K.

RAMAKRISHNAN COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
EC6011 - Electromagnetic Interference and Compatibility
TWO MARKS – QUESTION AND ANSWERS

1. Define EMI
Electromagnetic interference is the degradation in the performance of a device, or equipment, or a
system caused by an electromagnetic disturbance.

2. Define EMC

The ability of a receptor (a device, or equipment, or a system) to function satisfactorily in its

electromagnetic environment without at the same time introducing intolerable electromagnetic
disturbances to any other device/equipment/system in that environment is called electromagnetic
compatibility.

3. What are the three criteria for an electromagnetically compatible system to satisfy?
An electromagnetically compatible system satisfies three criteria are
1. It does not interfere with the operations of other systems.
2. It is immune from the emissions of other systems.
3. It does not interfere with its own operation

4. What are the different EMI Sources in Circuits?

• Local oscillators
• Switches
• Motors
• Filters
• Relays
• Circuit breakers
• Logic & Digital circuits

5. What are the three ways to prevent interference?

There are three ways to prevent interference:
▪ Suppress the emission at its source.
▪ Make the coupling path as inefficient as possible.
▪ Make the receptor less susceptible to the emission.

6. What are the various methods to eliminate EMI?

The effective methods to eliminate EMI are:
o
Shielding
o
Grounding
o
Bonding
 o
Filtering
o
Isolation
o
Separation and orientation
o
Cable design

7. How are EMI/EMC classified?

Radiated emissions and susceptibility (RE and RS) Conducted
emissions and susceptibility (CE and CS)

8. Write down the mathematical expression for ESD.

A(t) = 1943 (e−t⁄2.2 − e−t⁄2) + 857 (e−t⁄22 − e−t⁄20)

9. What are the different EMI Sources in Circuits?

• Local oscillators
• Switches
• Motors
• Filters
• Relays
• Circuit breakers
• Logic & Digital circuits

10. What are the commonly used site antennas for measurement of RE and RS?
• Rod antenna
• Loop antenna
• Biconical antenna
• Dipole antenna
• Log periodic antenna
• Conical log spiral antenna
• Waveguide horn

11. What are the major elements of electromagnetic?

Source (sometimes referred to as an emitter) produces the emission. It may be a noisy

component, or a transmitter
Receptor (sometimes referred to as a victim) is a component or device that receives noise
or interference from the source
Coupling path transfers the emission energy to a receptor, where it is processed, resulting
in either desired or undesired behavior.

12. List out the mechanism of the electromagnetic interference travel from source to receptor
The various mechanisms in which electromagnetic interference can travel from its source to
the receptor are:
▪
Direct radiation from source to receptor
 ▪
Direct radiation from source picked up by the electrical power cables or the
signal/control cables connected to the receptor, which reaches the receptor via conduction
▪
Electromagnetic interference radiated by the electrical power, signal, or control
cables of the source
▪
Electromagnetic interference directly conducted from its source to the receptor via
common electrical power lines or via signal/control cables

13. What is Electro Static Discharge?

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the sudden flow of electricity between two
electrically charged objects caused by contact, an electrical short, or dielectric breakdown. A
buildup of static electricity can be caused by charging or by electrostatic induction.

14. What are the various types of EMI?

Radiated Emission (RE) Conducted
Emission (CE) Radiated Susceptibility
(CE) Conducted Susceptibility (CS)

15. What is RE and RS?

The term conducted emissions refers to the mechanism that enables electromagnetic energy
to be created in an electronic device and coupled to its AC power cord. Similarly to radiated
emissions, the allowable conducted emissions from electronic devices are controlled by
regulatory agencies.

16. What is CE and CS?

The term conducted emissions refers to the mechanism that enables electromagnetic energy to be
created in an electronic device and coupled to its AC power cord. Similarly to radiated emissions, the
allowable conducted emissions from electronic devices are controlled by regulatory agencies.

17. What are the different levels in EMC testing?

• Development test
• Pre-compliance test
• EMC compliance test
• Production test

18. List the various EMI sources

• Equipment noise ( Ex. Communication , Radar , Navigation equipment noise)
• Natural noise
• Terrestial noise (Atmospherics, Lightning, ESD)
• Celestial noise ( Cosmic and Galactic Noise)
• Circuits and components noise (Local Oscillator, Switches, Motors)

19. What are the different levels in EMC testing?

 • Development test
• Pre-compliance test
• EMC compliance test
• Production test

20. What are the types of EMC test?

• Conducted emissions
• Radiated emissions
• Conducted immunity
• Radiated immunity
• ESD immunity
• Transient immunity
• Surge immunity

21. What are the various ways of radiating coupling?

The various ways of radiating coupling are:
Coupling of natural and similar electromagnetic environment to the receptor, such
as power line. The power transmission line acts as a receiving antenna. A receptor may also
receive electromagnetic noise or interference through exposed connectors (or connections)
or from exposed signal lines in the equipment or circuit.

Coupling of electromagnetic energy from nearby equipment, via direct radiation.

22. How interference is coupled through conduction coupling ? Give examples.

The conductive coupling between an emitter and receptor occurs via a direct conduction path
between the emitter and receptor.
Examples of such coupling are:
•
Interference can be carried by power supply lines when emitter and receptor operate
from the same power supply line. For example, common mains power supply is a
frequent source of conducted interference.
•
Interference can also be carried from emitter to receptor by signal or control lines,
which are connected between the two.

22. Define Inductive coupling and capacitive coupling.

The inductive coupling between two loops occurs in low series impedance circuits and at low
frequencies.

The capacitive coupling occurs in the presence of high impedance to the ground and is
 predominant at high frequencies.

23. Write a short note on natural noise.

Natural noise are classified as
a. Celestial noise
b. Extraterrestrial noise
a. Celestial noise : The celestial bodies like sun, stars, and galaxy are at a very high temperature.
The electromagnetic radiation from these bodies can be attributed to the random motion of
charged ions from thermal ionization.
b. Extraterrestrial noise : The sources of extraterrestrial emissions have continuous or discrete
distribution. Potential sources of discrete emission are the sun, moon, and Jupiter. They emit
broadband and narrowband electromagnetic noise. Potential source of continuous emission is
galaxy. It emits broadband electromagnetic noise.

24. What are the strong sources of atmospheric noise?

The strong sources of atmospheric noise are
1. Lightning
2. Electrostatic discharge

25. How lightning discharge occur?

Lightning occurs as a result of electric discharge in the atmosphere from charge-bearing cloud.
Clouds capture charges from the atmosphere. As the result of the charge accumulation, clouds acquire
sufficient high potential with respect to the ground. When the field intensity in a charged cloud exceeds the
breakdown level, the result is electric discharge.

26. What are the two forms electric discharge that takes place from lighting discharge?
This electric discharge takes place from
• a cloud to the ground
• one cloud to another.

27. Define electromagnetic pulse .

A nuclear explosion results in the generation of an electromagnetic pulse. Nuclear electromagnetic
pulse (NEMP) leads to the generation of electromagnetic interference (EMI).

28. What are the two broad phenomena of EMI generation associated with nuclear explosion?
Two broad phenomena of EMI generation are associated with nuclear explosion
o When equipment or system is located very close to a nuclear burst, the weapon’s X-rays or
-rays interact with different materials of the system and lead to uncontrolled emission.

o If nuclear explosions takes place in a region where density of air varies with height, an
intense pulse of -rays is produced. These -rays travel in all directions. These collide with air
molecules and produces fast-moving electrons (recoil electrons) and hence high current. In
this case, propagation or radiation of electromagnetic waves can take place.
29. What are the two types of EMI from apparatus and circuits?
Various electrical, electromechanical, and electronic apparatus emit electromagnetic energy in the
course of their normal operation. Such emissions may be broadly divided into two categories

1. Intentionally emitted signals

2. Unintentional emission during the operation of an equipment

30. What is meant by intentional radiation?

Intentional EMI sources are those originating from devices whose primary function depends on
radiation operation. These sources include Radar, satellite, and communication transmitters.

31. What is meant by unintentional radiation?

Unintentional EMI sources are emitted from devices that transmit radio frequencies, although
their primary function is not to radiate energy. Switching power supplies, transmission power
cables and electric motors can be considered as sources of unintentional EMI.

32. List the EMI coupling methods

(i) Inductive coupling
(ii) Capacitive coupling
(iii) Radiative coupling
(iv) Conductive coupling

33. What is meant by ground coupled interference?

Electromagnetic interference resulting from an electromagnetic disturbance coupled from one
circuit to another through a common earth or ground-return path.

34. What is crosstalk with reference to EMI/EMC design issues?

Coupling of electromagnetic energy from one cable to another in multi-conductor transmission lines
results from magnetic field coupling when two cables are located close to each other.
This electromagnetic energy transfer or coupling from one transmission line to another is called
crosstalk. This is a most common source of electromagnetic interference generation in electrical and
electronics circuits.

35. Define – Grounding

Grounding is a technique that provides a low resistance path between electrical or electronic equipment
and the earth or common reference low impedance plane to bypass fault current or EMI signal.

36. Why is grounding essential to suppress EMI?

Electrical grounding is essential for the protection of personnel against electric shock, fire threat
because of insulation burnout from lightning or electrical short circuit and protection of equipment and
systems against electromagnetic interference.

37. How interference is avoided in power supply lines?

 The interference is avoided in power supply lines

• By using power line filter.

• Avoid unnecessary switching operations.
• Noisy circuits (with a lot of switching activity) should be physically separated from
the rest of the design.
• Harmonic Wave Filters can be used.
• Design for operation at lower signal levels, reducing the energy available for
emission.

38. What is a limit on the lower frequency portion of the conducted emission and which is the
standard followed during the testing?

• The FCC Part 15 EMC Regulations limit the maximum allowable conducted
emission, on the ac power line in the range of 150 KHz to 30 MHz.
• For conducted emissions, standard used for testing are the LISN (Line Impedance
Stabilisation Network).

39. What is LISN?

LISN means Line Impedance Stabilization Network. A network inserted in the supply mains
lead of an apparatus to be tested providing in a given frequency range a specified load impedance
for the measurement of disturbance voltages and possibly isolating the apparatus from the supply
mains in that frequency range.

40. What are the two main objectives of LISN?

The two main objectives are:
(i) Provide constant impedance over range of frequency.
(ii) Provide pure power without EM noise.

41. What are the four stages involved in EMC test?

The four stages involved in EMC test:
• Development test
• Pre-compliance test
• EMC compliance test
• Production test

42. Mention the various type of EMC test.

The various type of EMC test conducted at the various stages during the development cycle are
• Conducted emissions
• Radiated emissions
• Conducted immunity
• Radiated immunity
• ESD immunity
• Transient immunity
• Surge immunity
 EMIC -University Preparation
UNIT I BASIC THEORY 8. Transient suppression
9. Parameters for the measurement of EMI
Introduction to EMI and EMC, 10. Electromagnetic susceptibility
Intra and inter system EMI, 11. Radiation hazard to humans
Elements of Interference, Sources and Victims of EMI, 12. Aspects of EMC problem
Conducted and Radiated EMI emission and susceptibility, 13. Important accepts of the EMC design in Engineering
Case Histories, 14. Immunity & Immunity margin
Radiation hazards to humans, Various issues of EMC, 15. Transients &suppression
EMC Testing categories, 16. Testing strategies for EMC
EMC Engineering Application. 17. Types of electromagnetic emission
18. Radiated, conducted - emission and immunity
UNIT II COUPLING MECHANISM 19. Elements of interference.
1. Unit II
Electromagnetic field sources and Coupling paths, 1. Types of EMI coupling - radiated, conducted, inductive
2. Coupling via the supply network, and capacitive
3. Common mode coupling & Differential mode coupling, 2. Factor influencing grounding schemes
4. Impedance coupling, 3. Interference, edge rate
5. Inductive and Capacitive coupling, 4. Transient interference
6. Radiative coupling, 5. Cross talk and prevent cross talk
7. Ground loop coupling, 6. Pigtail effect
8. Cable related emissions and coupling, 7. Transient coupling
9. Transient sources and Automotive transients. 8. Coupling
9. LISN
UNIT III EMI MITIGATION TECHNIQUES 10. Ground coupled interference
1. Working principle of Shielding and Murphy‟s Law, 11. Ground looping
2. LF Magnetic shielding, 12. ESD and EMP
3. Apertures and shielding effectiveness, 13. Drawbacks of coupling mechanism
4. Choice of Materials for H, E, and free space fields, 14. Factors influence grounding scheme
5. Gasketing and sealing, Unit III
6. PCB Level shielding, 1. Shielding and its needs
7. Principle of Grounding, 2. Difference between various types of shielding
8. Isolated grounds, 3. Shielding effectiveness and its measurement
9. Grounding strategies for Large systems & Grounding 4. Purpose of aperture of shielding
for mixed signal systems, 5. Advantage of multipoint grounding
10. Filter types and operation, 6. EMC gaskets, zoning
11. Surge protection devices & Transient protection. 7. Principle of earth resistance measurement.
8. PCB trace impedance with respect to EMI
9. Transient suppression and surge suppression devices -
UNIT IV STANDARDS AND REGULATION
advantage and disadvantage
10. Filtering –types, insertion loss, parameters describe the
1. Need for Standards, performance of filter.
2. Generic/General Standards for Residential and Industrial 11. Bulging capacitor
environment, 12. Objective of signal grounding
3. Basic Standards, Product Standards, 13. Types of LPF & its circuit
4. National and International EMI Standardizing 14. How cable routing is avoided
Organizations; IEC, ANSI, FCC, AS/NZS, CISPR, BSI, 15. Modes of operation of PI filter
CENELEC, ACEC. 16. Opto isolator
5. Electro Magnetic Emission and susceptibility standards Unit IV
and specifications, MIL461E Standards. 1. Standard and its needs
2. Classification of standard
UNIT V EMI TEST METHODS AND INSTRUMENTATION 3. Standard corresponding to industrial needs
4. Basic, generic and product standard and its examples
1. Fundamental considerations, EMI Shielding 5. International and national EMI standard organization
effectiveness tests, 6. Difference between the civilian and military standard
2. Open field test, TEM cell for immunity test, 7. Advantages of EMC standard
3. Shielded chamber , Shielded anechoic chamber, 8. Class A devices with respect to FCC
4. EMI test receivers, 9. Possible errors with respect o EMI testing
5. Spectrum analyzer, 10. List the parameters that involves in testing and evaluation of
6. EMI test wave simulators, EMI and EMC
7. EMI coupling networks, 11. List the objectives of EMI standards
8. Line impedance stabilization networks, Unit V
9. Feed through capacitors, 1. Shielding effectiveness and its calculation and its various
10. Antennas, test methods
11. Current probes, 2. Attenuation and shielding effectiveness
12. MIL -STD test methods, Civilian STD test methods. 3. Advantages and precautions for OAT
Important 2 Marks 4. Site and normalized site attenuation
Unit I 5. Measurement error & factors in OATS
1. EMC & EMI, ESD & EMP 6. Anechoic chamber and TEM – sources of accuracies
2. Types of EMI -inter & intra 7. EMI receiver
3. Components of EMI -source, victim & coupling paths 8. Spectrum Analyzer
4. Effects of EMI 9. LISN -need and purpose
5. Criteria for EMC 10. Feed through capacitor
6. Source and victims of EMI 11. Current probe
7. Various types of coupling- conductive, radiative, inductive 12. Various antenna in EMI measurement
and Magnetic 13. Why shielding problem is difficult to handle