Problems in EMC Test Set-ups…and How to Fix Them

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Overview:
Fixing faults in EMC test set-ups, especially those in test chambers, can tie test-staff down for an inordinate amount of time. So start saving time and money by finding out how to identify and fix them.

Who Should Attend?
All levels of EMC test engineers, technicians and managers will benefit from this presentation

Tom MullineauxSpeaker: Tom Mullineaux
As a technical content creator and RF Engineer, Mullineaux has been in the EMC industry for 20 years, both as a supplier to the industry, and as a hands on program manager, achieving EMC compliance for new products. Mullineaux received his degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Portsmouth University, England, and is a prolific writer of EMC related articles, with all articles having a strong slant towards the engineering basics behind the tests. He has given many IEEE society presentations, most looking at the physics behind today’s commercial, automotive and MIL-STD tests.

The following are questions presented to the speaker by the attendees during the webinar, along with answers to each.

Besides having mitigation plans on file, also check periodically that vendor is still in business and for product obsolescence.
Answer: Good point although regular perodic checks should pick this up.

Would Dielectric grease on the connectors have help avoid the patina issue?
Answer: In my experience grease tends to pick up and retain dirt and grime where repeated mating and unmating takes place.

You failed to mention that your connector saver idea will impact your cable loss and possibly your ability to achieve some of the high field strength levels during RS testing depending on your equipment
Answer: I would pit my new connectors with their few points of a dB loss against your 10 year old connector at the end of its useful life any day. Also, connector losses only become appreciable at higher frequencies where the antennas tend to present a good match and ample power overhead is usually available.

How to pick a receive antenna for a high power radiated susceptibility reverb chamber?
Answer: A little off topic and I will defer to AH Systems engineer’s years of experience of selling into this particular application.

He just mentioned “A.H. website“- link please?
Answer: www.ahsystems.com/notes/PreAmpProcedure.pdf