EMC Standards Explained

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing is a legal requirement for most electronic products in the UK and Europe. Understanding the correct standards is vital if you’re aiming for CE or UKCA marking and want to access wider markets.

This page offers a straightforward guide to EMC standards such as CISPR, IEC and EN. Each standard is linked directly to the equipment you need, making it easier to find exactly what’s required for pre-compliance testing or full certification.

Whether you’re a design engineer, compliance manager or test technician, this reference will help you align your testing approach with current regulations.

EN Standards

EN 55011

Standard	EN 55011 (Now superseded by EN 55032)
Scope	Industrial, scientific and medical equipment (ISM) Household and similar equipment that uses RF energy Group 1 – any devices not covered by Group 2. Group 2 – Intentionally generates RF energy Class A – Used in non domestic environments Class B – May be used in domestic environment

Test Type	Frequency	Test Method
Conducted Emissions	150KHz-30MHz	LISN
Radiated Emissions	30MHz-1GHz	OATS (Open Area Test Site) OR Test Cell

Note that EMC compliance in the EU requires measurement of mains harmonics according to IEC61000-3-2 and Flicker according to IEC61000-3-3.
See AC2000A harmonics and flicker analyser.

EN 55014

Standard	EN 55014-1
Scope	Household appliances and hand held tools

Test Type	Frequency Range	Test Method
Conducted Emissions (Power cables)	150KHz to 30MHz	LISN
Radiated Emissions	30MHz to 1GHz	OATS (Open Area Test Site) or Test Cell or Chamber

Note that EMC compliance in the EU requires measurement of mains harmonics according to IEC61000-3-2 and Flicker according to IEC61000-3-3.
See AC2000A harmonics and flicker analyser.

EN 55015

Standard	EN 55015
Scope	Luminaires

Test type	Frequency range	Test method
Conducted Emissions	9KHz – 30MHz	LISN
Radiated Emissions	30MHz – 300MHz	CDN or OATS (Open Area Test Site)
Magnetic field	9KHz – 30MHz	Large loop antenna

Note that EMC compliance for luminaires requires measurement of mains harmonics according to IEC61000-3-2.
See AC2000A harmonics and flicker analyser.

EN 55022

Standard	EN 55022 (now superseded by EN 55032)
Scope	Information Technology equipment (ITE)

Test type

Frequency range

Test method

Conducted Emissions

150KHz to 30MHz

LISN

Radiated Emissions

30MHz to 1 or 2 or 6GHz

(Depending on highest clock frequency in EUT)

OATS (Open Area Test Site) or Test Cell

Note that EMC compliance in the EU requires measurement of mains harmonics according to IEC61000-3-2 and Flicker according to IEC61000-3-3.
See AC2000A harmonics and flicker analyser.

EN 55025

The table below shows the test requirements and ancillary items.
Common to all tests are an EMC analyser (SA1002 or SA3000), pre-selector (RF910), pre-amplifier (SA1020) and associated software (included with the EMC analyser).

EN 55025 Clause	Item	Type	Freq. range (MHz)	Method	Ancillaries
5	Whole vehicle	Radiated	As specified	On-board antenna	Antenna matching unit ALSE
			0.5 -30	1m monopole
			30 – 1000	¼ wave monopole
			1000-2500	As recommended
	Whole vehicle Charging mode		Appropriate bands. 0.15 – 2500	On-board antenna	LISN (CISPR16) HV AN (CISPR25) AAN
6	Components & modules	Conducted	0.15 – 108	LISN	LISN (CISPR25)
		Conducted	0.15 – 245	Current probe	Current probe
		Radiated	0.15- 30	Antenna+ ALSE	1m monopole
			30- 2500	Antenna + ALSE	Broadband antenna
Annex F			0.15 – 245 (limited by cell size)	TEM cell	TEM cell
Annex G			0.15 – 980 (limited by stripline design)	Stripline	Stripline

Notes:

ALSE = Absorber Lined Screened Enclosure.

Limits applicable to each test are included in the EMCEngineer software issued with the Laplace EMC analysers

Clause 5:

Emissions received by antenna on same vehicle.
Antenna is the one normally fitted to the vehicle. If non fitted, use 1m monopole (band B) or loaded ¼ wave monopole (band C & D).
Antenna matching unit reqd: Input imp. >100K II <10pF , Output imp.: 50R

Additional tests when vehicle is in charging mode.
AC mains: LISN: 50uH/50R AMN CISPR16
DC cable: LISN: 5uH/50R HV-AN High voltage
Comms lines: AAN (Artificial Asymmetric Network)

Clause 6:

Components & modules:

Power via 5uH AN (annex E)
Conducted emissions, LISN 5uH/50R, CISPR25 0.15 – 108MHz (All detectors)
Conducted emissions, current probe, 0.15 – 245MHz (Pk and Ave)
Radiated emissions, 1m monopole, 0.15 – 30MHz in ALSE
Radiated emissions, broadband antenna(s), 30 – 2500MHz in ALSE

Annex E:

5uH LISN i/p C = 1uF, 0/p C = 0.1uF, shunt R = 1K (CISPR25)
5uH HV AN i/p C = 0.1uF, o/p C = 0.1uF, shunt = 1K. Additional discharge R = 1M
50uH/50R CISPR16
AAN for comms lines: CDN (to give 150R impedance) For matching only.

SA1002 EMC Analyser – Conducted & Radiated Testing

SA3000 EMC Analyser – Radiated & Conducted Emissions to 3GHz

EMCEngineer – EMC Test Software for Control & Reporting

RF910 Pre-Selector – CISPR 16-1-2 Compliant EMC Filter

RF550 Active Monopole Antenna

Broadband Antennas (RF200 & RF230)

9123 & 9145 Clamp-on Current Probes Measuring

9127 & 9142 Clamp-on Current Probes Measuring

RF Immunity Test Cells LaplaCell LC300 & LC600

LISNs for EMC Conducted Emissions Compliance

Pre-Amplifiers

Harmonics & Flicker Analyser

RF Immunity Test Chamber

EN 55032

Standard	EN 55032
Scope	MULTI_MEDIA EQUIPMENT (MME) Includes ITE

Test Type	Frequency range	Test Method
Conducted Emissions (Power cables)	150KHz to 30MHz	LISN
Conducted Emissions (all other ports)	150KHz to 30MHz	AAN
Radiated Emissions	30MHz to 1 or 2 or 6GHz (Depending on highest clock frequency in EUT)	OATS (Open area test site) or Test Cell or Chamber

Note that EMC compliance in the EU requires measurement of mains harmonics according to IEC 61000-3-2 and Flicker according to IEC 61000-3-3.
See AC2000A harmonics and flicker analyser.

IEC Standards

IEC 61000-3-2

IEC 61000-3-2 (Harmonics)

Standard	IEC 61000-3-2 (EN 61000-3-2) and IEC 61000-3-3 (EN 61000-3-3)
Scope	The scope includes products such as lighting equipment, portable tools, all electronic equipment, consumer products and appliances and industrial equipment. This standard does not cover equipment which has a nominal supply voltage less than 220V ac and no limits have been specified for professional equipment above 1kW.

Test type	Frequency range	Test method
Harmonics	50Hz-2KHZ (40th harmonic)	AC2000A and AC1000
Flicker	N/A	AC2000A

IEC 61000-3-3

IEC 61000-3-3 (Flicker)

Standard

IEC 61000-3-3 (EN 61000-3-3) and IEC 61000-3-2 (EN 61000-3-2)

Scope

The scope covers any equipment that has a mains power rating of 16A or less, and which may significantly vary the power consumption at a rate between 1Hz and 20Hz. Such variation in load can cause the mains voltage to fluctuate, which in turn can cause fluctuations in lighting intensity (Flicker). This standard does not cover equipment which has a nominal supply voltage less than 220V ac and no limits have been specified for professional equipment above 1kW.

Test type	Frequency range	Test method
Harmonics and flicker	Mains: 50 – 60Hz Flicker: 1Hz – 20Hz	AC2000A

IEC 61000-4-2

Standard	IEC 61000-4-2
Scope	All Electrical/Electronic Equipment

Test Type	Test Level	Test Method
Simulates Electrostatic discharges typically caused by friction between non-conductive surfaces	Refer to product specific standard	Use ESD simulator to create both air discharge and contact events.

Note: Refer to ESD (Onyx16/30) Product

IEC 61000-4-3

Radiated RF Immunity

IEC 61000-4-3 immunity testing requires that the EUT (equipment under test) operates satisfactorily when subject to a strong radiated electromagnetic field. (Such as might be created by cell phones and other intentional radiators, and RF noise that might be caused, inadvertently or otherwise, by industrial processes).

This requires a frequency scan at a certain fixed level of field strength (specified by the standard). The ‘scan’ will comprise a series of ‘steps’ in frequency. Each step is specified as a percentage of current frequency value. This percentage is variable from 0.2% to 5%.
chamber_configr At each step, the frequency is held, the level adjusted to the required field strength (V/m) as measured by a field sensor, a prescribed modulation mode is initiated and then the conditions held for a ‘dwell’ time. The EUT should be monitored to detect faulty operation during the test. Typical values for field strength are 3 V/m for domestic and 10 V/m for industrial products.

Other higher stress levels are often specified for certain types of products eg medical and automotive. These fields are so intense that this test must be carried out in a screened chamber or test cell. Test cells such as the GTEM or Laplacell are highly efficient but restricted to small products. Screened chambers can be large, but can be relatively expensive and require powerful amplifiers to create the required stress levels.

The Laplace range includes complete solutions for such tests. We can supply systems based on either a test cell, or for use inside a test chamber (Anechoic Chamber).
When using a test cell (LaplaCell) the antenna and field probe are integrated into the cell, so these items are not separately required. If installing a system in an anechoic chamber, then the antenna and field probe is required.

Note: that the LaplaCells not only provide an economical and efficient alternative to the test chamber, it also provides a calibrated environment for radiated emissions measurements.

These are the standard systems that Laplace offers:

LC300 Immunity Testing

RF Amplifier Systems for EMC Testing

EMCEngineer – EMC Test Software for Control & Reporting

RF Immunity Test Cells LaplaCell LC300 & LC600

Synthesisers

RF Immunity Test Chamber

IEC 61000-4-4

Standard	IEC 61000-4-4
Scope	Mains powered equipment

Test Type	Test Level	Test Method
simulates switching transients caused when equipment is switched on or off	Refer to product specific standard	Transient injection via coupling networks or capacitive coupling clamps

Note: Refer to Burst/EFTG

IEC 61000-4-5

Standard	IEC 61000-4-5
Scope	Mains powered equipment

Test Type	Test Level	Test Method
Simulates voltage surges as produced by lighting strikes on mains distribution systems	Refer to product specific standard	Injection via coupling network

Note: Refer to Surge and Hybrid

IEC 61000-4-6

This standard refers to the testing of products to check their ability to operate properly when subject to conducted RF interference. Usually the signal is swept between 150KHz and 230MHz and 1KHz modulation is applied. This RF signal injected into the product via cables such as the mains power lead or any other leads. The typical level applied is 10Vrms but this may vary from 3Vrms to 18Vrms according to the environment in which the product will be used.

Generally, the RF is generated by a signal generator, put through a power amplifier and applied to the cable via a CDN (coupling-decoupling network). This CDN applies the signal via a capacitor within an impedence matching network to ensure consistency and uniform coupling across the whole frequency range. Although the CDN is the preferred method, other injection techniques may be used (such as BCI, Bulk Current Injection, or the EM Clamp). However BCI is known to give inconsistent results and requires a higher level of injection whilst the size and cost of the EM clamp can be prohibitive.

During the test, the product is supported off a ground plane (typically at 10cm spacing) and all other cables are fed through similar CDNs to ensure that the product is decoupled from its associated equipment at these RF frequencies. Therefore to conduct such a test, a CDN is required for each cable normally connected to the product

SA1002 EMC Analyser – Conducted & Radiated Testing

SA3000 EMC Analyser – Radiated & Conducted Emissions to 3GHz

RF Amplifier Systems for EMC Testing

3-Core CDNE for EMC Emissions Testing (CISPR 15/16)

Synthesisers

CDNs (Coupling Decoupling Networks)

IEC 61000-4-8/9

Note that these tests are normally only required if the product is intended for use in a high magnetic field environment such as electrified railways, some industrial sites, hospitals, power generators or distribution transformer stations

IEC 61000-4-8

IEC 61000-4-11

Standard	IEC 61000-4-11
Scope	Mains powered equipment

Test Type	Test Level	Test Method
Simulates the common voltage drops and short term interruptions in the mains supply	Refer to product specific standard	Replication of the typical brown outs and interruptions.

Note: Refer to Multi-CE5 integrated test system

IEC 61000-6-1

Standard	IEC 61000-6-1 and IEC 61000-6-2
Scope	Generic immunity standards that apply to any item not specifically covered by other product specific standards. IEC 61000-6-1 used for industrial environments IEC 61000-6-2 used for residential environments

Standard	Test	Simulates
IEC 61000-4-2	ESD	Electrostatic discharge
IEC 61000-4-3	Radiated RF	Proximity to transmitters
IEC 61000-4-4	EFT & Burst	Switching transients on power distribution systems
IEC 61000-4-5	Surge	Lightening strikes
IEC 61000-4-6	Conducted RF	Coupling of ambient RF onto cables
IEC 61000-4-8	Magnetic field (50Hz frequency)	Proximity to power supplies, motors, transformers, traction systems, etc.
IEC 61000-4-9	Magnetic field (Pulsed)	MRI scanners, traction systems
IEC 61000-4-11	Dips & Interrupts	Common phenomena on mains supply networks.

IEC 61000-6-2

Standard	IEC 61000-6-1 and IEC 61000-6-2
Scope	Generic immunity standards that apply to any item not specifically covered by other product specific standards. IEC 61000-6-1 used for industrial environments IEC 61000-6-2 used for residential environments

Standard	Test	Simulates
IEC 61000-4-2	ESD	Electrostatic discharge
IEC 61000-4-3	Radiated RF	Proximity to transmitters
IEC 61000-4-4	EFT & Burst	Switching transients on power distribution systems
IEC 61000-4-5	Surge	Lightening strikes
IEC 61000-4-6	Conducted RF	Coupling of ambient RF onto cables
IEC 61000-4-8	Magnetic field (50Hz frequency)	Proximity to power supplies, motors, transformers, traction systems, etc.
IEC 61000-4-9	Magnetic field (Pulsed)	MRI scanners, traction systems
IEC 61000-4-11	Dips & Interrupts	Common phenomena on mains supply networks.

IEC 61000-6-3

Standard	IEC 61000-6-3 and IEC 61000-6-4
Scope	Generic emissions standards that apply to any item not specifically covered by other product specific standards. IEC 61000-6-3 for products used in industrial environments IEC 61000-6-4 for products used in residential environments

Standard	Test	Method
EN 55032	Conducted RF	LISN
EN 55032	Radiated RF	OATS or Chamber or Test Cell
IEC 61000-3-2	Mains Harmonics	Harmonic analyser
IEC 61000-3-3	Flicker	Flicker analyser
IEC 61000-3-3	Inrush current	Power analyser

SA1002 EMC Analyser – Conducted & Radiated Testing

RF Immunity Test Cells LaplaCell LC300 & LC600

LISNs for EMC Conducted Emissions Compliance

Harmonics & Flicker Analyser

RF Immunity Test Chamber

IEC 61000-6-4

Standard	IEC 61000-6-3 and IEC 61000-6-4
Scope	Generic emissions standards that apply to any item not specifically covered by other product specific standards. IEC 61000-6-3 for products used in industrial environments IEC 61000-6-4 for products used in residential environments

Standard	Test	Method
EN 55032	Conducted RF	LISN
EN 55032	Radiated RF	OATS or Chamber or Test Cell
IEC 61000-3-2	Mains Harmonics	Harmonic analyser
IEC 61000-3-3	Flicker	Flicker analyser
IEC 61000-3-3	Inrush current	Power analyser

SA1002 EMC Analyser – Conducted & Radiated Testing

RF Immunity Test Cells LaplaCell LC300 & LC600

LISNs for EMC Conducted Emissions Compliance

Harmonics & Flicker Analyser

RF Immunity Test Chamber

Following the correct EMC standard helps reduce risk, ensure product reliability and avoid costly delays during compliance testing. It also improves quality control and builds trust with customers and regulators.

All the test equipment shown here is available from Laplace Instruments and made or supported in the UK. If you’re unsure which standard applies to your product, try our EMC Product Selector or contact our team for tailored advice.

EMC Standards for CE, UKCA and Global Compliance