EMC 813 Task 1: EMC Standards and definitions

Z. du Toit, 17042844
February 13, 2018

1 Introduction
This report aims to examine and understand the basic EMC definitions and standards. The
method will be to study cases and source material provided beforehand.

2 Answers to set of given questions

This section provides answers to the given set of questions, including references.

1. Definitions:

(a) Electromagnetic compatibility: The capacity of a device, equipment, or sys-

tem to operate within set standards in an electromagnetic environment without
being affected or affecting other devices, equipment, or systems. (T. Williams,
2007, p.1)
(b) EMC Directive: Authoritative instructions, standards, and requirements for
electromagnetic devices, equipment, or systems. (T. Williams, 2007, p.24 - 26)
(c) R&TTE Directive: Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Di-
rective, a seperate directive for devices which include transmitters and receivers,
as the EMCD does not apply because these devices are radio or telecom devices.
(T. Williams, 2007, p.54)
(d) CISPR: International Special Committee on Radio Interference. (T. Williams,
2007, p.66)
(e) CENELEC: European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation. (T.
Williams, 2007, p.70)
(f) Electromagnetic Noise: Unwanted electromagnetic power or energy present in
a desired electromagnetic signal. (H. Ott, 2009, p.3)
(g) Radiated noise: EMI caused by radiated energy. (https://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Electromagnetic_interference)
(h) Conducted noise: EMI caused by physical contact of conductors. (https:
//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_interference)

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 (i) Electromagnetic interference: The undesirable effect of electromagnetic noise.
(H. Ott, 2009,p.4)
(j) Radio frequency interference: EMI in the radio frequency spectrum. (https:
//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_interference)
(k) Emissions testing: Testing and measuring electromagnetic field strength to
check for EMC standards compliance. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_
compatibility#EMC_test_equipment_manufacturers_(alphabetic))
(l) Immunity testing: Testing devices, equipment, or systems with high powered
electromagnetic waves. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_
compatibility#EMC_test_equipment_manufacturers_(alphabetic))
(m) Susceptibility: The ability of a device to respond to unwanted or undesirable
electromagnetic energy. (H. Ott, 2009, p.4)

2. International and European Standards. South Africa is a member of IEC. Figure 1

below shows the EMC standards structure.

Figure 1: EMC standards structure, from (T. Williams, 2007, p.65)

3. ICNIRP guidelines. (T. Williams, 2007, p.20)

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 4. It is to attest that protection requirements of the Directive have been met. Important
to note that it is not a quality assurance or approval mark. (T. Williams, 2007, p.31)

5. Generic - based on existing internationally approved standards, not related to any

particular product.
Basic - standards which are referenced in generic standards.
Product - similar to basic standards, but more specific in terms of operation modes
and configuration. (T. Williams, 2007, p.49 - 50)

6. Crisis approach - design while disregarding EMC. Not the best approach.
Systems approach - EMC is taken into account throughout the design phase. Ideal
approach to avoid EMC surprises. (H. Ott, 2009, p.4 - 5)

7. Class A - For use in all establishments excluding domestic.

Class B - Suitable for domestic use. (T. Williams, 2007, p.75)

8. (Can’t find standard online or in sources. However, I can find ”Household appliances
that supply power greater than 600 W”, but it seems to apply to radiated emissions
and not conduction emissions as one would expect to find in a PC. Also, I’m aware
that PC power supplies vary and can be less than 600 W. Another way I looked at
it was that devices that perform with a frequency higher than 50 MHz due to CPU
frequencies, but I am unsure on whether both the power supply and this standard
would apply. Perhaps they apply seperately to each PC component.)

9. (Can’t find standard online or in sources).

10. (Can’t find standard online or in sources).

11. Different Standards for the USA (FCC) and Europe (EN). Figure 2 shows the emission
limits for both class A and B, but only class B is of interest here.

12. EUROCAE/ED-14 in Europe and RTCA/DO-160E in the USA. (T. Williams, 2007,
p.111)

13. 7200 V/m pulsed. The semi-anechoic chamber test was replaced by the mode-stirred
reverberation chamber test. (T. Williams, 2007, p.111)

14. The standard for the London underground is set out in LU CED Engineering Standard
2-01018-001 A2. A companion guideline, M1027 (5-01018- 001) Manual of EMC best
practice, goes into greater detail. (T. Williams, 2007, p.115)

15. (I was given this list: SANS and SABS for SA, ASTM for America and Britain. I was
unable to get the codes because they said that we need to give them the codes so that
they can find the standard.)

16. The hinged cable tray covers and chain handrails on the gantry were the sources of the
signals. (NASA reference publication 1374, 1995, p.2)

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 Figure 2: Radiated emission limits, from (T. Williams, 2007, p.99)

17. COTS should be reviewed for EMI prior to purchase. (NASA reference publication
1374, 1995, p.5)

18. On aircraft carrier U.S.S. Forrestal. (NASA reference publication 1374, 1995, p.7)

19. The vehicle had braking problems caused by a near-by radio transmitter. A quick
solution was to create a mesh to attenuate the EMI, allowing drivers to use the brakes
as intended. (NASA reference publication 1374, 1995, p.11)

20. Cellular phones, Laptop computer, Radio, Electronic Game, Tape Player, and Televi-
sion. (NASA reference publication 1374, 1995, p.11)

21. The material of the Ambulances’ roof was changed from metal to fiberglass and it was
fitted with a long range antenna. (NASA reference publication 1374, 1995, p.13)

3 Conclusion
EMC is an important aspect that needs to be considered carefully when designing and
manufacturing electrical and electronic devices and systems. The consequences for ignoring
EMC are costly as the case studies in the NASA publication showed. There are also various
test standards and guidelines available that assist during design and manufacture process,
which may vary depending on geographic regions.