Commercial EMC Standards in the United States

With the proliferation of high-speed computers with associated fast rise time clocks used next to sensitive electronics, all immersed in a typical RF environment punctuated by TV and radio broadcast transmitters, the need to design electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) into products has intensified. Meeting mandatory and contract-imposed EMC requirements is an important consideration. The regulatory requirements abound in national or regional areas such as the European Community (EC) where its EMC Directive has imposed emission and immunity essential requirements. To show conformance to these regulations and requirements implies that a measurement regime is needed that is repeatable and accurate. This paper will highlight a series of standards published in the USA that concentrate on methods of measurement for a host of conditions and products. The standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) are particularly addressed as typical of the USA commercial EMC standards.