724-657-9940
Select Page

Conducted Immunity Testing

Conducted Immunity Testing

Conducted immunity testing assesses the ability of electronic devices to withstand disturbances, such as voltage fluctuations, harmonics, or transients, that are conducted along power lines or signal cables. These conducted disturbances can cause malfunctions, degrade performance, or even lead to catastrophic failure. Conducted immunity testing ensures that electronic devices can withstand these events without experiencing performance degradation, enhancing their reliability and safety.

Standards and Regulations for Conducted Immunity Testing

Conducted immunity testing standards vary depending on the region and product category. Some of the most common conducted immunity testing standards include:

  1. International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61000-4-16: This standard defines the test methods and requirements for electronic devices to withstand conducted disturbances induced by low-frequency common mode voltages and currents.
  2. RTCA DO-160: This standard establishes the environmental test criteria for airborne electronic equipment, including conducted immunity requirements.

Applications of Conducted Immunity Testing

Conducted immunity testing is applicable across various industries, including consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, telecommunications, medical devices, and industrial equipment. By complying with conducted immunity testing standards, manufacturers can ensure that their products are resilient to conducted disturbances, ensuring reliable operation and coexistence in their respective environments.

Equipment Required for Conducted Immunity Testing

Key equipment used for conducted immunity testing includes signal generators, power amplifiers, coupling/decoupling networks (CDNs), current probes, and monitoring equipment.

Signal generators and power amplifiers produce the required disturbance signals, while CDNs allow the disturbance signals to be applied to the device under test (DUT) without affecting the measuring equipment. Current probes and monitoring equipment are used to monitor and record the disturbance signals and the DUT’s response during the test.

Testing Process for Conducted Immunity

  1. Set up the DUT and test equipment according to the specified standard and test method.
  2. Configure the signal generator, power amplifier, and CDN to produce and apply the required conducted disturbance to the DUT.
  3. Perform the conducted immunity test by exposing the DUT to the conducted disturbance, following the test levels, frequency range, and test duration specified by the standard.
  4. Monitor the DUT’s performance during and after the conducted immunity test, checking for malfunctions or permanent damage.
  5. If the DUT fails the test, identify the root cause and implement design changes or mitigation techniques to improve conducted immunity performance.

Common Sources of Failures in Conducted Immunity Testing

Conducted immunity testing failures can occur due to various factors, including:

  1. Insufficient shielding: Inadequate shielding of cables or enclosures can result in excessive conducted disturbance susceptibility.
  2. Poor component selection: Components with low immunity to conducted disturbances can contribute to conducted immunity problems.
  3. Design issues: Circuit design issues, such as inadequate grounding, poor signal integrity, or incorrect PCB layout, can exacerbate conducted immunity issues.

Mitigation Techniques for Conducted Immunity Failures

To address conducted immunity failures, several mitigation techniques can be implemented:

  1. Improve shielding: Enhance shielding on cables, connectors, and enclosures to reduce susceptibility to conducted disturbances.
  2. Optimize component selection: Choose components with higher immunity to conducted disturbances to improve overall system performance.
  3. Enhance circuit design: Implement proper grounding techniques, improve signal integrity, and optimize PCB layout to minimize the impact of conducted disturbances on device performance.

Real-life Example of Conducted Immunity Testing

A leading manufacturer of automotive navigation systems was developing a new model with advanced features. During the EMC testing phase, the navigation system failed to meet the conducted immunity requirements as specified in the relevant automotive standards. The manufacturer identified the root cause of the problem, implemented appropriate design changes, and retested the navigation system. The revised system passed the conducted immunity testing, ensuring its reliable operation in the automotive environment and its compatibility with other electronic systems within the vehicle.

Conducted Immunity Testing Experts

When seeking expert guidance for your conducted immunity testing needs, Keystone Compliance is the premier choice. Our ISO-17025 accredited laboratory boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a team of accomplished professionals, providing accurate and dependable testing results. Our expertise in EMC testing, including conducted immunity, is enhanced by our wide array of additional testing services, such as package and environmental testing.

At Keystone Compliance, we are dedicated to helping you overcome testing obstacles and ensuring your products adhere to the necessary compliance standards. Our outstanding troubleshooting and research and development capabilities make us an invaluable partner throughout your product development journey.

To learn how Keystone Compliance can assist you with your conducted immunity testing requirements, visit our website at www.keystonecompliance.com or reach out to us at (724) 657-9940. Our team of experienced professionals is ready to help you navigate the intricacies of conducted immunity testing and facilitate the successful certification of your products.

 

Interested in other surge immunity testing standards? Please visit: