Introduction to EMC

Schurter has over 75 years experience in the electronics and electrical industries,
developing and manufacturing components that ensure a clean and safe supply of power.
Schurter provides EMC Services to its customers in various industries, recommending
solutions that guarantee electromagnetic compliance with international equipment
standards. The full scope of Schurters EMC products include Power entry Modules with
Filter, Single and 3-Phase Filters, Chokes, and Pulse Transformers.

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Introduction EMC
Definition of EMC / EMI

Filter parameters

Sources of EMI

X-Capacitor

Coupling mechanism

Y-Capacitor

Immunity and emission

Leakage current

Interference voltage measurement

Bleed resistor

EN55011/EN55022

Attenuation loss

Noise immunity

Attenuation diagram

Differences between surge,burst and ESD

Dielectric strength

Differential and common mode disturbances

Climatic category

Common mode disturbances

Rated voltage Vn and rated current In

Differential mode disturbances

Standards or approval marks

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Definition of EMC / EMI

Electro Magnetic Compatibility = EMC
The electro magnetic compatibility is the ability of an
electrical device, unit or system to function sufficiently
well in its electromagnetic environment without
generating unintentional interference to the other
equipment in the system

Electro Magnetic Interference = EMI

Electromagnetic energy emanating from one device
which degrades or obstructs the effective performance
of another device

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Sources of EMI
Natural

Man-Made Intentional

Man-Made Unintentional

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Coupling mechanism
Radiated
approx. 30MHZ-1GHz

Conducted
approx. 9kHz-30MHz
(SCHURTER Filter)

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Immunity and Emission

According to standards, manufacturers of electrical devices are obliged to
sufficiently protect their devices from electromagnetic disturbances

Immunity
The manufacturers are obliged to ensure that these electrical devices
produce very little electromagnetic disturbances to their surroundings

Emission
Emission

Immunity

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Interference voltage measurement

The emission of a device can be proven with interference voltage

measurement. This measurement is accomplished in accordance with the
standardised measuring method CISPR3.
Artificial
powerline
network

Source of
interference

Receiving
device

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EN55011/EN55022
Each equipment manufacturer must adhere to the defined interference limits according
to the standards to prevent disturbing the power network; for example, EN55011
covering ISM (Industrial, scientific and medical appliances) and EN55022 covering ITE
(Information technology and telecommunications equipment). Boundary values are:
Class A: for application in an industrial field
Class B: for household and medical applications

The boundary values for class B equipments are stricter than those
for the class A

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Noise Immunity

The immunity of equipment can be examined in accordance with the

following three test procedures:
ESD (Electrostatic Discharge)
Burst

Surge
Equipment can be affected by two kinds of interferences:
Permanent interference (from HF transmissions)

Transient interference (from the switching of electrical loads)

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Difference between Surge, Burst and ESD

Characteristic

Electrostatic
discharges

Transient
interferences

Lightning

Description

ESD

BURST

SURGE

Voltage

Up to 15 kV

Up to 4 kV

Up to 6kV

Repeating
frequency

Single
Impulses

Multiple
Impulses of 5
kHz

Max. 6
Impulses/Min

Application
test object

contactable
metal parts

network, signal,
measuring and
data line
networks

network, signal,
measuring and
data line
networks

Energy

> 10 mJ

300 mJ

300 J

Standard

EN 61000 4-2

EN 61000 4-4

EN 61000 4-2

IEC 61000 4-2

IEC 61000 4-4

IEC 61000 4-2

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Differential and common mode disturbances

Differential Mode
Idiff

L
Udiff
N
Q

Common Mode
Icom

Idiff

Icom

N
E

E
Ucom

PE

Disturbance flows via the phase line

to the interference receiver and via the
neutral line back to the interference
source.
Voltage between the phase and
neutral conductors can be measured.

PE

Icom

Disturbance flows via the phase/neutral line

to the interference receiver and via
ground back to the source of interference.
Voltage between the phase/neutral pole
and earth can be measured.
Q:
E:
L:
N:
PE:

Interference source
Interference receiver
Phase
Neutral pol
Earth

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Common Mode disturbances

P
Source of
interference

CX
N

CY

CY

The attenuation is achieved by the effect of the choke L and the two Ycapacitors. The interference current flows back through CY via protective
ground to the interference source.

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Differential Mode disturbances

P
Source of
interference

CX
N

CY

CY

The attenuation is carried out by the Capacitor CX and the dispersion

inductance (difference between the two coils).

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Filter-Parameters
Rated voltage:
The rated voltage is considered as the maximum operating voltage having a
frequency of 50/60Hz
Rated current:
For an optimum filtering effect, the filters rated current is to be matched as
closely as possible to the rated current value of the equipment
Placement of the filter:
Always as close as possible to the source of interference
Interference protection (immunity): filter directly at the network noise source

Interference suppression (emission): Filter close to the disturbance source

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X- Capacitor
80
70

Differential mode noise

Attenuation loss [dB]

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
-10
0.01

0.1
Cx 47nF

Cx 68nF

10
Frequency [MHz]
Cx 100nF

400

100
Cx 220nF

The X capacitor dampens differential mode noise between L and N. For high
frequency energy, the capacitor acts as a short circuit.
X capacitors are self-healing (SH) metallized paper or polyester types. As a result,
these self-healing capacitors can withstand a high pot surge pulse. The capacitor
can loose some of its capacitance, but the insulation remains the same.
A larger capacitance results in a higher attenuation loss.
Typical values:
Safety class:

47, 68, 100nF

X1
4kV pulse 1.2/50s
X2
2.5kV pulse 1.2/50s
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Y- Capacitor
Common mode noise

Standard (with Y-capacitor)

Medical M5 (without Y-capacitor)

The Y-capacitor dampens Common mode noise between L / N and PE. For high
frequency energy that comes simultaneously on both lines, the capacitor acts as a
short circuit to ground.
Y-capacitors are mainly made with ceramic material; some are metallized paper.
The capacitance value is limited because of the leakage current.
Typical values:
Safety classes:

2.2nF, 470pF
Y1
8kV pulse 1.2/50s
Y2
5kV pulse 1.2/50s

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Leakage Current
The leakage current is mainly determined by the capacitance between line and
ground. International equipment standards limit this current.
Filter Type
Standard
Medical
Medical

Leakage Current
< 0.5mA
< 80A
< 5A

Voltage
250V 60Hz
250V 60Hz
250V 60Hz

Y-Capacitor
2x 2.2nF
2x 470pF
none

Leakage current for household appliances:

Type of appliance

Protection
class

IL max.

(mA)

(V)

(Hz)

Portable appliances

0.75

250

50

Stationary motor appliances

3.5

250

50

Stationary heating appliances

0.75/kW (max.5.0)

250

50

Appliances

II

0.25

250

50

Appliances

I, 0I, III

0.5

250

50

Leakage current for other applications:

Ref.

Laboratory

Medical

IT

Measuring devices

UL

0.5mA

0.1mA

3.5mA

5.0mA

(UL 1262)

(UL 60601-1)

(UL 60950)

(UL 1244)

0.1mA

3.5mA

3.5mA

(IEC 60601-1)

(IEC 60950)

(IEC 61010-1)

IEC

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Bleed Resistor (Discharge Resistor)

Medical filters and filters with an X-capacitor >100nF have a bleed resistor so that
no inadmissible residual voltage occurs at the open inlet pins.

medical filter

Technical data bleed resistor: 1 MOhm, 0.5W

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Attenuation Loss

Common Mode Measurement

Differential Mode Measurement

In common mode measurements, the line and neutral conductor are measured with respect to
ground.
In differential mode measurement, the attenuation loss is measured between line and neutral
conductor through a balancing transformer. The ground terminal is not used.
The measurement impedance is 50 Ohm according to standard CISPR17.

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Attenuation Diagram

The diagram shows the loss (Y-axis) with respect to the frequency (X-axis). The frequency is a
logarithmic scale and the loss is in decibels, which is also logarithmic.
E.g. 6dB = double of the loss

Formula:

Adb 20 log

U1
2U 2

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Dielectric strength
All our filters fulfil the high voltage requirements of the IEC- and UL-standards.
The type test requires applying a voltage of 2121VDC for 60 seconds.
The test voltages listed in our catalogue are reduced values for the 100%-production test for
two seconds.
High pot test:
Engineering test
Production test
Catalogue

L N:
2121VDC; 60s
1075VDC; 2s
1700VDC; 2s

L+N PE:
3000VDC; 60s
2121VDC; 2s
2700VDC; 2s

Standards:
IEC60939-1
IEC60950
UL1283

Note:

1075VDC; 60s / 2s
2250VDC; 60s / 2s
2121VDC; 60s / 1s
2121VDC; 60s / 1s
1768VDC; 60s / 1s
2121VDC; 60s / 1s

High pot test with On filters with a bleed resistor => the high pot test should be
done without bleed resistor.

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Climatic category

The indication of the climatic category shows the maximum upper and lower ambient air
temperatures according to IEC/EN 60068-1.
25/085/21
air humidity 95% relative at 40C 21 days
upper limiting temperature
lower limiting temperature

+85C
-25C

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Rated Voltage Vn and Rated Current In

For each filter type, the rated voltage and the rated current are specified in the technical data
sheet. The rated currents given refer to the full load (In) at an ambient temperature of 40C (45
C).
Current at other temperatures is shown in the derating curve, or can be ascertained by the
formula:

I In

Tmax Ta
Tmax Tn

I = admissible operating current at elevated ambient air

temperature
In = rated current
Tmax = max. allowable ambient air temperature (85C)
Ta = ambient air temperature
Tn = allowable ambient air temperature at rated current
(40C)

Notes:

Derating curve shown as example (40 C thru 85 C) and applies to most inlet filters.

Derating Curve for 3-Phase Filters rated at higher ambient temperatures. For each filter type, ratings for max.
rated current at two different voltage ratings are provided to facilitate filter selection. e.g. FMBD NEO 200A@
50C and 140A@ 75C

For power entry modules with fuse holders, the derating curve of the fuse holder has to be taken into
consideration.
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Standards or Approval marks

SCHURTER mains filters comply with international standards.
Filter standards:
Appliance standard:

IEC 60939, UL 1283, CSA 22.2 No.8

IEC 60950

Typical approval mark on our mains filters are:

VDE(D)

UL (USA)

CSA (CAN)

New approvals:

Europe (VDE)

North America UL, CSA

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EMC Services
Schurter invites you to test our
EMC competence. Schurter EMC
Services will conduct the necessary
preliminary immunity and
interference tests of your electrical
systems or equipment. The EMC
competence center is equipped
with all the necessary
measurement tools and an EMC
chamber for measuring line-bound
interference. An appropriate
standard or customer-specific EMC
solution is recommended based on
the results. The product is overseen
from the R&D stage all the way to
production, guaranteeing optimal
product quality and EMC results.
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More Information

For more information on EMC products from Schurter

Click here

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