New MIL-STD-461 G for EMI control

MIL-STD-461, “Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment,” has just been updated with the publication of Revision G.  The last edition, MIL-STD-461 F, was released in 2007 so it’s been a while!  The new MIL-STD-461 G cancels and replaces the previous edition and needs to be procured for all of you whose DoD contracts call out the document.  And this is one of the Military Standards that is widely used throughout industry.

MIL-STD-461 G provides you with the interface and verification requirements necessary to control electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions.  These emissions affect electronic, electrical and electrommmmechanical equipment and subsystems.  In this document, the focus is on those products purchased by the DoD (the U.S. Department of Defense).  And as part of the general DoD profile, DID (Data Item Description) requirements are also included.

MIL-STD-461 G is divided into two sections:  the main body of the standard and the appendix.  The first contains all the interface and verification requirements necessary.  The appendix, on the other hand, is not part of the contractual requirements of the document.  But it provides the rationale and guidance for the interpretation and use of the various requirements spelled out in the main body.  So you’ll find a parallel numbering scheme used in both sections.

OK, so you use MIL-STD-461 and you want to know what the changes are in the new 280-page Revision G.  Here’s what Clause 6.8 has to say about the update:

“This revision of the standard deleted CS106 conducted susceptibility, transients, power leads. In addition, this revision added CS117, conducted susceptibility, lightning induced transients, cables and power leads and CS118, personnel borne electrostatic discharge. Marginal notations are not used in the revision to identify changes with respect to the previous issue due to the extensiveness of the changes.”

Now to get your copy of the new standard.  You’ll find it available in both paper format and for pdf download at the Document Center webstore, www.document-center.com.  Please note that your purchase will include our best-in-class notification service at no additional charge.  This means that you’ll be sent an email each time the publication is updated.  Here’s a link to the order page for MIL-STD-461 G.

Some of our customers prefer online access to their compliance documents and our Standards Online subscription service addresses this need perfectly!  Check in with our staff for more information, by phone (650-591-7600) or email (info@document-center.com.)  We got our start providing mil specs and standards to the high tech and defense industry here in Silicon Valley.  Make us your Standards Experts!

New ARP 5412 and ARP 5416 Updates available for Aircraft Lightning Tests

New Revisions have recently been released for two important SAE aircraft lightning test practices, ARP 5412 and ARP 5416.   They are available now from Document Center Inc. in either paper or pdf format.  The two documents are critical to evaluating lightning susceptibility in aircraft.  They are ARP 5412 Revision B, “Aircraft Lightning Environment and Related Test Waveforms,” and ARP 5416 Revision A, “Aircraft Lightning Test Methods.”

ARP 5412B defines environment and test waveforms using the best lightning data and analysis currently available.  It was released to update the certification lightning environment and to address various issues brought up by members of the aerospace community.  Areas modified include the lightning parameter information and standards waveforms.

Within this document, standardized voltage and current waveforms have been derived to represent the lightning environment external to an aircraft. These standardized waveforms are used to assess the effects of lightning on aircraft.

ARP 5416A on the other hand is a compilation of test methods which have been updated to reflect the need for clarification to ensure consistency across test organizations, particularly with regards to high voltage tests and integrated system functional upset tests.  Also, originally some methods relied on the use of Polaroid film which is becoming obsolete, so photographic methods using modern camera technologies have been included in this revision.

This document describes how to conduct lightning direct effects tests and indirect system upset effects tests.  It presents test techniques for simulated lightning testing of aircraft and the associated systems.  Each test method is set out in a uniform format, describing the test purpose, test object, test setup, test waveforms (voltage and/or current), measurements and data recording, test procedure and data interpretation.  Guidance is provided on how to select the appropriate test or series of tests, and how the test results can be assessed.

You may also find these standards to be of interest:

  • RTCA-DO-160, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment
  • MIL-STD-461, Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment
  • MIL-STD-464, Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirements for Systems
  • IEC 61000-4-5, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-5: Testing and Measurement Techniques – Surge Immunity Test

All SAE standards, including many obsolete editions, can be purchased at Document Center’s webstore, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We have expert staff available for you to assist with both standards purchases and the various questions and support services that the use of this compliance information requires.