EMC Filters Guide

REO INDUCTIVE COMPONENTS AG

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Tel: 0049-(0) 2 12-88 04-0
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Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 8DU UK
Tel: 01588 673411 Fax: 01588 672718 REO UK LTD
Email: sales@reo.co.uk Website: www.reo.co.uk
 Electromagnetic field theory
2 Electromagnetic field theory Hans Christian Oersted was a
professor of science at Copenhagen
University. In 1820 he arranged a
5 What makes up the electromagnetic spectrum?
science demonstration to friends and
students in his home. He planned to
7 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and the law demonstrate the heating of a wire by
an electric current, and also to carry
out demonstrations of magnetism, for
8 Where does electromagnetic interference come from?
which he provided a compass needle
mounted on a wooden stand. While
9 EMC filters performing his electric demonstration,
Oersted noted to his surprise that
every time the electric current was
12 Testing switched on, the compass needle
moved. He kept quiet and finished the
13 Points to consider when selecting a filter demonstrations, but in the months that
followed worked hard trying to make
sense out of the new phenomenon. But
14 Standards he couldn’t! The needle was neither
attracted to the wire nor repelled from
Installation it. Instead, it tended to stand at right
15
angles (see drawing below). In the end
he published his findings (in Latin!)
16 Standard filters without any explanation.
+
-
N S
REO (UK) LTD
Units 8-10 Long Lane Industrial Estate,
Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 8DU UK
Tel: 01588 673411 Fax: 01588 672718
Email: sales@reo.co.uk Website: www.reo.co.uk
It was the scientist Michael Faraday
who first studied in detail the
phenomena involving the interaction
between electricity and magnetism.
Amongst his many achievements, he is
credited with the construction of the
first electric motor and the discovery of
both the principle and the method
whereby a rotating magnet can be
used to create an electric current in a
coil of wire (still the basis of modern
electricity generating plants).
He also observed the way in which iron
filings arrange around a magnet. They
appear to follow lines of magnetism
leading out from one magnetic pole
and back to the other pole. He
suggested that the effect of a magnet
on a wire carrying a current is the
result of lines of force . Faraday spent
the latter part of his life working to
devise an experiment that would
confirm his theory of electromagnetic
fields but without success.
Michael Faraday
Finally, a Scottish mathematician,
James Clerk Maxwell, picked up on
Faraday’s ideas and was successful in
developing a theory of electromag- Electric
netism which enabled testable predic- Field
tions to be made. Inspired by Faraday’s
lines of force, he developed a model Magnetic Field
that unified magnetic and electrical
forces. Maxwell unified the study of
electricity and magnetism in four tidy
equations. In essence he discovered
that electric and magnetic fields were
intrinsically related to one another, with
or without the presence of a conductive
Direction
path for electrons to flow. Stated simply
of Wave
Maxwell’s discovery was this:-
A changing electric field produces a
perpendicular magnetic field
and A changing magnetic field
produces a perpendicular electric field
Quite interestingly Maxwell predicted
that electromagnetism would be propa-
gated through space at a finite rate and
was struck by the similarity between
the predicted speed of electromagnet-
ism and the speed of light. From this
connection sprang the idea that light
was an electric phenomenon and the
subsequent discovery of radio waves.
What makes up the electromagnetic spectrum?
The electromagnetic spectrum is a The whole range of frequencies and
family of waves that travel through wavelengths is called the electromag- Frequency Hz Wavelength M
space by way of the production of netic spectrum and different parts of
electric and magnetic fields. Changing the spectrum are given different long-wave radio 3
electric fields are set up by the oscilla- names. These parts of the spectrum 10
tion of charged particles and these have different properties and, conse- 6
changing electric fields induce quently, they have different uses. 10 short-wave radio
changing magnetic fields in the
Therefore, it can be seen that there is
surrounding space. Changing magnetic 0
the need for the coexistence of all 10
fields then set up more changing
kinds of radio services, which use the 9 microwaves
electric fields and so on. The net result
is that the wave energy travels across
electromagnetic spectrum to convey 10
information, with technical processes
space.
and products emitting electromagnetic
All electromagnetic waves travel at the energy as an undesirable by-product. -3
same speed through the same medium Furthermore, the problems of EMC are
millimeter waves 10
12
or substance but they have a variety of not limited to interference with radio 10
frequencies which provide a correspon- services because electronic equipment red
ding variety of wavelengths. If the of all kinds is becoming more suscep- infrared light orange
original charged particle vibrates tible to malfunctions caused by external yellow
rapidly, the frequency of the wave is interference. This is particularly VISIBLE LIGHT green
15
high. Because there are many oscilla- relevant in the case of electronic equip- 10 ultraviolet light
blue
indigo
tions per second, the corresponding ment that is required to continue
violet
wavelength is short. running for economic or safety
reasons. Banking systems and aircraft -9
Conversely, if the original charged
computers are two notable examples. 10
particle vibrates slowly, the frequency 18 x rays
10
of the wave is low and the correspon-
ding wavelength is long.
-12
gamma rays 10
21
10

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and the law
There is now the European Directive
89/336/EEC, which specifically deals
with EMC. Like a number of other
documents produced by the European
Commission this is a new approach
directive, which sets out the essential
requirements that must be satisfied
before products can be marketed
anywhere within the EC. It also says
how evidence of conformity will be
provided.
In the case of EMC the essential
requirements are that electrical and
electronic equipment shall be
constructed so that:
 The electromagnetic disturbance it
generates does not exceed a level
allowing radio and telecommunica-
tions equipment and other apparatus
to operate as intended;
 The apparatus has an adequate
level of intrinsic immunity to electro-
magnetic disturbance to enable it to
operate as intended.
The manufacturers or their authorised Standards
representative are required to attest
The generic standards relating to EMC
that the requirements of the Directive
are divided into two sections, one for
have been met. This requires two
immunity and one for emissions, each
things:
of which has separate parts for
 A Declaration of Conformity must be different environment classes.
kept and made available to the
enforcement authority.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
 A CE mark must be affixed to the
apparatus, or its packaging, instruc- EN 50 081 Emissions Domestic Industrial Special
tions or guarantee certificate. Commercial
Light Industrial
EN 50 082 Immunity
Compliance
In essence, for goods to comply with
the EMC Directive they should be
tested but in reality this is difficult
because laboratory conditions are not
the same as the real working environ-
Where does Electromagnetic Interference come from?
ment. Also it is quite possible that
numerous types of other equipment
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can antenna, such as cables, pcb tracks,
could be connected to the goods and it manifest in a variety of ways and the internal wiring and mechanical struc-
is impossible to cover all possible emission source is usually frequency tures. These elements can unintention-
configurations. dependent. The interference can be ally transfer energy via electric,
However, where possible the goods conducted, through mains cables and magnetic or electromagnetic fields,
should be tested either in house or by earthing connections, or radiated. Most which couple with other circuits.
a competent body against the relevant electronic hardware contains elements
standards. A Technical Construction which act in a similar manner to an
File must be produced and be ready for
inspection, if required.
EMC Filters
Instead of designing a filter stage for
every new piece of electronic equip-
ment that is manufactured, there is a
convenient solution available in the
form of a ready made module that can
be connected between the mains
supply and the electronic unit. The
components are selected by the filter
manufacturer to give the best reduction
of mains conducted interference for
most situations, across the frequency
spectrum, using the optimum selection
of components. More importantly filters
comply with the numerous safety rules
and the approval costs have been
spread over a large number of units
because the filters can be universally
applied.
Filters work by providing an impedance
mismatch between the power line and
the equipment, which reflects the
generated noise back to its source. In
order to maximise the impedance
mismatch the choice of filter circuit
should take into account the imped-
ances of the source and load.
The main components inside the filter
are chokes, capacitors and resistors.
The capacitors oppose the AC flow of
electrons more at lower frequencies
and less at higher frequencies.
Inductors on the other hand react
against the rate of change of current;
they are more effective at opposing AC
flow of electrons at higher frequencies.
Therefore, a combination of series
connected inductors and shunt
connected capacitors is chosen to
provide suppression over a wide
frequency spectrum. The resistors
serve to discharge the capacitors when
the supply is disconnected and for
damping resonances. The enclosure is
normally produced from metal to
provide good earth bonding.
A typical REO filter built into metal enclosure
(lid removed). The main components; capaci-
tors and inductors can be clearly seen.
The filter circuit is designed to contend
with two types of noise. There is Source Common Mode Load
( asymmetrical interference )
COMMON MODE NOISE, which
manifests itself as a current in phase in Differential Mode
( Symmetrical Interference )
the live and neutral conductors and
returns via the safety earth. This
produces a noise voltage between Cp = parasitic capacitance
live/neutral and earth. It is often caused Earth Current
by capacitive coupling to the case
earth. The other is DIFFERENTIAL
MODE NOISE produced by current
flowing along either the live or neutral Symmetrical Cy
conductor and returning by the other. Interference
This produces a noise voltage between
current
Cx 1 L Cx 2
Cy
the live and neutral conductors.
The chokes fall into two groups; current Asymmetrical Interference current
compensated or common mode and
series or differential mode types. The
current compensated choke has two or The differential mode chokes are larger
three windings on a toroidal core. The due to the higher current handling
direction of each winding is chosen to requirement. Using a core made from a
give an opposing current flow, hence highly permeable material will reduce
balancing the flux. The result is that a its size.
much smaller choke can be used.
Furthermore, the common mode
currents, which are in phase in the two
or three conductors, have an additive
effect, thus presenting higher imped-
ance against the common mode noise.

Capacitors also fall into two groups; X
Class and Y Class. The X Class capac-
itors are connected between live and
neutral, or between phases, to reduce
differential noise. They are tested to
withstand mains voltage. Y Class
capacitors on the other hand are more
critical because they are connected
between live/neutral and earth to
reduce common mode noise. Because
of this they have to be tested to ensure
that they cannot fail to short circuit.
Needless to say they are more expen-
sive.
For higher levels of attenuation, several
stages of chokes and capacitors can
be added and this is known as a multi-
stage filter.
Another important factor is the earth
leakage current. The larger the Y Class
capacitor the more the 50 Hz current
that will leak to earth, raising the poten-
tial of the filter enclosure. The
maximum permissible leakage current
depends on the application but to give
an indication the maximum earth
leakage for double insulated equip-
ment, such as hedge trimmers and
drills, is 0.25 mA. Equipment that is
permanently connected to the mains
supply may have a leakage current of
up to 5mA. Industrial equipment
normally has higher leakage current
limits but in each case particular care
must be taken to ensure that earthing
regulations are observed.
Testing
The frequency range of interest for The electromagnetic field strengths
emissions from most products is associated with the emissions
150kHz to 30MHz. The emissions are measurements range from a few
measured using a spectrum analyser millionths of a volt per meter to a few
and then they are compared with the thousandths of a volt per meter. It is
Class B limits for domestic or light difficult to represent this scale in a
industrial applications or Class A limits linear manner and so a logarithmic
for industrial applications (Standard EN scale is adopted. The spectrum
55 022). The spectrum analyser will analyser plot has decibels as the unit
give a sweep of the entire spectrum of measurement along its vertical axis.
range and indicate the emission levels, A decibel is a ratio of two power
usually as a print-out. The limits are values, which in this case is the
also indicated and frequencies with increase in power caused by the
unacceptable emission levels are emission compared with the power of
highlighted. the reference voltage. For conven-
ience, because power is proportional to
The picture shows a screen capture
the square voltage, the ratio of the
from a spectrum analyzer. Note that
voltages is squared instead of
the sweep range is 150 kHz to 30 MHz
measuring power.
and the red line (quasi-peak) and
purple line (average) indicating the
limits for light industrial and domestic
use (Class B). The two frequency
curves for the equipment under test are
quasi peak in blue and average in
green. The vertical scale is in dBV. In
order to conform the curves should not
exceed their corresponding limits.This
is the format for the results as
prescribed in EN 50 081-1 for
conducted emissions.
Screen capture from a spectrum analyzer
Points to consider when selecting a filter
The performance and hence quality of
a filter may be assessed by looking at
its insertion loss characteristics. This
data is published by all reputable filter
manufacturers and the following is an
example.
Damping symmetrical
[dB] asymmetrical
100
80
60
40
20
0 fied for a range of climatic and
.15 1 10 30
Frequency [MHz]
The curves can be used to assess
whether a particular filter will provide
sufficient suppression for a known
interference pattern. However, precise
performance can only be established
by testing under real conditions. The
higher the dB value the greater the
degree of suppression achieved.
The current rating is also very impor- Over temperature
tant especially in instances where the limit + 85C
load produces high peak currents and
the RMS is not a true indication of the Lower temperature  Relative Humidity
real current. Higher than expected limit - 25C  25/85/21  95% 21 days/year
currents can cause core saturation, in
the inductors, thus drastically reducing The current has to be derated for
the filter s effectiveness. Most filter ambient temperatures of greater than
manufacturers will take this into  2  [ 2]
40C
account when designing a filter but this
data is not normally published.  =   √(85-)/40
The permissible current rating is
The acceptable level of earth leakage
current for the installation must also be subject to ambient temperature. Below
known and the filter selected, accord- 40C a filter can be used at its rated
ingly. current. The current reduces for higher
 Ambient
temperatures. At 85C the current is
The components in a filter are classi- reduced to zero. (For 25/85/21 ) 40C 85C
mechanical requirements, including
lower temperature limit, over tempera-
ture limit and relative humidity. Unless
otherwise stated REO filters conform Standards
with Environment Category IEC 68-1.
All REO filters are built to the following All materials are UL listed and in many
standards:- cases filters are UL approved, or
approval can be obtained in a short
VDE 0565 Part 1 - 3
time.
DIN EN 133200
IEC 68-1
Installation Standard Filters - Single Phase
A filter should be positioned as close CNW 101 CNW 102
as possible to the connection to the Single phase, 250 V, cost Single phase, 250 V, high
supply; ideally before the mains switch effective unit for general performance unit suitable
in the front panel and fuses. Otherwise purpose. for most applications.
the connecting cables could provide a
Size (inc terminals) Size (inc terminals)
coupling path via stray induction to the Type Current
L W H
Type Current
L W H
unfiltered cables. CNW 101/3 3A 80 45 30 CNW 102/3 3A 93 50 40
CNW 101/6 6A 80 45 30 CNW 102/6 6A 93 50 40
Wiring on each side of the filter should CNW 101/10 10 A 92 50 30 CNW 102/10 10 A 93 50 40
CNW 101/16 16 A 92 50 30 CNW 102/16 16 A 118 50 40
be well separated and extend straight CNW 101/20 20 A 92 50 30 CNW 102/20 20 A 118 50 40
out from the filter s terminals. If this is
not practical the output cables should
be run at 90 degrees to the input
cables to reduce the likelihood of
coupling.
The filter should be correctly rated for
the local supply voltage. CNW 201 CNW 116
230V / 440V 2 line Single phase, 250 V,
A good ground connection is required bookcase style filter. optimised unit for use with
between the filter casing and earth. motor drives.
The ground connections must have
large contact surfaces and be made Size (inc terminals) Size (inc terminals)
Type Current Type Current
L W H L W H
onto bare metal, not painted. CNW 201/16 16 A 255 50 126 CNW 116/8 8A 120 105 57
CNW 201/30 30 A 255 50 126 CNW 116/12 12 A 120 105 57
CNW 201/50 50 A 255 50 126 CNW 116/20 20 A 140 105 57
CNW 201/63 63 A 255 50 126 CNW 116/30 30 A 140 105 57

L
L L'
Cy
R
Cx1
Cx2
PE

Cy
N(L2) N'(L2')
Standard Filters - Three Phase
CNW 103 CNW 104 CNW 105 CNW 204
3 phase, 3 x 440 V, 3 phase, 3 x 440 V, 3 phase, 3 x 440 V, 3 phase, 3 x 480 V
3 line mains filter with 3 line mains filter with 4 line mains filter with bookcase style filters, with
high attentuation. very high attentuation. high attentuation. very high attentuation.

Size (inc terminals) Size (inc terminals) Size (inc terminals) Size (inc terminals)
Type Current Type Current Type Current Type Current
L W H L W H L W H L W H
CNW 103/3 3x3A 118 53 40 CNW 104/3 3x3A 170 98 70 CNW 105/3 4x3A 118 53 40 CNW 204/7 3x7A 255 50 126
CNW 103/6 3x6A 118 53 40 CNW 104/6 3x6A 170 98 70 CNW 105/6 4x6A 118 53 40 CNW 204/16 3 x 16 A 305 55 142
CNW 103/10 3 x 10 A 118 53 40 CNW 104/10 3 x 10 A 170 98 70 CNW 105/10 4 x 10 A 118 53 40 CNW 204/30 3 x 30 A 335 60 150
CNW 103/16 3 x 16 A 170 98 70 CNW 104/16 3 x 16 A 170 98 70 CNW 105/16 4 x 16 A 170 98 70 CNW 204/42 3 x 42 A 330 70 185
CNW 103/25 3 x 25 A 170 98 70 CNW 104/25 3 x 25 A 170 98 70 CNW 105/25 4 x 25 A 170 98 70 CNW 204/55 3 x 55 A 330 80 185
CNW 103/36 3 x 36 A 290 148 70 CNW 104/36 3 x 36 A 290 168 110 CNW 105/36 4 x 36 A 290 148 70 CNW 204/75 3 x 75 A 330 80 220
CNW 103/50 3 x 50 A 290 148 70 CNW 104/50 3 x 50 A 290 168 110 CNW 105/50 4 x 50 A 290 148 70 CNW 204/100 3 x 100 A 380 90 220
CNW 103/80 3 x 80 A 320 168 110 CNW 104/80 3 x 80 A 350 168 140 CNW 105/80 4 x 80 A 320 168 110 CNW 204/130 3 x 130 A 440 110 240
CNW 103/120 3 x 120 A 320 168 110 CNW 104/120 3 x 120 A 350 168 140 CNW 105/120 4 x 120 A 320 168 110 CNW 204/180 3 x 180 A 440 110 240
CNW 103/150 3 x 150 A 320 168 110 CNW 104/150 3 x 150 A 350 168 140 CNW 105/150 4 x 150 A 320 168 110

L1 L1' L1 L1' L1 L1'

L R
R L R L1 L2
L2 L2'
L2 L2' L2 L2'
LOAD

LOAD
LINE

LOAD
LINE

LINE
L3 L3'
L3 L3' L3 L3' Cx1 Cx2

Cx1 Cx2 Cx3 Cy3

Cx1 Cx2 Cy1 PE N N'
PE PE'
PE' Cy1 Cy2 PE PE'
Cy
Cy2

CNW 106 CNW 203 CNW 703

3 phase, 3 x 440 V, 3 phase, 3 x 480 V Over voltage protection device, For details of our full range of EMC
4 line mains filter with very bookcase style filters, 3 x 440V for easy installation filters and custom design solutions
high attentuation. with very high attenuation. into new or existing equipment.
please;
Efficient protection against high
Size (inc terminals) Size (inc terminals) voltages, lightning strikes and
Type Current
W
Type Current
W
Call 01588 673411
L H L H transients. Attenuation of inter-
CNW 106/6 4x6A 240 150 65 CNW 203/16/SE 3 x 16 A 230 50 80 ference down to approximately
CNW 106/10 4 x 10 A 240 150 65 CNW 203/25/SE 3 x 25 A 230 50 80
Email sales@reo.co.uk
CNW 106/16 4 x 16 A 240 150 65 CNW 203/36/SE 3 x 36 A 280 60 150 50dB at 1MHz.
CNW 106/25 4 x 25 A 240 150 65 CNW 203/50/SE 3 x 50 A 330 56 150 Visit our website www.reo.co.uk
Max. Surge Size (inc terminals)
L1 L1'
Type Current kA
L1 L2
L1 L1' L W H
L
L2 L2'
LOAD

L2 L2' CNW 703 80 205 90 75

LINE

Cx1 Cx2 Cx3

LOAD
LINE

L3 L3' L3 L3'
Cx2
R Cx1 R
N N' PE PE
Cy
PE Cy1 Cy2 PE'