CISPR / EN EMC Emissions Testing
Radiometrics Midwest Corporation provides CISPR and EN electromagnetic emissions testing for manufacturers seeking European CE compliance and other international EMC approvals. Testing is performed at our A2LA-accredited EMC laboratory in Illinois.
EMC emissions testing measures the unwanted radio-frequency energy produced by electronic and electrical equipment. Depending on the applicable product standard, testing may include radiated emissions, conducted emissions on AC or DC power lines, and emissions present on other applicable wired ports.
Radiometrics can assist manufacturers in identifying the appropriate CISPR or EN emissions requirements for their product and developing a test program for compliance or pre-compliance evaluation.
Radiated and Conducted Emissions Testing
Most EMC emissions programs involve one or more measurements of radio-frequency disturbances produced by the equipment under test (EUT).
Radiometrics emissions testing capabilities include:
- Radiated emissions testing
- Conducted emissions testing
- AC and DC powered equipment
- Class A and Class B equipment
- Multiple equipment operating modes
- Peripheral and support equipment configurations
- Pre-compliance emissions evaluation
- Engineering investigation of emissions failures
- Testing to applicable CISPR, EN and product-family requirements
The exact frequency ranges, detector functions, measurement distances, equipment configurations and limits depend upon the applicable standard and product classification.
CISPR 11 / EN 55011 — Industrial, Scientific and Medical Equipment
CISPR 11 and EN 55011 establish radio-frequency emissions requirements for many types of industrial, scientific and medical electrical equipment.
Products evaluated to CISPR 11 / EN 55011 may include industrial controls, laboratory equipment, scientific equipment, medical-related equipment, power electronics and other equipment within the scope of the standard.
Testing may include conducted and radiated disturbance measurements using the limits and test configurations applicable to the equipment’s group, class and intended environment.
Radiometrics can assist in determining the appropriate CISPR 11 / EN 55011 classification and developing the required emissions test program.
CISPR 32 / EN 55032 — Multimedia Equipment Emissions
CISPR 32 / EN 55032 establishes electromagnetic emissions requirements for multimedia equipment and is commonly encountered for information technology, audio/video, digital and other multimedia products.
The standard includes requirements for Class A and Class B equipment and may require evaluation of radiated and conducted emissions from the equipment and applicable wired ports.
Radiometrics performs CISPR 32 / EN 55032 emissions testing using representative operating modes, peripherals, cables and support equipment as required for the product configuration.
CISPR 22 / EN 55022 — Legacy Information Technology Equipment Testing
CISPR 22 and EN 55022 were widely used for conducted and radiated emissions testing of information technology equipment (ITE). These standards have been superseded for current applications by CISPR 32 / EN 55032, which addresses multimedia equipment.
Radiometrics continues to receive projects, customer specifications and existing product documentation that reference CISPR 22 or EN 55022.
We can assist manufacturers with legacy requirements and help determine whether an older CISPR 22 / EN 55022 requirement or the current CISPR 32 / EN 55032 requirements are appropriate for a particular project.
Conducted Emissions Testing
Conducted emissions testing measures radio-frequency disturbances that are coupled from the equipment onto applicable power or interface connections.
Depending on the applicable standard and product configuration, testing may involve AC mains power, DC power connections or other applicable wired ports.
The equipment is operated in representative modes while emissions are measured using the appropriate measurement network, receiver and test configuration required by the applicable standard.
When excessive conducted emissions are identified, Radiometrics can work with the manufacturer’s engineering team to help characterize the frequencies and operating conditions associated with the problem.
Radiated Emissions Testing
Radiated emissions testing measures electromagnetic energy unintentionally radiated by the equipment and its associated cables.
The EUT is configured and operated according to the applicable emissions standard while measurements are performed over the required frequency range and measurement distance.
Radiometrics has multiple EMC test environments for evaluating electronic and electrical equipment ranging from small products to larger systems.
Testing can include multiple operating modes, cable configurations, peripherals and orientations when required to identify the configuration producing the highest emissions.
Class A and Class B Emissions Requirements
Many CISPR and EN emissions standards establish different limits based on the intended use and environment of the equipment.
Class A requirements generally apply to equipment intended for environments other than residential locations, while Class B requirements provide more restrictive emissions limits for equipment intended for residential environments and other locations covered by the applicable standard.
The appropriate classification depends on the product, intended environment and requirements of the applicable standard.
Radiometrics can help determine which emissions limits should be applied when preparing a test program.
European CE Mark EMC Emissions Testing
CISPR-based emissions standards are frequently used as the technical basis for EN standards associated with European EMC compliance.
The specific emissions standard required for CE compliance depends on the product type, intended environment and applicable product or product-family standard.
A complete European EMC evaluation may include both emissions testing and immunity testing.
Radiometrics provides both CISPR / EN emissions testing and IEC 61000-4 series immunity testing, allowing manufacturers to coordinate the major EMC portions of a European compliance program through one laboratory.
Pre-Compliance Emissions Testing
A formal compliance test does not always need to be the first step.
For new designs, design revisions or products with uncertain emissions performance, Radiometrics can perform pre-compliance measurements before a complete certification test program.
Pre-compliance testing can help identify emissions problems early enough for engineering changes to be evaluated before final compliance testing.
This can be particularly useful for switching power supplies, digital electronics, high-speed interfaces, motors, displays, long external cables and other potential sources of RF emissions.
EMC Emissions Troubleshooting
If a product exceeds an applicable emissions limit, Radiometrics can work with your engineering team to help identify the source and characterize the conditions producing the emission.
Depending on the product and failure, troubleshooting may involve evaluating operating modes, cable configurations, grounding, shielding, filtering, power supplies or other potential emission paths.
Where practical, design or configuration changes can be evaluated during the test program to determine whether they reduce the measured emissions.
Information Needed for a CISPR / EN Emissions Quote
To help Radiometrics develop an accurate emissions test program and quotation, please provide the following information when available:
- Applicable CISPR, EN or product standard
- Product description and model number
- AC or DC input voltage and current requirements
- Product dimensions
- Number and type of external cables and ports
- Required peripherals and support equipment
- Normal and worst-case operating modes
- Intended environment or Class A / Class B classification, if known
- Highest internally generated or used frequency, when applicable
- Previous test reports or emissions data, when available
If you are uncertain which CISPR or EN standard applies, Radiometrics can review the product information and help identify the likely EMC requirements.
Schedule CISPR / EN EMC Emissions Testing
Radiometrics Midwest Corporation has provided EMC testing and engineering services since 1983. Contact us to discuss CISPR / EN emissions testing, European CE compliance, pre-compliance evaluation, troubleshooting, scheduling or quotation requirements.