Guiding engineers through evolving EMC regulations.

Strategic partnership provides comprehensive filtering solutions and expert support for energy transition and growing electrification

TTI IP&E – Europe, in collaboration with Schaffner, has announced their joint commitment to support engineers in navigating the impending extended electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations*, which will soon apply down to 9kHz. These new regulations are set to have a substantial impact on the EMC landscape. They will be critical for ensuring compatibility, particularly with the rise of powertrains and interfaces connected to the grid amidst a major energy transition towards increased electrification and sustainability.

The forthcoming regulations will necessitate significant adjustments for existing product families and require new product developments to incorporate these standards from the outset. While some EMC product standards, such as FCC Part 15 for intentional and unintentional radiators and CISPR-11 and CISPR-22 for radiated emissions, already specify limits below 150kHz, the broader harmonisation process will see generic standards change first, followed by product-specific standards. This means that all new products will need to comply with the new version once it is in place. Products already available on the market must also comply, regardless of their development date. TE recommends that engineers initiate discussions and activities promptly to avoid future delays, beginning with the evaluation and assessment of new equipment designs through pre-compliance measurements against draft standard limit levels.

TE offers an industry-leading portfolio of magnetic solutions that address both standard and customised EMC and power quality needs. TE’s expertise ensures a smooth and compliant transition towards these extended regulations. The company provides comprehensive, end-to-end support, encompassing design consultation, in-situ measurement, testing, and ongoing assistance for seamless integration and long-term system stability.

Engineers can benefit from TE’s proven passive filter solutions and its ongoing work on innovative active filter solutions. Addressing the cost implications of the new 9kHz regulations, the company emphasises that these can be mitigated by integrating adequate filter solutions from the initial stages of product development. While conventional EMI filters can reduce emissions, they can also cause resonance effects, increasing noise and filtering costs, thus necessitating expert guidance to balance compliance and cost-effectiveness.

For Electric Vehicle (EV) charging equipment, which represents a critical focus application in the electrified future, TE provides specialised filtering solutions. For AC charging applications, a broad portfolio of single-phase and three-phase AC EMC filters is available, with current ratings ranging from 1A to 100A for single-phase systems up to 520VAC, and from 3A to 2300A for three-phase systems up to 690VAC (with HV versions reaching 760VAC), offering standard to very high attenuation levels.

For DC charging stations, TE offers robust DC EMC filters, including the EVX series, specifically designed for EV applications. These filters cater to high current demands from 150A to 1600A (or up to 2300A broadly for DC systems) and high voltage requirements, up to 1500VDC, with options for low leakage current.

To verify product compliance, engineers must conduct adequate tests and measurements starting from 9kHz. TE supports these activities, offering modern test facilities and measurement know-how at its own locations, or supporting external test houses. Most common testing equipment, such as artificial mains networks and EMI receivers, is already capable of testing at 9kHz.

Markus Lorenz, Director Industry Marketing Industrial, TTI, Inc. - Europe, states, “The rapid pace of electrification demands robust solutions for EMC. Our partnership with Schaffner, part of TE Connectivity, empowers our customers with unparalleled access to industry-leading expertise and innovative filter technologies. This collaboration is crucial in helping them not only meet the challenging new 9kHz EMC regulations cost-effectively but also to ensure the reliability and performance of their critical systems in an increasingly connected and electrified world. We are committed to guiding our customers through this transition seamlessly.”

Through this strategic collaboration, TTI and TE are ready to enable engineers to achieve a smooth, compliant, and cost-effective transition towards the new extended EMC regulations, safeguarding product performance and reliability in diverse application environments, including the rapidly expanding EV infrastructure.

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*Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive - Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs  (EU Commission)

@ttiinc @TEConnectivity @SchaffnerGroup  @Publitek #Power #PAuto #Automotive

EMC regulations preparedness uncertain.

A new survey from Schaffner reveals continuing uncertainty around the industry’s readiness for the changing EMC regulations regarding the extension of compliance testing of devices down to 9 kHz. With responses from companies across multiple sectors, the survey reveals that many of those who will be most affected by the change are uncertain about their ability to comply, with many needing longer to take the actions needed.

John Harrison, Managing Director Industrial UK said, “Nearly three-quarters of the respondents to our survey who believe they will be impacted, said that they estimate it could take up to two years to ensure their new and existing products comply, so they want to be able to take action now.”

Nearly 90 percent of respondents acknowledged their belief that the phased-in extension down to 9 kHz will have at least some direct impact on their business. There is less certainty, however, about exactly how the legislation will affect current design projects, and what can be done now to accommodate the new design requirements the legislation required.

The uncertainty is largely due to a lack of comprehensive information, and differing levels of understanding of what is currently known about the changes. The survey encompasses professionals from machinery and robotics; automotive; energy management; lighting and many other industries across the spectrum.

The lowering of the required testing and compliance range is being implemented because an increasing number of devices are causing potentially disruptive electromagnetic interference at the low end of the frequency spectrum. The regulatory move is expected to help ensure that all electronic devices can operate freely, harmoniously and with little to no interference, which has become increasingly difficult in recent years with the exponential increase in the number of potential interference signals generated by devices such as LED lighting, switching power supplies, and small motors that have not previously been regulated.

To achieve compliance, the majority of survey respondents feel that they might need active filtering. However, 86 percent of them currently only use passive filtering techniques thatthey believe will be largely inadequate, and only half have access to facilities capable of testing to 9 kHz. To address the need, Schaffner has drawn from its extensive repository of electrical engineering knowledge and compliance data to develop and offer “Active Filter Technology”, designed to take the guesswork out of compliance and accelerate the ability to achieve it.

“We are very conscious of the need for these new regulations to help ensure a seamless experience for electronic device users, which is practically everyone,” added Harrison. “That need has become particularly acute in recent years, so we applied our expertise to deliver a solution that will help our customers make the transition to those new frequency testing requirements. We are delighted with what Active Filter Technology can do and encourage everyone to come and discuss what it can do during SPS 2023.”

Among other new products Schaffner will feature at SPS 2023 will be the new FN304X filters, designed for use with grids that have exceptionally challenging operational and situational requirements as well as other applications that are highly focused on safety and reliability.

“The remainder of 2023 and the whole of 2024 is set to mark a watershed in ECI regulation,” he added.  “And, once again, Schaffner is proud to lead from the front, as we will demonstrate at SPS 2023.”

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@NapierPR #Schaffner #EMC #Electrical #PAuto

Miniaturized CO₂ sensor.

Sensirion has launched a new product in its SCD4x miniaturized CO₂ sensor series. The SCD42 has been designed for products that fall under California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24), and is therefore perfectly suited for US HVAC applications.

“Smart building ventilation systems leverage a CO₂ sensor to optimize indoor air quality while keeping energy consumption at a minimum. Thanks to its compact size and easy assembly, the SCD42 lowers the hurdle for integrating a CO₂ sensor into ventilation systems. I am excited that the SCD42 will help boost people’s well-being and reduce our buildings’ carbon footprint,” says Marco Gysel, CO₂ Sensors Product Manager at Sensirion.
 

High levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) compromise humans’ cognitive performance and well-being. Thanks to new energy standards and better insulation, houses have become increasingly energy efficient. However, CO₂ produced by human metabolism can accumulate rapidly indoors. Therefore, CO₂ is a key indicator for indoor air quality. Measuring indoor CO₂ concentration enables smart ventilation systems to regulate ventilation in the most energy-efficient and people-friendly way. Moreover, indoor air quality monitors and other connected devices can help to maintain a low CO₂ concentration for a healthy, productive environment.

SCD4x Gadget

The SCD42 is Sensirion’s newest addition to the SCD4x product line. Specifically designed for products that fall under California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24), the SCD42 offers unmatched cost effectiveness for the US HVAC market. This disruptive innovation is based on the principle of photoacoustic sensing and combines minimum size with maximum performance to open up numerous new possibilities for integration and application. The SCD42 offers an accuracy of ±75 ppm at 400–1000 ppm. SMD compatibility and its small footprint allow cost-effective and space-saving integration to increase device manufacturer’s freedom of design. This integrated, best-in-class humidity and temperature sensor enables superior on-chip signal compensation and additional RH and T outputs. Finally, the large supply voltage range (2.4–5.5 V) and the robust resistance to external stresses make the SCD42 the perfect fit for all kinds of customer needs.

@sensirion #HVAC #BAC

EMI in fieldbusses.

Electromagnetic compatibility specialist EMC Standards invites bookings to a one-day training course about maintaining PROFIBUS and PROFINET reliability in modern industrial environments. The event is scheduled for the offices of Endress + Hauser in Manchester (GB) on November 22, 2017 and is targeted at installers, systems integrators and the wider industrial datacomms community.

The training course will be delivered by global EMC expert Keith Armstrong, of EMC Standards, and by PROFIBUS and PROFINET expert Peter Thomas, of Control Specialists Ltd.

The topics covered include an introduction to electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems in PROFIBUS, PROFINET and similar fieldbus applications, followed by detailed practical EMI-reduction guidance on power distribution systems, galvanic isolation, cable routing, EM zoning, RF bonding, cable shielding, filtering, enclosure shielding and surge/lightning protection.

"Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is becoming a major problem in modern industrial environments," explains Keith Armstrong. "This is due to the increased use of high-efficiency switching power conversion in DC power supplies, motor drives, HVAC and lighting.

"As we increase the use of automation in sectors such as automotive, food and beverage, packaging and pharmaceuticals, we need to ensure that Fieldbusses such as PROFIBUS and PROFINET continue to operate reliably. This course provides practical techniques for installers, systems integrators and anyone in the wider industrial datacomms community to deal with EMI."

A digital copy of the course material will be provided, and participants will also be able to take away specialist guides developed in collaboration with power quality specialist REO UK, including Good EMC Engineering Practices for Panel Builders, Good EMC Engineering Practices in the Installation of Power Drive Systems and Good EMC Engineering Practices for Fixed Installations.

Click button for registration details:

 @emcstandards #PAuto @Endress_Hauser @control_spec #Britain