A portable 6 kV/ns voltage injection test equipment for on-site hardness verification and assurance testing

Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) protection component testing methods have been developed over a period of many years. A range of methods and protocols have evolved for a number of requirements, from large free-field simulators for systems testing (aircraft, vehicles, ships) to single component test equipment for direct voltage and current pulse injection. In the past, testing has been based on an expected electric field pulse of 50 kV/m peak magnitude with a double exponential shape, a 10 ns rise time and 200 ns duration. Established test methodologies have been based upon this pulse and the induced currents and voltages which may be driven by it. However, specifications such as MIL-STD-188-125, have called for more demanding tests, with durations and time histories which are dependent upon the application. This article describes the EMP protection component test methodology employed by EEV and an approach used to test the components to updated, upgraded specifications such as MIL-STD-188-125