Research into EMC and EMP at the EPF, Lausanne and in Switzerland

Points out the importance of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) to a country such as Switzerland where a very high proportion of the population is engaged in industry and services, and that the need for precautions against EMP, given its possible continent-wide effects, is obvious. Gives a general review of research projects being carried out in Switzerland, concerned with the production, measurement and simulation of impulsive EM interference, and with the hardening of devices, communications circuits and electric and electronics installations generall

EMC problems connected to the use of the low voltage power network for information transmission

The Commission E Open Meetings papers are a choice between a status report for the Working Group activity or a short presentation of a subject in the area of the respective WG, which seems more relevant for the period between two such Open Meetings. The distribution system power line carrier problem discussed in this short review paper is far from being solved. On the contrary one could say that it has just been put forward and that it will represent a research item for the next few years. It is however typical for the new trend in which power and information technology are closely related. A session dedicated to this item is organized by the Wroclaw EMC 2000 symposiu

Problems related to the definition of appropriate limits for radiated emissions due to power line communications

Feasibility studies performed in the last years have shown that the use of the low voltage distribution network can be used for data transmission. The main problem is the possible radiation of electromagnetic field and the disturbances which can affect radio transmission in the 1 to 30 MHz frequency band. The paper presents the difficulties to choose a limit for the field radiated by this technology and also to find a suitable method for checking that the limit is respected in case of conflict. It presents also the state of the art in the work of different standardization bodies dealing presently with this proble

Power Network Disturbances due to the Presence of FACTS

The necessity to take into account environment problems and in parallel a need for more energy, for the development of emerging economies, makes the management of energy sources a very important problem. The electric transmission network is charged with more loads and consumers. The power control is performed today using power electronics installations, in particular the Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS). The proliferation of power electronic installations is the cause of higher harmonic pollution in the power grid. As the utility of the FACTS for the management of modern power networks is evident, measures must be taken in order to reduce the created harmonics using various methods. The paper will discuss the admissible limits of harmonics in the network, as defined by the EEC norms and will briefly present some methods used to reduce the harmonic content and level

A comparison between HEMP and HPEM parameters. Effects and mitigation methods

The electromagnetic effects of a High Altitude EMP have been a threat for communications and installations, largely studied and documented between 1960 and 1990. During the last decade of the 20(th) century, a new kind of electromagnetic field representing a new threat, has been developed, the High Power Electromagnetic (HPEM) field. The paper will introduce and compare the main features of these two kind of electromagnetic fields, like the spatial coverage, the frequency spectrum, the time-domain behavior and the field intensities. It will also discuss effects related to these two phenomena on electrical and electronic installations and will compare the mitigation methods which have been developed and applied

A Review Of Studies On Health Effects Of Power Line Electromagnetic Fields

Suspected to produce harmful consequences on health, the effects of electromagnetic fields of power lines have been extensively studied in the last 30 years. The paper will present a review of epidemiological and experimental studies performed in different countries and by international bodies. Even if an electro-sensitivity for certain persons can not be denied, studies on plants, animals and humans could not put into evidence a clear effect of such fields, at levels of intensity to which people are submitted in the each day life. The standards written to fix limits for the fields on international level and the application of these standards to a real case will be shortly presented and discussed