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

Lightning electromagnetic effects on lines and cables

The widespread use of sensitive electronic devices has increased the interest on transients, in particular those caused by lightning (direct and/or indirect). This tutorial presents the latest developments in modelling the electromagnetic (indirect) effects of lightning. The progress in field-to-transmission lines coupling calculations for networks permits the analysis of more complicated structures submitted to a lightning electromagnetic field. Combined approaches using low frequency coupling expressions which neglect the propagation in the case of complicated circuits but with small dimensions are discussed. Such approaches can give approximative solutions and orders of magnitude helpful for a correct EMC design for very complex configurations like for instance control and protection circuits in power network substation

Lightning electromagnetic effects: do we know everything?

In the last twenty years, the widespread use of sensitive electronic devices has increased the interest in transients, in particular those caused by lightning (direct and/or indirect). This paper presents the latest developments in modeling the electromagnetic (indirect) effects of lightning. The progress in field-to-transmission-line coupling calculations for networks permits the analysis of more complicated structures subject to a lightning electromagnetic field. In parallel, it has been observed that the lightning current parameters obtained from measurements of real lightning strikes are polluted by the measurement arrangement, and that data decontamination is needed. Approximations using low-frequency coupling expressions that neglect the propagation in the case of complicated circuits with small dimensions are also discussed. Such approaches can give approximate solutions and orders of magnitude, helpful for correct EMC design for very complex configurations such as control and protection circuits in power-network substations, for instanc

Standardisation problems related to conducted limits for power line communication equipment

Feasibility studies performed in the last years have shown that the low voltage distribution network can be used for data transmission. The main problem is the possible radiation of electromagnetic field representing a the disturbance which can affect radio transmission in the 1 to 30 MHz frequency band. In parallel to the search for new field measurement methods, attention is today directed to the assessment of the equipment based on conducted limits which requires an amendment of CISPR 22 used until now for equipment connected to a telecommunication network. The paper presents the problems related to the introduction of this amendment of CISPR 22 and discusses the possibility to use conducted measurements in order to estimate radiated field

Disturbance effects from low and medium-frequency electromagnetic fields

After an analysis of the generation of electromagnetic fields, methods are given for calculating or measuring these fields and their electrical effects. Without drawing conclusions on the biological effects, the fact is stressed that, so far, no cause/effect correlation between exposure of humans to strong fields under very-high voltage power lines and in switching stations, and serious illnesses has been establishe