How To Use The EMC Standards – Things You Need To Know
Are you launching a new product? Are you concerned about it passing EMC testing? Take the example of a new PCBA. All the devices or components through which a current passes produce electromagnetic radiation to some extent. Low power devices produce a minimal amount of EM radiation but some devices are capable of producing so much emission that they can impact the other components on the device or in some cases, nearby electronics.
While electromagnetic emission from a device can impact other nearby electronics, it can also be impacted by external radiation. This is why EMC standards exist. The use of these standards is to ensure that all the electronics we are so used to in our day-to-day lives, keep working as intended.
The EMC Compliance Standards
If you’re wondering about the need for EMC compliance standards, just take a look around you. It is impossible to imagine today’s world without a variety of electronic devices ranging from your smartphone to a computer or even the small boards in your TV and all the other devices. Also, devices are continuously shrinking in size which means the components powering these devices are susceptible to electromagnetic radiation produced by other components or other devices nearby.
The goal of EMC compliance standards is to ensure that all electronic devices are able to work as intended and do not interfere with the working of other devices.
How To Use The EMC Standards?
Before diving into EMC compliance standards, you first need to understand the structure of these standards. There are a number of organisations around the world that come up with these standards and continue to update them.
Also, there are regulators in various countries that implement these standards. Any product to be sold in a particular geographical area needs to meet the EMC compliance standards for that area. Since there are a plethora of EMC standards, you need to figure out the EMC standard that applies to your product and that depends on the function of your product, the place where it is going to be used and its classification.
In terms of hierarchy, the standards structure comprises product family standards, product standards, generic standards and basic standards with product family standards being at the top of the hierarchy and basic standards being at the bottom of the hierarchy.
In addition to these 4 classifications, there are also other classifications and standards that need to be adhered to depending on the usage of the product. The EMC compliance testing standards in Australia are implemented by ACMA which stands for Australian Communications and Media Authority.
EMC compliance testing does not come cheap and takes a lot of time. This is why you need to focus on optimisation of EMC compliance testing in order to arrive at the most efficient testing setup.
How Is EMC Testing Done?
The first step in your testing regimen should be to determine the right classification for the product. Once the classification has been made, it is time to determine the essential tests for the product as per EMC compliance criteria.
The next step is to perform EMC simulations during the design stage and the necessary modifications should be made to the product to meet the necessary EMC compliance criteria. Once the EMC compliance criteria have been met, the product should be tested by an accredited test lab. After a product has passed the test, proper documentation should be obtained and submitted in order to verify the test results and to make the product ready for sale in the market.
Summary
If you are not really sure about the EMC standards that apply to your product, the best way for you to move forward is to call Compliance Engineering. We’ll be happy to help you with the applicable EMC tests and the testing services we provide.
Compliance Engineering is the definitive source for all of your Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) requirements. Please call us today on + 61 3 9763 3079 or contact us here.