Fundamentals of

Electromagnetic
Compatibility

apite c h. c o m | 1- 8 1 4 - 4 7 4 - 1 5 7 1
Fundamentals of EMC Compatibility
Introduction
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) ensures that multiple electronic devices can function acceptably within the
same electromagnetic environment by not interfering with each other.

This paper is intended to provide the reader with a basic understanding of EMC standards, test methods, and
mitigation techniques.

Electromagnetic Interference
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is an electromagnetic emission that causes interference in another electronic
device. EMI encompasses the entire electromagnetic spectrum but is most applicable to modern electronic
devices over the frequency range of 10 kHz to 10 GHz. EMI can be from intentional or unintentional sources,
continuous or intermittent, and at a single frequency or across a broad range of frequencies.

Unintentional EMI sources include switch-mode power supplies (SMPS), digital devices, brushed DC motors, high-
voltage ignition systems, and fluorescent lighting. SMPS are the most common unintentional EMI source; since
they are now used almost exclusively in LED light bulbs, digital devices, and battery chargers for cell phones and
laptops.

Intentional EMI sources are most commonly radio frequency transmitters, whose emissions are often referred to
as Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). This includes AM radio, FM radio, television, cell phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,
and many other fixed and mobile radio communication systems used by aviation, emergency services, police, and
the military.

Intermittent EMI includes transients that can cause catastrophic damage to electronics including electrostatic
discharge, lightning, inductive kickback, and electromagnetic pulse events (EMP).

EMI Coupling

Coupling Mechanism

Emission Source Receptor

Figure 1 – EMC Components

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EMI coupling from the source to the receptor can be conducted through wires, radiated through the air, or both.
Radiated emissions become more difficult to mitigate at higher frequencies because higher frequencies have
shorter wavelengths that are more effectively radiated by typical wire lengths. Radiated emissions readily
penetrate non-conductive materials such as air, space, plastic, wood, and insulators.

Conducted

Radiated

Figure 2 – Coupling Mechanisms

Real-world EMI situations are often a combination of both conducted and radiated emissions, with any or all wires
and cables acting as receiving or transmitting antennas.

Radiated Conducted Radiated

Conducted

Figure 3 – Radiation Conduction Figure 4 – Conduction Radiation

EMI Suppression
EMC requires proper grounding, filtering, and shielding, i.e. you can’t simply increase filtering to make up for a bad
ground or ineffective shielding.

Radiated EMI often requires shielding electronic components inside a metallic enclosure, and maintaining that
shield requires cables and wires to be filtered at the point of entry. Filters reduce conducted EMI on wires and
cables into and out of the enclosure. Point of entry feedthrough filters require low-impedance coaxial connections
to the metal enclosure to function correctly.

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 Basic EMI Compliant System

Input Clean Clean

Line

Input Output

Shielded / Grounded Enclosure

Compliance Testing
The two types of EMC testing are emissions and immunity. Emission testing verifies the frequency and amplitude
of a device’s emissions are below standardized limits. Immunity testing verifies the acceptable functionality of a
device when exposed to standardized EMI levels.

Emissions are measured using a Line Impedance Stabilization Network (LISN), current probe, or antenna connected
to an EMI receiver that scans the desired frequency range. Emissions under the limit are passing and emissions
over the limit are failing.
Emissions Testing

Radiated Emissions Test Setup Conducted Emissions Test Setup

Frequency Frequency

Radiated Emissions Test Data Conducted Emissions Test Data

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Immunity is performed by injecting EMI through a Coupling/Decoupling Network (CDN), current probe, or antenna
and verifying the functionality of the device under test. The pass and fail indications are not seen on the EMC test
equipment but are determined by monitoring the functionality of the device being tested while it is exposed to
EMI.

Emission and immunity testing are further broken down into the four basic EMC tests 1) Conducted Emissions, 2)
Radiated Emissions, 3) Conducted Immunity, and 4) Radiated Immunity. Conducted emissions and conducted
immunity testing does not use an antenna, whereas radiated emissions and radiated immunity testing use
antennas. If there is an antenna in the setup radiated emissions or radiated immunity test is being performed.
Immunity Testing

Radiated Immunity Test Setup Conducted Immunity Test Setup

Radiated Immunity Test Data Conducted Immunity Test Data

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Real World Considerations
The typical difference between EMI emission limits and immunity test levels is 100,000 to 1 or 100 dB. Is this a
100 dB safety margin? If electronic devices in a given environment are limited to such low levels of emissions,
then why are these same devices required to handle such high levels for immunity? The reason is that electronic
devices must operate in close proximity to both radio transmitters and radio receivers. Radio transmitters
generate high-level RFI to communicate over great distances. Radio receivers are very sensitive in order to detect
these signals. Immunity test levels simulate the energy levels that electronic devices will be exposed to when they
are operated nearby radio transmitters. Emission limits unsure that a device’s EMI emissions will not interfere
with the reception of nearby radio receivers.

Notes
 Equipment expected to operate in close proximity to radio transmitters must be immune to EMI levels in
excess of 10 V or 140 dBµV.
 Equipment expected to operate in close proximity to radio receivers typically limit EMI emission levels to less
than 0.0001 V or 40 dBµV.

Standards and Specifications

From a global perspective, most governments have rules and regulations related to the control of EMI and call out
specific standards for testing devices to ensure EMC compliance.

In the U.S., EMC guidelines for commercial equipment are handled by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC). The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 47 Parts 15, 18, and 68 contain relevant information that all
engineers should be aware of when designing class A and B devices.

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The US Military has its own standards, which are significantly more stringent. These guidelines are detailed in a
wide range of military standards, such as MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-464.

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), via its International Special Committee on Radio Interference
(CISPR), creates globally accepted EMC standards.

Test capability at APITech is extensive and covers a large number of requirements related to the FCC, US Military,
and the IEC. Some test capabilities are listed below, but this list continues to evolve and expanded in support of
market expectations.

Military International
 MIL-STD-461 A/B/C/D/E/F/G  EN55011/CISPR 11
 MIL-STD-1399 Surge  EN55014/CISPR 14
 EN55022/CISPR 22
Automotive  EN61000-4-2 Electrostatic Discharge
 CISPR 25 Test Methods  EN61000-4-3 Radiated RF Immunity
 EN61000-4-4 Electrical Fast Transient
Commercial  EN61000-4-5 Surge
 FCC Part 15/18 Pre- Compliance  EN61000-4-6 Conducted RF Immunity
 RTCA/DO-160 A/B/C/D/E/F/G
 GR-1089-CORE

Conclusion
Electromagnetic Compatibility has become an important aspect in the design of electronic equipment
and systems. Equipment manufacturers must stay up to date with continually evolving EMC legislation.
It is important to understand EMC since equipment failures at the compliance level can lead to delayed
product deliveries and increased development costs. EMC failures at the user level can mean returned
equipment, loss of future business, and potential hazards in critical applications.

Please contact APITech for additional information.

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