ISO 16750 Vibration testing

ISO 16750-3 Road Vehicle Compliance Testing for Electronic Equipment – Mechanical Loads

Part 3 of ISO 16750 determines the mechanical integrity of electrical components of road vehicles. As a certified environmental lab, Keystone Compliance realizes the importance of ISO 16750 testing. We understand the challenges of meeting the ISO 16750 test requirements and guide companies through the process.

Keystone Compliance partners with customers to achieve environmental product compliance. Furthermore, we have a reputation for helping customers achieve their environmental product certifications.

Request a quote to learn why we are one of the fastest-growing compliance test labs in the country. Have a question about ISO 16750 compliance testing? Contact us or call (724) 657-9940 and we will determine the best course of action.

Summary of ISO 16750 Road Vehicle Testing of Electronic and Electric Equipment

Vibration Test Overview

The vibration test considers various levels of vibration severities to on-board electrical and electronic equipment. It is recommended that vehicle manufacturers and suppliers choose the best test method, temperatures, and vibration parameters. These variables are dependent on the equipment’s specific mounting location.

For some tests in this standard, IEC 60068-2-6 Vibration testing is performed. For other tests, the random vibration test of IEC 60068-2-64 is performed. More information on these tests can be found on these tests via the links below:

If the electronic control unit (ECU) is used in the vehicle with a bracket, then all vibration and mechanical shock tests are performed with this bracket. Furthermore, the vibration with the device under test is carried out mounted on the vibration table.

The scope of the recommended test profiles and duration is aimed at avoiding fatigue failure. Testing for wear has special requirements. This testing is not covered in this part of ISO 16750.

Test Set 1: Equipment for Passenger Cars

Test set 1 is recommended mainly for testing equipment for passenger cars. Passenger cars comprise no more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat. These cars are used for public transport.

There are 5 tests conducted in test set one. These tests are described below.

Test I – Equipment mounted directly on the engine. The vibrations of a piston engine can be divided into two types. Sinusoidal vibration and random noise. Sinusoidal vibrations result from unbalanced mass forces in the cylinders. Random noise consists of all other vibration sources of an engine e.g. closing valves.

The sinusoidal vibration test is performed according to IEC 60068-2-6 with a test duration of 22 hours for each plane. The random vibration is performed according to IEC 60068-2-64 for a total of 22 hours for each plane.

Test II – Gearbox mounted equipment. Similar to Test I, vibrations of a gearbox are divided into sinusoidal vibrations and random noise. Sinusoidal vibrations result from unbalanced mass forces. Random noise is created by the friction of the gearwheels.

Test III – Equipment mounted on flexible plenum chamber but not rigidly attached. The vibrations in this mounting location are sinusoidal. These vibrations are mainly induced by the pulsation of intake air.

For test III, the test is performed according to IEC 60068-2-6 for 22 hours for each plane.

Test IV – Equipment mounted on sprung masses (vehicle body). The vibration of the body is random. This is induced by rough-road driving.

Test IV is conducted by IEC 60068-2-64 for 8 hours for each plane of the unit under testing.

Test V – Equipment mounted on unsprung masses (wheel, wheel suspension). The vibration of unsprung masses is random. This is induced by rough-road driving.

This test is performed under IEC 60068-2-64. The vibration test is conducted for 8 hours on each plane.

Test Set 2: Commercial Vehicles

This test set is generally applicable to DUTs intended for mounting in commercial vehicles. Commercial vehicles are used for the carriage of goods and business purposes.

Test set 2 comprises of 4 tests, which are described below.

Test VI – Equipment mounted on engine or gearbox. Sinusoidal vibrations result from unbalanced mass forces. Random noise vibrations are owed to all other vibration sources. For example, closing valves.

Because the gearbox is rigidly attached to the engine, this test can also be used for equipment mounted at the gearbox.

The sinusoidal test is performed per IEC 60068-2-6. The test duration lasts 94 hours for each plane. The random vibration test is performed per IEC 60068-2-64. This is carried out for 94 hours on each plane. An additional 32 hours are conducted for each critical plane of a device under testing whose natural frequencies are < 30 Hz.

Test VII – Equipment mounted on sprung masses (vehicle body). The vibration on sprung masses is considered random. This is induced by rough-road driving.

The test must conform to IEC 60068-2-64. For each test plane, the duration of the test is 32 hours.

Test VIII – Equipment mounted on decoupled commercial vehicle cab. Vibrations on a decoupled commercial vehicle cab are random. The random vibrations for this test are induced by rough-road driving.

IEC 60068-2-64 is conducted to perform test VIII. The test is conducted for 32 hours for each plane of the unit under test.

Test IX – Equipment mounted on unsprung masses (wheel, wheel suspension). The vibration on unsprung masses is induced by rough-road driving.

The random vibration test in test VII is performed. Additionally, a sinusoidal test is carried out at room temperature. The sinusoidal test has a test frequency of 35 Hz on an electro-mechanical test stand.

Mechanical Shock Test Overview

Three different mechanical shock tests can be performed by ISO 16750. The mechanical shock tests are performed by IEC 60068-2-29. Please follow the attached link for more information.

Endurance shock test for components in or on doors and flaps. The endurance shock test is applicable for units intended for mounting on doors or in flaps. The load occurs on closures slammed shut.

The device under testing is fixed to the shaker in a direction to generate the effect of acceleration in the same direction as it occurs in vehicle use.

Mechanical shock test for components on rigid points on the body and on the frame. For this test, units are intended to be mounted on rigid points and on the frame of a vehicle. An example is when driving over a curbstone at high speed. A failure consists of mechanical damage such as a detached capacitor inside the housing of an electronic control module.

Acceleration resulting from the shock in the test is applied in the same direction as the acceleration of the shock that occurs in the vehicle. If the direction of acceleration is unknown, the unit is tested in all six spatial directions.

Mechanical shock tests for components in or on gearbox. This test is intended for the mounting of units on the gearbox. The loads occur during pneumatic powered gear-shifting operations. Any mechanical damage caused by high acceleration is regarded as a failure of the test.

The actual shock stresses depend on both the installation position of the gearbox and on the design features of the gearbox.

Expert ISO 16750 Part 3: Mechanical Load Compliance Testing

Our team strives to give our customers more time and energy on product development instead of testing. Keystone has a full lab of test equipment which permits us to provide short lead times on scheduling.

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