EMC, electromagnetic compatibility, has two sides: emissions, the conducted and radiated interference a product puts out, and immunity, its tolerance of outside disturbances such as ESD, fast transients, surges and radio fields. Products are tested in screened rooms and open-area test sites, with line impedance stabilisation networks for conducted tests, against limits in standards such as CISPR 32. Passing is a legal condition of sale in many markets, including the CE mark in Europe.
Board passed functional test but failed EMC at 150 MHz, it's the unshielded ribbon cable acting as an antenna.
Also heard as
- electromagnetic compatibility
Do not mix it up with
- EMI: EMI is the interference itself; EMC is the property, and the discipline, of coexisting with it.
Related terms
EMI
Electromagnetic interference: unwanted electrical noise that disturbs the operation of a circuit or system.
ESD
Electrostatic discharge: sudden flow of built-up static charge that can destroy or upset electronics.
Common-mode
Describes signals or noise present equally, in the same phase, on both conductors of a pair relative to ground.
Crosstalk
Unwanted coupling of a signal from one conductor or channel into a neighbouring one.