TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 490/1994
By M A Bourton
Background
Current practice gives little thought to the electrical disturbances produced by welding operations, until interference with communication systems or other electrical equipment is encountered. Normal remedial action is to move the welding equipment to a location where no further interference occurs. However, a new European Community (EC) Directive which will be fully implemented on the 1st January 1996, will introduce stringent regulations, concerned with the emission of electrical interference and the susceptibility to interference of electrical systems. Under these regulations, it will become a criminal offence to place on the European market or to take into service within the EC, welding equipment that produces excessive electromagnetic (EM) emissions.
This report introduces the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) Directive and relevant EMC standards, reviews reported investigations into arc welding EM emissions and recommends actions for reducing the risk of emission.