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Assembling A Low Cost EMI Troubleshooting Kit – Part 1
Interference Technology ^ | May 13, 2016 | Kenneth Wyatt

Posted on 02/08/2021 6:45:06 PM PST by tbw2

Those of us who are either in-house or independent EMC consultants can benefit greatly by assembling our own EMI troubleshooting kit. I’ve depended on my own kit for several years and it has proven not only valuable, but depicts a sense of professionalism in dealing with your own product development engineers, their managers, or your clients, as the case may be. Mine is designed around a Pelican 1514 roller case (http://www.pelican.com) that includes a padded divider, so it is easy to transport to the area needed. You’ll also want to order the optional lid organizer, model 1519, for carrying extra tools, cables, and other small parts. See Figure 1.

This article will summarize what I’ve included in my own kit, and because everyone’s needs might be a little different, you’ll want to use this information as a guide. Feel free to add or subtract tools and test equipment as desired. You should expect to spend about $3k to $5k for the complete kit, depending on whether you make a lot of DIY probes or buy commercial, but this price range includes a spectrum analyzer.

I’ll list just the most important items for assessing radiated emissions in Part 1. You’ll be able to download Part 2 at the end of this article, which will include additional items required for assessing various immunity tests, along with many other useful tools and equipment. Some of this information is based on the book, EMI Troubleshooting Cookbook for Product Designers[1], by Patrick André and Kenneth Wyatt, with foreword by Henry Ott.

(Excerpt) Read more at interferencetechnology.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Computers/Internet; Hobbies; Science
KEYWORDS: emi; hamradio; radio; rf; surveillance; technology
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1 posted on 02/08/2021 6:45:06 PM PST by tbw2
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To: Kevmo; buwaya; IndispensableDestiny; Paladin2; Rio; jz638; Pollard; Conan the Librarian; ...

Assembling A Low Cost EMI Troubleshooting Kit – Part 1 (Radiated Emissions)
https://interferencetechnology.com/assembling-low-cost-emi-troubleshooting-kit-part-1-radiated-emissions/


2 posted on 02/08/2021 6:45:39 PM PST by tbw2
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To: tbw2

Like the Siglent analyzer.
Upgrade from the terrific 1104 X-E equipment
which gives FFT outputs and other autocomputations.


3 posted on 02/08/2021 6:49:52 PM PST by Diogenesis (Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum)
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To: tbw2

The biggest little EMI offender in your home is switching power supply’s and compact florescent lights.

learn to make some sniffer probes to find the obnoxious leaks.


4 posted on 02/08/2021 6:49:53 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: tbw2

The biggest little EMI offender in your home is switching power supply’s and compact florescent lights.

learn to make some sniffer probes to find the obnoxious leaks.


5 posted on 02/08/2021 6:49:53 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: tbw2

And brother I can not stress bonding things enough to isolate EMI


6 posted on 02/08/2021 6:52:19 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mylife

LED bulbs are no charm to the electromagnetic world either.


7 posted on 02/08/2021 6:58:20 PM PST by George from New England
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To: mylife

Somewhat related, imported light dimmers too. I understand the Communist Chinese stuff is such garbage they’re notorious for belching out RFI. Goes along with tons of other imported garbage which lacks proper shielding etc.


8 posted on 02/08/2021 7:00:12 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: George from New England

If run off DC they are OK but AC is another noise problem.


9 posted on 02/08/2021 7:00:26 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: George from New England

If run off DC they are OK but AC is another noise problem.


10 posted on 02/08/2021 7:00:26 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: George from New England

If run off DC they are OK but AC is another noise problem.


11 posted on 02/08/2021 7:00:26 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: All

Damn triple post! I blame EMI!


12 posted on 02/08/2021 7:01:46 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: dragnet2

Most chinese crap is noisy crap.


13 posted on 02/08/2021 7:02:51 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: mylife

That nearly covers the entire industry.


14 posted on 02/08/2021 7:05:33 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: tbw2

If every damn thing in a shielded room is not bonded chasing EMI is like chasing a ghost.


15 posted on 02/08/2021 7:10:06 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: tbw2

Check out the portable tinySA spectrum analyzer for $49.95.

This marvel is about the size of a deck of cards and covers 100 kHz to 960 MHz.

It’s my first go-to instrument for tracking down EMI issues.


16 posted on 02/08/2021 7:12:21 PM PST by delphifalcon
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To: tbw2

Can I just order one from Heathkit?


17 posted on 02/08/2021 7:19:55 PM PST by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> --- )
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To: All

Used to drive me nuts building wide band receivers when high powered amps would go into oscillation and I would solder the can to the copper clad.
Problem solved until some dumbpass engineer tells me I can’t do that, we need to use a conductive epoxy, like Chobond.

I soldered that shit down and covered it in Chobond lol
There, now it works and yer none the wiser. Lo not per print, but it works.


18 posted on 02/08/2021 7:22:28 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: delphifalcon

Same as any cheap SDR.


19 posted on 02/08/2021 7:26:00 PM PST by steve86 (Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc O'Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
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To: smokingfrog

Lafayette electronics or Bob’s military bargain warehouse


20 posted on 02/08/2021 7:28:10 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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