General EMC Guidelines
General EMC Guidelines
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This article describes measures to avoid EMC issues in Danfoss Editron systems or other systems with
Editron devices installed. Besides the Editron devices and systems, the customer or installer must
also consider all other installed devices and systems and define an EMC plan according to the whole
system layout and specifications. Regular rules for common installation practice, like avoiding sharp
edges on cable routes etc. is not covered in this guide.
In general, only screened copper cables are to be used for Danfoss Editron systems. Allowed
manufacturers and cable types are mentioned in the electric drawings of the specific project in case
of a Danfoss system, or in the user manuals of the devices for individual device purchases.
Please contact Danfoss Editron when these instructions conflict equipment supplier installation
information.
Cable installation
Danfoss Editron systems utilize single core power cables to/from the EC-C inverters and other
devices. These have a surrounding magnetic field which must be carefully managed. The magnetic
field can cause heat development of surrounding ferrous or conductive materials (via eddy currents)
when no precautions are taken.
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Therefore, installer must take special care when installing single core power cables; only non-
ferromagnetic cable ties, EMC-type cable glands and non-ferromagnetic cabinet plates must be
used.
The magnetic field of the cables are minimized when the power cables are mounted symmetrically
against each other (without mixing cables from equipment in different subsystems).
Danfoss Editron categorizes cables according to cable segregation groups as shown in table below.
Signal level
Criteria Group Example devices
LF/DC Application
Receiver/TV
antenna cables
Radio/radar MF
Very sensitive 1 mV 1 µV A
receiver cables
Dynamic
microphone input
Resolver/encoder
cables
HW I/O cables to
PLC
HW I/O cables to
Sensitive 100 mV 10 µV B inverter
Bus and
communication
cables (CAN bus,
Modbus, Ethernet,
etc.)
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Power supply
cables
24 VDC control
power cables
Clean AC power
cables e.g.
microgrid inverter
output cables after
filter/transformer
Interference 440 V 3V D
230 VAC control
power cables
Cables for AC
heating
DC power cables
between inverter
and DC
switchboard
AC power cables
between inverter
High interference 440 V 30 V E
and machine
(motor cables)
AC power cables
between inverter,
LC filter and/or
transformer
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Group A B C D E F
100 400 400
A - 200 300
100
B - 100 200 300 400
Cable crossings between different cable groups are to be avoided wherever possible, and if required
the crossing must be perpendicular (at an angle of 90°). See figure below for an example.
It is not recommended to cross cables of groups B and E in close proximity, instead the described
installation distance should be enforced even when the cables cross perpendicularly. Installation of
all cables should be done according to the instructions regarding the grouping A-F as described in
the picture below.
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Low-voltage cabling
It is strongly recommended that all low-voltage signal cables connected to Danfoss devices are
screened. Twisted pair cables should be used in cases of differential communication signals such as
CAN bus, resolver, and synchronization cabling. Twisted pair signal cable is also recommended for
PT100 or PT1000 temperature sensors, I/O cabling and other similar low-voltage connections to
reduce interference and improve the EMC of the system.
Cable cross-sectional area is dictated by the maximum current of the cable and required signal
strength. Auxiliary power feed (24 V power) should always be protected with a suitable low-voltage
DC fuse. Fuse amperage rating should be selected according to the installation, so that all safety and
protection requirements are met.
Ideally, the auxiliary power for Danfoss Editron devices should be galvanically isolated from the
system/vehicle/vessel chassis and other large conductive structures. If the low-voltage power feed is
connected to a grounding structure, for example a 24 V battery with the minus terminal connected
to vehicle chassis, it is recommended to use a 24/24 V isolator/power supply or similar to reduce
interference and prevent ground loops and other potential issues.
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To comply with the EMC directives category C2 and C3 on product level, the Danfoss EC-C1200-450
inverter AC power cables must be shielded, and less than 15 m long (e.g. between inverter and
machine). For AC power cables >15 m a du/dt filter is required. See table below for an overview.
No additional filtering
External filter required External filter required
required
If the cable length is over 15m, an output du/dt filter must be used for
shielded motor cables. Contact Danfoss Editron representative to select the
right du/dt filter.
In all cases all cable screens need to be connected to system ground potential on both cable ends,
and the cable screen must have a 360° connection for proper high frequency performance. Cable
screens are not intended for grounding but to restrict noise from exiting and entering system(s).
Please read the electrical installation instructions of the Danfoss Editron EM machines, EC-LTS
external inductance units, and EC-C inverters for proper cable screen mounting.
Grounding requirements
In case a common frame is hard to establish, a bonding connection between all electrical equipment
in the subsystem must be utilized to equalize potentials in the installation. Wherever installation wise
possible, the bonding should be made with flat bonding braids. In case it is challenging to use flat
bonding braids, the sizing of a round bonding cable between the components must be chosen
according to table below.
Bonding cable size / 25 mm2 35 mm2 50 mm2 70 mm2 95 mm2 120 mm2 150 mm2 185 mm2
Largest power cable
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size
Largest power cable size means the largest of the inverter DC power cables or the AC power cables,
whichever is bigger.
Connection of Danfoss Editron equipment to the structure of the system/vehicle/vessel with bonding
braids should be kept as short as possible for realizing a low impedance connection also at high
frequencies (inverter switching frequency of 8 kHz). For more details on grounding of Danfoss
devices, see article General grounding (earthing) guidelines of Danfoss devices.
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