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Electromagnetic Interference

The document discusses electromagnetic interference (EMI), which is unwanted electromagnetic energy that can disrupt or damage electronic equipment, outlining its causes such as electric fields from switching circuits and ESD events, how it propagates through radiated and conducted paths, examples of sources and effects, and emphasizing the importance of proper grounding techniques to prevent EMI from negatively impacting electronic devices.

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sarojini
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112 views22 pages

Electromagnetic Interference

The document discusses electromagnetic interference (EMI), which is unwanted electromagnetic energy that can disrupt or damage electronic equipment, outlining its causes such as electric fields from switching circuits and ESD events, how it propagates through radiated and conducted paths, examples of sources and effects, and emphasizing the importance of proper grounding techniques to prevent EMI from negatively impacting electronic devices.

Uploaded by

sarojini
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ELECTROMAGNETIC

INTERFERENCE
ElectroMagnetic Interference
• Unwanted Periodic Signal/Energy –
– “One person’s signal is another person’s EMI.”

• Interrupts, Obstructs, Degrades, or Limits Equipment


Performance.

• ElectroMagnetic Interference is electromagnetic emission that


causes equipment malfunction

• The impact of EMI is judged not only by how much emission is


generated, but also by how it gets from “here” to “there” and
by how immune the equipment is to EMI.

• For simplicity of this discussion we will call all electromagnetic


emission “EMI,” though it is technically incorrect
ElectroMagnetic Interference : ESD
• ESD stands for Electrostatic discharge.

• ESD Event is rapid current surge: causes magnetic field

• ESD Event is rapid drop of voltage: causes electric field

• Combination: electromagnetic field

• ESD Events cause strong ground and power line currents -


- EMI via conductive path

• ESD-induced EM fields have broad spectrum, high energy


and rapid rise time -- good candidates for EMI
ElectroMagnetic Interference - Causes
• Electric fields radiating from currents

• Switching circuits, clocks, natural fields, etc.

• Coupling of electric fields into circuits and components

• Unintentional and intentional

• Capacitive, Inductive, and Resistive loads

• Caused by sudden load changes

• Found in many household items - Computers, phone chargers,


TVs, etc.
ElectroMagnetic Interference - Causes
• Every electric or electronics device generates
electromagnetic field

• If this field is too strong and has certain


properties, it is good candidate for EMI

• Poorly-maintained equipment is good source of


EMI (DC brush motors, bad grounding)

• EMI-generating equipment often causes


problems for itself
ElectroMagnetic Interference - Properties

Origin Frequency Envelope


Range

Equipment 10kHz...2GHz Continuous and


transient

ESD Events 10MHz ...2GHz Transients

Mobile Phones, 0.8..1GHz Pulsed


WLAN 1.8..1.9GHz
2.4..2.5GHz
ElectroMagnetic Interference - Propagation
• Radiated
– Electromagnetic field composed of electric and magnetic fields
propagates via air path just as emission from a mobile phone would reach
the base station

– This field would create voltages and currents in any metal object, i.e. wire,
PCB trace, etc.

• Conducted
– The most neglected type of propagation

– High-frequency currents move via power, ground and data cables and
inject undesirable signals into equipment

• Mixed
– Radiated emission generates signals in wires and cables. These signals
are then injected into equipment via conductive path
ElectroMagnetic Interference - Sources
• AC Units
• Alternators
• Battery Chargers
• Blower fans
• Engines
• Generators
• Inverters
• Propeller Shafts
• Radars
• Wiring
ElectroMagnetic Interference - Effects
• Three Basic Types of Failures
• Fatal failure due to overstress
– Direct ESD discharge
– Very high EMI-induced signals (EOS)
• Latch-Up
– Induced voltages are outside of supply rails
– Often recoverable after power-cycling
– Sometimes causes overheating and failure
• Injection of false signals
– Induced signal is comparable to legitimate signals
ElectroMagnetic Interference - Effects
• Outright equipment lock-up
• Tools do things they weren’t supposed to do
• Software errors
• Erratic response
• Parametric errors
• Sensor misreading
• Component damage
• Causes problems for electronics
• Loss and disruption of data
• Growing problem with more advanced devices
ElectroMagnetic Interference - Recipients
• Electronic Compasses

• AV Systems

• Multifunction Displays

• Just about any Electronic Device


ElectroMagnetic Interference - Examples
• Electromagnetic fields induce
seemingly legitimate signals into
Induced EM
Disturbance
electronics circuits which leads to
circuit malfunction

• Often, the electronics circuit does


not suspect that it was affected by
EMI

• Today’s high-speed circuits are


much more susceptible to ESD-
induced high-speed transients
•
• Virtually impossible to reproduce An "Extra" Pulse

– difficult to diagnose
ElectroMagnetic Interference - Examples
• Strong electromagnetic
fields induce voltages and
currents in circuits

• In sensors such signals can


affect legitimate signals and
cause false readings

• Consequences:
– disrupted process
– good components failed TDMA mobile phone caused false
readings in sensor of magnetic head
– bad components passed tester and finally caused error
message after failing several good
GMR heads
ElectroMagnetic Interference – Prevention
ElectroMagnetic Interference – Prevention
• EMI Grounding concept

– For static dissipation and for safety ground should


provide conductive path to “zero” potential.

– It is same as that of conventional grounding but


• Should be able to offer very low impedance at high
frequencies
• Should be able to conduct all the high-frequency residual
signals
• Should not channel EMI from one tool to another
ElectroMagnetic Interference – Examples

Evenly distribute
ground wires.
Isolate “heavy
polluters” into
separate panels

Light load. Sufficient


Heavy load. Not enough “drainage” capacity. Little
“drainage” capacity. Strong interference between
interference between different different tools.
tools.
ElectroMagnetic Interference – Examples

Bad for EMI Good for EMI


Long coiled solid wire Short straight flat braided cable

It doesn’t cost more to do a good ground!


ElectroMagnetic Interference – Examples
Example of Poor Grounding

 Long coiled wires


 Large impedance at high frequencies
 EMI does not dissipate into the ground
 Chained connection spreads EMI to all
devices in the chain

The entire link is “polluted” with EMI


ElectroMagnetic Interference – Examples

Example of Good Grounding

EMI from one tool doesn’t propagate easily to other tools.


ElectroMagnetic Interference – Examples
Ground “Tree”
Make sure that the
impedance of
ground wires
REDUCES as more
points get
connected to
ground
ElectroMagnetic Interference – Prevention
• Shorten your ground wires
• Straighten your ground wires
• Use large gauge flat braided cable
• Connect it to known good ground
• Do not chain-link many workstations
• Always verify ground quality for EMI
• Do it on a regular basis
• Continuously monitor ground activity

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