ICES 006 RF Test of AC Wire Carrier Current Devices

EUROLAB, with its state-of-the-art accredited laboratories and expert team, provides precise and fast testing services within the scope of ICES 006 testing. The Interference-Causing Equipment Standard (ICES) specifies the limits and methods of radiated and conducted radio frequency emission produced by AC wire carrier current devices.

AC wire carrier current device is defined as a device that transmits radio frequency signals by transmission over power lines. It is used in commercial, business, light industrial and residential buildings.

A line impedance stabilization network (LISN) is used to measure emissions transmitted back to the AC power line. LISN complies with the artificial mainnet requirement in every frequency measurement.

Conducted emission measurements on AC mains cables are made using the LISN mentioned above. For the conducted emission test, measurements are made at the power terminal of the EUT between each power line and ground.

On the other hand, radiated emissions are realized when using a measuring receiver. The EUT for radiated emissions is measured in the same direction as used in actual installations. If the EUT cannot be installed in different directions, it must comply with radiated emission limits in all directions.

AC cable carrier current devices can be divided into three categories:

• Interference-causing equipment: Where both the exciter (transmitter) and receiver are connected to the AC wiring and any RF energy radiation is unintentional. This includes in-house BPL devices. These devices are subject to ICES-006.
• AC cable carrier current devices operating in the AM broadcast band: Designed for 535 – 1705 kHz and AM broadcast receivers. These devices are deliberate radiators. Therefore, they are outside the scope of ICES-006 and are instead subject to BETS-1.
• Intended radiator type AC wire carrier current devices: Where the exciter is connected to the AC wiring but the receiver is not. These devices are classified as Category I radio devices. It is outside the scope of ICES-006 and is subject to RSS-210.

EUROLAB assists manufacturers with ICES 006 test compliance. Our test experts, with their professional working mission and principles, provide you, our manufacturers and suppliers, the best service and controlled testing process in our laboratories. Thanks to these services, businesses receive more effective, high-performance and quality testing services and provide safe, fast and uninterrupted service to their customers.