Electromagnetic Interference Generated

from Fast Switching Power Electronic

Devices
K. M. Muttaqi
Integral Energy Power Quality and Reliability Centre
School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering
University of Wollongong
New South Wales, Australia
E-mail: kashem@uow.edu.au

M. E. Haque
Centre for Renewable Energy and Power Systems
School of Engineering
University of Tasmania
Hobart, Australia
E-mail: mehaque@postoffice.utas.edu.au

Abstract—This paper investigates the negative effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) due to fast
switching power devices (high dv/dt and di/dt) used in power electronic converters and industrial
equipment. Mitigation techniques have been explored to reduce EMI noise effectively. Remedial measures
to reduce the risk of equipment malfunction and health risk due to EMI have been explored. In this paper,
EMI generation and propagation mechanism, high rates of change of voltage and current in fast switching
power devices (such as IGBT), modelling and identifying EMI noise sources and coupling paths have been
discussed. A practical EMI measurement system has been suggested to extract more information from EMI
noise through analysis in frequency-domain and time-domain, and to test equipment emitting EMI to
comply with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards. Different filter topologies have been
investigated for minimizing EMI noise and effect of high dv/dt and di/dt due to high frequency switching.

Index Terms—Electromagnetic Interference, Power Devices, Fast Switching, EMI Noise, Measurement
System, and Power Converters.

I. INTRODUCTION

Power electronic converters are widely used in many applications including renewable energy
generation, industrial equipment/motor drives, electric vehicle/train, air-craft, household appliances,
electronic ballasts, computer power supplies, power supplies for telecommunication equipment, etc.
These power converters use the fast switching power semiconductor switches, such as MOSFET
(Metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor), IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) as the
preferred switching devices as they have many properties, such as higher efficiency, smaller size, and
lower overall cost, low losses associated with switching device. However, fast switching speed of new
converter/inverter technologies has the potential to cause EMI and high dv/ dt [1-4].

All power electronics equipments generate and emit unwanted electrical signals (EMI noise) that can
lead to performance degradation of other electrical/electronic equipments. They generate high-
frequency conducted and radiated EMI noise and draw distorted line currents due to the sharp edges of
the switching waveforms with high dv/dt. The undesirable EMI effects are interference with wireless
systems (e.g., radio, TV, mobile, data transmission), malfunction of biomedical equipments (e.g.,
cardiac pace maker), misbehaviour of security doors of banks, ABS brake systems of cars, and
electronic control systems in airplanes and the increase in power system losses associated with
improper performance or failure of a range of industrial power equipments. It is necessary to find a
mitigation technique to overcome this problem and to avoid costly equipment failures in industry. To

International Journal of Innovations in Energy Systems and Power, Vol. 3, no. 1 (April 2008) Page 19 of 45
 secure an interference-free environment, proper electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) solutions are
needed to ensure that devices, equipments, or systems that generate EMI noise can coexist satisfactorily
(or being compatible).

High-frequency switching operations in power electronic devices has improved the dynamic
performance of ac motor drives, but created unexpected problems, such as motor bearing damage, high
levels of conducted EMI, breakdown of winding insulation and motor leakage currents. It has been
proven that its time derivative, dv/dt, as well as common mode voltage generated in ac drives are
responsible for most of these problems [5]. In most of the previous work, passive EMI filters have been
employed to reduce the effect of EMI noise and high dv/dt in power converter [6]. However, in
designing passive filters the compensating bandwidth is comparatively narrow and only a certain part
of noise can be eliminated. The size, weight, temperature, and reliability issues are significant design
constraints. Active EMI filters provide alternative approaches to the problem [7]. Further investigation
into noise sources and coupling path is desirable, as well as more accurate identification of noise
propagation mechanism in circuits with considering all parasitic elements is required.

In this paper, we have investigated the negative effect of EMI noise generated from power electronic
switches. Modelling of EMI noise, coupling path and propagation mechanism has been discussed. An
EMI measurement system in time domain is suggested along with the conventional frequency domain
measurement system to extract more information on EMI noise. Analytical techniques for EMI
characterisation is discussed.

II. PROBLEM STATEMENT

The introduction of international regulations on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) has prompted

active research in the study of electromagnetic interference (EMI) emission from power electronic
converters, which are now indispensable components in modern household/industrial equipment, such
as industrial motor drives, power electronic converters for renewable energy generation, electric
vehicle, bio-medical equipment, computers, TV, washing machines, etc. For power electronic circuits,
the high dv / dt involved in the switching operation of high speed power electronic devices is widely
believed to be a major source of EMI emission.

The use of power electronic converters is increasing very rapidly in application to clean energy power
generation systems such as solar/wind power generation and electric vehicles, which are friendlier to
the environment. According to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), about 50%–60% of the
electric power is flowing through some kind of power electronics equipment, and eventually 100% is
likely in the near future. This trend is already ongoing in Australia, because of the increasing demand
for electric power to cater to the needs of the expanding industrial, commercial and residential sectors.
Australia is now seeking to explore and support research works in the area of renewable energy
generation. As a result of the increasing proportion of electronically processed power, the EMI would
increase in the coming years, too, unless well-thought-out EMC standards and proper mitigation
techniques are introduced and enforced at an early design stage. Failure to consider EMI/high dv/dt
during early phases of the design process may result in expensive modifications (possibly with many
additional components), printed circuit board (PCB) re-layout, product introduction delays, and EMC
consultant fees to conform to the required standards. It is necessary to find remedial measures for the
problems associated with EMI and high dv/dt as they can cause many undesirable effects in power
electronic converters/industrial equipments. Due to strict EMC regulations, the EMI issue in power
converters has recently become a topical area of research.

III. MODELLING OF EMI SOURCE, COUPLING PATH, AND

PROPAGATION MECHANISM
The modelling of EMI noise sources and coupling paths in power electronic equipment is helpful to
analyse the EMI mechanism and for designers to improve its EMC performance to satisfy national and
international EMC standards. Designers may wish to characterise the EMI noise sources and identify
the noise coupling paths through EMI simulations. However, modelling of parasitic elements has been
a very difficult task as they are difficult to identify and also they may be physically inaccessible inside
the module package.

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 Many methods have been proposed in literature for parasitic modelling, such as three-dimensional
finite element analysis, time-domain reflectometry, and partial-element equivalent circuit method.
These methods are all purely mathematical and developed based on computation and computer
simulation, and thus are very time-consuming, because the circuit models are very complicated.
Another fundamental limitation of these methods is that expensive instruments and sophisticated
simulation tools are mandatory. For better prediction of EMI behaviours without complicated circuit
models and extensive calculation, equivalent lumped circuit models (shown in Fig.1) are proposed to
characterise EMI noise from converter systems [8, 9]. Although some EMI phenomena have been
described and useful analyses have been reported, the fundamental mechanisms by which the EMI
noise are excited and coupled have not been adequately investigated.

Fig.2 shows a typical EMI source and coupling paths model. In Fig.2, vm is the voltage on the power
switch (IGBT/MOSFET) and iD is the diode current in a chopper, and VLISN1 and VLISN2 are voltages of
two resistors in LISNs.

ZS vm
ZN VS + EMI coupling
VLISN2
paths
- VLISN1
iD

LISN Converter
Fig.1: Simplified EMI noise lumped circuit Fig.2: EMI sources and coupling paths model
model

IV. AN EMI MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

A practical, low cost EMI measurement system is suggested to capture EMI noise for frequency-
domain and time-domain analysis, and to test an equipment emitting EMI to comply with Australian
EMC Standards. The EMI measurement set-up typically requires a LISN (line impedance stabilisation
network), noise separator, spectrum analyser, and computer as shown in Fig. 3. A LISN is required for
capturing conducted EMI emission. The noise separator separates common mode (CM) and
differential-mode (DM) noise components. The output of the noise separator is fed into a spectrum
analyser and the corresponding frequency spectrum can be obtained. Then the data is fed into a
computer for analysis and design of filters.

Equipment Equipment
Under Power Under Test
Power
Test Supply
Supply LISN
LISN

Noise
Separator
Spectrum Digital Storage
Oscilloscope/EMI Analyzer Computer
Analyzer

Fig. 3: Frequency domain EMI measurement Fig. 4: Time domain EMI measurement system.
system.

Traditionally, electromagnetic interference (EMI) measurement is performed with conventional

analogue EMI receivers operated in frequency domain. Measurement in the frequency domain takes a
long time, of typically 30 minutes for a frequency band from 30 MHz to 1 GHz [10]. EMI receivers use
a pre-selector to obtain the required dynamic range of 36 dB according to the standard by the
International Special Committee on Radio Interference, CISPR 16-1 [11]. A time domain EMI
measurement system (shown in Fig. 4) is suggested for measurement of EMI with a reduced number of
accessories and cost, to make the system more reliable and simple. This type of measurement system

International Journal of Innovations in Energy Systems and Power, Vol. 3, no. 1 (April 2008) Page 21 of 45
 can provide both magnitude and phase information. Also, a number of other statistical virtual
measurement systems can be used to simulate the conventional detection system (e.g. peak, average,
RMS and quasi peak detector through digital signal processing) [10]. It should be noted that our aim is
not to replace the conventional frequency-domain EMI measurement system, but only to have a simple
and efficient method of EMI measurement system that provides more information. Information
obtained from both measurement systems can be used for accurate design of EMI filters and
performance testing.
The EMI noise emitted from the equipment is captured from the line (L) and neutral (N) outputs of
LISN. The EMI presence on the line and neutral phases has the following relations [10]:

VDM V DM
V L = VCM + (1) V N = VCM − (2)
2 2

Where, VL is the positive line EMI voltage and VN is the negative line EMI voltage. The two signals
given by Eqs.(1) and (2) will be fed into the digital storage oscilloscope (DSO). Using the inbuilt
features of oscilloscope such as sampling, add and subtract, the CM and DM of EMI noise can be
separated. The two channels of the DSO are added and subtracted in real-time and on-line to separate
the CM and DM noise components (without using a noise separator as in frequency domain
measurement system) as follows [10]:

VL + V N VL − V N
VCM = (3) VDM = (4)
2 2

Time-domain
Detectors
Fourier signal
Data Peak
Transform reconstruction
Storage Quasi
Digital Storage at each
spectral point Peak
Oscilloscope
Average
RMS

Fig. 5: Data acquisition process in time-domain measuring system

The data acquisition process for the time-domain measurement starts with the sampling process of the
oscilloscope. Then the spectra via the Fourier transform (FT) are digitally computed. The errors due to
the frequency characteristics of LISN, transmission line, amplifier, and anti-aliasing filter are corrected
by signal processing. Next, the analysis of peak, rms, average, and quasi-peak values of the EMI signal
can be performed as shown in Fig. 5. For the measurement of EMI noise current, a current probe with a
very wide frequency band-width can be used.

V. ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES FOR EMI CHARACTERISATION AND

IDENTIFICATION
The high speed switching action (high dv/dt and di/dt) in a power converter emits both CM and DM of
EMI noise. The purpose of analysis of EMI noise is to investigate the fundamental mechanism of the
conducted EMI noise generation from power device switching. The mechanism of EMI noise has been
analysed in [12] through simplified time-domain models to predict the switching noise across the LISN
of the measurement system. However, it has been developed based on several assumptions (such as,
ideal EMI noise source, ideal switching waveforms of power devices, etc.), which impair a great deal
of accuracy of the model and make the model unsuitable to apply in practice. The switching transient in
a power converter has traditionally been analysed by modelling it as a single slope dv/dt and di/dt
transients. Neither the diode reverse-recovery current’s effect nor the internal interconnect parasitic has
been addressed. In reality, the switching transient of an IGBT has multiple slopes and shows complex
switching behaviour. The frequency domain model is also used to quickly predict the EMI spectrum
[13]. Since it is based on the assumptions used for the simplified time domain model, the inherent
drawbacks are apparent. The IGBT turn-on switching introduces a major change in device current ic,
dic/dt, which can be expressed as [14]:

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 di C g m (V g + − V th )
(τ ON ) = (5)
dt R g C ies + g m L s

Where, gm is the trans-conductance of the IGBT, Vg is the IGBT gate voltage, and Vth is the IGBT
threshold voltage. The ic rise during time τon causes vce to fall down because of the stray inductance Ls.
The change in vce can be given as:

di C
Δ v ce = − L s (τ on ) (6)
dt

The change in device voltage, dvce/dt during τon can be written as:

dv ce ( di C / dt )τ on
(τ on ) = − L s (7)
dt τ2

Where τ2 is the time required by the collector current (iC) to change from peak value to steady state
value as shown in figure 6.

IC, peak
iC
IC

τon τ2
Figure 6. Turn-on waveform of IGBT with inductive load.

The dic/dt during the current rise has a direct impact on the reverse-recovery current (Irr) of the
freewheeling diode. The relation between dic/dt and Irr is given by [14]:

di c
I rr = 2τ LT I L (τ on ) (8)
dt

Where, τLT is the minority carrier lifetime of diode. It has been revealed that large reverse-recovery
current increases the EMI level. A larger turn on dic/dt leads to a higher dvce/dt. High dv/dt and di/dt
during switching of power devices is related to switching frequency and conducted EMI level.

VI. MITIGATION OF EMI NOISE GENERATED FROM POWER

CONVERTERS
Filters can be designed and used to reduce EMI emission from power converters. Fig. 7 shows the
simulation model for the investigation of EMI on a pulse width modulated (PWM) IGBT-Inverter fed
ac motor drive. Fig. 8(a) shows a typical PWM inverter output voltage. Fig. 8(b) shows over voltage at
the motor end due to EMI and high dv/dt. It is observed in Figs. 9(a) and 9(b) that the over voltage is
reduced significantly using RC and LC passive filters, respectively.

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 Fig.7: EMI investigation on a pulse width modulated IGBT-Inverter fed ac motor drive.

Traditionally, passive filters are employed to attenuate EMI emitted from power devices [6]. However,
only a certain part of noise can be eliminated using passive filters as the compensating bandwidth is
comparatively narrow. An alternative to the passive filters is the use of an active filter, in which an
active electronic circuit is used to cancel or suppress ripple components at the filter output [7].

600

400
Voltage (V)

Motor terminal voltage

Voltage (V)
DC bus voltage
0

-400

-600
0.037 0.038 0.039 0.04 0.041 0.042 0.043 0.044

Time (Sec) Time (µs)

(a) Typical PWM Inverter output (b) Over voltage at motor terminal due to
EMI and high dv/dt without filter
Fig.8: Over voltage at the motor terminal due to EMI

500
500
400 400
Voltage (V)

Voltage (V)

0
0

-100 0.0362 0.0363 0.0364 0.0365 0.0366 0.0367 0.0368 0.0369

0.0362 0.0363 0.0364 0.0365 0.0366 0.0367 0.0368 0.0369
Time (Sec) Time (Sec)
(a) Motor terminal voltage with RC filter (b) Motor terminal voltage with LC filter
Fig. 9: EMI mitigation using filters

VII. CONCLUSIONS
In this paper, the impact of EMI noise generated from power electronic switches due to fast switching
(high dv/dt and di/dt) has been investigated. EMI noise modelling, coupling path and propagation
mechanism issues are also discussed. A time domain measurement technique is suggested together with
the conventional frequency domain measurement system to collect more information for EMI noise
characterisation. The suggested EMI measurement system will be able to capture EMI noise for
frequency-domain and time-domain analysis, and to test equipment emitting EMI to comply with
electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards. Mitigation techniques for the effect of EMI have been
discussed. From simulation results, it is revealed that the effect of EMI can be reduced significantly
with the help of RC or LC filters.

International Journal of Innovations in Energy Systems and Power, Vol. 3, no. 1 (April 2008) Page 24 of 45
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BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Kashem M. Muttaqi completed B.Sc.Eng. from Bangladesh University of engineering and
Technology in 1993. He received M.Eng.Sc. degree from the University of Malaya in 1997 and Ph.D.
degree from Multimedia University, Malaysia, in 2001. Currently, he is working as an Associate
Professor at the School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering, University of
Wollongong, Australia. He was the Deputy-Director for the Centre of Renewable energy and Power
Systems and worked as a Senior Lecturer at the School of Engineering, University of Tasmania,
Australia. He was associated with the Queensland University of Technology, Australia as a
Postdoctoral Research Fellow from 2000 to 2002. Previously, he also worked for Multimedia
University as a Lecturer for three years. His special fields of interests include distributed generation,
renewable energy, distribution system automation, power system planning, and artificial intelligence.
He is a Senior Member of IEEE.

International Journal of Innovations in Energy Systems and Power, Vol. 3, no. 1 (April 2008) Page 25 of 45
 Dr. Md. Enamul Haque graduated in electrical and electronic engineering from Bangladesh Institute
of Technology (BIT), Rajshahi, Bangladesh, in 1995. He received M.Eng.Sc. in electrical engineering
from University Technology Malaysia in 1998, and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from The University
of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, in 2002. He has worked as an Assistant Professor for King
Saud University, KSA, and United Arab Emirates University, UAE for four years. Dr. Haque is
currently working as a Research Fellow in the Centre for Renewable Power and Energy Systems,
University of Tasmania, Australia. His research interests include power electronics and DSP based
electric drives, Wind/Solar remote area power supply systems, EMC/EMI issues in power electronics,
industrial equipments and Renewable energy applications.

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