If there’s one truth about electromagnetic interference (EMI), it’s that it is absolutely everywhere. And when something like that is everywhere, it can be tempting to think it must not be that bad. But if you’ve ever left a piece of delicate equipment exposed to EMI, you may know the ways the interference has affected your equipment.
If not, our advice is to tackle the EMI problem before it has a chance to wreak havoc on your equipment. Why? Well, let’s take a look at the consequences of electromagnetic interference.
Wait, Electromagnetic Interference is Everywhere?
Before we go too deep into the consequences of EMI, let us first discuss how it occurs and where.
EMI as a phenomenon can be found in nature, but it is also something human-made devices can cause.
See, we know everything is made up of atoms, and that atoms have protons, neutrons, and electrons. The electrons create a small magnetic field around the nucleus, and these fields will be oriented in certain directions. When the fields align in the same direction, small magnetic fields combine to make larger ones.
Where can we find magnetic fields? In nature, the Earth’s magnetic field comes from the molten iron in our planet’s core, lightning causes a magnetic field, and the sun’s UV rays carry a magnetic field. However, human-made devices like powerlines and cell phones also create these fields. And there are many other sources of electromagnetic interference, this is just the beginning of the list.
So, yes, EMI is everywhere, and you need to protect your equipment and devices from it.
EMI can come from a wide variety of places, so it’s important to shield your delicate systems from it.
The Consequences of EMI
Now that we know a little about the causes and prevalence of magnetic fields and electromagnetic interference, it’s time to explore the ways EMI affects systems and devices.
Perhaps you’ve experienced these effects in the past: a system goes haywire for seemingly no reason, and you can’t figure out what’s causing the problem. In such cases EMI is a possible culprit.
So, let’s take a look.
1. Data Corruption
Data corruption refers to errors in computer data that occur during writing, reading, storage, transmission, or processing. This results in changes to the original data.
From minor anomalies in software behavior to substantial losses of data, EMI can lead to a variety of problems.
EMI can affect the integrity of data being transferred or stored. For instance, a sudden surge of electromagnetic activity may alter the bits stored in a memory device from a 0 to a 1 or vice versa.
The risk of this data corruption can range from inconsequential—a corrupted file that needs replacing—to catastrophic, such as system failure in the healthcare or aviation settings.
2. Signal Degradation
Signal degradation reduces the clarity, strength, or reliability of electronic signals as they travel. This deterioration can lead to small annoyances like static on the telephone line or major problems like complete communication failure.
For example, in data communications systems, signal degradation can corrupt data, so it needs to be retransmitted. This is a slow process, reducing the system’s efficiency.
EMI can degrade both analog and digital signals:
- Analog Signals: EMI can introduce noise into the original signal, leading to distortions.
- Digital Signals: As discussed, EMI can cause bit errors, corrupting data in transmission or resulting in system malfunctions.
Signal degradation is not just an inconvenience.
In aviation, signal degradation can lead to miscommunications or loss of critical data.
For emergency responders, it can disrupt coordination efforts, delay response times, and put lives at risk.
In the financial sector, signal degradation can lead to delays or errors in trade execution.
3. Device Malfunction
EMI disrupts normal operations in electronic devices when unwanted electromagnetic waves intersect with electronic circuits. Interference can bring unwanted currents and voltages into the electronic components. This disrupts operation and possibly leads to malfunction.
Here are 4 examples of device malfunction due to EMI:
Healthcare
Medical devices, such as pacemakers, can experience malfunctions due to EMI, potentially leading to critical safety issues. For instance, strong EMI from MRI machines can interfere with pacemaker functions.
Aviation
We’ve already discussed signal degradation and data corruption. In aviation, EMI can cause erroneous signals in navigational equipment or even disrupt flight control systems.
Automotive
Modern vehicles use electronic control units for managing everything from engine function to safety features. Therefore, they are susceptible to EMI, which can lead to unexpected behaviors like stalling or failure of critical components.
Consumer Electronics
Mobile phones and other personal devices can malfunction in the presence of strong electromagnetic fields, which may lead to dropped calls, decreased battery life, or corrupted data.
4. Reduced Performance
EMI can also impact the performance of electronic devices, often leading to reduced efficiency and speed.
In a computing device, electromagnetic noise can cause processors to rerun instructions, consuming more power. This can also lead to overheating and shortened lifespan.
The speed of electronic devices can also be compromised by EMI. High-frequency interference, in particular, can cause signal corruption, which may force a device to slow down its processing speed to correct errors.
In communication systems, this interference can result in slower data rates, as the devices need to employ error-correction procedures or resend data.
EMI can force your systems to rerun complex programs, wearing them down over time.
5. Battery Drain
When devices need to work harder to process data and return accurate results, their battery life diminishes.
Similarly, when a device’s processing efficiency is compromised by EMI-induced errors, it consumes more power to execute regular tasks, accelerating battery drain.
Moreover, the additional heat generated by increased power consumption can also affect battery health.
For critical applications, such as medical devices or emergency communication equipment, this can have severe implications, compromising functionality when it’s needed the most.
Additionally, accelerated battery drain leads to increased maintenance costs, since the batteries will need to be replaced more often. And for devices with non-replaceable batteries, this means the device will need to be serviced or completely replaced prematurely.
Keep Your Devices Operating with Eagle Magnetic
Understanding and managing electromagnetic interference is more crucial than ever as the world grows increasingly dependent on sensitive electronic devices.
Effective management of EMI not only ensures devices operate at their optimal performance levels but also extends their lifespan and reduces maintenance costs.
For those seeking expertise in magnetic shielding and comprehensive solutions to block or deflect EMI, Eagle Magnetic stands ready as your partner. As a leading manufacturer equipped with the capabilities to design, build, and test magnetic shields, Eagle Magnetic offers not only products but also invaluable knowledge and support in managing EMI.
