EMC for multimedia equipment

Digital and analogue TV and radio broadcast receivers and ancillary equipment such as CD players and AV amplifiers are covered by the EMC standards EN55013 (emissions) and EN55020 (immunity).

Information Technology Equipment (ITE) is excluded from these standards, even if intended to be connected to a television broadcast receiver.  PC tuner cards are however included within the scope of these standards.

These standards specify various EMC emissions and immunity tests to be carried out on the product either through radiated means or by conduction along the signal or power supply cables and in particular on antenna ports.  This is due to the potential of unwanted emissions emanating from TV or radio receiver’s antennas and interfering with other communications services, also it is accepted that certain levels of unwanted signals are always present at the antenna ports and the receiver must be able to function without the operation being degraded by these unwanted signals.

Telecommunications ports of TV and radio broadcast receivers are tested in accordance with EN55022 as per the Information Technology Equipment (ITE) requirements (e.g. telephone ports on satellite TV receivers).

The test requirements of these standards include conducted RF emissions, radiated emissions tests, radiated immunity, conducted RF and transient type immunity tests on power and signal cables as well as ESD (Electrostatic Discharge).

It should be noted that due to convergence of technologies, the EMC standards for broadcast receivers and the like are being merged with information technology equipment and hence will combine into a single standard. These standards are currently under preparation and known as CISPR 32 (emissions) and 35 (immunity). When published the corresponding European standards will be known as EN55032 and EN55035.