Measurements are performed on a standard-compliant EMC test bench or in an EMC anechoic chamber, either without interference suppression or using an interference suppressor from the EPA standard portfolio. If the application requires modification in design and interference suppression, the effectiveness of this measurement is verified. The measurements are performed using a network (NIR) and an EMC test receiver. The frequency range from 150 kHz to 30 MHz is measured, and compliance with the applicable limit values ​​for the respective product is verified.

Measurements of the magnetic and electrical components of the field are performed using specially tuned antennas in the anechoic chamber. To determine the location with the maximum emission, the test object is mounted on a turntable that can be rotated 360°. During the measurement, the antenna height is varied and the antenna polarity is switched between horizontal and vertical. The distance between the test object and the antenna is 3 meters. The limits for the radiated field strength are evaluated for the frequency range from 30 MHz to 1 GHz. For on-site measurements, the measurements are performed in the same way as the measurement equipment in the laboratory environment using appropriate mobile devices, using the usual procedure. Based on the acquired measurement results, compliance with the limits can be concluded. However, confirmation of the results can only be achieved in the laboratory environment.

In practice, electronic systems usually switch using conventional switching devices (e.g. contactors or relays). All predominantly inductive loads generate a wide variety of parasitic switching signals (also called BURSTs or EFT pulse groups) when switched on and off. The characteristics of such a transient disturbance are rise time (in the ns range), repetition frequency (in the kHz to MHz range), energy (in the mJ range), voltage amplitude (up to several kV), and pulse duration (in ms). To test the influence of these disturbances on devices, pulse packets (bursts) of standardized EFT individual pulses are generated using disturbance generators (EN 61000-4-4).

SURGE refers to high-energy (up to several joules), low-frequency interference pulses with voltages of up to several thousand volts. In addition to switching operations in the power grid, these disturbances also occur during lightning strikes, one of the most energetic sources of interference. Power lines are often used over several kilometers in length. As a result, direct or indirect lightning strikes induce SURGE pulses into the lines, which can interfere with or destroy connected devices. To minimize this risk, special protective elements are used. Surge immunity testing is performed according to DIN EN 61000-4-5.

Electrostatic discharge can occur anywhere. Simply walking on an insulating floor surface (e.g. a carpet) can cause a person to become electrostatically charged. The voltage to ground can reach several thousand volts. As soon as the person touches an electrical device or system (often felt and visible through sparks), the discharge occurs. While this is largely harmless to humans, the resulting currents can adversely affect or destroy sensitive electronics. In some cases, entire systems can crash. Explosions and fires are also possible due to this phenomenon. ESD tests are conducted according to EN 61000-4-2.

Voltage interruptions and dips are also known as voltage dips. These unwanted phenomena can occur in the event of a short circuit, when fuses are triggered, or when switching large loads. Interference can occur, for example, as short-term outages or unwanted restarts of devices or systems. The most common causes are switching, inductive loads and switching operations in the public power grid. Immunity to voltage dips, voltage fluctuations, and short-term interruptions is tested according to DIN EN 61000-4-11.

Using special measuring instruments, the harmonic content according to EN 61000-3-2 and EN 61000-3-12 as well as the network quality according to EN 50160 (long-term measurements) are determined on-site.

If problems arise due to the unwanted or faulty tripping of residual current devices, e.g. when using frequency converters, and thus the trouble free yet safe operation of machines and systems can no longer be guaranteed, the EPA LEAKWATCH measurement and analysis system can be used to visualize leakage currents through measurements. The measured values ​​are analyzed and used to determine the cause.