EMC awareness has risen
Martin Rowe, Senior Technical Editor -- Test & Measurement World, 8/1/2005
Over the last 10 years, EMC awareness among electrical engineers has risen. The EU's EMC Directive, which forces manufacturers to comply with numerous standards, has driven engineers to design for EMC.
|
Regarding EMC awareness among EES, Jereme Irwin, EMC engineer at D.L.S. Electronic Systems, adds: "As a test engineer for over six years, I’ve seen an increase in the knowledge of EMC that my customers have.They have a better understanding of designing with EMC in mind and also what is required of their product to meet the necessary standards.I believe books and magazines, the Internet, and networking groups such as the IEEE or NARTE have been excellent resources for information and educating design engineers for EMC. Also, there are a number of workshop and technical seminars being offered now that may not have been so readily available 10 years ago. These two approaches really give design engineers a solid hands-on look at what to expect when qualifying their product for EMC. "Some design engineers have even taken the approach of following a preliminary testing protocol, meaning while still in the design phase of a new product, they will go to the test lab to get an idea as to where they stand.In my opinion, the most knowledgeable design engineer is the one who is involved in the qualification process as well.Here at D.L.S., we strive to educate our customers on the different phenomena of EMC and ultimately how this may impact their product in the real world.We educate our customers on the different design approaches needed to meet the requirements of EMC standards, either during testing or in a consulting setting reviewing schematics." |
IBM has taken a similar approach. "We recognized a need to design for EMC, so we hired Dr. Bruce Archambault to train our engineers," said Len Powell, program director for design, support, test, and validation at IBM's Raleigh, NC, facility. "We also developed tools to model EMC in our designs. The modeling tools solve Maxwell's Equations and provide 'what if' scenarios." Archambault conducts classes in EMC design and meets with engineers at least once a year to keep them current on the latest design techniques.
Don Sweeney, president of test lab D.L.S. Electronic Systems (Wheeling, IL) also sees an overall rise in EMC awareness, but with two qualifications. Although he rarely sees engineers who don't know that designing for compliance is a requirement, Sweeney has noted that some engineers don't know the repercussions of not complying with EMC standards. For example, a lack of compliance means that you can't sell your product in Europe. He also finds that engineers at small companies are less EMC aware than those at large companies. "Large companies have the resources to train their engineers, but small companies don't," he said.
An engineer's enthusiasm for learning about EMC is a function of his or her age. "Young engineers are eager to learn and to use our simulation tools," said Archambault. "Older engineers are more set in their ways and are reluctant to change."
Wyatt added, "Most of the reluctant engineers have retired, leaving us with a younger, more receptive group."
Engineers are now particularly good at designing for EMC emissions, but some still need help with immunity. EMC consultant Doug Smith said "I often have to help engineers with setting up immunity tests. There is little correlation between passing that test and having a product work in the field."
|
