EMI measurement of small systems using an absorbing clamp

A 30 MHz-300 MHz Absorbing Clamp, standardized by the CISPR, can be used in design testing to optimize radiated emissions from small systems, whose physical size is small in comparison with a wavelength, and for which the electromagnetic interference is radiated mostly by the cables. The absorbing clamp is a simple, repeatable test which requires less investment in time and cost than Open Field Site testing, which is the main alternative. During an engineering phase of the product development stage, repeated testing is done to assess the impact of design modifications on system performance. Successful use of the Absorbing Clamp during product development to evaluate the impact of design modifications on system radiated electromagnetic emissions, is demonstrated. Test results confirm that the Absorbing Clamp is a repeatable and inexpensive test method for EMC engineering on small systems