Introduction to Electromagnetic Interference and Compatibility (EMI/EMC) and Best Practices

Introduction – Examples of EMI/EMC Considerations

• Power electronic circuits (inverters and DC/DC converters)
• Hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in electric vehicles
• Appliances and computers

EMI/EMC Background

• Emissions and susceptibility
• Important electromagnetic laws

EMI Specifications and Standards

• Emission regulations (DO 160, FCC, CISPR)
• Susceptibility regulations (DO 160, IEC)

Path of Lowest Impedance

• Examples of high frequency current flow
• Review of current paths

Noise Coupling Mechanisms

• Four types of noise coupling

Common Impedance Coupling

• Circuits sharing electrical connections

Magnetic Coupling

• Meaning of Faraday’s Law
• Understanding magnetic fields
• Equivalent circuit of magnetic coupling

Electric Field Coupling

• Electric and magnetic field comparison
• Equivalent circuit for electric field coupling

System and Board Layout Issues

• Power bus decoupling
• Return (ground) planes
• Board layout priorities and board level concerns
• Common susceptibility problems

Electromagnetic Coupling (Radiation)

• Characteristics of radiation
• Dipole antenna characteristics
• Characteristics of unintentional radiators

Shielding

• H-field shielding and skin depth
• Electric field shielding

Bonding

• Seam bonding and faying surfaces
• Bonding methods

Grounding

• Signal grounds
• Single and multiple point grounds, hybrid grounds
• Signal reference subsystem
• Equipment and facility grounding

Lightning

• Specification
• Test methods
• Indirect and direct effects

Filtering

• Models
• Common mode filtering, differential mode filtering
• Low-pass, high-pass, band-pass filtering
• Signal filter design techniques
• Filter damping

Shielding Practical Considerations

• Cabinet and enclosure design
• Cables and connectors
• EMI gaskets
• Slots and seams

Antennas for EMC

• Antennas for emissions and for susceptibility
• Monopole and biconical antennas for EMI tests

Best Practices to Pass EMI Tests

• Design practices for passing EMI qualification tests
• Conducted and radiated emissions and susceptibility

System Issues Excited by AC Drive CM and DM voltages

• Motor over-voltages
• Bearing damage

Registration Date/Time:
4/13/2026 7:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 4/13/2026  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 4/14/2026  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 4/15/2026  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 4/16/2026  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time

• Instructors

  Kenneth Wyatt

  Kenneth Wyatt is principal consultant of Wyatt Technical Services LLC and served three years as the senior technical editor for Interference Technology magazine from 2016 through 2018. He has worked in the field of EMC engineering for over 30 years with a specialty in EMI troubleshooting and pre-compliance testing.

  He is a co-author of the popular EMC Pocket Guide and RFI Radio Frequency Interference Pocket Guide. He also co-authored the book with Patrick Andre, EMI Troubleshooting Cookbook for Product Designers, with forward by Henry Ott. He recently completed and released a three-volume “EMC Troubleshooting Trilogy”, which is now available through Amazon. See his web site for ordering info.

  He is widely published and authors a monthly column, “Practical EMC”, for the Signal Integrity Journal, has blogged for EDN.com or many years, has a monthly column, “Benchtop EMC”, for InCompliance Magazine, writes regularly for EEWorld and continues to write for Interference Technology Magazine. Ken is a senior life member of the IEEE and a longtime member of the EMC Society. To contact Ken, or for more information on technical articles, training schedules and links, check out his web site: emc-seminars.com

  Todd Hubing

• Program Director

  Erick Oberstar

This course is part of the Electrified Systems Certificate series. Course may be taken individually as well.

• Fee covers morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches and course materials.

10% discount per person for participants registered in the Electrified Systems certificate series. Promo code needed during registration.

Team Discount. Receive 10% off the registration fee per person when 3 or more individuals from the same organization enroll. Team affiliation will be confirmed as part of the registration process.

WEMPEC members receive $200 off the registration fee per person. Member affiliation will be verified.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from interpro@union.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.