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Technical Papers

Technical library
Our series of Technical papers
The new series of Technical Papers are designed to provide insights and best practices for engineers and all those with an interest in EMC compliance and power amplifiers. Feel free to contact us If you have any questions relating to the topics discussed or if you need assistance selecting the right solution for your application. 

  • Practical Guide | Antennas for EMC Compliance +



      A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO ANTENNAS FOR EMC COMPLIANCE

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    This technical note serves as an essential guide for understanding antenna behavior in EMC testing by exploring key concepts like antenna gain, directivity, and polarization and their practical implications.

  • EV Charging - Frequently Asked Questions +



      EV Charging - Frequently Asked Questions

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    AMETEK CTS has been at the forefront of the EV revolution, providing technical assistance and state-of-the-art EMC test equipment to major car manufacturers worldwide since the early days of EVs. We caught up with Thomas Handschin, AMETEK CTS Product Manager, to get some insights about the sometimes-overlooked requirements of EMC compliance and testing for electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

  • IEC 61000-4-6 |Edition 5 - Changes to the standard +



      IEC 61000-4-6 ED 5 | EDITION 5 - CHANGES TO THE STANDARD
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    This technical note delves into the important updates encapsulated in the latest iteration, IEC 61000-4-6:2023. These international standard outlines meticulous testing procedures aimed at safeguarding electrical equipment against potential disruptions induced by conducted disturbances originating from nearby radio frequency fields. These disturbances, often provoked when cables or leads act as inadvertent antennas, pose a critical consideration in the realm of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing.

  • Conducted emission and immunity testing in configuration REESS as per UNECE Regulation 10 (Revision 6) +



      Conducted emission and immunity testing in configuration REESS as per UNECE Regulation 10 (Revision 6)

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    With the introduction of Revision 5, ECE R10 incorporated specific requirements for electrical vehicles, including the charging mode of REESS (rechargeable electrical energy storage system) connected to the power grid. Building upon this foundation, the latest Revision 6, published in October 2019, further expands the scope of EMC testing. Notably, it introduces conducted emission and immunity tests, such as burst, surge, harmonics, and flicker, which take center stage in this technical note.

  • Changes to IEC 61000-3-2 | Harmonics Current Emissions +



     Changes to IEC 61000-3-2 (AMD1 ED5) Changes to IEC 61000-3-2 (AMD1 ED5) 
    Harmonics Current Emissions
    Author:     Thomas Handschin

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    This publication provides an overview for product design teams and test engineers, of the most relevant changes to the standard, and discusses the differences to the previous version of the standard and the impact on compliance testing.

  • AC Voltage | Dips, Drops and Variations +



      AC VOLTAGE DIPS, DROPS, AND VARIATIONS

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    Electrical equipment can be affected by voltage variations on their power supply lines. Voltage dips and short interruptions occur due to faults in public private networks or sudden changes of large loads, whereas voltage variations are caused by continuously varying loads connected to the network. Whether these variations are abrupt or gradual, the normal operation of consumer and industrial electronic and electrical devices and equipment can be adversely affected.

  • EMC Compliance Know-How | What is EMC Pre-Testing and Why is it Important? +



      WHAT IS EMC PRE-TESTING AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

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    The ability to perform in-house EMC product testing before going to a certified Test Lab for final certification provides product designers and manufacturers with an array of benefits.
    This booklet provides an overview of the tests that can be included in a pre-testing schedule, and the standards covered. This includes information about the test set-up required to perform the test, and instruments that are required.

  • Electric Vehicle | Ripple Disturbances +



      ELECTRIC VEHICLE TESTING | RIPPLE DISTURBANCES

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    A ripple is a disturbance signal that is superimposed on the DC power supply. This ripple comes, for example, from periodic switching operations of semiconductor components. In electric vehicles the electric drive system, especially the inverter part, represents the greatest potential source of ripple-voltages.

  • Insulation Tests | With The 1.2/50 Pulse +



      INSULATION TESTS WITH THE 1.2/50 PULSE

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    When designing electrical equipment, machines and systems, it is necessary to check the products from an EMC and safety point of view. These tests are mandated by international standards and are designed to protect the user from potential harm and to ensure the performance of equipment is maintained in the event of electrical disturbances.

  • Electrical disturbance testing | Redundant automotive safety systems +



     Testing Redundant Automotive Safety Systems Electrical Disturbance Testing
    of Redundant Automotive Safety Systems
    Author:     Tim Horacek

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    This technical paper discusses best practices, originally from the aerospace industry, and how they can be applied to modern redundant safety functions in the automotive industry in theory and in practice.

  • An Introduction to EMC testing on electric vehicles +



     Introduction_to EMC Testing on Electric Vehicles AN INTRODUCTION TO EMC TESTING ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES
    Author: Thomas Handschin 
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    This Technical Note summarizes the recent changes to the standards that affect Burst and Surge testing. These include pulse shape, calibration/verification and even specification of coupling networks that could lead to different test results. This information is a summary of the most important changes and the possible influence in test results.

    Automotive OEM Specifications+

  • Amplifier Selection - What you need to know +



     Amplifier selection guide - what you need to know AMPLIFIER SELECTION | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
    Author: Nick Jones
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    This Technical Note is a guide to the important points to consider when selecting an amplifier, ensuring the product meets the application requirements for EMC, Communications, Aerospace and Defence.

  • Voltage Offset Test - Application Note +



     Voltage offset test VOLTAGE OFFSET TEST
    Author: Thomas Handschin 
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    International and manufacturer standards define a set of EMC tests that must be performed on high voltage components of electric cars. Two different test methods are used to perform the voltage offset test, which are described in this application note.

  • Managing stability and spurious signals in RF and Microwave Amplifiers +



     Stability and spurious signals in RF and Microwave Amplifiers MANAGING STABILITY AND SPURIOUS SIGNALS IN RF AND MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS
    Author: Dr. Dominic FitzPatrick
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    Whatever the application, accurate results that can be consistently repeated is a reasonable expectation for any engineer using an RF or Microwave Amplifier. This technical note draws on this experience, and provides actionable insights that will help users identify and manage external factors that may negatively affect performance and results.

  • TWT Amplifier Fitness Plan +



     TWT Amplifier Fitness Plan TWT AMPLIFIER - FITNESS PLAN
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    The TWT Amplifier Fitness Plan has been engineered to help users get consistent long-term performance from their instrument. Following this plan will ensure you provide the greatest protection for the specialized components contained in a TWT design.

  • Dropout Testing - are you doing it wrong? +



     Dropout testing DROPOUT TESTING “ARE YOU DOING IT WRONG?”
    Author: Tim Horacek
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    Different test setups and confusion about the intent of the standard can result in different results and behavior of the device under test during the simulation. We created this document
    to help test engineers understand the different accepted methods of performing the testing and eliminate errors that can occur while performing drop-out testing.

  • Radar Pulse Testing - what are you options? +



     Radar pulse test RADAR PULSE TESTING WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?
    Author:Nick Jones
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    Many establishments use radar systems designed to scan at ground level. This is used at airports to control aircraft during taxi and take off. Such systems are also used for security at airports and military establishments. This represents a severe threat to a vehicle when the high fields impact on safety critical electronic components for example; air-bags, ABS, collision avoidance systems. This document
    will help test engineers understand the different accepted methods of performing radar pulse testing.

  • Summary of changes to the Burst and Surge standard +



     Changes in Burst and Surge standard BURST AND SURGE - SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO THE STANDARD
    Author: Frank Niechcial 
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    This Technical Note summarises the recent changes to the standards that affect Burst and Surge testing. These include pulse shape, calibration/verification and even specification of coupling networks that could lead to different test results. This information is a summary of the most important changes and the possible influence in test results.

  • Surge waveform verification for Transient Generators +



     Surge_Waveform Verification for Transient Generators SURGE WAVEFORM VERIFICATION FOR TRANSIENT GENERATORS

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    Surge is caused by over-voltages from switching and lightning transients. IEC 61000-4-5 describes several tests which are intended to evaluate immunity from several natural phenomena and various equipment configurations.

  • Burst waveform verification for Transient Generators +



     Burst Waveform Verification for Transient Generators BURST WAVEFORM VERIFICATION FOR TRANSIENT GENERATORS

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    Electrical fast transients (EFT) or burst testing attempts to imitate the natural phenomenon of what occurs when a switch opens or closes a circuit. The repetitive fast transient test consists of a number of fast transients, coupled into power and control/signal ports of electrical and electronic  equipment.