EMC PARTNER: Modular EMC Immunity Testing Equipment

EMC immunity testing: Evaluating different transient disturbances

Electronic devices and systems must operate reliably when exposed to electromagnetic disturbances. Transient events such as rapid switching operations, voltage surges and electrostatic discharges can affect the operation of electronic circuits.

Appropriate EMC immunity testing is therefore essential during product development, validation and qualification. Selecting the right test equipment involves more than choosing a generator with a suitable maximum voltage. The required impulse waveforms, coupling methods and applicable test requirements are equally important.

EMC PARTNER provides a broad portfolio of solutions for these applications. Its modular IMU test systems combine several immunity test methods in a compact instrument and can be expanded when additional capabilities are required.

ESD, EFT/Burst, Surge, Ring Wave and DOW: Understanding the differences

Different immunity tests reproduce different electromagnetic stress conditions. Depending on the application and test requirements, specific generators, impulse waveforms and coupling networks are needed.

• ESD (Electrostatic Discharge): Evaluates equipment immunity to electrostatic discharge events and their effects on electronic equipment.
• EFT/Burst (Electrical Fast Transient): Uses fast, repetitive transient pulses to investigate immunity to disturbances associated, for example, with electrical switching operations.
• Surge: Evaluates immunity to higher-energy transient overvoltages, including disturbances associated with switching events and lightning-related effects.
• Ring Wave: Uses a damped oscillatory impulse waveform to investigate equipment behaviour under corresponding transient disturbances.
• DOW (Damped Oscillatory Waves): Evaluates immunity to damped oscillatory disturbances. The required waveform and its parameters depend on the specific test application.
• 10/700 µs impulses: A specific impulse voltage waveform relevant to corresponding test requirements for telecommunication and data line systems.

These test methods are not interchangeable. A compliant test setup must take into account the required waveform, test level and coupling method.

IMU-MGS and IMU-MGE: Modular impulse generators for EMC laboratories

The EMC PARTNER IMU series is designed to combine multiple immunity test methods within a common equipment platform. This allows laboratories to cover different test requirements using a modular system.

• IMU-MGS: Compact 5 kV generator for EFT/Burst and Surge testing. The instrument includes an integrated 16 A Coupling/Decoupling Network (CDN) and provides modular expansion possibilities.
• IMU-MGE: Modular 8 kV test system supporting EFT/Burst, Surge, Ring Wave and 10/700 µs impulse testing. Additional test capabilities can also be incorporated through modular expansion.

The modular architecture is particularly relevant for laboratories where test requirements evolve over time. Additional test methods can be introduced through suitable configurations without necessarily requiring a separate instrument for each test.

When selecting between IMU-MGS and IMU-MGE, the required test methods and available expansion options should be evaluated alongside the maximum voltage range.

DOW-CG1: Testing with damped oscillatory waves

In addition to conventional EFT/Burst and Surge testing, damped oscillatory disturbances are important for certain electronic systems and applications.

The EMC PARTNER DOW-CG1 is a multifunction generator designed for Damped Oscillatory Wave testing. It incorporates an integrated three-phase Coupling/Decoupling Network.

Integrating the coupling network is particularly relevant for test configurations that require transient disturbances to be applied to multiphase power supply lines.

When selecting the system, engineers should consider the required oscillation parameters, the equipment power supply configuration and the applicable test requirements.

CDN systems and ESDEX: Additional equipment for different testing requirements

Beyond impulse generators, EMC PARTNER offers additional equipment for building suitable EMC immunity test environments.

• CDN systems (Coupling/Decoupling Networks): These networks enable defined disturbance coupling onto power supply and data lines while providing decoupling of adjacent circuits or supply sections.
• Three-phase and DC applications: EMC PARTNER provides CDN solutions for different power supply configurations, including three-phase systems and DC-powered applications.
• ESDEX series: ESD generators designed to evaluate equipment immunity to electrostatic discharges. The product family includes configurations with test voltages up to 30 kV.

When designing a test setup, the generator, coupling network and equipment connections must be appropriately matched. Operating limits, line types and required coupling methods all influence equipment selection.

How to select suitable EMC immunity testing equipment

Before investing in a new EMC test system, it is useful to define the relevant test requirements and equipment configuration.

• Test methods: Are EFT/Burst and Surge tests sufficient, or are ESD, Ring Wave, DOW or other impulse waveforms also required?
• Test levels and impulse parameters: Which voltages, waveforms and additional parameters are specified by the applicable test requirements?
• Equipment power supply: Is the equipment under test powered by a single-phase, three-phase or DC supply? Which operating currents and voltages must be considered?
• Interfaces: Must disturbances be coupled onto power lines, data lines or several types of connections?
• Future expansion: Which test capabilities are currently required, and which additional methods might be needed later?

Evaluating these criteria helps laboratories select an appropriate system configuration while reducing potential limitations for future testing activities.

EMC PARTNER solutions from EMCO Elektronik: Technical advice and availability

EMCO Elektronik is a contact for EMC PARTNER products and solutions, helping customers identify suitable EMC test equipment for their applications.

Equipment procurement time is another important consideration when planning laboratory investments. In its current announcement, EMC PARTNER indicates a delivery time of approximately three weeks for many standard instruments. This information applies to the time of the announcement and should be confirmed for each specific configuration.

For organisations planning additional test capacity, expanding existing laboratories or allocating available investment budgets, this may be relevant to project scheduling.

Contact EMCO Elektronik to discuss a suitable combination of impulse generators, CDN systems and accessories for your specific EMC immunity testing requirements and to confirm current product availability.