EMC testing

EMC standards

Ensure compliance with CISPR, ISO and IEC standards

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EMC testing standards

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing ensures that electronic devices operate without causing or being affected by electromagnetic interference. Whether you're developing a mobile device, automotive component, military equipment or even a simple table lamp, your product must meet the EMC requirements set by standardization organizations such as IEC, CISPR, ISO, IEEE, CENELEC, ETSI, FCC, ANSI, RTCA and the MIL-STD committee.

For over fifty years, Rohde & Schwarz has been at the forefront of EMC testing. Our EMC experts are active members of standard-defining committees. We collaborate closely with standardization organizations to ensure that EMC standards are accurately implemented in the products we develop.

This page has updated information on three major standardization organizations: CISPR, IEC and ISO.

Testing for CISPR standards

Let’s begin with CISPR (International Special Committee on Radio Interference). CISPR is a key organization within the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) focused on developing and maintaining EMC standards. It plays a vital role in ensuring that electronic devices and systems operate without causing or being susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can disrupt the functionality of electronic equipment and communications.

CISPR has developed numerous standards covering a wide range of electronic devices and applications. Some of the most prominent ones include:

  • CISPR 11: emission measurement requirements for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment
  • CISPR 12: emission measurement requirements for road vehicles, boats and devices with internal combustion engines or traction batteries for the protection of off-board receivers
  • CISPR 14-1: emission measurement requirements for household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus
  • CISPR 14-2: immunity testing requirements for household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus
  • CISPR 15: emission measurement requirements for electrical lighting and similar equipment
  • CISPR: 16: basic standard specification for emission and immunity measuring apparatus and measurement methods
  • CISPR 25: emission measurement requirements for road vehicles, boats and devices with internal combustion engines or traction batteries for the protection of on-board receivers
  • CISPR 32: emission measurement requirements for multimedia equipment such as computers, monitors and printers
  • CISPR 35: immunity testing requirements for multimedia equipment such as computers, monitors and printers to ensure reliable operation
  • CISPR 36: emission measurement requirements for electric and hybrid electric road vehicles for the protection of off-board receivers below 30 MHz

Reach out to learn more about how we can help you comply with CISPR standards.

Jens Medler

Meet our CISPR standards expert

Jens Medler, Product Manager for EMI Test Equipment

Jens has been working for Rohde & Schwarz since 1996, managing standardization and application support of EMI test receivers and accessories. He is a senior member of the IEEE EMC Society and vice chair of the IEEE EMC Standards Development and Education Committee. He is active in multiple CISPR subcommittees:

  • CIS/A: EMC measurement instrumentation and methods
  • CIS/D: Equipment for vehicles
  • CIS/I: Information technology

Since 2017, he has been a convener of CIS/A WG2, focusing on EMC measurement methods, statistical techniques and uncertainty. Jens is a recipient of the IEC 1906 Award.

Expert insights into CISPR standards

Learn what’s new in CISPR 11

Learn what’s new in CISPR 11

Webinar: Latest developments in CISPR Automotive EMI standards

Learn what’s new in CISPR 12

Learn what’s new in CISPR 14-1 and CISPR 15

Learn what’s new in CISPR 14-1

Learn what’s new in CISPR 14-1 and CISPR 15

Learn what’s new in CISPR 15

Webinar: Latest developments in CISPR Automotive EMI standards

Learn what’s new in CISPR 25

Learn what’s new in CISPR 32

Learn what’s new in CISPR 32

Testing for IEC standards

The parent organization of CISPR is International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): the global leader in publishing consensus-based international standards that manages conformity assessment systems for electrotechnology. IEC publications serve as a basis for national standards and as a reference when drafting international tenders and contracts.

Standards like IEC 61000 ensure electromagnetic compatibility, fostering reliable and interoperable electronic systems worldwide. IEC Technical Committee 77 (TC77) contributes to the safety and efficiency of electrical installations and equipment, underpinning the integrity of electrical infrastructures across various sectors. Together, these standards and committees enable innovation, enhance safety and promote international trade of electrical and electronic products.

Reach out to learn more about how we can help you comply with IEC standards.

Ralf Heinrich

Meet our IEC standards expert

Ralf Heinrich, Product Manager for RF Power Amplifiers

For over 20 years, Ralf has been an active member of several international IEC and national DKE working groups in radiated and conducted immunity. He was awarded the IEC 1906 award in recognition of his technical contributions to basic EMC immunity standards as applied to RF fields.

After his PhD, Ralf participated in research and development projects in USA, Australia and Sweden. Later, he joined Ametek (formerly Teseq) as Head of RF Development, where he was responsible for the strategic product development of the RF product line with a special focus on EMC test and measurement devices and systems.

Expert insights into IEC standards

The growing prevalence of digital communication is transforming the EMC disturbance environment. Radiated immunity now faces more complex scenarios that include both narrowband and broadband disturbances, as well as analog and digital modulation techniques, moving beyond the traditional AM or pulse-modulated narrowband signals. Traditional testing methods, which rely on narrowband signals and AM modulation, no longer adequately reflect these increasingly intricate real-world disturbances. In response, a new standard has been developed specifically to address broadband disturbances, such as those from LTE and 5G technologies. The new IEC 61000-4-41 outlines the relevant test parameters and procedures for these modern testing requirements.

Testing for ISO standards

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is another organization that develops a wide array of standards across industries to promote international trade and ensure product safety. ISO recognizes IEC standards and vice versa, helping to create a cohesive global standardization landscape. The two organizations harmonize their standards to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure consistency.

When it comes to EMC, ISO is prominently involved in specific sectors, with a significant focus on the automotive industry. EMC standards for the automotive industry are constantly changing, driven by new requirements, applications and technologies. Key ISO EMC standards for automotive applications include:

  • ISO 11452 series: ensures immunity of automotive electronic components to radiated electromagnetic fields
  • ISO 7637 series: addresses electrical disturbances from conduction and coupling on vehicles buses
  • ISO 10605: specifies testing methods for electrical disturbances from electrostatic discharge (ESD) in vehicles

These standards ensure that automotive electronics, such as infotainment systems, sensors and control units, operate reliably in real-world driving conditions.

While ISO EMC standards are focused on the automotive sector, it also addresses EMC requirements in other industries through specialized standards or by collaborating with other standardization bodies like IEC. For example, ISO EMC standards also cover medical applications:

  • ISO 14117: specifies test protocols for active implantable cardiovascular devices (e.g., implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization devices)
  • IEC 60601 series: developed in collaboration with IEC to address the safety and essential performance of medical electrical equipment, including EMC requirements to ensure that devices operate safely without electromagnetic interference affecting their functionality

Reach out to learn more about how we can help you comply with ISO standards.

Reiner Goetz

Meet our ISO standards expert

Reiner Goetz, Product Manager for EMC Software

Reiner has been working at Rohde & Schwarz for more than 20 years. As a product manager for EMC test and automation software products, Reiner works with engineers to design automotive turnkey test systems according to ISO standards. He is well-versed in the requirements and challenges that test laboratories and engineers encounter during EMC testing.

Automotive EMC testing

Our solutions help you achieve full compliance with all ISO-specified automotive EMC regulations, such as:

Electrical disturbances from conduction and coupling in road vehicles

ISO 7637-1 | Part 1: Vocabulary and general considerations

ISO 7637-2 | Part 2: Electrical transient conduction along supply lines

ISO 7637-3 | Part 3: Electrical transient transmission by capacitive and inductive coupling via lines other than supply lines

ISO 7637-4 | Part 4: Electrical transient conduction along shielded high voltage supply lines only

ISO 7637-5 | Part 5: Enhanced definitions and verification methods for harmonization of pulse generators according to ISO 7637

Electrical disturbances from electrostatic discharge in road vehicles

ISO 10605 | Road vehicles — Test methods for electrical disturbances from electrostatic discharge

Electrical disturbances from narrowband radiated electromagnetic energy in road vehicles

ISO 11451-1 | Part 1: General principles and terminology

ISO 11451-2 | Part 2: Off-vehicle radiation sources

ISO 11451-3 | Part 3: On-board transmitter simulation

ISO 11451-4 | Part 4: Harness excitation methods

ISO 11451-5 | Part 5: Reverberation chamber

Electrical disturbances from narrowband radiated electromagnetic energy in road vehicles

ISO 11452-1 | Part 1: General principles and terminology

ISO 11452-2 | Part 2: Absorber-lined shielded enclosure

ISO 11452-3 | Part 3: Transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell

ISO 11452-4 | Part 4: Harness excitation methods

ISO 11452-5 | Part 5: Stripline

ISO 11452-7 | Part 7: Direct radio frequency (RF) power injection

ISO 11452-8 | Part 8: Immunity to magnetic fields

ISO 11452-9 | Part 9: Portable transmitters

ISO 11452-10 | Part 10: Immunity to conducted disturbances in the extended audio frequency range

ISO 11452-11 | Part 11: Reverberation chamber

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