Electrical and electronic devices are used widely in our day-to-day lives, from simple electronics in our homes to larger and more powerful electronics in institutions, organisations, offices, infrastructure systems, industries, etc. What most people do not realise is that these electronics can unintentionally emit, propagate, or even receive electromagnetic energy, thus causing electromagnetic interference that can cause malfunction or damage to the equipment.
As a result, electromagnetic compatibility en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_compatibility testing, which is done to ensure that electrical equipment is not affected by interference or cause interference to other electrical equipment in the surrounding, is very important. The importance of EMC is even more crucial for large projects that involve electronics, for example, in industries, hospitals, and infrastructure systems (electric railways and air crafts), where electromagnetic interference can lead to fatal outcomes. Below are some of the top facts about electromagnetic compatibility to help you understand this important service.
1. Electromagnetic compatibility is regulated through legislative measures
As already stated, electromagnetic interference can cause damage or malfunction of electronics, which can result in fatal consequences. Therefore, electromagnetic compatibility is an important service that helps to mitigate the risks of these fatal outcomes from occurring. However, in order to make this happen, electromagnetic compatibility services that are offered must be high quality and up to par with the required standards. As a result, EMC is highly regulated around the world, including in the UK, where all professionals dealing with electronic and electrical equipment are required to comply with the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manufactured-goods-and-electromagnetic-compatibility).
This means that anyone manufacturing, supplying, or installing electronics and electrical equipment must comply with the set EMC standards, usually by having an EMC assessment or testing done on the equipment. The regulation ensures that the equipment is not susceptible to electromagnetic disturbance, nor can it cause an electromagnetic interference that can cause other electronic equipment within the surroundings to stop functioning properly.
2. EMC services can only be provided by qualified professionals
Due to the high importance of electromagnetic compatibility, and the huge risks that are involved in case the services are not up to the required standards, any kind of EMC services (such as http://www.edifgroup.com/services/engineering-and-consultancy/power-engineering/electromagnetic-compatibility-emc), including testing and assessment, consultancy, and design related EMC services must be provided by qualified EMC experts. The experts are certified by taking the necessary training courses that are designed for engineers and other professionals involved in the provision of EMC services. The training courses include those that are designed for people starting a career in the EMC field, or the already established professionals (to increase their knowledge or keep them up to date with EMC standards and regulations.
In the UK, there are a number of companies that specialise in offering high-quality EMC services by employing EMC experts who are skilled in EMC assessment and testing. One of these companies is Edif Group (http://www.edifgroup.com/), known as one of the leading organisations that offers technical inspection and engineering consultancy services to clients in various sectors such as Defence and Security, Industrial operations, energy industry, transport industry, and others. Their EMC services include:
– Surveys to determine the intentional or non-intentional electromagnetic interference of your project site, as a result of your electronic equipment installation or from other electronic in the surroundings
– EMC testing and assessment to ensure the reliable and safe functioning of your electrical and electronic equipment
– EMC consultancy services to ensure that you have complied with all legal EMC requirements such as the UK EMC directive
3. EMC services are widely used in several industries
EMC services are used in a wide range of industries to ensure that all the electronic and electrical equipment being used function properly. One of the main areas where EMC services are required is the transport industry, where electrical railway and aerospace projects must undergo EMC testing and assessment to ensure that they are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference.
Other areas where EMC services are used include:
– To ensure that medical devices are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference from other devices. EMC assessment is also important to ensure that these medical devices do not cause interference that can affect other devices.
– In the manufacturing industries to ensure that all electronic devices are manufactured have complied with EMC regulations
– In the installation of electrical or electronic equipment
4. EMC services offer a lot of benefits for different industries
EMC compliance is a mandatory requirement in every country, and EMC services offer a lot of benefits that include;
a) Ensuring regulatory requirements are met
One of the main benefits of EMC services is that they help you to make sure that you are in compliance with all the EMC regulatory requirements. This helps you to avoid landing yourself in precarious situations where you can be fined, penalised, or even sued for not complying with the set regulations.
b) Ensuring that electronics function safely
EMC assessment helps to ensure that electronics do not cause (or are not susceptible) to electromagnetic interference that can cause them to malfunction or cause other electronic equipment in the surrounding to fail.
c) Improving the performance of electrical products
EMC testing and assessment, especially when conducted at the production stages of electrical and electronic equipment, helps to make sure that manufactured products meet high-quality standards, thus guaranteeing better performance.
d) Mitigating the risks associated with electromagnetic interference
Electrical and electronic equipment that are not compliant with EMC regulations can be susceptible to (or cause) electromagnetic interference, thus leading to equipment failure or damage. In addition, such equipment can result in fatal EMF exposures. EMC assessment and testing thus helps to mitigate these risks, thus ensuring the safety of electrical and electronic equipment (their datasheet can be seen at http://www.edifgroup.com/documents/pdf/Edif_ERA_DataSheets_Electromagnetic_compatibility_crosssector.pdf) .
e) Reducing the production costs
EMC services help to ensure that the manufactured electrical and electronic products have met all the requirements of EMC regulations. This helps to save money by avoiding the recall of products from the market. Being in compliance with the EMC regulations also helps to protect manufacturers from legal action that can be taken against them in the event of product failure.
5. Job opportunities for qualified EMC experts
Professionals who are qualified to provide EMC services can find several employment opportunities in various industries. These job opportunities include:
a) EMC consultant
b) Electronics engineer
c) Electronic design engineer
d) EMC test technician
Summary
Electromagnetic compatibility is very important in ensuring that electrical and electronic systems comply with set regulations, thus ensuring their proper and safe functioning. EMC services are used in various industries, from the Defence and Security industry to the Transport, Energy and Manufacturing industries. To ensure that the services provided meet the required standards, they should only be offered by qualified EMC experts.