What is EMC?
Ever since the early days of radio, electrical interference from the wiring harness and from electrical equipment has been a problem. The disturbances can propagate through the air as radio waves or travel via wires.
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is about the ability of electrical equipment to be used simultaneously without being interfered with by each other. EMC is therefore also a quality description, in line with reliability, performance or other requirements that are placed on a product. In short, products with a low degree of EMC will mean more interference than it will for products with a high degree of EMC.
Where is EMC experienced?
Because we increasingly surround ourselves with equipment that contains active electronics, the problem of such interference can increase in scope. Modern active houses can be exposed to disturbances from various sources, both inside and outside the house. Typical interference is DAB radios that drop out when LED lights come on, or lights that start flashing when the automatic electricity meter sends a reading.
Electronics in infrastructure and larger structures may also be at risk. For example, the LED lighting system at Rockheim in Trondheim has disrupted the approach systems at Værnes Airport. We have also seen examples of lighting in tunnels that have disrupted and blocked the emergency network.
Who works with EMC?
Manufacturers of electrical appliances and equipment work extensively with EMC issues and are incorporating increasingly better protection against such disturbances in their products. Those who design and carry out installations in buildings and other places must therefore also pay greater attention to the EMC problem, which the examples mentioned underline.
DSB is the Norwegian authority for EMC. If you have experienced an unwanted or dangerous incident related to EMC, we would like to hear from you. Fill out and send us your message of concern. Your feedback is important to us in our preventive work.