Manufacturers strive to achieve electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) by applying various techniques during the design and testing phases of PCB design and testing.
These techniques include shielding, grounding, filtering, and proper placement and routing of electronic components on PCBs.
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) - Affects the operation of an electronic device or system due to electromagnetic radiation. Interference can be caused by a variety of sources such as radio waves, electromagnetic fields, or even neighboring electronic devices. Electromagnetic interference disrupts the transmission of signals, causing loss of data, reduced efficiency or complete failure of devices.
Electromagnetic susceptibility (EMS) - The susceptibility of an electronic device or system to external electromagnetic interference. It measures how well a device can operate correctly in the presence of electromagnetic interference without experiencing adverse effects. Devices with poor EMS give failures or exhibit reduced performance.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) is the ability of different electronic devices or systems to operate in the same environment without interfering with each other. With EMC, devices are protected from excessive electromagnetic radiation and are not affected by external electromagnetic interference.
Most countries have regulatory standards that devices must meet to provide EMC. Certification processes include rigorous testing to evaluate electromagnetic emissions.