Automotive & motorsport E
lectromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing ensures electronic and electrical automotive components’ safety by assessing electromagnetic compatibility. Before electronic or electrical
components can be used in vehicle fabrication by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), they must be tested for EMC to ensure that they do not create harmful interference with any other vehicle components or surrounding electrical devices, and that they can operate as required in the presence of electromagnetic interference (EMI). EMC testing was first implemented as part of the vehicle manufacturing industry in Europe in 1972. In 1973, the International Electrotechnical Commission created the TC 77 committee for the purpose of standardising procedures. Today, most countries and regions have EMC automotive manufacturing testing requirements. This means most OEMs must be compliant with standards such as the European Union Directive 2014/30/EU or ECE Regulation R10.
Automotive EMC testing was initially important for anti-lock braking systems and engine control systems. Today, virtually every automobile operating system includes some component that could produce electromagnetic or radio frequency (RF) interference. So, these components must be tested to ensure emissions are eliminated or severely mitigated during their operation. The U.S. is one of the few countries lacking such a requirement, but since U.S.-based automakers commonly export to countries that do have them, their suppliers usually proceed as if it is a matter of regulatory necessity. However, regardless of exportation plans. The Federal Communications Commission’s Part 15 regulation applies to all electronic products sold in the U.S. This means that as a minimum RF emissions testing is required for modern vehicles.
Component suppliers are responsible for ensuring their products undergo EMC testing, and must do so in accordance with applicable industry and OEM-enforced standards, and OEMs will be heavily involved with this process. There are six major areas of EMC testing:
1. Radiated RF Emissions (RE): Unintended emission of RF energy from electronic devices or systems.
2. Conducted RF Emissions (CE): Unintended emission of RF energy travels along conductive paths, such as power lines, signal cables, or other wiring connected to an electronic device or system.
3. Conducted Transient Emissions (CTE): Unintended emission of transient electrical disturbances, such as voltage or current spikes, through conductive paths.
AUTOMOTIVE EMC TESTING
By Marcus Sampson, business line manager for Transport at TÜV SÜD
4. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD): A sudden flow of electricity occurs between two electrically charged objects due to their differing electrical potentials.
5. Radiated RF Immunity (RI): Ability of an electronic device or system to resist and function correctly when exposed to external RF electromagnetic fields. This ensures that the device can operate without performance degradation or malfunction when EMI is present.
6. Conducted Transient Immunity (CTI): Ability of an electronic device or system to withstand and continue to function properly when exposed to transient electrical disturbances from conductive paths.
The major industry methods governing these tests include the IEC’s CISPR 25 for radiated and conducted RF emissions, ISO 11452-xx for RF immunity, ISO 7637-x for conducted transient immunity and emissions, ISO 10605 for electrostatic discharge, ISO 16750-2 for when electrical loads are involved. Along side these global industry standards, some manufacturers require compliance with their own
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unique internal specifications, such as General Motors (GMW3097 and GMW3172), Ford (FMC1278), Fiat Chrysler (FCA CS 00054), and Jaguar/Land Rover (JLR-EMC-CS).
Automotive EMC tests for emissions and immunity are generally conducted at a distance of one meter from the device, at a fixed height. A typical test level for radiated immunity is 100 volts per meter.
COMPONENT SUPPLIERS’ RESPONSIBILITY
Suppliers are responsible for devising test plans that comply with the requirements of any OEMs with whom they plan on doing business, and which sell cars in most major vehicle markets. This requires an understanding of which industry regulatory standards must be met, as well as any specific requirements demanded by individual OEMs. Suppliers must also be closely engaged with the EMC testing process to ensure compliance is achieved and can be readily proven on demand.
CREATING AN AUTOMOTIVE EMC TEST PLAN
Automotive suppliers are responsible for creating an EMC test plan that complies with OEM requirements - before conducting any formal
February 2025 Instrumentation Monthly
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