On discovery tour: How safe, durable and quiet power supplies are created | Retro

1 - Intro, Start in Asia 2 - MTBF 3 - Environment 4 - HALT and Life Span 5 - Airflow and Pressure 6 - ESD, EFT 7 - EMI, EMC 8 - Noise 9 - Safety Lab 10 - From Prototype to Golden Sample 11 - Conclussion

EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) and EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility)

In these EMC tests (electromagnetic compatibility), we first distinguish between immunity tests and emitted interference measurements. In other words: How well does the power supply react to malicious electrosmog and how much of this unwanted radiation does it produce during operation?

First, one tests what exactly happens when the power supply is exposed to a wide variety of electromagnetic waves, which only somehow have a relation to reality, but in the test hit the test sample many times stronger.

Then the exact opposite case is simulated and it is measured very precisely whether the power supply unit to be tested becomes a domestic electrosmog transmitting station. Since these are relatively fast switching power supplies, the frequencies and their harmonics are already in the high-frequency range and can significantly interfere with other devices and radio links.

The equipment at FSP is well suited to cover both scenarios well and completely. Unfortunately, not every manufacturer puts that much effort into it. At this point we understand once more why a 10 Euro power supply only costs as much as it performs – or vice versa.

If a manufacturer avoids the effort of these and the preceding tests in whole or in part, he may save development time and considerable costs, but in the end he cheats himself and his customers. But even if a contract manufacturer theoretically has the facilities for such tests, but the client – i.e. the power supply supplier – would rather save money and leave something out, in the end the product is beyond help.