ISO 16750-1 Road Vehicles - Environmental Conditions and Testing of Electrical and Electronic Equipment - Part 1: General

The standard "ISO 16750-1 Road vehicles - Environmental conditions and testing of electrical and electronic equipment - Part 1: General," developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), specifies requirements for electrical and electronic systems and components for vehicles, including electric drive systems and components with maximum operating voltages according to voltage class B. This standard describes potential environmental stresses and specifies tests and requirements for specific mounting locations on or within the vehicle. However, this standard does not apply to the environmental requirements or testing of systems and components for motorcycles and mopeds. Furthermore, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is outside the scope of this standard.

In general, the aim of the ISO 16750 series of standards is to assist the user in systematically defining or applying a set of internationally accepted environmental conditions, tests and operating requirements based on the actual environment to which the equipment is expected to operate and be exposed throughout its life cycle.

This standard does not include the electrical test conditions or requirements in ISO 16750-2 for voltage class B components in voltage class B circuits and 48-volt components in 48-volt circuits. For electrical test conditions or requirements for voltage class B components and 48-volt components in 48-volt circuits, the ISO 21498 series of standards (voltage class B components) and ISO 21780 (48-volt components) apply.

The following environmental factors were taken into account in the development of this standard:

• World geography and climate
• Vehicle type
• Vehicle conditions of use and operating modes
• Equipment life cycle
• Vehicle supply voltage
• Component mass and volume
• Mounting location in the vehicle

The automotive industry increasingly relies on sophisticated electrical and electronic systems to power everything from engine management to advanced driver assistance systems and electric drive systems. These systems must operate reliably in challenging environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures, vibrations, humidity, and more. The ISO 16750-1 standard provides a framework for ensuring the durability and reliability of these systems.

This standard is part of the ISO 16750 series, which covers environmental testing requirements for electrical and electronic equipment in road vehicles. This standard focuses on general requirements, terminology, and classification of environmental conditions and tests. It applies to electrical and electronic systems and components with maximum operating voltages classified as Class B voltage (generally up to 60 V DC), including those used in electric drive systems. This standard ensures that automotive electronics can withstand the environmental stresses encountered in a variety of global environments throughout a vehicle's lifecycle, from production to operation.

This standard applies to:

• Electrical and electronic systems and components in road vehicles, including passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles (e.g. buses and heavy trucks).
• Electric propulsion systems, including hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles with range extenders (excluding fuel cell-specific equipment).
• Components with Class B voltage circuits covered by other standards, e.g. ISO 21498 and ISO 21780, but excluding 48 Volt circuits or high voltage battery packs.

However, the following are outside the scope of this standard:

• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) addressed by other standards.
• Systems and components for motorcycles and mopeds.
• Wiring harnesses, cables, electrical connectors or high voltage battery packs as individual components.
• Environmental testing for components within the equipment or full vehicle system validation.

The ISO 16750-1 standard provides a structured approach to defining environmental conditions and test protocols. Its key components are:

• Classification by mounting location: This standard classifies equipment according to where it is mounted in the vehicle, as different locations are subject to different environmental stresses:
  • Engine/electric motor compartment: Exposed to high temperatures, vibrations and chemicals (e.g. oils, coolants).
  • Passenger compartment: Subject to moderate temperature changes and lower mechanical stress.
  • Luggage and cargo area: Potentially subject to temperature fluctuations and exposure to moisture or dust.
  • Exterior and interior cavities: Exposed to extreme weather conditions such as precipitation, UV radiation and road debris.
  • Other mounting locations: Specific locations specified by the manufacturer.
• Operating modes: This standard defines operating modes to simulate real-world conditions during testing:
  • Operating mode 1: The equipment is switched off (e.g. during storage or parking).
  • Operating mode 2: The equipment is on but not performing its primary function (e.g. standby mode).
  • Operating mode 3: The equipment is fully operational and performing its intended function.
  • Operating mode 4: Specific to 48 Volt systems or voltage class B components and addresses additional operating states.
• Functional status classification: This standard classifies the post-test functional status of equipment to evaluate performance:
  • Class A: Fully functional, no deviation from specifications.
  • Class B: Functional but with minor deviations that do not affect safety or primary function.
  • Class C: Reduced functionality but still safe.
  • Class D: Significant loss of function but no safety risk.
  • Class E: Complete failure or safety-critical failure.
• Environmental constraints: This standard takes into account a number of environmental factors:
  • Temperature fluctuations: From extreme cold (e.g. minus 40 degrees Celsius in arctic regions) to high heat (e.g. 85 degrees Celsius in desert conditions).
  • Vibration and shock: Caused by road conditions, vehicle dynamics or handling during installation.
  • Humidity and moisture: Including exposure to water, condensation or high humidity.
  • Chemical exposure: Resistance to substances such as oil, fuel or cleaning agents.
  • Atmospheric conditions: Including dust, pollution and altitude effects.
• Test sequences and requirements: This standard covers general test conditions, setup and procedures, including:
  • Test sequence plans: A structured approach to performing environmental testing (e.g., temperature cycling followed by vibration testing).
  • Parameter checks and visual inspections: To assess post-test performance and physical integrity.
  • Coding system: A standardized way of specifying test conditions and requirements, including “Code Z” for special conditions agreed upon by manufacturers and suppliers.

As a result, ISO 16750-1 is a fundamental standard for ensuring the durability and reliability of electrical and electronic systems in road vehicles. By addressing a wide range of environmental stresses and providing clear testing guidelines, it helps manufacturers produce robust components that can withstand the rigors of automotive applications. As vehicles become more electrified and technologically advanced, compliance with this standard is essential to ensure safety, quality, and customer satisfaction in the automotive industry.

Our organization, which has been operating for many years and meticulously follows global developments in science and technology, employs a skilled team and extensive infrastructure to conduct testing, measurement, and analysis in a wide range of areas for businesses across all sectors. In this context, we also provide testing services in accordance with the ISO 16750-1 Road vehicles - Environmental conditions and testing of electrical and electronic equipment - Part 1: General standard.