What Is EMC Testing?

EMC tests (electromagnetic compatibility tests) are the regulatory and technical tests carried out to control how a device interacts with other electronic equipment in its electromagnetic environment. They ensure that products neither emit interference nor are unduly affected by interference from other equipment. In the European Union and in Türkiye, these tests are carried out under the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU.

What You Need to Know About Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing

Why Is EMC Testing Necessary?

Electrical and electronic equipment emits electromagnetic energy at certain levels while operating. If these emissions are not controlled, they can:

• disrupt the operation of nearby equipment,
• cause interference in communication systems,
• create serious safety problems in critical equipment (medical devices, for example).

EMC tests are therefore critical for product safety, regulatory compliance and market access.

Which Products Are Subject to EMC Testing?

EMC testing applies to equipment such as:

• Industrial control systems
• Computers and peripherals
• Lighting equipment
• Medical devices
• Automotive electronics
• Consumer electronics
• Wireless communication devices

How Does the EMC Test Process Work?

1. Review of the technical characteristics of the equipment
2. Testing in an EMC laboratory
   • Radiated tests
   • Conducted tests
   • Immunity tests
3. Preparation of the test reports
4. Where required, integration into the CE conformity assessment of the product

Where Are EMC Tests Carried Out?

EMC tests should be carried out in accredited test laboratories. Internationally recognised reports allow the product to be sold in the EU, the USA and other global markets. The tests should be performed by laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.

Electromagnetic Compatibility Tests

The main harmonised test standards used for conformity assessment under the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU:

• EN 61000-4-2 Electrostatic discharge immunity test
• EN 61000-4-3 Radiated, radio-frequency, electromagnetic field immunity test
• EN 61000-4-4 Electrical fast transient/burst immunity test
• EN 61000-4-5 Surge immunity test
• EN 61000-4-6 Immunity to conducted disturbances, induced by radio-frequency fields
• EN 61000-4-8 Power frequency magnetic field immunity test
• EN 61000-4-9 Impulse magnetic field immunity test
• EN 61000-4-11 Voltage dips, short interruptions and voltage variations immunity tests
• EN 61000-4-16 Immunity to conducted, common mode disturbances in the frequency range 0 Hz to 150 kHz
• EN 61000-3-2 Limits for harmonic current emissions
• EN 61000-3-3 Limitation of voltage changes, voltage fluctuations and flicker

Emission and Immunity in EMC Testing

EMC testing is divided into two groups:

• Emission tests measure the electromagnetic disturbance that the equipment itself generates: conducted emissions on the mains and signal cables, and radiated emissions through the air. Typical product standards for emission measurements are EN 55011 for industrial, scientific and medical equipment and EN 55032 for multimedia equipment.
• Immunity tests check whether the equipment continues to operate as intended when it is exposed to disturbances such as electrostatic discharge, radio-frequency fields, fast transients, surges and voltage dips.

The limits and test levels depend on the environment in which the equipment is intended to be used. Where no product-specific standard exists, the generic standards apply: EN IEC 61000-6-1 and EN IEC 61000-6-3 for residential, commercial and light-industrial environments, and EN IEC 61000-6-2 and EN IEC 61000-6-4 for industrial environments.

The test plan is defined before testing starts, including the operating modes of the equipment and the performance criteria used to evaluate the immunity results.

Benefits of EMC Testing

✅ A basic requirement for regulatory compliance and CE marking
✅ Faster, smoother export processes
✅ Brand reliability and customer satisfaction
✅ Higher product quality and a lower risk of failure

In Conclusion

EMC tests are a vital step in demonstrating that your product operates safely and stably in its electromagnetic environment. Before placing your product on the market, make sure it has gone through the appropriate EMC test process.

TESTPLUS is the only notified body designated in Türkiye under the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU (NB 2908). For information on EU type-examination and conformity assessment under the EMC Directive, see our EMC Directive page or contact us.