Chapter 16 - EMC management

Abstract

This chapter discusses the strategies used for managing electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). The first step of implementing a strategy of EMC compliance within a company is ensuring that the product designers make their designs meet the standards. However, the process is much more than just about this one step. EMC awareness, such as quality and safety awareness needs to extend vertically and horizontally throughout the company if it is to be effective. This means that each department must know what its role is in maintaining a product's EMC and why. This applies with particular force to the purchasing, production, and installation groups. It also means that business and management decisions affecting EMC should be made in a similar climate of awareness. Appointing an “EMC specialist” to take responsibility for these issues is better than no coordinated policy at all but should only be the first step toward an integrated understanding throughout the company. The chapter discusses the control plan and documentation for directives. Some level of EMC-related documentation is necessary for each project. This is described as an “EMC Control Plan.” This is a document, part of the specification of a new product, which lays down a schedule and a method for defining how work toward the product's EMC compliance is undertaken.