Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) has become one of the key aspects of household
appliance design due to the dramatic increase in the density of electronic devices in residential environments and the rapid expansion of modern wireless technologies. The currently applicable product standard, EN 55014-2, was developed during a period when consumer appliances were significantly less complex. As a result, its prescribed basic test levels often provide only a functional immunity margin under real-world conditions. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the suitability of these requirements and to investigate the actual operational stability limits of the electronics used in household appliances currently available on the market. As part of the experimental work conducted in the accredited laboratory of SIQ (Slovenian Institute of Quality and Metrology), standard electromagnetic immunity tests (ESD, RI, burst, surge, CI, and dips) were performed on selected household appliance samples, together with advanced tests beyond the basic scope of the standard (EN 61000-4-8, EN 61000-4-13, EN 61000-4-16, and EN 61000-4-19) at substantially increased test severity levels. The results showed that some of the prescribed test levels (e.g., for ESD and burst) were relatively low, as the tested samples withstood significantly higher stress levels without indicating any malfunctions. In contrast, clear critical points were identified during tests involving radiated electromagnetic fields, voltage dips, and harmonic distortions. The obtained results confirm the proposed hypothesis that the more demanding internal immunity requirements adopted by manufacturers are an engineering necessity while simultaneously highlighting the need to update the official regulatory framework, as current industrial product development has outpaced the requirements defined by the existing standards.
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