In brief
The EMC Directive 2014/30/EU ensures that electrical equipment does not cause undue interference to other equipment and is itself sufficiently immune to interference.
Contents
What is EMC Directive?
EMC stands for electromagnetic compatibility. Directive 2014/30/EU requires two things: equipment may only emit so much electromagnetic disturbance that other equipment and radio services can operate as intended (emission), and it must be sufficiently insensitive to the disturbances usual in its environment (immunity). In Germany, it is transposed by the Electromagnetic Compatibility Act (EMVG).
The directive distinguishes between apparatus and fixed installations. Apparatus requires a conformity assessment, technical documentation, an EU declaration of conformity and CE marking. Fixed installations, such as a permanently installed production line, must be built in accordance with good engineering practice but do not receive CE marking as a whole. For industrial environments, there are harmonised generic standards on immunity and emission, for example from the EN 61000-6 series.
In maintenance, EMC issues play a role with frequency inverters, power supplies, controllers and sensors. A replacement device with a different EMC design or incorrectly implemented shielding can cause interference. The text of the directive is authoritative; this entry does not constitute legal advice.
In practice: maintenance and procurement
When replacing inverters or power supplies, make sure the replacement device is designed for industrial environments, and adopt filters, shielding and earthing as in the original. Many faults after a replacement are due to changed cabling rather than the device itself.
Synonyms and abbreviations: EMC · Directive 2014/30/EU · electromagnetic compatibility
Frequently asked questions
What do emission and immunity mean?
Emission describes how much electromagnetic energy a device releases into its environment, either conducted or radiated. Immunity describes how well a device withstands such disturbances without its function being impaired. The EMC Directive requires both. The relevant standards specify how measurements are made and which requirements apply to residential or industrial environments.
Does a fixed installation need CE marking under the EMC Directive?
No. Fixed installations, i.e. permanently installed combinations of equipment at a specific location, do not receive CE marking as a whole under the EMC Directive. They must be built and documented in accordance with good engineering practice. The individual devices within them, by contrast, generally require their own CE marking. Other legislation, for example for machinery, may also apply.
What is the difference between the EMC Directive and the Low Voltage Directive?
The Low Voltage Directive protects against electrical hazards such as electric shock or fire from equipment in the low voltage range. The EMC Directive, by contrast, governs the mutual influence of electrical equipment through electromagnetic fields, regardless of voltage. Many industrial components must comply with both directives, which is stated in the EU declaration of conformity.