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ITGlossary · Power quality
EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility)
The ability of a device to work properly without being affected by electromagnetic interference and without causing any itself.
Technical level:Advanced
Electromagnetic compatibility has two sides: a device must not emit interference that disturbs other equipment, and it must itself withstand the interference in its environment without malfunctioning. UPS units, inverters and chargers contain power electronics that switch at high frequency, so proper design and filtering are essential.
In the European Union, compliance is mandatory for CE marking. For UPS units the relevant standard is EN 62040-2, which defines categories according to the installation environment: C1 also allows use in residential settings, while C2 and C3 mainly cover commercial and industrial settings.
Practical tip: in a home or office, check the UPS's EMC category. During installation, keep power cables separate from data cables and ensure proper earthing.
Related terms
- Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)Unwanted electrical noise or interference that can disrupt electronic equipment operation.
- Noise (Electrical)Unwanted high-frequency disturbances on the supply voltage, e.g. from motors or power supplies, which UPS systems and line conditioners filter out.
- RFI — Radio Frequency InterferenceA subset of EMI: high-frequency noise from electronic equipment that can disturb radio, Wi-Fi and other devices.
- Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)A device that automatically maintains a constant voltage level to protect electrical equipment from fluctuations.
- Signal ConditioningFiltering and stabilising the power or signal on a line so that it reaches the device clean and free of interference.
- ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch)A device that automatically moves the load from the grid to a generator during an outage and back again when grid power returns.