From hospitals to industries to militaries, electronic devices are needed everywhere. These electronic devices depend on electricity to operate correctly. But sometimes, these devices are prone to crashing and malfunctioning. This is why there is a need to protect them. You can now protect the electronic devices from crashing and damaging with the help of the EMI filter. These filters block inferences and allow a stable flow of power.
Want to know more about these EMI filters? In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about what is an EMI filter and how can you design one. Stay tuned!
Also known as the EMI suppression filter, the EMI filter is an incredibly useful way to protect electronic devices from harmful electromagnetic interference. The common way to use this filter is to attach it to electronic circuits or devices. When attached to the devices, the filter suppresses the electromagnetic noise that arises due to conduction. Not only this, but en EMI filter also extracts unwanted current from wires and cables. As a result, the current flows freely in the electronic devices to which these filters are attached.
In most cases, electromagnetic noise is in the range of extremely high frequency. For this reason, the EMI filter is designed in such a way that it lets the lower frequencies pass through it. As a result, it sifts out the higher frequency range of the electronic devices. Different types of EMI filters suppress different frequencies of noise. Once the filtering process is complete, the electromagnetic noise is diverted from the devices to the ground.
Most of the EMI filters are paired with shields. The main function of these shields is to block radiated EMI. These shields are important because EMI filters only protect electronic devices in which conducted EMI is used. If there is no shield present in an EMI filter, it will transmit the noise through the air. As a result, the electronic device may get damaged. Furthermore, a shielded EMI filter can easily block all types of EMI.
You can use different EMI filters in different ways. But, the primary purpose of all the filters is the same. It is to block different frequencies of noise and meet the different regulations in different industries. Some common types of EMI filters used for different commercial and residential applications are discussed below.
Single-phase EMI filters are useful for smaller electronic equipment. These types of equipment include both home appliances and industrial appliances. Single-phase EMI filters also include some food service, telecommunication, and power supplies equipment. Not only this, but these types of EMI filters are also useful for fitness equipment.
If you are looking for extensive EMI suppression, then you must go for three-phase EMI filters. These EMI filters consist of a three-stage filtering system. As a result, they are capable of blocking higher levels of noise that a single-phase EMI filter is not capable of doing. For this reason, these EMI filters are used in industrial machinery and motors, industrial tools, and medical equipment.
The EMI filters designed for military purposes meet all the standard rules and regulations set by the standards of military devices. This is what makes these EMI filters extremely reliable. As a result, they are capable of protecting military communications for safe operations.
The EMI filters designed for medical purposes meet all the regulations and requirements set by medical standards. The EMI filters built for MRI rooms are designed in such a way that they make the chamber free from EMI lighting. As a result, they create a more safe and secure chamber than ever. Not only this, but it protects the room from other outside noises such as intercom noises as well.
The custom EMI filters are gaining a lot of popularity these days. That’s because the standard filters are unable to meet the design considerations in some cases. This is why a custom design becomes crucial.
When you design a custom EMI filter, you need to take into account a few considerations. Want to know what those considerations are? Keep reading then.
Space is extremely important in almost all electronic designs. This is why it becomes even more important while designing an EMI filter. The available space can affect the size, mounting, and weight of the filter that you are designing.
The next important factor that you need to consider while designing an EMI filter is the environmental conditions. For example, if you are designing an EMI filter for a humid environment, you must design it in such a way that it does not get damaged in moisture.
Apart from the factors mentioned above, you need to keep in mind the electronic requirements as well. You will not be able to design the perfect EMI filter without considering the electronic requirements. Let’s take a look at some of the electronic requirements below.
Before designing a custom EMI filter, you need to calculate its resistor, capacitor, and inductor values. That’s important because every filter will have different values. To calculate the values, you will need to conduct EMI testing at each stage. Conducting a test is important because any change in the values can easily alter the EMI signature.
You must also decide if the EMI filter will require the radiated or conducted attenuation. While conducted interference travels through the electrical cables, radiated interference travels through electromagnetic fields. This is why it is extremely important to decide whether your filter will use radiated or conducted attenuation.
Leakage current is also an important electronic requirement for designing an EMI filter. It is a function of line that grounds both the direct and parasitic capacitances.
EMI filters are extremely important because electronic devices are imperative for us today. These filters protect the electronic devices from crashing and malfunctioning. While most of the time manufacturers use standard filters but sometimes there is a need for custom EMI filters. This is why we must know how to design an EMI filter.
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