Modeling, Simulation and Reduction Techniques of Electromagnetic

Conducted Emission Due to Operation of Power Electronic Converters

A. Farhadi
1,2
, A. Jalilian
1

1
Department of Electrical Engineering
Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST)
Farjam Street, Narmak, Tehran (Iran)
Phone/Fax: +982173912616, email: jalilian@iust.ac.ir

2
Niroo Research Institute (NRI)
Pounak-Bakhtari St., Shahrak Gharb, Tehran (Iran)
Phone/Fax Number: +982188093950, email: afarhadi@nri.ac.ir




Abstract. High frequency and high speed switching in power
electronic circuits causes electromagnetic interference. One of
the problems that electronic and electrical engineers are faced
with is to present their designs of power electronics circuits in
compliance with electromagnetic compatibility regulations. In
this paper some operative software and hardware methods to
mitigate the conducted electromagnetic interference due to the
operation of power electronic circuits are introduced. The
effectiveness of these interference suppression techniques are
investigated by simulation of some common PE circuits using
appropriate software. The simulations are conducted with and
without considering the mitigation techniques. Simulation
results show improvement in performance of power electronic
converters in point of view of electromagnetic compatibility.

Key Words

Converters, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC),
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Mitigation
techniques, Power electronics

1. Introduction

The increase of switching speed and frequency in power
electronics converters has greatly improved their
performances and characteristics [1]. These advantages
are accompanied with the increased level of interference,
so that EMI consideration is a major task for circuit
designers nowadays [2]. In order to limit of interference,
national and international regulations have been
established where compliance with these regulations in
European and developed countries is mandatory [3].
Investigations show that not only the level of EMI due to
power electronics converters is not in compliance with
regulations but also in some cases no consistency is
observed [4]. It is clear that countermeasures are required
in order to mitigate the level of interference. Several
strategies to suppress electromagnetic interference have
been proposed in the literature [5]. In this paper some
operative conducted EMI mitigation techniques are
discussed. Mitigation techniques are classified in two
groups. The first group includes filtering, snubbing,
grounding and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or layout
considerations. In the second group, effects of switching
characteristics such as frequency, duty cycle, speed and
control strategies on EMI level are considered.
The advantage of the recent countermeasures to mitigate
EMI is that the improvement could be attained without
adding any component or physical changes on the
equipment hardware. On the other hand, it can be
considered as cost-effective EMI mitigation technique.
The common Pspice/Orcad 9.2 software is employed to
simulate the effectiveness of some of the aforementioned
countermeasures. Simulation results show the
improvement in the performance of power electronics
converters in EMC point of view.

2. Classifying Conducted EMI Mitigation
Measures

In some of the EMI suppressing techniques such as
filtering, snubbing, grounding and PCB modification, it is
required to add some component or physical changes to
the circuits. These kinds of measures are called hardware
suppressing techniques. However, some countermeasures
are based on switching characteristics of converters and it
is not required to add any components to the circuit or
any physical changes. Recent suppressing techniques are
called software EMI mitigation measures. To be cost-
effective is considerable advantages of software
techniques.

3. Hardware Conducted EMI Mitigation
Measures

A. Investigation of Filtering Effect on Conducted
EMI

Filtering is the most effective and common measure to
suppress conducted EMI [6]. In power electronic circuits,
filters are placed both at the input and output of the
converters. Isolation of the source from harmonic
currents at the input and preventing voltage or current
fluctuations at the output are performed by filters [7]. The
same input and output filters could considerably improve
the level of EMI in power electronic circuits. To have the
best characteristics in relation to EMI, filters must be
designed based on special considerations and procedures,
which is not the main object of this study.
In order to study the EMI, a simple and typical single-
phase diode rectifier with no filtering circuit is chosen as
depicted in Fig. 1. A Line Impedance Stabilization
Network (LISN) is placed between the source and
converter to provide the ability of conducted EMI
measurement [4]. The parameters of different parts of the
circuit are presented in appendix I.


Fig. 1. Circuit diagram of a single diode rectifier with LISN

Simulation of the given circuit is performed using
Pspice/Orcod 9.2 software. Spectrum of EMI at the
output of LISN is the criterion of compliance with EMC
regulation [4]. Comparing the LISN output simulation
results of Fig. 2 with EMC regulations stated
incompliancy.

Frequency
10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz
V(A5)
0V
10mV
20mV
30mV
40mV

Fig. 2. EMI simulation results of single phase diode rectifier

Application of typical and common filters [7] at the input
and output of the given circuit is studied.


Fig. 3. Circuit diagram of single phase diode rectifier with input
and output filters
Simulation repeated based on the new topology of the
rectifier (as shown in Fig. 3) and filter parameters
presented in appendix I. Fig. 4 shows the simulation
results where considerable improvement in EMI level is
observed.
Frequency
10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz
V(A5)
0V
0.5mV
1.0mV
1.5mV
2.0mV

Fig. 4. EMI simulation results of single phase diode rectifier
with input and output filters

B. Effects of Snubbers on Conducted EMI Level

High and rapid changes of voltage (dv/dt) and current
(di/dt) in power electronic circuits imposes high tensions
and stresses on semiconductor switches and in some
cases corruption may occur [1]. Dissolving the matter by
different topologies of snubber circuits is possible.
Snubber circuits limit the rate of changes in voltages and
currents on semiconductor switches [7]. Simulation of
EMI due to the operation of a Buck type DC/DC
converter is presented in [4]. The mentioned simulation is
repeated for the same converter by applying a RC
snubber circuit (with parameters given in App I) to
protect the semiconductor switches. New topology of the
converter is depicted in Fig. 5 and simulation results are
shown in Fig. 6.


Fig. 5. Circuit diagram of a Buck DC/DC converter with RC
snubber


Frequency
10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz
V(A5)
0V
10V
20V
30V

Fig. 6. Simulation results of Buck DC/DC converter with
sunbber circuit
The improvement effect of the snubber circuit on the
conducted EMI level is observed at odd harmonics of
switching frequency and more improvement is attained at
higher frequencies. It can be interpreted that the energy
of interference signal is distributed over more extended
frequency range [8] providing an effective reduction in
EMI level. It is therefore concluded that controlling and
limiting high variations of voltage and currents leads to
lower EMI level.

C. Effects of Grounding on EMI Level

If different loads supplied by a common source, variation
of each load imposes a disturbance to the other loads.
Fig. 7 demonstrates two loads (Z
L1
and Z
L2
) supplying by
one source (E). Z
s
, Z
b
, Z
g
are source, bus and ground
impedances of the system respectively.


Fig. 7. Supplying two loads with a common source

Variation of Z
L2
is modeled by operation of switch S.
With the assumption Z
L1
>> Z
L2
when the switch S is
open the voltage variation on the Z
L1
(V) can be simply
calculated as:

1 L b s g
b s g
Z Z Z Z
) Z Z Z ( E
V
+ + +
+ +
=
(1)

When the switch S is closed V is calculated as:

2 L b s g
b s g
Z Z Z Z
) Z Z Z ( E
V
+ + +
+ +
=
(2)


Fig. 8. Suggested grounding configuration

Therefore, V on Z
L1
fluctuates due to variation of Z
L2
,
which is not desired in most practical applications. In
ideal conditions where Z
g
, Z
s
and Z
b
are zero, V=0. In
practical situations voltage disturbances (V) can be
minimized by minimizing Z
g
. In other words, V can be
reduced by a better grounding in the system.
There are different grounding configurations [9-10], a
common case is shown in Fig. 8. In this grounding
technique, the ground of each equipment is connected to
only a single point. This node is called reference signal
point and connected to the earth. In this way the effect of
establishment current on reference points is reduced [9].

D. Effects of PCB or Layout on EMI Level

PCB is the hidden aspect of electronic circuits design. It
has considerable effects on performance of electronics
circuits in EMC point of view. In PCB designing, it is
necessary to pay attention to the following issues to
retain EMC requirements [10-11]:

1) Analog and digital parts of the circuit in layout must
be taken apart and have separated own grounds
connected in a single point as the signal reference.

2) High frequency and low frequency sections of the
circuit must be separated in order to decrease coupling
effects.

3) High power and low power sections of the circuit and
high and low current paths must be kept as far as possible
to reduce coupling effects.

4) Traces especially sensitive ones must be short, thick
and wide to have minimum resistive impedances.

5) Traces for sensitive signal and return paths must be
kept as close as possible to reduce mutual inductance and
inductive impedances.

6) Conducting loops must be avoided because current
carrying loops perform as an antenna, which are the
sources of EMI.

7) If cost is not a limitation, it is better to use PCBs with
at least four layers in which two layers are assigned to
power supply and grounding system. In this case, source
and ground impedances are reduced considerably. Power
supply and ground layers in a four-layer PCB act as
shielding plates and prevent incoming and outgoing EMI.
In two-layer PCB applications, the unused parts of the
layers must be left full of copper and connected to the
ground.

8) Traces of sensitive signals could be placed between
two stable tracks so that they act as shield for them.

9) Considering some capacitors in PCBs to reduce the
area of current carrying loops and disturbances in
different parts of the layout is recommended.

10) Placement of bulk capacitors on supply traces is also
advised to reject conducted common mode [4].

Fig. 9 shows a two-layer PCB of a Boost type DC/DC
converter [12]. In this figure solder layer (top) and
component layer (bottom) are separated. Almost all of
the aforementioned considerations are considered where
favorite performances are obtained as compared to the
other PCB designs [12].



Fig. 9. PCB layout of a Boost Converter: solder layer (top) and
component layer (bottom) [12]

4. Software Improvement of Conducted
EMI

For software category of EMI mitigation techniques, no
physical changes or adding components are required for
the power electronic circuit. Frequency, speed, duty cycle
and pattern of semiconductor switching equipment are
the most effective parameters to reduce EMI.

A. Effects of Switching Frequency

Simulation results of conducted EMI for a Buck type
DC/DC converter are presented in [4] where a fixed
switching frequency of 20kHz and a duty cycle (D) of 0.5
was chosen. The simulation is repeated for the same
circuit with switching frequency of 10kHz and 40kHz
with the same duty cycle (ie D=0.5). Simulation results
which are shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 demonstrated a
better EMI level when lower switching frequencies are
used. However, it is against the advantages of using high
switching frequencies in power electronic converters.
Higher efficiency, lower size and weight of the system
are among of these advantages [1]. This clarifies the
importance and critical role of electronic designers to
compromise and make appropriate decision.


Frequency
10KHz 100KHz 1.0MHz 10MHz 4.0KHz 30MHz
V(A5)
0V
5V
10V
15V
20V

Fig.10. Simulation results of Buck DC/DC converter with
10 kHz switching frequency

Frequency
10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz
V(A5)
0V
10V
20V
30V
40V

Fig.11. Simulation results of Buck DC/DC converter with
40 kHz switching frequency

B. Effects of Switching Speed

Rise time (
r
t ) in switching waveforms determines
bandwidth (BW) of the system [13] as:

r
t
2.2
BW=
(3)

The less rise time results in more bandwidth and
possibility of higher frequency stimulation increased
[13]. On the other hand, high rise time results in less
stimulated frequencies and better EMI Level. Simulation
is conducted for the same Buck type DC/DC converter of
reference [4] for 5 s rise time. Simulation results are
shown in Fig. 12 where less conducted EMI level is
obtained for slower switching.
Frequency
10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz
V(A5)
0V
10V
20V
30V

Fig.12. Simulation results of Buck DC/DC converter with
r
t = 5 s

C. Effects of Duty Cycle

Comprehensive and analytical investigations about the
effect of duty cycle on conducted EMI are studied in
[14]. Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 show the simulation results for
the Buck type DC/DC converter of reference [4] with
D=0.25 and D=0.75 respectively.

Frequency
10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz
V(A5)
0V
5V
10V
15V
20V

Fig.13. Simulation results of Buck type DC/DC converter with
D=0.25

Frequency
10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz
V(A5)
0V
10V
20V
30V
40V

Fig.14. Simulation results of Buck type DC/DC converter with
D = 0.75

The simulation results are compared with the results of
the reference case with D=0.5 in point of view of EMC.
For D=0.25 the even harmonies of switching frequency
are increased and for D=0.75 the odd harmonics of the
switching frequency are increased. However, in both
cases other harmonics contents are decreased as
compared with the reference case. In this case energy of
EMI is distributed over more extended region in
frequency domain [14]. It is clear to have lesser EMI
energy in the range of frequency determined by the EMC
regulations. In terms of EMC, the worst value for duty
cycle of semiconductor switching is D=0.5. Decrement or
increment of D provides better EMC levels.

D. Effects of Switching Strategy

Several switching control strategies are presented by
professionals where the most common one is known as
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) [1, 7]. Simulation of
three-phase full controlled rectifier is conducted and the
results are presented in reference [4]. Implementation of
PWM on this converter with 24 pulses per cycles and
modulation index M=0.6 as the switching control
strategy is considered [7]. Fig.15 and Fig.16 show the
circuit diagram of the simulated converter and EMI
simulation results respectively.


Fig. 15. Circuit diagram of 3-phase PWM controlled rectifier

It is concluded that, in spite of its advantages, EMI level
becomes worse by applying PWM control strategy.
Again the role of designers in compromising between
different options and making the best decision is clear
from the given results.


Frequency
10KHz 30KHz 100KHz 300KHz 1.0MHz 3.0MHz 10MHz 30MHz
V(A5)
0V
10V
20V
30V
40V

Fig. 16. Simulation results of PWM controlled AC/DC rectifier

5. Conclusion
Application of high frequency and high-speed
semiconductor switches in power electronic circuit is
increasing more and more. Power electronic circuits are
the sources of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and
they are mostly not in compliance with Electromagnetic
Compatibility (EMC) regulations. Thus, it is required to
reduce and limit of EMI level. The mitigation methods
are classified in two hardware and software categories.
Performance of these two categories of EMI reduction
has been investigated in this paper by means of
simulation.
The first method of EMI reduction is performed by some
physical changes or adding components to the power
electronic circuits. Filtering, snubbing, grounding and
Printed Circuit Board or layout design are analyzed as the
samples of measures in this category. In the second
category no physical changes or adding components are
required. Frequency, speed, duty cycle and control
strategies of semiconductor switching devices have been
investigated in this paper as the samples of software EMI
suppressing techniques. Effects of these issues on EMI
level due to the operation of several PE converters such
as diode rectifier, dc/dc and ac/dc converters have been
studied in this paper. Pspice/Orcad 9.2 software has been
employed for the simulation of the given circuits. For
each circuit, the compliance with EMC regulations has
also been studied with and without applying mitigation
techniques. It is concluded that soft switching is preferred
to hard switching for better EMC.


References
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rd
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Appendix I

1) Simulated diode rectifier parameters:

RMS input Voltage 220V
Frequency 50Hz
Load impedance 3.18
Load angle

80
RsourceA 0.1m
L
source A
100nH
C
parA
2pF
C
parL
2pF
R
floating
1E12
L
FA
1mH
C
FA
F 10
L
FO
10mH
C
FO
F 30

2) Simulated DC/DC Converter parameters:

V
s
110V
R
source
1 . 0
L
source
10nH
C
pars
2pF
R
load
6
L
load
H 50
C
parL
2pF
R
floating
12 1E
R
SN
100
C
SN
F 10

3) Simulated AC/DC Converter parameters:

RMS input Voltage 220V
Frequency 50Hz
Load impedance 5 . 1
Load angle

30
R
sorce A,B,C
m 1 . 0
L
source A,B,C
100nH
C
par A,B,C
2pF
C
parL
2pF
R
floating
12 1E