Electromagnetic Interferences in Electrical Measurement Systems Demystified

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the practical aspects of protecting an electrical measurement system against different kinds of interfering cross-talk. We categorise different kinds of cross-talk, describe their origin and how to decouple them in order to protect the system. This presentation is a primer for students or application engineers concerned with the practical operation of an electrical measurement system. We explain cross-talk phenomena with a minimum of electromagnetic theory, focusing more on understanding the origin of cross-talk in terms of basic electric and magnetic circuits rather than advanced electromagnetic wave equations, and how to decouple them. Compared to a typical textbook presentation on the subject, this work categorises all kinds of electromagnetic interferences using a minimum of mathematical equations, clearly explaining their origin and illustrating how each one is decoupled.