Chapter 7 - Immunity tests

Abstract

This chapter explores the various immunity tests and introduces the radio frequency (RF) immunity. Until the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) Directive, most commercial immunity testing was not mandatory, but driven by customer requirements for reliability in the presence of interference. Military and aerospace immunity test standards have been in existence for some time, and were occasionally called up in commercial contracts in default of any other available or applicable standards. These allow for both conducted and radiated RF immunity test methods. The chapter describes numerous equipment, facilities, test methods, conducted RF immunity, and measurement uncertainty for RF immunity. It also discusses the electrostatic discharge (ESD) and transient immunity. By contrast with RF testing, ESD and transient test methods are rather less complicated and need less in the way of sophisticated test equipment and facilities. Nevertheless, the bandwidth of fast transients and of the electrostatic discharge is very wide and extends into the very high frequency (VHF) region, so many precautions that are necessary for RF work must also be taken when performing transient tests. The military susceptibility tests are explained.