, vehicle use (e.g. commuting, towing, cargo transport, etc.) and driving habits. Operating modes such as storage, starting, driving, stopping and so on have been considered. Additionally, it has been taken into account that there is a difference of engine speed distributions between conventional vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles where driving modes with shut-off combustion engine exist.
Equipment Life Cycle
Electrical and electronic equipment is intended to be resistant to environmental conditions experienced during manufacture, shipping, handling, storage, vehicle assembly and vehicle maintenance and repair. Such conditions and tests (e.g. handling drop to be tested by free-fall test) are within the scope of this document.
Vehicle Supply Voltage
Supply voltage varies with vehicle use, operating mode, electrical distribution system design and even climatic conditions.
Component Mass and Volume
The component mass and volume has a significant impact on the response of the device under test (DUT) to environmental loads, especially with respect to vibration and thermal load. For thermal loads the higher thermal capacity of the DUT is the major influence. For vibration loads the high dynamic system coupling (caused by high mass and moment of inertia as well as the centre of gravity) becomes relevant
Locations for DUT
At a minimum, the following mounting locations should be considered for a DUT with respect to thermal, mechanical, climatic and chemical loads.
Applicability to manufacturer’s responsibility
Due to technology limitations or variations in vehicle design, the vehicle manufacturer can be required to place a component in a location where it cannot withstand the environmental conditions described in the ISO 16750 series.
Applicability to wiring harnesses, cables and electrical connectors
Although some environmental conditions and tests in the ISO 16750 series can be relevant to vehicle wiring harnesses, cables and connectors, its scope is not sufficient to be used as a complete standard. It is therefore not recommended that the ISO 16750 series is directly applied to such devices and equipment.
Applicability to parts or assemblies in or on equipment
The ISO 16750 series describes environmental conditions and tests to be applied to electrical and electronic equipment directly mounted in or on the vehicle. It is not intended for direct application to parts or assemblies that are part of the equipment.
Applicability relative to system integration and validation
The user of the ISO 16750 series is cautioned that the scope of the ISO 16750 series is limited to conditions and testing at the equipment level, and therefore does not represent all conditions and testing necessary for complete verification and validation of the vehicle system. Environmental and reliability testing of equipment parts and vehicle systems can be required.
Applicability to high voltage battery packs and systems or components inside
Although some environmental conditions and tests of mechanical loads in ISO 16750-3 and climatic loads in ISO 16750-4 can be relevant to high voltage battery packs (e.g. for traction) and systems or components inside, their scope is not sufficient to be used as a complete standard.
Importance of ISO 16750-1 in the Automotive Industry
The automotive industry faces increasing demands for advanced electronic systems in vehicles, from infotainment and navigation systems to powertrain management and ADAS. ISO 16750-1:2023 plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and durability of these components. By adhering to the standard, manufacturers can minimize the risk of system failures and ensure that their products meet the rigorous demands of the automotive environment.
The standard also helps manufacturers comply with industry regulations and improve their product development processes by providing clear guidelines for environmental testing. Compliance with ISO 16750-1:2023 can lead to reduced warranty claims, increased customer satisfaction, and improved market competitiveness.
How ISO 16750-1 Improves Quality and Safety?
By implementing ISO 16750-1:2023, automotive manufacturers can improve both the quality and safety of their vehicles. The standard ensures that electronic systems can withstand environmental stresses, reducing the likelihood of system malfunctions that could lead to safety hazards. For example, electronics that fail due to extreme temperatures or moisture exposure could cause critical systems to malfunction, posing a danger to the driver and passengers.
The rigorous testing outlined in ISO 16750-1:2023 helps ensure that automotive systems perform reliably over the entire lifecycle of the vehicle, even under challenging operating conditions. This leads to greater confidence in the vehicle’s overall performance and longevity.
Contact Us
At Pacific Certifications, we provide expert guidance on ISO 16750-1:2023 certification for automotive manufacturers. Whether you are looking to ensure compliance with this standard or improve the performance of your vehicle’s electronic systems, our team is here to help.
Contact Details:
- Email:[email protected]
- Website:www.pacificcert.com
Our certification services help you meet industry standards and improve the quality of your products, ensuring their reliability and safety in the demanding automotive environment.
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Author: Ashish
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