EMC Test — CISPR 32 / IEC 61000 / CISPR 25 / EN 50121 · Railway Testing

What Is EMC?

EMC testing is a group of tests that verify that the electromagnetic interference a product radiates into its surroundings remains within limits, and that it maintains its function under external interference. It is carried out under two main headings: emission and immunity.

Purpose of EMC

The purpose is to verify that the product does not affect other devices and operates reliably in a real electromagnetic environment, and to meet the requirements of the relevant legislation.

Which Products Is EMC Applied To?

Battery management systems and packs
Automotive wiring harnesses and electronic units
Rail vehicle equipment
Industrial and consumer electronics

In Which Sectors Is EMC Used?

DemiryoluElectricalElectronicsCyber Security

Standards Related to EMC

CISPR 32emissions in multimedia devices test
CISPR 25Radio degradation of in-car components test
IEC 61000-4 series
IEC 61000-6 serisi
EN 50121electromagnetic compatibility in railway applications test
UNECE R10electromagnetic compatibility in vehicles test
ISO 11452radiated field immunity in vehicles test
EN 50155electronic equipment in railway vehicles test
EN 45545fire safety in railway vehicles test
IEC 61373vibration and shock in railway vehicle equipment test

EMC Conditions

Emissions: Radiated and conducted emission; the frequency range is defined in the product standard
Immunity: Radiated and conducted immunity, ESD, EFT/burst, surge, voltage dips
Environment: Semi-anechoic chamber (SAC) or fully anechoic chamber; conducted measurements with an LISN
Operating mode: The worst-case operating mode is determined and documented

Equipment for EMC

Semi-anechoic EMC chamber and antennas
EMI receiver and spectrum analyser
LISN and conducted-emission setup
ESD simulator, EFT/burst and surge generators
Function-monitoring system

Sample Requirements for EMC

The specimen must be set up in its typical use configuration and wiring
The worst-case operating mode must be defined
The function-monitoring method must be defined before the test
The charge/discharge condition must be stated in battery tests

Duration of EMC

A comprehensive EMC programme takes between several days and a week, depending on product complexity.

EMC Procedure

1The product standard and the list of tests to be applied are determined.
2The specimen is set up in the chamber, and wiring and function monitoring are prepared.
3Emission measurements are taken and compared with the limits.
4Immunity tests are applied at the defined levels.
5The performance criterion is assessed for each test.
6If a non-conformity is found, additional measurements are taken for root-cause analysis.

EMC Acceptance Criteria

Emission results must remain below the limits in the product standard. In immunity, the result is evaluated as performance criterion A, B or C; which criterion applies is stated in the product standard.

Evaluation of Results

Emission graphs are presented together with the limit lines, and the margin is stated. In immunity, the observed behaviour and whether self-recovery occurred are recorded.

EMC Report

Applied standards and list of tests
Test setup, wiring and operating mode
Emission measurement graphs and margins
Immunity levels and performance criterion results
Calibration information for the instruments used

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

EMC 2014/30/EU
UNECE R10 (automotive)
EN 50121 (rail)
RED 2014/53/EU

Demiryolu Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the EMC test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Railway testing shows that vehicles and components operate safely and reliably in the rail environment. The character of this family comes from the ASSUMPTION OF LONG LIFE: a rail vehicle is designed for a service life exceeding thirty years and its components remain under vibration, temperature cycling and intensive use throughout that period.

Long life also shapes the component supply chain. Spare parts must remain available for thirty years, electronic components going out of production must be replaced, and every substitution must be re-verified. This takes railways out of a "certify once and carry on" logic.

Fire safety is the most tightly regulated part of the field and runs through the EN 45545 series. The logic of the series rests on the LOCATION OF USE and the OPERATION CATEGORY: a metro running in tunnels and an intercity train do not carry the same risk, and seat fabric and cable are not assessed in the same category. Evacuation time is the main factor setting these categories; because evacuation takes longer in an enclosed tunnel, the material requirements become stricter.

For electronic equipment, EN 50155 is the framework standard and carries environmental, electrical and functional requirements together: supply voltage variations, temperature classes, humidity, vibration and shock. On the vibration and shock side the EN 61373 categories are used and these differ by mounting location — a box mounted on the body and a sensor mounted on the bogie do not go through the same profile.

On electromagnetic compatibility the EN 50121 series applies and addresses a problem peculiar to railways: the traction system switches at very high power and can affect both the systems on board and the signalling along the line. The series therefore carries separate parts for the vehicle, lineside installations and signalling.

For safety-related systems a separate body of work applies, and here the evidence is not testing but PROCESS: EN 50126 (RAMS), EN 50128 (software) and EN 50129 (safety-related electronic systems) define the safety life cycle and the safety integrity levels (SIL). Signalling and brake control systems are assessed within this framework.

On the quality side, the sector's own scheme IRIS (ISO/TS 22163) comes into play; major vehicle manufacturers require this certificate from their suppliers.

On the mechanical structure side, the car body and bogie frame have standards of their own: structural verification under static and fatigue loads, weld quality and crashworthiness. These tests are carried out on full-scale rigs and can take months.

Method groups in this field

Fire safety
Classification of materials and components under EN 45545; the requirement set according to operation and design category.
Electronic equipment
EN 50155 environmental and electrical requirements; supply interruptions, temperature classes, humidity and degree of protection.
Vibration and shock
EN 61373 categories; body, bogie and axle-mounted profiles according to mounting location.
Electromagnetic compatibility
The EN 50121 series: separate parts for the vehicle, lineside installations and signalling.
Safety life cycle
EN 50126 RAMS, EN 50128 software and EN 50129 safety-related systems; SIL determination and the safety case.
Structural verification
Static and fatigue loads on the car body and bogie frame, weld quality, crashworthiness.

Commonly confused in this field

EN 45545 requirements vary with the location of use and the operation category; there is no single "railway fire class".
Conformity to EN 50155 does not cover the vibration requirements; EN 61373 is applied in addition.
A civil EMC report is not sufficient for railways; the EN 50121 series defines a different environment and different limits.
For safety-related systems, testing alone is not evidence; safety life cycle records are required.
A component change (even one driven by obsolescence) requires re-verification; in long-life projects this is routine work.
An IRIS certificate is not a product approval; it is a quality system certificate.

Which decisions these results support

Vehicle and component approval, operator acceptance processes
Material selection according to the fire safety category
The safety case and SIL evidence for safety-related systems
Supply chain quality certification
Continuity of component supply and change management

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About EMC

Which standard should I apply for EMC testing?

It varies by product family: the CISPR 32 and IEC 61000 series for general electronics, UNECE R10 and CISPR 25 for automotive, and EN 50121 for rail. Which standard applies is determined by your product and target market.