Kathy,
EMC = Electromagnetic Compatibility
EMI = Electromagnetic Interference
RFI = Radio Frequency Interference
A long long time ago, when radio was important and computers were not
even a gleam in Intel's eyes (when Intel had no eyes because it did
not exist) the technical gurus interested in radio
waves/spectrum/propagation and so forth discovered very easily that
certain other electrical stimuli interfered with radio signals in
the broadly defined radio frequency range. Thus, the term RFI. RFI
means other signals interfering in the radio frequency range; not
the radio interfering with other signals.
By the way, FCC allocates different frequencies for various equipment
to operate so as not to have garage door openers operate together with
radio and TV, causing undue interference with each other.
EMI came into being fairly recently when it became obvious that
computers were capable of interfering not just in the radio frequency
range, but very greatly outside it. The industry responded by
changing the nomenclature from RFI to EMI, e.g.: instead of RFI
filters provided in the mains of ac powered equipment, they now
called them EMI filters and assured us that these devices were capable
of filtering out most of the noisy byproduct of microprocessor
devices.
Electromagnetic compatibility refers to various equipment being able
to function without interfering with each other and/or being
susceptible from interference by other equipment. Thus, EMC has a far
broader meaning than EMI alone. EMC would also refer to the immunity
capability of a product, not just its interference.
Hope this helps.
Tania Grant, Octel Communications Corporation
[email protected]
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Subject: EMI verses RFI
Author: [email protected] (Kathy Toy) at P_Internet_mail
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Date: 8/21/96 8:05 AM
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Hi,
I am a safety person who needs to answer a question
from one of our sales people on the question of
"EMC" verses "RFI".
Is there anyone out there who can explanation the
differences between "EMC" and "RFI" and how they
relate to each other.
I would appreciate your comments.
Kathy Toy
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
