EMI and RFI in the nuclear power industry can be difficult to understand for electrical engineers who are coming in to the topic cold. Fortunately, I’ve made a video to help you get started . . . .
Coming in cold. That’s what we are sometimes asked to do.
I have made a video that provides basic introductory training for any engineer in the nuclear power industry who needs help diving into EMI, RFI, and EMC. It’s less than 20 minutes long. Watch it in your browser below:
The video covers four topics:
- A basic overview (including the meaning of the terms EMI, RFI, and EMC).
- How digital products produce the two types of emissions we are concerned with.
- Why getting EMC right is critical to nuclear power plants.
- An overview of the differences between US, European, and military EMC standards.
One of the first things you need to understand is the relationship between the terms EMI, RFI, and EMC. I explain that relationship in my video.
Their meanings can be convoluted because “EMI” and “RFI” are often used interchangeably. You might hear people say “Do you think that thing malfunctioned because of EMI?” You might also hear them say “You’ve accounted for EMI, but what about RFI?” Could you answer that question?
Most electrical engineers that encounter EMI and RFI in this industry will be faced with evaluating a product’s EMC test report against the NRC’s published guidelines in Regulatory Guide 1.180.
If they get involved earlier in the design and procurement process, they will be asked to write EMI/RFI/EMC requirements into product specifications (at least, they should).
EPRI also publishes a guideline (TR-102323) that is meant to help navigate the various requirements, and its recommendations even depart a bit from the NRC’s guidelines. It provides justifications as to why that’s ok, but it’s still all a little puzzling at first.
Standards are tricky and confusing.
Some might even say boring.
There are US standards, European standards, and US military standards. The NRC, in some fashion, endorses at least portions from all three.
Before you get into the details, it’s good to understand the basics. This video will help you do that.