Evaluation Of Commercial Test Sets For Use In EMC Surveys At Quiet Rural Sites

Abstract

This paper presents the results of evaluations conducted by the author for the Electromagnetic Compatibility Technical Center (EeTC) on commercially available EMC test systems. These test systems are generally intended for use in CISPR, Mil-Std-462, and FCC Part 15 certification and testing. The intent of the evaluation is to determine if such test systems can be used in EMC surveys at quiet rural receiver sites. The evaluation showed that unmodified commercial EMC test systems are not sensitive enough for surveys in quiet rural areas. The commercial test sets resulted in errors of 15 20 dB higher than actual site noise levels. Antennas with low antenna factors, couplers with low losses, and pre-amplifier/receiver combinations with less than 6 dB noise figures must be used to properly survey quiet receiver sites.