ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE

INDEX
1. Introduction. 2. Types of EMI. (a) Radiated EMI. (b) Conducted EMI. 3. Sources of EMI. 4. EMI Coupling Mechanism. 5. EMI Elimination. (a) Grounding. (b) Shielding. (c) Filtering. 6. EMI Testing. (a) Advantages of EMI Testing.

INTRODUCTION
Electromagnetic interference is electromagnetic energy that adversely affects the performance of electronic equipment by creating undesirable responses or complete operational failure. EMI, in simple words, is an unwanted electrically transmitted signal. The signal propagates other electronics equipment by interfering with their proper operation by altering of normal parameters. The interference can appears as noise on a phone line. erratic Data bits on a digital transmission, false imaging in MRI equipment and numerous other malfunctions.

Electromagnetic interference

Types of EMI
Radiated EMI Radiated EMI is interference that travels from a source, through the air to the receiving device. Radiated EMI is the easiest form of interference and the most common form experienced. Conducted EMI Conducted EMI is the interference that travels along a conducting path. The source may be directly attached to the conducting path or may be radiated EMI propagated along the power line , telephone line conduit, cable tray or any other object able to transmit the offending frequencies.

Radiated and Conducted EMI

Source of EMI
Source device causing EMI may be within the system or it may be external to the system . Further more, source of EMI may be natural (electrostatic discharge due to lightning) or man made interference due to mobile transmitters, TV broadcast etc.

EMI Coupling Mechanism

EMI is caused by undesirable radiated electromagnetic field or conducted voltage and current. The interference is produced by a source (emitter) and is detected by a receptor device via a coupling path. The coupling path may involve one or more of the following coupling mechanism: 1. Conduction electric current. 2. Radiation electromagnetic field. 3. Capacitive coupling electric field. 4. Inductive coupling magnetic field.

EMI Elimination
The three most commonly used methods of reduction of EMI are:

1. Grounding Grounding means providing an electrically

conductive path between two points to connect electronic equipment of a system to one another to a reference point which is called ground . Grounding establish low impedance path. 2. Shielding Shielding is define as the process of preventing radiation coupling into or out of the defined areas or regions . It acts as a barrier which prevents entry and exit of radiated electromagnetic energy. Shielding confine radiated energy. 3. Filtering Filtering prevents radiation from the input form coupling direct from the capacitor . This construction has inherently low self inductance. Filtering control special content.

Grounding

Shielding

Filtering

EMI Testing
EMI testing is required by todays designers to ensure the electronic systems developed in various installations perform their designated takes without causing interference to other electronic systems located within the operating environment. Emission Testing Emission test are perform to ensure that the system do not emit energy above applicable limits through power or signal lines or by radiated energy through the atmosphere. Susceptibility Susceptibility tests are performed to ensure that the system can withstand energy applied at specified limits.

EMI Testing

Advantage of EMI Testing

Greatly reduces the probability of equipment, when integrated into and operated in a system, either interfering with or being interfered by other equipment. Increases the probability that equipment, when integrated will meat the overall system electromagnetic environment effect. Helps prevent costly troubleshooting and fixing EMI problem later. Helps with immunity to other environment such as electromagnetic pulse, electromagnetic discharge etc.