What is EMC testing?
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing is a requirement for any device that contains active electronic components. The tests check that the electronics aren’t emitting large amounts of electromagnetic inference. It ensures the device will not react or interact with other electronics nearby. If you want to sell a product containing active electronic components, it must pass the necessary EMC tests.
How is EMC testing conducted?
EMC testing happens at a test lab. The test measures how electronics behave in their intended environments, ensuring they don’t generate significant amounts of electromagnetic interference. For example, your device will be exposed to surges and interruptions on the power input, high voltage static discharges and a broad range of frequencies to ensure it will continue to operate normally in a challenging electromagnetic environment. In addition to this, the conducted and radiated emissions are measured to check that the device will not emit levels that will affect nearby devices.
When is testing necessary?
Testing for electrostatic discharge
If you’re creating an electrical device to be placed on the market, your device will require EMC testing. After the EMC test, you will receive a product technical file detailing the tests and certifications of your device. These results allow you to claim certification for UKCA/CE and prove to UK trading standards that your product is safe. If you falsely claim that your product is EMC tested and it causes damage, you will need to recall all of your products.
It’s crucial to deal with testing as early as possible. Research by Intertek found that around 50% of electronic products fail EMC testing the first time. Redesigning your product can be an expensive, time-consuming process, which is why it’s essential to think about testing at the beginning of the design process.
EMC testing services
A graph for the conducted emissions test. This is the noise on the power line when the device is on. The top lines show the upper limit for a pass. The lower lines show the conducted noise for the device. If the test lines stay below the limit across the whole frequency range, it will pass.
EMC testing is making a statement that your product adheres to regulatory standards. We have extensive knowledge as to what these standards are, as well as any additional requirements. This allows us to implement the best practices for the design of your electronic device. Alongside building the device for testing, we will also go to the test house that provides troubleshooting on the day, allowing us to make any necessary adjustments. Although you can never guarantee a 100% pass rate, keeping EMC in mind throughout the design process will ensure the likeliness of a pass. If your device fails the first time, it’s important to have a contingency plan in place. At DefProc, we can find solutions to implement to ensure your device passes EMC testing the next time. Get in touch with us via our contact page.