The importance and limitations of EMC standards in heavy power installations

The electromagnetic environment in many heavy power installations is generally acknowledged to be relatively intense, containing many potent sources of disturbance. The operator of the plant or installation will require that equipment supplied to operate in such an environment has adequate immunity to these disturbances in order that operations will be free of malfunction and safe. Since the introduction of the EMC Directive in Europe, reference to harmonised EMC standards has provided equipment suppliers and operators with an easy, indisputable method of ensuring that the installation operation meets the objectives for overall functional performance whilst also satisfying any legal obligations. This paper discusses these issues and is intended to provide background information for power equipment suppliers and operators addressing EMC matters