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Transient Generator Rental - Immunity Test Equipment
Transients are fast, high energy, non-continoues voltage and/or currnet pulses that are used to replicate many EMI environmental issues including lightning strikes, equipment disconnection, and power grid switching.
Combination wave surges are tested to IEC 61000-4-5 and ANSI C62.41 with verifying test levels depending upon the EUT/DUT. These surges have both current and voltage waveform requirements that are met for compliance. Typically, this test is a power on test, where when testing AC lines, the phase angle is selected in accordance with the underlying standard.
Electrical fast transient (EFT) are series of quick pulses is applied (burst) to power lines or data lines, typically done to IEC 61000-4-4 test levels. 
This is commonly done with surge testing and helps determine an EUTs ability to withstand a variety of occurrences including connection and disconnection to power mains. Burst testing is a much faster pulse then combination wave surge, with a rise time and duration in the nanosecond range. We offer rentals of a variety of different transient generators each offering capabilities of applying EFT pulses to both AC and DC power lines.
Have a question about a transient generator or CDN?
What are Transient Generators?
Transient generators are test equipment that provide fast, high envery pulses, used to replacte a variety of conducted EMI issues on both power and communication lines.
These series of test generators are considered conducted immunity test systems as they test a equipment under test (EUT) ability to withstand EMI events which are transmitted via connected cabling or lines. The most common configurations for test systems include combintion wave surges, electrical fast transients, and (at higher test levels) ringwave capabilities. The generators themselves also include a coupling decoupling network (CDN) built in, typically accomidating power on testing for devices up to ~260 Volts 16 Amps AC.
Common Test Applications: Commerical, Automotive, & Military
How to use a Transient Generator
The video shows how to setup a transient gnerator and coupling decoupling network (CDN) for immunity testing. The test system in the video is the Teseq NSG 3060 with the single phase CDN 3061 designed for both combination wave surges, EFT, and ringwave pulses. Similair methods of connecting are utitlizing three phase CDNs for transient testing. The video includes:
- Connections to front and back of unit
- How to conduct power on and direct testing
- Modifying testing parameters
- Methods for connecting to EUT/DUT
- System considerations and accessories
What is the Setup for Transient Testing?
The setup for transient testing table top equipment will typicall include wooden table, ground coupling plane, and insulating support(s). These components will be placed and sized in accordance with the underlying standard or requirements.
Commercial transient test systems are based around a series of EMI pulses, the most common being surges (combination wave), electrical fast transients (EFT), as well as ringwave. These generators are typically separated by a roughly 4kV and 6kV test level range, with 6kV system ringwave and other options are typically selected as well. The setup for transient testing can vary depending upon the underlying standard, on the left you will find a typical setup provided by EM Test NX5 user manual.
The equipment required will also be determined by the type of line being tested, commonly power or data lines. For many applications, this will require the use of a coupling decoupling network (CDN), which provides the capability to inject the pulse onto the associated cabling. We offer rentals of a variety of different CDNs as well as capacitive coupling clamps and associated pulse verification accessories.
Automotive Pulse Generators
Testing for automotive conducted immunity to transients is commonly done to ISO 7637-2 and ISO 16750-2 pulses, as well as OEM specific requirements. The most common automotive pulses include interruptions, microburst/EFT, as well as load dump pulses. Equipment can be designed modularly, as with the EM Test series or as an all-in-one solution as with the Teseq NSG 5500 platform as seen in the video on the left.
When conducting power on testing it is necessary to use a programmable battery supply or battery simulator (Teseq PA 5840-75 in the video) to provide power to the DUT as well as have capabilities to modify pulses. The battery simulator is also required for voltage drop testing as well as negative pulses, and are typically rented in conjunction with the associated pulse generator.
Military & Avionic Susceptibility Generators
MIL-STD-461 & RTCA/DO-160 Transients
Testing for transient susceptibility is commonly done to MIL-STD-461 CS115, CS116, CS117 as well as RTCA/DO-160 Section 22 for lightning. Many of the most common susceptibility tests include damped sinusoidal pulses as well as double exponential pulses at verifying frequencies and test levels. Pulse verification is typically required prior to testing, the image below shows how this is accomplished with the EMC Partner AVI3000.
We offer rentals of both the transient generators, as well as associated equipment including current monitoring probes, line impedance stabilization networks, and injection devices, providing a complete test solution to many susceptibility tests.
Common Standards & Requirements
Commercial
IEC 61000-4-4 - Electrical fast transient/burst immunity Test
IEC 61000-4-5 - Surge immunity test
Automotive
ISO 7637-2 - Electrical transient conduction along supply lines only
ISO 16750-2 - Testing for electircal and electronic equipment - Part 2: electrical loads
SAE J1455 - Recommended practice for electronic equipment design in heavy-duty vehicle applications
Military
MIL-STD-461 CS115 - Bulk cable injection, impulse excitation
MIL-STD-461 CS116 - Damped sinusoidal transients, cables and power leads
Avionics
RTCA/DO-160 Section 22 - Lightning Induced Transient Susceptibility
RTCA/DO-160 Section 22 - Lightning Induced Transient Susceptibility
Coupling Decoupling Networks
Rent both power and data line CDNs designed for meeting a variety of EUT/DUT immunity testing requirements. We offer both manual and automatic power mains CDNs up to 125 Amps meeting the newest requirements of IEC 61000-4-5.
Automotive Transient Generators
Get fast deliveries on a variety of Automotive transient test systems including capabilities for ISO 7637-2/-3, ISO 16750-2, and OEM LV 124. Our rental inventory of automotive pulse generators include current ISO 17025 calibration and arrive ready for testing.
Miliatry & Avionics Systems
Our rental inventory of military and avionics susceptibility equipment covers many requirements of MIL-STD-461 as well as RTCA/DO-160 transient tests. We also carry a wide range of accessories and couplers allowing for a complete testing soution.
