The German Metrology Institute, or Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), has posted an article detailing the impact of electromagnetic interference on modern measurement systems. This article also includes an announcement of a portable device that it has developed to solve this problem. The gist of this article includes two well known facts. First, we no longer rely on simple measurement devices; and second, complex systems with parts that have passed EMC compliance testing are not necessarily immune when assembled at a worksite. In fact, the configuration and installation details of a measurement device are crucial and were not taken into account when European norms for EMC compliance were first adopted.The examples cited in this article are the large vehicle scales used to weigh boxcars, trucks, and cars, devices which have in recent times produced questionable readings when operating in the vicinity of mobile phones or other radio signals. Hence, PTB has developed what it describes as a “metrologically traceable EMC testing device” that can be used onsite and that can aid in the formulation of new immunity standards. The transportable device enables testing at discrete frequencies between 27 MHz and 5.8 GHz—frequencies that were selected so that the actual disturbance sources would be displayed while radio services would not be degraded. An English translation of the article can be found on the PTB website. Accurate EMC testing of equipment in every economic sector assures efficiency, safety, and confidence. Remember questions on testing can be posted 24/7 to the Interference Technology Testing Forum.
German Metrology Institute Cites EMI Impact on Measurement Systems
