Chapter 27: Electromagnetic Standards and Interference

Chapter 28: Electromagnetic Compatibility

27.1.1 Overview

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has been involved in writing electromagnetic compatibility standards since 1957 with SAE-J551. In its original form, SAE-J551 was intended to protect "roadside receivers," particularly television, from vehicle ignition noise. There have been several revisions to SAE-J551 and new electromagnetic compatibility standards due to the evolution of digital electronics. With the implementation of digital electronic systems on vehicles, a new set of radio noise problems prompted a new standard to be written in 1987.

This chapter will review the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards on both vehicle system level and component-level test methods. The Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Standards Committees are working together to cover all aspects of the EMC field and to develop test methods and limits relating to vehicle and other motorized equipment. Each of the committees has representation from automotive corporations, truck and bus corporations, suppliers, consumers, test houses, and government.

Presently, the Society of Automotive Engineers EMC Standards Committees are revising SAE J1113 and SAE J551 to create documents made up of multiple parts, covering all aspects of component and vehicle testing. SAE EMC standards are being harmonized with those of the International Standards Organization (ISO). The vehicle-level EMC standard, SAE J551, is divided into emissions test parts numbered 2 through 10 (Table 27.1) and immunity test parts numbered...