The HF Current Probe: Theory and Application

Wyatt Technical Services Woodland Park, Colorado, USA

KENNETH WYATT

his article describes one o f the most valuable tools i n the E M C engineers "bag o f t r i c k s " - the h i g h - f r e q u e n c y c u r r e n t probe. C u r r e n t probes are i n v a l u able for m e a s u r i n g h i g h - f r e q u e n c y c o m m o n - m o d e (or "antenna") currents f l o w i n g on w i r e s or cables. Experience has p r o v e n that p o o r l y t e r m i n a t e d (bonded or filtered) cables are t h e n u m b e r - o n e cause for r a d i ated emissions failures at a test f a c i l i t y . By m e a s u r i n g t h e c o m m o n - m o d e ( C M ) currents (sometimes referred t o as " a n t e n n a " c u r r e n t s ) o n these cables it's possible t o t r o u b l e s h o o t and apply fixes t o a p r o d u c t r i g h t there i n y o u r d e v e l o p m e n t lab. Y o u can also p r e d i c t , t o a g o o d degree o f accuracy, w h e t h e r a given cable c u r r e n t w i l l pass or f a i l i n t h e m e a s u r e m e n t chamber. T h i s w i l l save y o u tons o f t i m e t r y i n g t o apply fixes at t h e test f a c i l i t y w h i l e t h e c l o c k is t i c k i n g away y o u r test t i m e . I ' l l also show y o u several ways t o create d o i t - y o u r s e l f ( D I Y ) probes t h a t are q u i c k t o make and v e r y u s e f u l i n a p i n c h .

i m p e d a n c e i n a n y g r o u n d i n g system ( i n c l u d i n g c i r c u i t b o a r d signal/power r e t u r n planes), there w i l l be a voltage d i f f e r e n c e between any t w o p o i n t s w i t h i n t h a t r e t u r n plane. T h i s is d e n o t e d by ^Q^jy, and V^j^^^ in the figure. T h i s difference i n potential w i l l drive C M currents t h r o u g h c o m m o n c a b l i n g or c i r c u i t traces between c i r c u i t s or sub-systems. I n a d d i t i o n , u n b a l a n c e d geometries - for example, d i f f e r e n t lengths or p a t h r o u t i n g s for high-speed d i f f e r e n t i a l pairs - can create voltage sources t h a t drive associated C M c u r r e n t s . Finally, r o u t i n g a h i g h - s p e e d clock trace across a s p l i t i n t h e r e t u r n plane or r e f e r e n c i n g i t t o m u l t i p l e planes, can also be a source of C M c u r r e n t . Because t h e c u r r e n t phasors i n Figure 1 are a d d i t i v e , t h e r e s u l t i n g r a d i a t e d phasor may be q u i t e large c o m p a r e d t o those generated by d i f f e r e n t i a l - m o d e ( D M ) , or signal c u r r e n t s , w h i c h are opposite i n d i r e c t i o n , and so t e n d t o cancel. T h e r e f o r e , C M emissions t e n d t o be m o r e o f an issue t h a n D M emissions.

CURRENT PROBES: THEORY OF OPERATION

T h e RF c u r r e n t p r o b e is an " i n s e r t e d p r i m a r y " type of radio frequency current t r a n s f o r m e r . W h e n t h e probe is c l a m p e d over t h e c o n d u c t o r or cable i n w h i c h c u r r e n t is t o be measured, t h e c o n d u c t o r f o r m s the p r i m a r y w i n d i n g . T h e c l a m p - o n feature o f t h i s p r o b e enables easy placem e n t a r o u n d any c o n d u c t o r or cable. T h i s is essentially a b r o a d b a n d h i g h - f r e q u e n c y t r a n s f o r m e r . H i g h - f r e q u e n c y c u r r e n t s can

COMMON-MODE CURRENTS

Let's consider C M c u r r e n t s a n d h o w they

are generated, because i t is n o t i n t u i t i v e as to h o w c u r r e n t may travel the same d i r e c t i o n t h r o u g h b o t h the s i g n a l and s i g n a l r e t u r n w i r e s i n a cable or PC b o a r d . Ref e r r i n g t o Figure 1, note t h a t due t o f i n i t e

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THE H F CURRENT PROBE: THEORY AND APPLICATION

Source
Signal

Load
R.

t o r o i d or c l a m p - o n core t h a t offers g o o d h i g h - f r e q u e n c y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s i n the 10 to 1000 M H z range. W i n d i n g a few (not too c r i t i c a l ) t u r n s a n d t e r m i n a t i n g w i t h a coax c o n n e c t o r is a l l y o u need. Keep(as

Signal Return

ing the t u r n s as far a p a r t as possible i n F i g u r e 4) w i l l r e d u c e

inter-winding

c a p a c i t a n c e a n d y i e l d b e t t e r r e s u l t s at the h i g h e r frequencies. T h i s is one of the V, V largest d r a w b a c k s i n p e r f o r m a n c e of the c l a m p - o n ferrites (as i n Figure 5).

GND1

d = 3m
Phasor from far wire Phasor from near wire Resultant phasor

GND2

TRANSFER IMPEDANCE
(V)

T h e C M c u r r e n t (Ic) i n m i c r o a m p s i n the c o n d u c t o r u n d e r test is d e t e r m i n e d f r o m the r e a d i n g o f the c u r r e n t probe o u t p u t i n m i c r o v o l t s d i v i d e d by the c u r r e n t (ZT). probe transfer i m p e d a n c e Ic = V / Z T Or, i n dB Ic(dBuA) = V ( d B u V ) - Z T ( d B n ) The typical transfer impedance (2) of the

Figure 1. Common-mode currents in a circuit loop. The source is a digital signal (with harmonics) and we'll assume a resistive load. Because the phasor current in the far wire is in the same direction as the phasor current in the near wire, the resultant phasor is relatively large compared to that produced by differential-mode current phasors. In this case, lowering the harmonic content (by slowing the digital rise/fall-times) or diverting/blocking the CM current is very important in limiting radiated emissions.
be m e a s u r e d i n cables w i t h o u t p h y s i c a l l y d i s t u r b i n g the circuit. Since the c u r r e n t p r o b e is i n t e n d e d f o r " c l a m p - o n " o p e r a t i o n , the p r i m a r y s h o w n i n Figure 2 is a c t u a l l y the e l e c t r i c a l c o n d u c t o r i n w h i c h C M c u r r e n t s are to be measured. T h i s p r i m a r y is considered as one t u r n since i t is assumed t h a t the C M c u r r e n t s f l o w t h r o u g h the c o n d u c t o r a n d r e t u r n to the source via a r e t u r n c o n d u c t o r such as a f r a m e , c o m m o n g r o u n d plane, or e a r t h . O n some c u r r e n t probe models the s e c o n d a r y o u t p u t t e r m i n a l s are resistively loaded i n t e r n a l l y to p r o v i d e s u b s t a n t i a l l y c o n s t a n t transfer i m p e d a n c e over a w i d e r f r e q u e n c y range. Or

(1)

c u r r e n t p r o b e t h r o u g h o u t the f r e q u e n c y range is d e t e r m i n e d by passing a k n o w n RF c u r r e n t (Ic) t h r o u g h the p r i m a r y test

c o n d u c t o r a n d n o t i n g the voltage ( V ) developed across a 5 0 - O h m load. Then, Z T = V / I c (in standard units) Z T ( d B n ) = V(dBjV) - I c ( d B j A ) (3)
(4)

T h e Fischer F-33-1 probe is a c o m m o n l y used t r o u b l e s h o o t i n g t o o l a n d has a f l a t f r e q u e n c y response f r o m 2 to 250 M H z (Figure 6). T h e t r a n s f e r i m p e d a n c e is about S n ( a p p r o x i m a t e l y +14 d B f l o n the graph), therefore, a 1 u A c u r r e n t w i l l p r o d u c e a 5 u V o u t p u t voltage f r o m t h e c u r r e n t probe.

W h i l e c o m m e r c i a l c u r r e n t probes are pricey, the advantage is t h a t t h e y can open up a n d snap a r o u n d a cable, r a t h er t h a n h a v i n g to be threaded o n t o the cable to be m e a s u r e d . See F i g u r e 3. T h e y are also a l o t m o r e r u g g e d a n d can take a l o t of abuse as c o m p a r e d to the " d o - i t - y o u r s e l f " ( D I Y ) versions below. Finally, they are also accurately c h a r a c t e r i z e d , a l l o w i n g v e r y precise m e a s u r e m e n t s of cable c u r r e n t s .

CDMMERCIAL CURRENT PROBES

Noise Current

Primary V^inding (wire under test)

Electrostatic Shield (Case) Secondary Winding

I n a p i n c h , y o u can make y o u r o w n c u r r e n t probe. Examples DIY of several probes are s h o w n i n Figures 4

DIY CURRENT PROBES

Coax Connector (bO Ohms) Case Ground

a n d 5. I t y p i c a l l y t r y to f i n d a f e r r i t e

Figure 2. The basic current probe (high-frequency

current

transformer).

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THE H F CURRENT PROBE: THEORY AND APPLICATION

T h e a c c u r a t e c a l i b r a t i o n o f RF c u r r e n t probes is a c o m p l e x process. C h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n is a m o r e c o r r e c t t e r m to use t h a n c a l i b r a t i o n . T h e probe m u s t be p r o p erly c h a r a c t e r i z e d to r e f l e c t h o w the user uses the p r o b e . Probe m a n u f a c t u r e r s u s u a l l y sell a c a l i b r a t i o n f i x t u r e t h a t a t t e m p t s to m a i n t a i n a 5 0 0 i m p e d a n c e . A 5 0 O load is c o n n e c t e d to the o u t p u t p o r t a n d a c a l i b r a t e d RF generator (or n e t w o r k analyzer) is c o n n e c t e d to the i n p u t p o r t . T h e probe to be c h a r a c t e r i z e d is c l a m p e d a r o u n d

PROBE CALIBRATION

the f i x t u r e a n d the f r e q u e n c y is swept w h i l e m e a s u r i n g the probe o u t p u t . M y test setup was a l i t t l e m o r e r u d i m e n t a r y (Figure 7), but for t r o u b l e s h o o t i n g purposes, it's g o o d e n o u g h . I used a short piece of s t i f f w i r e across the o u t p u t p o r t w i t h a 5 0 0 resistive load i n series. I t h e n adjusted the generator for zero d B m - a c o n v e n i e n t a m o u n t . T h i s is e q u i v a l e n t to an o u t p u t voltage of 224 m V (or 73 d B u A of c u r r e n t ) i n t o 5 0 0 . T h e a c t u a l generator o u t p u t doesn't matter, so l o n g as the r e s u l t i n g p r o b e voltage is large e n o u g h to be seen r e a d i l y i n the receiver or s p e c t r u m analyzer. I m o n i t o r e d the p r o b e o u t p u t w i t h a T h u r l b y T h a n d e r T T i PSA2701T h a n d h e l d s p e c t r u m analyzer. K n o w i n g the c u r r e n t t h r o u g h the w i r e i n d B u A a n d the p r o b e o u t p u t in dBuV, the transfer impedance may be p l o t t e d g r a p h i c a l l y by subt r a c t i n g : V ( d B u V ) - I c ( d B u A ) (expressed i n dB). I n t h i s case, Z T ( d B O ) = V ( d B u V ) - 73. W h i l e t h i s may be u s e f u l for e d u c a t i o n a l p u r p o s e s , I w o u l d n ' t be too i n c l i n e d to use the D I Y probes to p r e d i c t "pass/fail", as described f u r t h e r d o w n . However, because t h e y c o m p a r e f a v o r a b l y to the c o m m e r c i a l probes as far as o u t p u t voltage, I believe (and have p r o v e n i n p r a c t i c e ) t h a t t h e y are c o m p l e t e l y s u i t e d for t r o u b l e s h o o t ing. You o n l y need to k n o w w h e t h e r an E M C design f i x made the cable c u r r e n t better or worse.

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T E S T C E N T R E

I t is possible to p r e d i c t w h e t h e r a p a r t i c u l a r cable w i l l pass or fail r a d i ated emissions by m e a s u r i n g the C M c u r r e n t at the o f f e n d i n g frequency, r e a d i n g o f f the t r a n s f e r i m p e d a n c e of the probe, Z t ( d B H ) i n Figure 6, and s o l v i n g for I c (using E q u a t i o n 2 above). P l u g g i n g I c ( A m p s ) i n t o E q u a t i o n 5 w i l l calculate the E - f i e l d level i n V/m. T h e l e n g t h o f the cable is L(rn) a n d the o f f e n d i n g h a r m o n i c f r e q u e n c y is f ( H z ) . Use a test d i s tance, d, of either 3 or 10m to p r e d i c t the o u t c o m e at those test distances.
= 1.257 x i r *

(5) O n c e you've d e t e r m i n e d a part i c u l a r cable has C M c u r r e n t s t h a t may cause a RE f a i l u r e , y o u s h o u l d to e x a m i n e t h e c o n n e c t o r where the cable is attached to the p r o d u c t

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enclosure. V e r y o f t e n , I f i n d p o o r or n o n - e x i s t e n t b o n d i n g between the c o n n e c t o r shield a n d enclosure shield. These p o i n t s m u s t be b o n d e d w e l l to p e r m i t the C M c u r r e n t s to f l o w back to t h e i r source w i t h i n the p r o d u c t , a v o i d i n g associated cable r a d i a t i o n . Please refer to m y p r e v i o u s articles o n t r o u b l e s h o o t i n g r a d i a t e d emissions for more i n f o r m a t i o n (references below).

Figure 3. Examples of commercial current

probes.

As p r e v i o u s l y m e n t i o n e d , one of the m o s t c o m m o n sources of r a d i a t e d e m i s s i o n s is due to p o o r l y b o n d e d connectors m o u n t e d on shielded p r o d u c t enclosures. T h i s o c c u r s especially i f the c o n n e c t o r s are c i r c u i t b o a r d m o u n t e d and penetrate loosely t h r o u g h the shielded enclosure. Poorly b o n d e d c o n n e c t o r s a l l o w i n t e r n a l l y generated C M c u r r e n t s to leak o u t and f l o w o n the outside o f I/O, mouse or k e y b o a r d cables. T h i s w i l l also a l l o w ESD discharges inside the p r o d u c t - m o r e bad news. I f these c u r r e n t s are a l l o w e d o u t of the enclosure, the attached cables w i l l act as r a d i a t i n g antennas - o f t e n r e s o n a t i n g a r o u n d 300 M H z , due to t h e i r t y p i c a l I m l e n g t h . T h i s was the case for a new d i g i t i z i n g o s c i l l o s c o p e p r o t o t y p e I w o r k e d o n recently. T h e I/O c o n n e c t o r s were all soldered o n t o the PC b o a r d and the b o a r d was fastened to the rear h a l f of the enclosure. T h e c o n n e c t o r s s i m p l y poked up t h r o u g h c u t o u t s i n the rear m e t a l shield. W h i l e u s i n g a c u r r e n t probe to measure the C M c u r rent f l o w i n g o n the outside of the USB cable u n d e r test, I s i m p l y j a m m e d the s c r e w d r i v e r blade o f m y Swiss A r m y k n i f e b e t w e e n the c o n n e c t o r b o n d i n g fingers and m e t a l chassis enclosure a n d was able to d r o p the o v e r a l l cable c u r r e n t s by 10 to 15 d B . T h e s o l u t i o n was to f a b r i c a t e a c u s t o m s h i m w i t h s p r i n g - f i n g e r s t h a t w o u l d slip over a l l the c o n n e c t o r s crea t i n g a f i r m b o n d between the c o n n e c t o r g r o u n d shell and inside o f the shielded enclosure. M o r e a n d m o r e l o w - c o s t p r o d u c t s are r e l y i n g o n PC b o a r d m o u n t e d I/O connec-

REAL-WORLD TROUBLESHOOTING EXAMPLE

Figure 4. Examples of DIY current probes based on a large toroid core. These photos were taken prior to installing the E-field shield which consists of a layer of copper tape overthe windings, leaving a small gap around the inside of the toroid. 14 turns of Teflon-insulated wire wound around a Wiirth Electronik #74270097 ferrite core (4W620 material) was used, which is useful from 10 to 1000 MHz.

FigureS. Examples of DIY current probes based on clamp-on ferrite chokes. I used a couple sample Steward (now a unit of Laird Technologies) chokes - a round one (model 28A3851-0A2) and a square one (model 28A2024-0A2), They each had 7 turns of Teflon-insulated wire wound around one-half and glued down on the inside to hold the windings. I later epoxied a PC boardstyle BNC connector to the outside, making sure there was enough epoxy to hold the outer turns together. Type 28 material was used, which is useful from 10 to 1000 MHz.

Figure 6. Transfer impedance (ZT) graph of an F-33-1 current probe (courtesy of Fischer Custom Communications). The x-axis is frequency, while the y-axis is dBCl. Use this to calculate the value of Ic (Equation 2), given the measured voltage at the probe terminals (V,JandZT. INTERFERENCE TECHNOLOGY 19

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THE H F CURRENT PROBE; THEORY AND APPLICATION

C o m m e r c i a l v e r s u s DIY C u r r e n t P r o b e (Wire L o o p ]

C o m n e r c i a l Probe D:V Probe

Figure 7.1 used a short wire and 50O load (two parallel WOO resistors) across the generator output for probe characterization. Obviously, there are shortcomings at higher frequencies, due to the inductance of the wire. In fact, the system impedance starts to go capacitive at 100 MHz and it's difficult to keep a fixed 224 mV across the load resistor with frequency.

Frequency (MH2)

tors as a c o s t - c u t t i n g measure. A n y t i m e y o u see t h i s , be p r e p a r e d t o c a r e f u l l y e x a m i n e t h e b o n d i n g between t h e c o n n e c t o r g r o u n d shell and t h e shielded enclosure.

Figure 8 Transfer impedance (ZT) graph of a commercial current probe versus the DIY toroidal probe. The x-axis is frequency, while the y-axis is dBCl. Note that the commercial probe is only designed and characterized to 250 MHz, so the data above that, while interesting, is probably not valid. The DIY probe, as well, performs poorly above 200 MHz and frankly, the wire loop used to introduce a "calibrated" current (while as short as possible) affects the measurement, as well.
1. W h e n e v a l u a t i n g the h a r m o n i c s o n a cable by using a c u r r e n t probe, i f s l i d i n g the probe back and f o r t h changes the h a r m o n i c levels, p a r t of the c o u p l i n g m a y b e near-field, rather t h a n c o n d u c t e d . 2. W h e n u s i n g a p a i r o f c u r r e n t probes; one o n each of t w o cables, i f the h a r m o n i c s are the same i n each, t h e source is i n the m i d d l e . I f one cable has stronger h a r m o n ics, t h e n y o u ' l l w a n t t o w o r k o n t h a t side f i r s t . See Figure 12 below. 3. M e a s u r i n g t h e c u r r e n t s o n t w o suspect legs o f a d i p o l e s h o u l d read t h e same. P l a c i n g t h e t w o suspect legs t b r o u g b t h e same c u r r e n t probe s h o u l d cause a b i g decrease due t o c u r r e n t c a n c e l l a t i o n . See Figure 12 below. 4. W h e n m e a s u r i n g video cable c u r r e n t s and large cable m o v e m e n t s cause b i g changes i n a m p l i t u d e , the c o u p l i n g is likely i n d u c t i v e - o t h e r w i s e , it's m o r e likely c o n d u c t i v e . 5. I f y o u suspect i n d u c t i v e c o u p l i n g , t h e phase at t h e v i c t i m w i l l be 180-degrees f r o m t h e source. T h i s may be observed o n a n oscilloscope w i t h H - f i e l d probes or c u r rent probes. T r y s y n c i n g the scope t r i g g e r at the source using a scope probe. M y colleague, D o u g S m i t h , has m a n y m o r e examples o n b o w t o use c u r r e n t probes for m e a s u r i n g cable and PC b o a r d resonances, i n j e c t i n g pulses f o r t r o u b l e s h o o t i n g , i n t e r p r e t i n g the relative phase o f c o m m o n - m o d e c u r r e n t s and t r o u b l e s h o o t i n g ESD issues. Refer t o t h e references below.

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS USING CURRENT PROBES

probes.

H e r e are a f e w t r o u b l e s h o o t i n g t i p s u s i n g c u r r e n t

r^ir"r-

fiD,ni Ari(ir..-.

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SUMMARY

www.interferencetechnology.com

Use o f a c u r r e n t p r o b e is v i t a l d u r i n g t h e t r o u b l e -

s h o o t i n g process. P o o r l y b o n d e d cable c o n n e c t o r s can be r e a d i l y i d e n t i f i e d a n d f i x e d . T h e r a d i a t e d E - f i e l d f r o m a p r o d u c t I/O cable may be c a l c u l a t e d by m e a s u r i n g t h e high-frequency common-mode currents f l o w i n g i n the cable. A l l t h i s may be p e r f o r m e d r i g h t at t h e designer's

ITEM

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w o r k b e n c h a n d w i t h o u t t h e expense o f a t h i r d - p a r t y test f a c i l i t y o r s h i e l d ed chamber.
C o m m e r c i a l v e r s u s DIY C u r r e n t P r o b e (Wire L o o p )

100

T-

REFERENCES - PAPERS
. [1] Mat Aschenberg & Charles Grasso, Radiation from Common-Mode Currents Beyond 1 GHz (Three Methods Compared) [2] Dave Eckhardt, Homebrew ClampOn Current Probe, private correspondence (January 2009), Email: davearea51@wildbiue.net. [3] 31-34. . [4] Michel Mardiguian, EMI Troubleshooting Techniques, McGraw-Hill, 2000, pages 39-49. [5] Montrose & Nakauchi, Testing for
Frequency (MHz)

> a

60

40
20

C o n n e r c i a l robe DIY Probe - Difference (cB)

Jasper Goodblood,

Electromagnetic

Compatibility, 1990, Prentice Hall, pages

-20 -40

E M C Compliance, 2004, VXAley Interscience, pages 116-124, 143-145, and 159-161. [6] Henry Ott, Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering, Wiley, 2009, pages 690-693. [7] Henry Ott, Measuring CommonMode Currents on Cables, www.hottcon-

figure 9. Probe output voltage (V^J graph of a commercial current probe versus the DIY toroidal probe. The x-axis is frequency, while the y-axis is dBuV. This shows that the probes are very comparable in output voltage versus frequency. For troubleshooting purposes, absolute accuracy is not required - just consistency in measurements. All one really needs to know is, "did the fix 1 implemented make the CfYI current go up or down?" The DIY probe works well for this.

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21

THE H F CURRENT PROBE: THEORY AND APPLICATION

C o m m e r c i a l v e r s u s DIY C u r r e n t P r o b e s (Wire L o o p ) 100 90 80 70 60 SO 40 30 20 10 Commercial Probe DIY Toroic #1 " DIY Torolo * 2 > DiY Square DIY Rounc . . http://emcesd.com/tt2009/tt030309.htm Part 2. [14] Doug Smith, Using Current Probes to Measure Cable Resonance, http://emcesd. com/tt2008/tt010108.htm. [15] Doug Smith, Measuring and I n terpreting the Relative Phase of Common Mode Currents, http://emcesd.com/tt2008/ tt030208.htm. [16] Doug Smith, Using a Comb Generahttp://emcesd.com/ tor with a Pair of Current Probes to Measure Cable Resonance, tt2009/ttll0709.htm. [17] Doug Smith, Using Current Probes http://cmce,sd.com/tt2010/ to Inject Pulses for Troubleshooting (Board Resonances), o
J-i

J1

I I II II II I I I
o o o

tt010110.htm. [18] Doug Smith, Predicting Cable Emissions from Common Mode Current, http:// emcesd.com/tt2006/tt030106.htm. [19] Douglas Smith, High Frequency Measurements and Noise in Electronic Circuits, Van Nostrand Reinhoid, 1993, pages 41-44, 159-182, 192-209. [20] Allen WoifT, Building a Ferrite Core Antenna Current Probe, Technical Correspondence, QST, August 2009, page 53. [21] Kenneth Wyatt, Troubleshooting Radiated Emissions Using Low-Cost BenchTop Methods, interference Technology (ITEM) - E M C Directory & Design Guide 2011, May 2011, page 10-21, http://www.interferencetechnoiogy.com/upioads/media/ VX'yatt-DDGU.pdf. [22] Kenneth XX'yatt, Troubleshooting Radiated Emissions - Three Case Studies,

J\l

Frequency (MHz)

Figure W. Probe output voltage (V^J graph of a commercial current probe versus two DIY toroidal probes and two different clamp-on probes. The x-axis is frequency, while the y-axis is dBuV. This shows that all these probes are very comparable in output voltage versus frequency and therefore, useful for troubleshooting purposes. Just don't try using the DIY probes to determine "pass or fail" predictions. Commercial probes are better-suited for that.
sultants.com/techtips/tips-cm.html [8] Clayton Paul, Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility (2nd Edition), Wiley Interscience, 2006, pages 518-532. [9] Ridao, Carrasco, Galvin and Franquelo, Implementation of low cost current probes for conducted EMI interference measure in Power Systems, EPE 1999 (Lausanne). [10] H . Ward Silver, Hands-On Radio column. Detecting RF - Part 2, QST, August 2011, page 54-55. [11] Doug Smith, Current Probes, More http://emcesd.com/pdf/iprobe98. Useful Than You Think, IEEE E M C Symposium 1998, pdf. [12] [13] Doug Smith, The Two Current Probe Doug Smith, Using Current Probes Part 1, Puzzle, http://emcesd.com/tt061999.htm. to Inject Pulses for Troubleshooting, http:// emcesd.com/tt2007/ttl20307.htm

Looking from 500 to 1000 MHz R

incompliance Magazine, October 2011, http://www.incompliancemag.com/inde,\ php?option=com_coiitent&view=article&i d=818:troubleshooting-radiated-emis,sionsthree-case-studies&catid=27:testing&item id=136.

3!SiS:SS iSiiSBi!
iiiHHwaptnMOl

REFERENCES - SUPPLIERS
[23] Fischer Custom Communications (FCC), Phone: (310) 303-3300, Email: sales fischercc.com, Web: www.fischercc.com. They provide a very wide range of HF current

Tost setup. Current probe on USB cable. Connection between connector ground shell and chassis enclosure made with screwdriver blade.

Before

After

probes - their specialty. . [24] Laird Technologies, Web: http:// www.lairdtech.com/Products/EMi-Solutions/. Tliey offer a complete line of ferrite cores and chokes. [25] Pearson Electronics, Phone: (650)

Some harmonics dropped by 10-15 dB!

Figure 11. Cables should be tested individually. Here, I have a current probe clamped around the cable under test and am monitoring the harmonics with a simple hand-held spectrum analyzer. As I ground the connector shell to the chassis with the Swiss Army screwdriver blade, the harmonics were reduced 10-15 dB! 22 INTERFERENCE TECHNOLOGY

494-6444, Email: sales@pearsonelectronics. com, XX'eb: www.pearsonelectronics.com. They have a good selection of probes.

EMC DIRECTORY S. DESIGN GUIDE 2012

WYATT
KENNETH Technical and WYATT, SR. EMC Engineer, Wyatt

Service.^ LLC, holds degrees in biology engineering for for and has worked as Hewlett-Packard 21 years. He also for

electronic

a senior and

EMC engineer Technologies

Agilent

worked as a product 10 years ects at various from

development aerospace DC-DC

engineer

firms

on projconverters shipboard and topics network products He has

ranging

power for

to RF and microwave and space systems.

systems A prolific

author

Figure 12. When measuring two cables from a system and the harmonic currents are approximately the same (point I is the same as point 2), the source is at the center (the BUT) and the two cables are acting as a dipole antenna. You may notice a peak in harmonic strength at the half-have length of the two cables combined. If the harmonic currents are larger in one side or the other, then you'll want to troubleshoot just that cable.
[26] Rhode & Schwartz USA, Phone: (888) info@rohde-schwarz.com, teseq.us. They have a very limited selection. [29] Thurlby Thander instruments, Phone: +44-1480-412451, Email: sales@tti-test. com, Web: http://www.tti-test.com/contacttti.htm. They offer a low-cost handheld spectrum analyzer for under $2,000 USD. [30] Wurth Electronics Midcom, (605) www. 886-4385, midcom@we-online.com,

presenter, including analysis and

he has written RF amplifier software,

or presented design, RF of

EMC design

EMC troubleshooting

techniques. such

been published sign,

in magazines

as, RF DeDesign, Microothers. and a

EMC Design

& Test, Electronic Technology, and several of the IEEE

Incompliance, wave Journal,

Interference HP Journal member

837-8772, Email:

Web: www.rohde-schwartz.us. They have a very limited selection. [27] Solar Electronics, Phone: (800) 9525302, Email: sales@solar-emc.com, Web: www.solar-emc.com. They have a limited selection. [28] Teseq USA, Phone: (732) 417-0501, Email: usasales@teseq.com, Web: www.

Wyatt is a senior longtime member

of the EMC Society photographer.

where he He is also licensed at

serves as their official a member amateur

of the dB Society radio operator.

and is a Contact

Wyatt

ken@emc-seminars.com. emc-seminars.com.

His website

is www.

we-oniine.com. I used one of their large ferrite cores for my DIY current probe.

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