![]() ![]() The turbine control valves were malfunctioning. The three essential elements of an EMC problem.įor example, in the case of the nuclear power plant, the receptor was readily identified. Electromagnetic compatibility problems are generally solved by identifying at least two of these elements and eliminating (or attenuating) one of them.įigure 1. Each of these three elements must be present, although they may not be readily identified in every situation. There must be a source of electromagnetic energy, a receptor (or victim) that cannot function properly due to the electromagnetic energy, and a path between them that couples the energy from the source to the receptor. There are three essential elements to an EMC problem as illustrated in Figure 1. The past decade has seen an explosive increase in the number and severity of EMC problems primarily due to the proliferation of microprocessor controlled devices, high‑frequency circuits and low‑power transmitters. Electromagnetic compatibility problems result in many deaths and billions of dollars in lost revenue every year. Unfortunately, these are not rare isolated occurrences. Despite the tremendous emphasis on safety and security that is placed on the design and construction of all nuclear power plants, the relatively weak emissions from common wireless handsets resulted in a major malfunction. Spontaneous valve closures at the Niagara Mohawk Nine Mile Point #2 nuclear power plant were due to interference generated by workers' wireless handsets. Another study, published in 2008 by researchers from Amsterdam, showed that electromagnetic interference from RFID devices also had the potential to cause critical care medical equipment to malfunction. In 2007, the results of a study conducted by researchers at the University of Amsterdam documented nearly 50 incidents of electromagnetic interference from cell phone use in hospitals, and classified 75 percent of them as significant or hazardous. This spark was likely the direct result of a large voltage transient, possibly a power line transient or electrostatic discharge. After a lengthy investigation that involved salvaging and reconstructing major portions of the aircraft, it was concluded that the most probable cause of the explosion was a spark in the center wing fuel tank that ignited the air/fuel mixture. In 1996, TWA Flight 800 bound from New York to Paris exploded over the ocean shortly after take-off. Each of these actual events was a symptom of an electromagnetic compatibility problem.Įlectromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is broadly defined as a state that exists when all devices in a system are able to function without error in their intended electromagnetic environment. A nuclear power plant goes on alert status when turbine control valves spontaneously close. A hospital syringe pump spontaneously ceases its delivery of life-preserving medication without triggering any alarms. ![]() A passenger jet explodes in mid-air killing all 230 people on board. ![]()
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