International standards for magnetic materials and components

In practically all of the industrially developed countries of the world there are strong national standards organizations. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) coordinates and unifies electrical and electronic standards by drafting international recommendations from which member countries may draw for national standards. The benefits derived from this work include better understanding among electrical and electronic engineers and scientists, and a means for initiating and expanding international trade. The upsurge in development and application of ferrites led the IEC to establish a committee on ferromagnetic oxide parts 15 years ago, which rapidly expanded into a full technical committee on magnetic materials and components (TC 51). The magnetic activities include recommendations for terms and definitions, dimensional standardization, measurement methods, inductors and transformers, data storage devices, strip-wound cores and laminations, variability (temperature and time), gyromagnetic applications (microwave), and antenna rods. Eleven TC 51 IEC publications are now available. Numerous others are in process.