Whitepaper
Reduce Risk of Electromagnetic Interference in EV Charging Infrastructure Tests
This whitepaper addresses the increasing need for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) due to rapid growth in the EV charging infrastructure market – projected to reach 14.6 million units by 2027, a 44.1% CAGR from 2022. The paper details how EVSE manufacturers must navigate evolving EMC standards like IEC 61000 (Europe), FCC Part 15 Class A/B (US), and ICES-003 Section 5 (Canada) to ensure safety, performance, and market acceptance. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich found electromagnetic field strengths up to 116.5 μT along charging cables during high current charging, prompting a need for caution around Level 2 & 3 chargers near individuals with pacemakers. The paper advocates for comprehensive EMC testing utilizing ‘synthetic’ setups – emulating real-world EV/EVSE interactions without requiring actual vehicles. It highlights the Keysight SL1040A-EM2 Scienlab Charging Discovery System (CDS) as a solution enabling accurate, automated AC and DC charging communication protocol testing (IEC 61851-1, SAE J1772, ISO 15118, etc.) within an anechoic chamber. This system supports both EVSE and EV emulation for thorough validation against required standards with minimal interference. Ultimately, the whitepaper positions rigorous EMC testing as crucial for building consumer confidence in EV charging infrastructure, particularly given the incorporation of connected/autonomous vehicle technologies, and suggests opportunities for test houses to provide essential certification services to meet growing market demands.