EMC Measurements

What is EMC?

EMC stands for Electromagnetic Compatibility. The definition of EMC is how electrical equipment behaves in its electromagnetical environment. In other words in what way does equipment have influence on other equipment or, in what way is equipment influenced by other equipment? The field of operations of EMC is to be devided in roughly two areas:

• Immunity: the way in which equipment is resistant to electromagnetic radiation
• Emission: the way in which equipment transmits electromagnetic radiation.

The EMC Directive

For all equipment which is put into use or placed on the market in Europe that can either cause disturbance or can be influenced by electromagnetic fields, the EMC Directive is applicable. This is a so called 'New Approach Directive' in which only the essential requirements are stated. These essential requirements can be written down in one sentence: "You will not disturb and you will not be disturbed". All electrical equipment transmits radiation and all electronical devices are more or less sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. That is why directives are applicable for a variety of product groups.

EMC Standards

Many standards are harmonised by the European Commission. In other words they are applicable in all the countries of the European Community and compliance automatically leads to the so called "presumtion of conformity". If there is not a product standard available for a certain product then the so called generic standards will be applicable. Product standards prevail over the generic standards. The measuring methods are established (per EMC phenomenon) in basic standards. Product standards and the generic standards refer to these basic standards. Basic standards are not harmonised.

EMC phenomena

In general EMC phenomena are:

• Radiated immunity (by air through an antenna)
• Radiated emission (by air through an antenna)
• Conducted immunity (through cables)
• Conducted emission (through cables)
• ESD (Electro Static Discharge)
• Surge (Severe energetic pulses)

Other phenomena are also part of the EMC working area:

• Net harmonics
• Flicker
• Voltage dips and interruptions

Scope

Kiwa Dare carries out full compliance tests according to a wide range of international product standards. These include house-hold equipment, consumer equipment, laboratory and ISM equipment, ITE equipment, luminaire and audio/video equipment. Apart from product specific standards we are also able to perform EMC tests according to the generic standards for light industrial (household) appliances and the generic standard for industrial appliances. Our technical competence ranges from DC until 26.5 GHz and from 3 V/m until 600 V/m. In addition to standard EMC measurements Kiwa Dare Services performs a wide array of EMC tests in other fields.

Click here for a list of Harmonised Standards.

Accredited

Kiwa Dare is accredited by the Dutch Council for Accreditation (RvA) under number L279, a Notified Body for the EMC Directive and a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) in regard to the Mutual Recognition Agreement with the USA (MRA-USA). Kiwa Dare is also a Notified Body for the Low Voltage Directive. In regard to the EMC Automotive measurements. Kiwa Dare is a technical service of the RDW and accredited by the main players in the American Automotive industry (e.g. General Motors, Ford).

Other tests

Most standards under the EMC Directive cover a frequency band till 2 GHz. At this moment there are many sources of disturbance like a GSM (1.8 GHz), PC's, microwave ovens (2.4 GHz) and microwave transmitters that operate in access of this frequency. Kiwa Dare performs measurements up to 26.5 GHz. Immunity tests according to the product standards, which are harmonised under the EMC Directive, are prescribed for example 10 V/m for radiated immunity and 8kV for Electro Static Discharge (ESD). In certain environments it is advised to comply with higher immunity levels. Kiwa Dare Services can generate fields up to 200 V/m and ESD levels till 30 kV. In other areas like conducted immunity, EFT and Surge higher test levels can be achieved as well.

Generic Standards

EMC Standards

Other Directives

Besides EMC measurements Kiwa Dare can also perform measurements and examinations according to the following Directives:

• Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
• Machinery Directive
• Automotive Directive
• Medical Devices Directive
• Radio Equipment Directive

These measurements and examinations are also performed in accordance to Military and FCC regulations.

Aside from full compliant measurements and examinations, the so called Quick Scans or engineering measurements (pre-compliant) can be performed.