U.S.

Department
of Transportation
Advisory
Federal Aviation
Administration Circular
Subject: Aircraft Electromagnetic Date: 06/01/2018 AC No: 20-190
Compatibility Certification Initiated By: AIR–600

1 PURPOSE.

1.1 This advisory circular (AC) identifies SAE Aerospace Recommended Practices (ARP)
60493, Guide to Civil Aircraft Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), dated October 25,
2017, and European Organization For Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) ED-248,
Guide to Civil Aircraft Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), dated January 22, 2018
as recommended practices for showing compliance pursuant to the following Title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR):
 § 23.2500
 §§ 25.1309(a), 25.1309(e), 25.1353(a), and 25.1431(c)
 §§ 27.1309(a), and Part 27 Appendix B
 §§ 29.1309(a), 29.1309(g), 29.1353(a), and 29.1431(b)

1.2 This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. It describes
recommended practices, but not the only practices, for you to demonstrate that aircraft
electrical and electronic systems are not adversely affected by electromagnetic
emissions from other electrical and electronic systems onboard the aircraft. This AC
does not invalidate previous means of compliance. If you use SAE ARP 60493 or
EUROCAE ED-248 you should use the recommended practices applicable to your
project using a risk-based approach.

2 AUDIENCE. This AC provides guidelines for applicants for a new type certificate
(TC), a new supplemental type certificate (STC), or an amendment to an existing TC or
STC when the certification basis requires you to address the regulations described in
paragraph 1.1. Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization applicants may also use
this guidance when addressing equipment EMC qualification requirements.

3 SAE ARP 60493 AND EUROCAE ED-248. SAE ARP 60493 and EUROCAE ED-
248 describe recommended practices for demonstrating electrical and electronic
systems installed on civil aircraft can operate without adversely affecting, or without
being affected by, the operation of other electrical and electronic systems onboard the
aircraft. The technical contents of SAE ARP 60493 and EUROCAE ED-248 are
identical, and either can be used. They include recommended practices for aircraft
system EMC certification of installation or modification to the aircraft electrical or
electronic systems. They also include methods and procedures for aircraft system EMC

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06/01/18 AC 20-190

analysis and tests. The rigor and scope of the aircraft system EMC certification are
dependent on the scope of the systems and changes. The scope and extent of the
aircraft system EMC certification should reflect the aircraft category, complexity of the
change, and the impact it can have on safety.
ARP 60493 and ED-248 provide recommended practices for aircraft system EMC
certification to include the following:
 List of appropriate EMC regulations applied to the aircraft certification.
 Description of the aircraft systems under consideration for EMC certification.
 Definition of applicable equipment qualification requirements, such as the
applicable RTCA Document No. (RTCA/DO)-160G/EUROCAE ED-14G,
Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment,
sections and appropriate test levels.
 Detailed test procedures to demonstrate appropriate equipment qualification.
 Examples of detailed test reports that demonstrate appropriate equipment
qualification.
 Aircraft EMC ground test procedure and acceptance criteria.
 Aircraft EMC flight test procedures and acceptance criteria, if required.
 Examples of detailed aircraft EMC ground and flight test reports that
demonstrate acceptable EMC performance.

4 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS. You can:

4.1 View copies of 14 CFR parts online at the GPO website: [Link].

4.2 Download copies of ACs online from our website:

4.3 Order copies of SAE documents online from the SAE website: [Link].

4.4 Order copies of RTCA documents online from their website: [Link]

4.5 Order copies of EUROCAE documents online from their website:

Dr. Michael C. Romanowski

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Appendix A. Advisory Circular Feedback Information

If you find an error in this AC, have recommendations for improving it, or have suggestions for
new items/subjects to be added, you may let us know by (1) emailing this form to 9-AWA-AVS-
AIR-DMO@[Link] or (2) faxing it to (202) 267-1813.

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