Electromagnetic Compatibility: EMC

This refers to the characteristics of a piece of equipment or a system in terms of not causing electromagnetic interference with other equipment, and, at the same time, functioning correctly in the face of disturbances that may be caused by other systems within its working environment.

Electromagnetic compatibility can be summed up in two concepts:

EMI: Electromagnetic Interference (EMISIONS)
EMS: ElectroMagnetic Susceptibility (INMUNITY)

Sources of electromagnetic waves

The origin of electromagnetic waves can be industrial or natural, and can be either intentional or unintentional:

Intentional:

Radio and TV broadcast transmitters
Mobile phones
Radars, etc.

Examples of unintentional:

Lightning
Variators (speed, frequency)
Contactors, relays, etc.

Importance of electromagnetic compatibility

Electromagnetic compatibility is increasingly important due to the following factors:

Increase in amount of electronic equipment both in industry and at home.
Larger and more complex equipment.
Increase in presence of telecommunications systems (radio, mobile phones, etc.).
New working frequencies of equipment.

Types of EMC Phenomena

EMISSION: The level of electromagnetic interference that an electrical or electronic device introduces into the environment as a result of its operation.
IMMUNITY: Ability of a device to function properly in an environment with a certain level of electromagnetic disturbance. In both cases, electromagnetic disturbances can be RADIATED, if they are propagated through the air, or CONDUCTED if they are propagated through cables.

Elements of an Electromagnetic Phenomenon

Therefore, when an EMC problem arises, the possible solutions are the following:

EMISSION: Suppress the interference at the source.

EMISSION and IMMUNITY: Make the coupling path ineffective.

IMMUNITY: Make the receiver less sensitive to the interference.

Military and Civil

Internationals: IEC, CISPR, ISO

European: EN, ETSI

Nationals: UNE-EN, BS, NF, VDE, ANSI, VCCI

Basic Standards

Generic Standards

Product Rules

Product Family Standards

A brief description of each standard and what that standard defines can be found below.

BASIC STANDARDS: These define the test methods, as well as the limits to be met and the test levels to be applied, except in exceptional cases. They are usually indicative.
GENERAL STANDARDS: These are applied in the absence of a product standard/product family standard adapted to the equipment or system. They otherwise follow the same methodology as product standards/product family standards.
PRODUCT STANDARDS / PRODUCT FAMILY STANDARDS: These define the limits to be met and the test levels to be applied. They refer to the basic standards for the test procedure.