Climatic Chamber Configurator
Discover the Climatic Chamber Configurator
Our guide to choosing the climate chamber best suited to your needs.
In summary: compatibility (EMC) is the ability of an electrical/electronic device to function properly in its electromagnetic environment without generating intolerable disturbances (emissions) or suffering malfunctions from external fields (immunity). EMC tests are mandatory for CE marking according to the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU and for US marketing (FCC Part 15). Climatic chambers are used to perform EMC tests under controlled environmental conditions, combining climatic stress and EM performance verification.
What is Electromagnetic Compatibility?
compatibility (EMC) covers two complementary aspects:
- Emissions: the device must not emit electromagnetic disturbances above defined thresholds, which could interfere with other nearby devices (radio, TV, medical devices, security systems)
- Immunity: The device must continue to function correctly even in the presence of external disturbances (lightning, ESD discharges, radio fields from other devices, network transients)
In practice, every electronic product sold in the EU, USA, Japan or China must pass a series of EMC tests specific to its category (medical, automotive, industrial, household, IT equipment).
Types of EMC Tests
| Category | Typical test | Main rule |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted emissions | Power cable noise 150 kHz – 30 MHz | CISPR 16, EN 55032 |
| Radiated emissions | Radio interference 30 MHz – 6 GHz | CISPR 16, EN 55032 |
| Radiated immunity | Electromagnetic field 80 MHz – 6 GHz | IEC 61000-4-3 |
| ESD discharge immunity | Electrostatic discharges 2-15 kV | IEC 61000-4-2 |
| Bursts / Fast Transients | 5/50 ns pulses on mains electricity | IEC 61000-4-4 |
| Surge / Overvoltages | Pulses 1.2/50 μs (simulates lightning) | IEC 61000-4-5 |
| Conducted immunity | RF noise injected into cables 150 kHz – 230 MHz | IEC 61000-4-6 |
| Voltage dips | Voltage interruptions and variations | IEC 61000-4-11 |
EMC Reference Standards
- Directive 2014/30/EU — European EMC Directive (mandatory for CE marking)
- IEC 61000 (full series) — Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
- CISPR 32 / EN 55032 — Multimedia equipment EMC requirements
- CISPR 35 / EN 55035 — Multimedia equipment immunity
- IEC 60601-1-2 — EMC requirements for medical electrical equipment
- ISO 11452 / CISPR 25 — EMC for vehicles and automotive components
- FCC Part 15 / Part 18 — U.S. Standard for Radiated Emissions
- VCCI — Japan, ACMA — Australia, CCC — China
EMC and Combined Climatic Tests
Many industries require devices to maintain EMC compliance even under extreme environmental conditions. For this reason, EMC tests are performed in a climatic chamber during thermal or humidity cycles, verifying performance at -40°C, +85°C, or in high humidity conditions.
Industries requiring combined climatic EMC testing:
- Automotive: ISO 11452 + ISO 16750 (EMC test at -40°C ÷ +125°C)
- Aerospace: RTCA DO-160 Section 20/21 (immunity and emissions) + climate sections
- Medical: IEC 60601-1-2 with verification at storage conditions (-25°C ÷ +70°C)
- Military: MIL-STD-461 EMI + MIL-STD-810 climatic combined
- Railway: EN 50121 EMC for railway applications
Anechoic Chamber vs. EMC Climatic Chamber
Two test environments must be distinguished:
- Anechoic (or semi-anechoic) chamber: shielded from radiated emissions, lined with pyramidal absorbers. It has no climate control.
- EMC climate chamber: Temperature and humidity controlled, with access for cables and antennas. Typically used in conjunction with a pre-scan or GTEM probe for EMC assessments during climatic stress.
For complete certifications, the two technologies are combined: first the product is qualified at basic EMC level in an anechoic chamber, then compliance is verified under extreme environmental conditions using the climatic chamber.
Authoritative Sources
- IEC 61000 series — IEC Webstore
- CISPR — International Special Committee on Radio Interference
- European Commission — EMC Directive 2014/30/EU
- FCC — Electromagnetic Compatibility Division
FDM Climatic Chambers for EMC
FDM Environment Makers produces configurable climate chambers for use with custom EMC setups: shielded cable entry, accessible side panels for antennas and GTEM probes, and dedicated EMI filters. Range -70°C to +180°C with 10-95% RH, available in benchtop, cabinet, or walk-in configurations depending on qualification requirements (automotive, medical, aerospace).
Discover FDM Environmental Chambers or contact us for technical advice.
EMC Frequently Asked Questions
What are the mandatory EMC tests for CE marking?
It depends on the product category. For most electronic devices (multimedia, IT, household) the harmonized standard is EN 55032 (emissions) + EN 55035 (immunity). For medical devices, IEC 60601-1-2, and for automotive, ISO 11452 + CISPR 25.A product that passes the relevant harmonized standard obtains presumption of conformity with Directive 2014/30/EU.
Is an FCC certified product automatically CE?
No. FCC Part 15 (USA) and the EU (European) EMC Directive have overlapping but not identical requirements. The FCC focuses primarily on emissions; the EC Directive also requires comprehensive immunity testing according to IEC 61000. Marketing in both markets requires both certifications, although many tests may be shared.
How much does a full EMC certification cost?
It depends on the complexity and category: for a simple consumer device (€5,000-15,000) with testing in an accredited laboratory. For medical or automotive (€20,000-80,000) with testing in combined climatic conditions. Wireless devices (Bluetooth, WiFi, 5G) add RED (Radio Equipment Directive) costs, which can reach €30,000-50,000 in Europe.
Why test EMC in a climatic chamber?
Because many electronic components (especially automotive, aerospace, or industrial ones) must maintain EMC compatibility even at -40°C or +125°C. A capacitor, a quartz oscillator, or a voltage regulator can vary their characteristics with temperature, producing emissions or losing immunity in extreme conditions. Combined climate and EMC testing avoids surprises in real-world applications.
Speak directly with our engineers
Do you need to pass a regulatory test or are you looking for a chamber designed to your test protocol? Tell us your needs: the FDM technical team will respond to you, without intermediaries.
