Electromagnetic Compatibility B

MSc in Electrical Engineering

Conducted Emissions and

EMI Filter Design

Prof. Sergio A. Pignari

POLITECNICO DI MILANO
Dept. of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering
Electrical Engineering Section
EMC Group @ POLIMI
Milan, Italy
Email: sergio.pignari@polimi.it
Website: http://www.deib.polimi.it/

POLIMI, AY 2019-20

Conducted Emissions
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Noisy currents

Conducted emissions (CE) are electromagnetic

emissions conducted out of the product along the ac
power cord
CE are noise currents
CE are placed on the common power net (where they
may radiate more efficiently because of the much
larger expanse of this “antenna”)
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1
 Conducted Emissions cont’d
EMC Group @ POLIMI

For commercial ITE equipment, the frequency range

for CE extends from 150 kHz to 30 MHz (CISPR 22)
• For electrical equipment, the frequency range for CE starts
from 9 kHz
• For military products, limits and applicability are much more
complicated and span a much larger frequency range (MIL-
STD-461E)
Although the emission to be controlled is current
passing out the ac line cord, the limits are given in
volts and compliance is verified by inserting a line
impedance stabilization network (LISN) into the unit’s
ac power cord
CE are measured via a spectrum analyzer 3 of 64

How CE Originate
EMC Group @ POLIMI

CE could propagate via signal and power leads,

however CE propagating along power cords are of
main concern

Emissions may be ascribed to

1. Switching devices and power electronics
components (ac-dc, dc-dc converters, inverters),
variable speed motor drives, etc.
2. Undesired near-field (crosstalk) or far-field
(radiated emissions) coupling with nearby power
circuits

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2
 Why CE Must be Prevented
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Conducted emissions exiting a product propagate

along the powerline, and reach the power grid

Through the power grid, CE could reach and disturb

other electrical/electronic devices connected to the
grid (conducted susceptibility threat)

Since the power grid is electrically-large in the CE

frequency band, it could efficiently radiate these
noise currents (indeed, it behaves as an efficient
antenna) giving rise to possible problems in nearby
electronic devices (radiated susceptibility threat)

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Typical Test Configuration

EMC Group @ POLIMI

1. The ac power cord of the product is plugged into

the input of the LISN
2. The output of the LISN is plugged into the
commercial power system outlet

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3
 Objectives of the LISN
EMC Group @ POLIMI

1. To present a constant impedance to the product’s

power cord outlet over the frequency range of the
conducted emission test
• 50 Ω between phase conductor and green wire
• 50 Ω between neutral conductor and green wire
2. To block conducted emissions that are not due to
the product being tested, i.e., to prevent external
conducted noise on the power system from
contaminating the measurement
3. and 4. …

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The LISN Circuit (FCC)

EMC Group @ POLIMI

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4
 The LISN Circuit (CISPR)
EMC Group @ POLIMI

CISPR 16-1-2 Standard

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Equivalent Circuit of the LISN

EMC Group @ POLIMI

The equivalent circuit of an ideal LISN as seen by the

product over the conducted emission regulatory
frequency range is:

50  at any frequency in the CE band! 10 of 64

5
 LISN Input Impedance
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Input impedance of real LISNs in the CE frequency

band, according to CISPR 16-1-2 recommendations

LISN EE

LISN ITE

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For Practical Purposes…

EMC Group @ POLIMI

Available LISN models:

• Single-phase LISN: P + N; GW
• Three-phase LISN: P1 + P2 + P3 + N; GW
Best practices:
1. LISN nominal currents shall be adequate to the device under
test
2. The LISN cannot be used in facilities equipped with
differential circuit breaker (LISN line-to-ground capacitors
carry currents on the order of some mA at 50 Hz). For safety
reasons, CE setups shall be equipped with insulation
transformer
3. Transient limiter may be required to protect the
receiver/spectrum analyzer
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6
 Example of CE Test Bench
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Layout for conducted emission test

(CISPR 22, 150 kHz – 30 MHz)

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Alternative Measurement
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Based on the use of monitor probes

Not CISPR-compliant, but useful for diagnostic
purposes and pre-compliance assessment
Monitor probes behave as current transducers, and
are characterized in terms of transfer impedance

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 Transfer Impedance
EMC Group @ POLIMI

I [dBmA] = V [dBmV] – ZT [dBΩ]

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Modal Decomposition
EMC Group @ POLIMI

In general, currents in three-conductor systems can

be decomposed into differential-mode (DM) and
common-mode (CM) components
A possible decomposition is

where:

• I1, I2, and I3 denote the total currents

• ID and IC are the modal components,
• wire 3 is the return conductor 16 of 64

8
 Modal Decomposition cont’d
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Note that:
• The DM components ID are oppositely directed in
wires 1, 2
• The CM components IC are directed in the same
direction in wires 1, 2, and IC returns on wire 3

The relationship between total and modal currents is

Iˆ  Iˆ
IˆD  1 2
Iˆ1  IˆC  IˆD 2

Iˆ2  IˆC  IˆD ˆI  Iˆ
IˆC  1 2
2
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CM and DM Components
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Contributions of DM and CM current components on

the measured conducted emissions

• CM contribution
• DM contribution
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9
 CM and DM Components
EMC Group @ POLIMI

By decomposing noise currents into a DM component

and a CM component:

1
IˆD  ( IˆP  IˆN )
IˆP  IˆC  IˆD 2

IˆN  IˆC  IˆD 1
IˆC  ( IˆP  IˆN )
2

And the measured voltages are

VˆP  50  ( IˆC  IˆD )

VˆN  50  ( IˆC  IˆD )
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CM and DM Components
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Note that:
1. CM currents can be of the order of or exceed DM
currents in CE
2. The contributions due to each current add in VP
and subtract in VN

Generally, one component dominates the other so

that the magnitudes of the phase and neutral
voltages are about the same:

VˆP  VˆN  50 IˆC , IC  I D

VˆP  VˆN  50 IˆD , I D  I C
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10
 Equivalent Circuit
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Equivalent circuit associated with the CE

phenomenon:
LISN

EUT SA

CE measured at the LISN input are a mix of CM and

DM components
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Devices Without Green Wire

EMC Group @ POLIMI

Also devices without green wire and/or equipped

with an insulation transformer (in Italy, “double-
insulated” devices) may give rise to CM currents due
to parasitic capacitances

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11
 Dominant Effect
EMC Group @ POLIMI

To reduce the total conducted emission at a particular

frequency, we must reduce the dominant component
at that frequency

IˆTotal  IˆC  IˆD

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Dominant Effect cont’d

EMC Group @ POLIMI

CE of a power supply and comparison with CISPR

limits
Total emissions (voltages) Modal components (voltages)
100 100
Emissions at terminal L CM emissions
80 Emissions at terminal N 80 DM emissions
Phisycal emissions (dBV)

Modal emissions (dBV)

60 60

40 40

20 20

0 0

-20 -20
6 7 6 7
10 10 10 10
Frequency (Hz) Frequency (Hz)

• In the LF range up to 1 MHz, an EMI filter effective in the

reduction of DM emissions only is enough
• Reducing CM emissions does not solve the problem
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12
 Troubleshooting CE
EMC Group @ POLIMI

In troubleshooting CE, it would be helpful if we could

separate the CM current from the DM current

This would allow:

1. To find the cause of the emissions within the EUT

2. To optimize the power line filter design

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Separation of CM and DM
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Diagnostic tool that separates the total conducted

emission into its CM and DM components

VˆP  VˆN  2  50 I C  2VˆC

VˆP  VˆN  2  50 I D  2VˆD

The device, originally invented by C. Paul, is nowadays marketed

(LISN-UP), and used for pre-compliance assessment 26 of 64

13
 Separation of CM and DM
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Monitor probes
2 IˆC
CM: P
N

GW

DM:
P
2 IˆD

GW

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Power Supply Filters

EMC Group @ POLIMI

Virtually all products contain a power supply filter

This is the last circuit that noise currents pass through before they
exit the product
Power supply filters contain components that are intended to
reduce either DM or CM currents
Hence:
Decomposition of the total currents into CM and DM
components is the key to designing effective power
supply filters

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14
 Definition of Insertion Loss
EMC Group @ POLIMI

1. Load voltage without the filter

2. Load voltage with the filter inserted

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Definition of Insertion Loss

EMC Group @ POLIMI

The insertion loss of the filter is defined as

 PL , wo 
ILdB  10 log10  
 PL , w 
 
 VL2, wo / RL   VL , wo 
 10 log10  2   20 log10  
 VL , w / RL   VL , w 
   

Note that:
the voltages in this expression are not denoted with
a caret (^), and are therefore the magnitudes of the
voltages
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15
 Low-Pass Filter
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Low-pass filter: ILdB

+20 dB/dec
0 dB

(RS+RL)/(2L) f

L
ILdB  20log10  ,    1
RS  RL
The IL of a particular filter depends on the source and
load impedances RS, RL
Manufacturer’s IL data assume that RS = RL = 50 Ω!
Use of the manufacturer’s IL data to assess the
performance of the filter in a product may not give
realistic results in a typical application 31 of 64

Insertion Loss Tests

EMC Group @ POLIMI

DM insertion loss measurement

DM

The green-wire terminals are left unconnected and

the phase and neutral wires form the circuit to be
tested
NOTE: In manufacturer data-sheets, the differential
mode is usually referred to as “symmetric mode”
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16
 Insertion Loss Tests
EMC Group @ POLIMI

CM insertion loss measurement

CM

The phase and neutral wires are tied together and

form the test circuit with the green wire
NOTE: In manufacturer data-sheets, the common
mode is usually referred to as “asymmetric mode”
These concepts apply also to three-phase filters with
different test setups
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The Power Supply Filter

EMC Group @ POLIMI

A typical power supply filter topology

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 The Power Supply Filter
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Common-Mode Choke
Line-to-line capacitors

Line-to-ground capacitors Earth Inductor

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The Power Supply Filter

EMC Group @ POLIMI

Key-ingredients:
1. Capacitors between phase and neutral wires, CDL
and CDR, are included to divert DM currents (line-
to-line capacitors)
2. Capacitors CCL and CCR are included between
phase and green wire and between neutral and
green wire to divert CM currents (line-to-ground
capacitors)
3. Coupled inductors L, L, M are included to block CM
currents (common-mode choke)
4. Inductor LGW is used to block CM currents (green-
wire inductor). (Usually, it is included afterwards.
Indeed, it is a last-minute solution.) 36 of 64

18
 A Real Case
EMC Group @ POLIMI

A typical digital device containing a switching power

supply and a power supply filter was tested.
At first, CE were measured with the filter removed:

N
DM
CM

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A Real Case cont’d

EMC Group @ POLIMI

3300 pF line-to-ground
capacitors

N
DM
CM

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19
 A Real Case cont’d
EMC Group @ POLIMI

0.1F line-to-line capacitor

N
DM
CM

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A Real Case cont’d

EMC Group @ POLIMI

1 mH green-wire inductor

N
DM
CM

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20
 A Real Case cont’d
EMC Group @ POLIMI

28 mH common-mode choke

N
DM
CM

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The Common-Mode Choke

EMC Group @ POLIMI

Typically this element consists of two identical

windings on a common ferrite core, and so is similar
to a transformer:
IC
ID

ID
IC
Physical construction Equivalent circuit

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21
 The Common-Mode Choke
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Because the windings are identical and are wound

tightly on the same core,

M M
L1  L2  L  M  k  1
L1L2 L

Actually, for a DM current through the choke, the

voltage drop across one side of the choke gives

Vˆ  j LIˆD  j M (  IˆD )
 j ( L  M ) Iˆ  j L
D Iˆ
leakage D

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The Common-Mode Choke

EMC Group @ POLIMI

Note that:
1. Lleakage is commonly referred to as the leakage
inductance, and is due to the portion of the
magnetic flux that leaks out the core and does not
couple between the windings
2. Ideally Lleakage is zero
3. The equivalent circuit for DM currents is

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22
 The Common-Mode Choke
EMC Group @ POLIMI

For a CM current, computing the voltage drop across

one side of the choke gives

Vˆ  j LIˆC  j MIˆC
 j ( L  M ) Iˆ  j 2 LIˆ
C C

Consequently, the common-mode choke tends to

block CM currents
The equivalent circuit for CM currents is

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Line-to-Ground Capacitors
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Possible shock hazards if a line-to-ground capacitor

accidentally shorts out

Safety considerations
• Safety agencies specify the maximum leakage current that
may flow through Y-caps at 60 Hz in order to minimize shock
hazards due to leakage currents
• This provides an important constraint on the maximum value
of the line-to-ground capacitors that may be used in the filter
• Capacitors that have insulation properties approved by safety
agencies and are suitable for use as line-to-ground capacitors
are referred to as “Y-caps”

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23
 Prediction of Modal IL
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Line-to-ground (Y) capacitors

Modal IL can be readily used to characterize their
ability in reducing CM and DM noise currents

1 1
jC jC

To this end, the typical test setups for modal IL

measurement are considered
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Prediction of Modal ILs

EMC Group @ POLIMI

Differential mode IL
R0

Vˆ R0 VˆL , w VˆS
VˆL , wo  S
2 1 1
jC jC

2
R0
j C
2 2 R0
 R0
jC 2  jCR0 2 R0
VˆL , w  VˆS  VˆS  VˆS
2
R0
2 R0
 R0 4 R0  jCR02
j C 2  jCR0
 R0
2
 R0
jC 48 of 64

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 Prediction of Modal ILs
EMC Group @ POLIMI

4 R0  jCR02
ILDM   1   2 R02C 2 /16  1  ( R0C / 4) 2
4 R0

DM  10log10 1  ( R0 C / 4) 
ILdB  2


Example: 50

2040 dB/dec slope

R0  50 
30
C  100 nF

ILDM
dB
20
2
fc   1.3  105 Hz Cut-off frequency
 R0C 10

0 4 5 6 7 8
10 10 10 10 10
frequency, Hz
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Prediction of Modal ILs

EMC Group @ POLIMI

Common mode IL

R0 1 1 R0
VˆL ,w jC jC
V̂S

Then,
• after some algebra,
• or by noting that the circuit to be solved is the same as for
the DM, with C  4C,

CM  10 log10 (1   C R0 )
2 2 2
ILdB
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 EMI Filter Data-Sheet
EMC Group @ POLIMI

CM (asym.) and DM (sym.) insertion loss:

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EMI Filter Data-Sheet

EMC Group @ POLIMI

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 Location of Components
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Location of components and routing of wires within a

product are important considerations in the reduction
of emissions
Poor placement:

Wide spectrum of noise signals present inside the product (from

20 kHz to well over 500 MHz):
• switching power supply harmonics
• harmonics of the clocks
These signals may couple to the wires
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Location of Components
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Proper placement:

• The power supply filter should be placed directly at

the exit of the power cord from the product
• The power supply should also be placed as close to
the filter as possible
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 Warnings for Filter Designers
EMC Group @ POLIMI

EMI filters shall not impair correct operation of

devices (power, signals):

• Filters on power cords shall not influence the 50 /

60 Hz performance of a power device

• Input filters of dc/dc converters (and in general of

power electronics devices) shall not impact on the
stability of the controller
– It may occur if L and C filter components have not
negligible influence at low frequency

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Warnings for Filter Designers

EMC Group @ POLIMI

Note that:
1. Inductors are placed in series with wires or lands
to block noise currents
Inductive filters are effective if their impedance is much larger
than the load impedance
Inductors are used in low-impedance circuits

2. Capacitors are placed in parallel to divert noise

currents
Capacitive filters are effective if their impedance is much
smaller than the load impedance
Capacitors are used in high-impedance circuits
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 Non-Ideal Behavior
EMC Group @ POLIMI

The frequency response of EMI filter components may

exhibit significant deviations from nominal values,
due to their non-ideal behavior

Special example:
• CM choke ability in damping DM CE emissions stems from its
non-ideal behavior (positive side effect)

In general:
• Non-ideal behavior of components may impair
filter effectiveness, leading to unexpected
f-responses
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Example
EMC Group @ POLIMI

As a result, non-ideal behavior of components may

involve degradation of filter perfomance
Example: ILDM of a real line-to-ground capacitor

1
70
f 
2 Llead C
ideal
60 with parasitic elements L, R

50 R0  50 
C  100 nF
40
ILDM
dB

Llead  10 nH
30 Rs  0.1 

20

10

0 4 5 6 7 8
10 10 10 10 10
frequency, Hz 58 of 64

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 A Real Case
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Circuit diagram of a commercial EMI filter (by Belling

Lee)
X capacitor CMC Y capacitor
L L
L1
CY1
M
G G

CX CY2
L2
N N

Nominal values of filter components:

CX = 100 nF LCMC = 10 mH CY = 3.3 nF
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A Real Case cont’d

EMC Group @ POLIMI

Total and modal attenuation of the filter

Total attenuation (S-parameters) Modal components (S-parameters)

-10 0
Line attenuation CM attenuation
-20 Neutral attenuation DM attenuation
Physical S parameters (dB)

-20
Modal S parameters (dB)

-30
-40
-40
-60
-50

-80
-60

-70 -100
6 7 6 7
10 10 10 10
Frequency (Hz) Frequency (Hz)

Note that:
• 50 Ω measurement system
• Scattering parameters (vector network analyzer)
• Filter Attenuation (i.e., IL-1)
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 A Real Case cont’d
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Total and modal attenuation of the X capacitor (CX)

Total emissions (S-parameters) Modal components (S-parameters)

0 20
Line attenuation CM attenuation
10
Neutral attenuation DM attenuation
Physical S parameters (dB)

-2

Modal S parameters (dB)

0

-10
-4
-20
-6 -30

-40
-8
-50

-10 -60
6 7 6 7
10 10 10 10
Frequency (Hz) Frequency (Hz)

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A Real Case cont’d

EMC Group @ POLIMI

Total and modal attenuation of the common-mode

choke (CMC)

Total emissions (S-parameters) Modal components (S-parameters)

0 20
Line attenuation CM attenuation
10
Neutral attenuation DM attenuation
Physical S parameters (dB)

-10
Modal S parameters (dB)

-10
-20
-20
-30 -30

-40
-40
-50

-50 -60
6 7 6 7
10 10 10 10
Frequency (Hz) Frequency (Hz)

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 CE in Three-Phase Systems
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Three-phase cables support propagation of three

modes: one CM and two DMs

A possible set of modes is:

IC + ID1
IC + ID2
IC - ID1 - ID2

3IC

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CE in Three-Phase Systems
EMC Group @ POLIMI

Elemental EMI filter topologies

P1 P1
P2 P2
P3 P3
L,M LGW
GW GW
(a) (b)

P1 P1
P2 P2
CL
P3 P3
CG
GW GW
(c) (d)

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