Are you about to launch an electronic product either here in Australia or globally? If so, are you familiar with EMC standards? If this is your first time to launch an electronic product, then you need to keep reading as we will share some basic knowledge regarding EMC standards, their application and their importance in the global consumer industry. 

Let’s begin by defining what EMC stands for. EMC stands for Electromagnetic Compatibility. EMC standards are simply guidelines or instructions that highlight the terms, rules, testing technique, immunity levels and emission limits for different types of electro-technical products.

Introduction To EMC Standards

Billions of people around the world make use of a wide variety of electronic and electro-technical equipment and products that have a widespread application in different industries. These products are designed and manufactured by different parties.

EMC standards define the testing methods, rules and terms that these parties must adhere to in order to achieve EMC compliance. EMC standards outline the minimum test levels and functional limits for electromagnetic and electric immunity and emissions of electronic and electro-technical products. 

Basic Knowledge EMC Standards

Importance Of EMC Standards

EMC standards play a huge role in regulating the global consumer products industry. The fact that electronic products have both positive and negative impacts, on humans and the world at large, means that certain guidelines must be put in place to mitigate the negative impacts while boosting the positive ones. 

EMC standards make product testing and measurement comparable and repeatable regardless of where it is done in the world. This is made possible by defining the testing environment, equipment and testing techniques in order to bring harmony to the whole process.

Origin Of EMC Standards

EMC standards are drafted by national, regional or international committees and organisations on behalf of governments and other governing bodies like the European Union. Many of the EMC standards in existence today have been developed after widespread consultation with industry players and other crucial stakeholders.

Some of the national and international organisations and committees that have helped develop the current EMC standards used in Australia include:

  • International Electro-technical Commission (IEC)
  • Committees within IEC for Basic and Generic EMC Standards
  • International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR)
  • International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)
  • Standards Australia (AS)
  • Committees within IEC for Product and Product Family EMC Standards

Basic Knowledge EMC Standards

Types Or Classes Of EMC Standards

  • Basic EMC Publications

Basic EMC publications outline the specific conditions and terms for EMC testing and define the guidelines required for achieving EMC compliance. These publications also outline the test environment, equipment, setup and techniques. All other types or classes of EMC standards are based on these basic EMC publications.

  • General Standards

General standards offer guidelines on how to come up with new EMC standards through specific considerations and using specific vocabulary and terminology.

  • Environment Standards

Environmental standards offer descriptions and classifications of various electromagnetic environment and compatibility levels.

  • Emission Standards

Emission standards cover the test environment, test equipment, testing methods, test setups and other considerations in regards to emission measurement and testing.

  • Immunity Standards

Immunity standards outline the test environment, test equipment, testing methods, test setups and other considerations in regards to immunity testing.

  • Mitigation/Installation Standards

Mitigation and installation standards cover everything from HEMP protection concepts, external electromagnetic influence, earthing, cabling and so on.

  • EMC Product Standards

EMC product standards are specific to particular products such as coaxial cables and electric cars. These standards are very similar to basic EMC publications but go further to specify certain limits of immunity and emissions for particular products. 

  • EMC Product Family Standards

These are similar to EMC product standards but are different in that they apply to groups or categories of products that work in the same field or environment.

Summary

If you are planning to launch a new product, it is important to understand the EMC testing requirements right from the design stage.

Get in touch with the experienced team at Compliance Engineering to learn more about electromagnetic compatibility requirements for different products to be sold either in Australia or in other parts of the world.

Please call us today at Compliance Engineering on + 61 3 9763 3079 or leave an enquiry.