What is BS EN 61000-4-6 - Electromagnetic compatibility about?
BS EN 61000 is a series on Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Electromagnetic compatibility is the ability of electrical equipment and systems to function acceptably in their electromagnetic environment, by limiting the unintentional generation, propagation and reception of electromagnetic energy which may cause unwanted effects such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) or even physical damage to operational equipment. BS EN 61000-4-6 relates to the conducted immunity requirements of electrical and electronic equipment to electromagnetic disturbances coming from intended radiofrequency (RF) transmitters in the frequency range 150 kHz up to 80 MHz. Equipment not having at least one conducting wire and/or cable (such as mains supply, signal line or earth connection) which can couple the equipment to the disturbing RF fields is excluded from the scope of this publication.
The object of BS EN 61000-4-6 is to establish a common reference for evaluating the functional immunity of electrical and electronic equipment when subjected to conducted disturbances induced by RF fields. The test method documented in BS EN 61000-4-6 describes a consistent method to assess the immunity of an equipment or system against a defined phenomenon.
Who is BS EN 61000-4-6 - Electromagnetic compatibility for?
BS EN 61000-4-6 on Electromagnetic compatibility is useful for:
- Telecommunication component manufacturers
- Telecommunication equipment manufacturers
- Design engineers
- Quality control personnel
Why should you use BS EN 61000-4-6 - Electromagnetic compatibility?
The goal of Electromagnetic compatibility is the correct operation of different equipment in a common electromagnetic environment. It is also the name given to the associated branch of electrical engineering. The source of disturbance covered by BS EN 61000-4-6 is basically an electromagnetic field, coming from intended RF transmitters, that may act on the whole length of cables connected to installed equipment. The dimensions of the disturbed equipment, mostly a subpart of a larger system, are assumed to be small compared with the wavelengths of the interfering signals. The leads entering and exiting the EUT (e.g., mains, communication lines, interface cables) behave as passive receiving antenna networks and signal conduction paths for both intentional and unintentional signals.
Between those cable networks, the susceptible equipment is exposed to currents flowing “through" the equipment. Cable systems connected to equipment are assumed to be in resonant mode (λ/4, λ/2 open or folded dipoles) and as such are represented by coupling and decoupling devices having a common mode impedance of 150 Ω with respect to a reference ground plane. Where possible the EUT is tested by connecting it between two 150 Ω common-mode impedance connections: one providing an RF source and the other providing a return path for the current. This test method subjects the EUT to a source of disturbance comprising electric and magnetic fields, simulating those coming from intentional RF transmitters. These disturbing fields (E and H) are approximated by the electric and magnetic near fields resulting from the voltages and currents caused by the test setup as shown in BS EN 61000-4-6. Using BS EN 61000-4-6 you can specify requirements of electrical and electronic equipment for electromagnetic disturbances coming from intended radiofrequency (RF) transmitters in the frequency range 150 kHz up to 80 MHz.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 61000-4-6:2014 supersedes BS EN 61000-4-6:2009. BS EN 61000-4-6:2014 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 61000-4-6:2009. These include:
- Use of the CDNs
- Calibration of the clamps
- Reorganization of Clause 7 on test setup and injection methods
- Annex A which is now dedicated to EM and decoupling clamps
- Annex G which now addresses the measurement uncertainty of the voltage test level
