EMC Design Guideline for Configuring a

System with FA Products

[Noise Countermeasures for Designing a System Control Cabinet]

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION

January 30, 2017

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 Contents

1. Warnings and Precautions Regarding Safety

2. Introduction

3. EMC and Regulation

4. Types of Noise and Transmission

4.1. Types of noise

4.2. Noise Transmission paths

4.3. Basics of the EMC countermeasures

5. Preparation for Designing a Control Cabinet

5.1. Information for designing a control cabinet

5.2. Flow of designing control cabinet

5.3. Understanding electromagnetic compatibility

6. Designing Control Cabinet

6.1. Wiring diagram and wiring route

6.2. Separating and grounding of control cabinet

6.3. Designing of control cabinet

7. Countermeasure Member

7.1. Ferrite core and amorphous core

7.2. Shielded cable

7.3. EMC noise filter

7.4. Insulation transformer and NoisecuttransTM

7.5. Lightening surge protector (reference: immunity measures)

8. Summary of EMC Countermeasures

9. Recommended Configurations

10. Reference (*: Available at Mitsubishi Electric’s Factory Automation Website)

Appendix: List of Countermeasure Members

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1. Warnings and Precautions Regarding Safety

Warnings and precautions regarding the products are listed in their instruction manuals and attached documents. Do not attempt

to design, install, operate, maintain, or inspect the equipment until you have read through all the documents carefully. Only

professional engineers (who have taken proper training or who have licensed to work on electrical equipment) must design,

install, operate, maintain, or inspect the equipment. This guideline provides general information about EMC countermeasures. If

compliance to standards such as safety standards is required, such standard must precede this guideline.

2. Introduction

This guideline shows recommended methods for designing a control cabinet, laying out of FA products, wiring, and inserting

places of countermeasure members to prevent malfunction due to noise superimposed among the products when multiple FA

products are placed in a control cabinet. Noise problems may not be solved depending on the products, system scale, grounding

environment, and so on even if the countermeasures in this guideline are taken. Use this guideline as reference for

countermeasures and designing. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation does not guarantee that all the noise problems are solved by

this guideline.

Mitsubishi Electric’s FA products alone comply with the EMC standards in each country. Refer to manuals of each product for

the complied standards. Be sure to take countermeasures against noise required by each product when configuring a system,

and then refer to this guideline. A manufacturer who sells equipment which the FA products are installed in to an end-user must

be liable for compliance with the EMC standards. Make sure that the final product complies with the standards.

3. EMC and Regulation

EMC stands for Electromagnetic Compatibility and indicates ability of devices and systems to operate in their electromagnetic

environment. EMC includes two elements: emissions/EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) referring to capacity to suppress noise

generated from the product, and immunity/EMS (Electromagnetic Susceptibility) referring to ability to tolerate noise from besides

the product. Requirements of the EMI must meet the regulation values of the radiated interference, conducted interference, and

power supply harmonic currents. Requirements of EMS must meet the immunity standards of the static electricity, radiated noise,

conducted noise, electrical fast transient/burst, lightning surge, power supply frequency magnetic field, instantaneous power

failure, and voltage dip. EMC is regulated each country and region. The final products which the end-user use must satisfy the

requirements of EMI and EMS to be placed on the market.

Mitsubishi Electric's FA products alone comply with the standards required by each product. Refer to instruction manuals and

technical documents of each product for information of compliance with the standards in each country and measures to comply

with the standards.

[Emission: Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)] [Immunity: Electromagnetic Susceptibility (EMS)]

Power supply frequency

magnetic field noise
Radiated Lightning Radiated noise
interference surge

Conducted
Conducted noise
interference Static
electricity
AC line Electrical fast
transient/burst Device
AC line
Power supply harmonic current Device Instantaneous power failure/voltage dip

Fig. 1. EMC conceptual diagram

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4. Types of Noise and Transmission

4.1. Types of noise

Basically, there are two types of noise: "normal mode noise" and "common mode noise". Figure 2 shows the difference between

the normal mode noise and the common mode noise by giving an example of signal line.

"Normal mode noise" is a noise that occurs between signal lines or power lines. The noise current flows in the same path as the

signal. "Common mode noise" is a noise that occurs between the ground and signal line or power line. The noise current flows in

a different path from the signal and goes back to the noise source through the ground. The common mode noise is generated by

induction or unbalanced impedance. Generally, devices are affected more by the common mode noise than by the normal mode

noise, and thus it is important to have countermeasures against the common mode noise.

[Normal mode noise] [Common mode noise]

Load
Signal source
Load

Signal source

Noise source

Noise source

Fig. 2. Normal mode noise and common mode noise

4.2. Noise Transmission paths

4.2.1. General noise transmission paths

There are three paths of noise transmission.

1) Conducted noise: electromagnetic noise propagated along a power, signal, or ground line. The noise is transferred through

cables when a power supply is shared or when signals are interconnected.

2) Induction noise: crosstalk noise induced and superimposed on a cable which is laid along a cable with a noise current. When

a power input/output line of especially a drive device is laid along with a control signal cable, noise may be superimposed.

There are two types of induction noise: "electrostatic induction noise" generated by capacitive coupling and "electromagnetic

induction noise" generated by electromagnetic field coupling.

3) Radiated noise: release of noise from a cable through devices in a form of electromagnetic wave. The noise is radiated and

received by the cables and the patterns on circuit boards which work as an antenna.

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 [ Inside control cabinet ]

Radiated noise Control

Drive device
device

Noise source
Power supply Conducted
noise

Electrostatic
induction
noise Electromagnetic
induction noise
Control Control
device device

Fig. 3. Noise transmission paths

4.2.2. Noise transmission paths of drive devices

The drive devices generate a large amount of noise because a high voltage and large currents are being switched by switching

elements such as IGBT. For reference, noise transmission paths in the inverter system are shown in Figure 4.

Noise flows into the ground through a capacitance between motor windings or through a stray capacitance between the casing

and the ground in a drive system having an inverter circuit, creating large loops which generate a large common mode noise.

Noise source

Fig. 4. Noise transmission path in a drive system having an inverter circuit

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4.3. Basics of the EMC countermeasures

Main countermeasures are classified as follows:

1) Separating from a noise source and transmission path by laying out of devices and cables

2) Shielding by using a metal cabinet and shielded cables

3) Securing a noise return path by grounding or stabilizing ground by lowering impedance of the common ground

4) Shielding the noise transmission path by using an EMC noise filter or insulation transformer

Table 1 shows the section No. of typical countermeasures, and Table 2 shows the section No. of countermeasure members.

Table 1. Typical countermeasures against noise

Countermeasure part Typical countermeasures Section No.
 Use of a metal cabinet
 Joining method of a metal cabinet (top and side panel)
Control cabinet 6.3
 Process of a door and opening
 Shielding method of internal cabinet
All cables Wiring or laying method 6.1
connection port

Signal, control and

Grounding method of shielded cables 6.2.2
I/O cables
Cable

 Connection method of grounding lines 6.2.1

Grounding
 Grounding method of motor 6.2.3
 Usage of shielded cable and metal pipes
Power cable 6.1
 Grounding method of shielded cables
Table 2. Noise countermeasure members

Countermeasure members Material name Section No.

[Ferrite core and amorphous core]
7.1
Attachment position, method, characteristics, etc.
[Line noise filter]: FR-BLF/FR-BSF01
Connection method and effect
[Radio noise filter]: FR-BIF
7.3
Countermeasure members Connection method and effect
(filter, core, etc.) [EMC noise filter]
Installation location and method
[Insulation transformer]
7.4
Connection location
[Lightening surge protector] for immunity
7.5
Connection location

5. Preparation for Designing a Control Cabinet

FA products affects EMC. To secure the EMC performance effectively, it is important to consider the EMC countermeasures

when designing a control cabinet. Earthing (grounding) must conform to the requirements of national and local safety regulations

and electrical code.

5.1. Information for designing a control cabinet

Before designing the control cabinet, it is necessary to clarify the usage environment of the cabinet. The principle and criteria of

designing the cabinet against EMC must be established based on the information.

Basically, three types of information are necessary.

1) Customer requirements and restrictions: When taking countermeasures against EMC, whether the countermeasure member

is available or shielding ground is possible affects the design of the control cabinet. Cabinet dimensions and

countermeasures must be taken into consideration.

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2) Information on usage environment: The peripheral noise environment and noise tolerance standard can be determined by the

usage environment of the control cabinet. Sufficient grounding may not be available depending on the environment, but

earthing (grounding) must conform to the requirements of national and local safety regulations and electrical code. When the

equipment is used in a situation related to safety or in a highly public facility, higher EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) will

be required.

3) Information on devices to be used: After selecting devices that satisfy necessary specification for designing the electrical

circuit, the electromagnetic compatibility of each device must be clarified. Necessity of additional countermeasures against

noise is determined depending on the electromagnetic compatibility of each device. In addition, obtaining information about

recommended measures is also important when the additional countermeasures are needed.
1) Customer requirements
and restrictions

2) Information on
usage environment EMC
specifications
of cabinet are
determined.

3) Information on devices
to be used

Fig. 5. Information for designing control cabinet

Table 3. List of information necessary before designing control cabinet

1) Customer requirements and restrictions

Internal dimensions of Affects the device size and selection of the countermeasure
Size of control cabinet control cabinet members.
Cost of control cabinet and Affects the countermeasure plan such as cost for the
Cost devices countermeasure members.
Water-proof, Affects the material of the control cabinet, process of openings,
Specifications heat resistance, etc. etc.
2) Information on usage environment

Affects the noise control method because EMC requirement

Industrial/commercial
Noise environment level varies depending on the market. Note that the FA
/residential environment
products are not suitable for residential environment.

Machine tools/plant Affects the noise control method because grounding and
Equipment/facility facilities/ships/railways/ special requirements (emergency radio band regulation) must
construction machineries be fulfilled.

Safety related equipment Affects the noise control method because such equipment and
Safety consideration
and highly public facilities facilities require high EMC requirement level.

3) Information on devices to be used

Confirm the size and electromagnetic compatibility of each
Device list List of devices to be used
device.

Electromagnetic
EMC standard, etc. Confirm the actual electromagnetic compatibility.
compatibility

Countermeasures
Recommended
recommended by a Obtain recommended methods against noise when necessary.
countermeasures
manufacturer

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5.2. Flow of designing control cabinet

After the necessary information is obtained, design the control cabinet by following the flow in Figure 6.

• Grasp the electromagnetic compatibility such as if the device is generating noise, if the noise tolerance is high,
etc.
5.3 Electro- • Investigate if countermeasure members are necessary (based on the electromagnetic compatibility of the
magnetic device and environment).
compatibility

• Categolize the wiring for the devices, and create wiring diagrams for each.
6.1 Creating • Wiring diagrams for power lines, signal lines, ground lines, etc.
wiring
diagrams

• Set grounding (dedicated or shared grounding)

• Isolate the devices which generate noise and which are susceptible to noise. (Isolating the contol cabinets or
6.2 Isolation separating the setting areas.)
of ground

• Design the control cabinet. (Selection of metal casing, process of openings, shielding, and plating of the
mounting panels.)
6.3 • Isolate the devices which generate noise and which are susceptible to noise.
Designing of
control • Install the countermeasure members where necessary.
cabinet • Take countermeasures by isolating the wires by types and using shielded cables.

Fig. 6. Flow of designing control cabinet

5.3. Understanding electromagnetic compatibility

The electromagnetic compatibility of the devices to be used in the control cabinet depends on the types of the devices. Generally,

power devices and drive devices generate a large noise (noise generating devices), and control devices and sensors are

susceptible to noise. To understand the electromagnetic compatibility, refer to the compatible EMC class in each manual.

The manuals also list countermeasure members necessary for compliance with the EMC standard. Refer to the manuals when

selecting devices. (Even if costs of the devices with high electromagnetic compatibility are high, when the cost of the noise

control is considered, it may be inexpensive in total and save more space.)

The control cabinets for the drive devices generating noise and the control devices susceptible to noise should be isolated.

Noise level: Large

EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility): Low

Drive devices

Noise tolerance: Weak Noise tolerance: Strong

Control devices

EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility): High

Noise level: Small

Fig. 7. Electromagnetic compatibility

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6. Designing Control Cabinet

6.1. Wiring diagram and wiring route

6.1.1. Wiring diagram for devices

Cables used in the control cabinet will be noise transmission paths. Effective methods for suppressing noise transmitted on the

cables are listed in Table 4.

1) Function category of cables

Table 4. Function category of cables

Function category Features Measures against noise
Power input cable Switching noises are superimposed,  EMC noise filter is effective for the input side.
Motor output cable spreading a band of a few kHz to dozens Shielded cables are effective for the output side.
(Drive device) of MHz.  For the input/output cables of the drive devices,
separating them from the power, signal, and
control cables of the control devices are effective.
Power input cable Power noises are superimposed for the  Using a filter, ferrite core, or amorphous core is
(Control device) power cables of the control devices. effective.
 For the DC power supply, a twisted pair cable
cancels the normal mode noise.
Control, signal, Cables for connecting devices. A twisted pair cable cancels the normal mode
I/O cable Sensors and analog signals are affected noise. Using differential signals and optical cables
by the noise through the cables. improve noise resistance.
Shielded cables are effective.
Communication cable Clock frequency and harmonic of the Shielded cables are effective against radiated
communication are superimposed. noise. Ferrite cores are effective.
Grounding line Grounding lines mean the cables Dedicated grounding is recommended. (dedicated
connecting the ground of the devices and grounding > shared grounding)
a ground bar, or the cables connecting Do not have a common grounding.
the grounding points of the control Separate the noise generating devices form the
cabinet and the facility/factory. Common grounding bar and cables.
mode noise flows on the grounding lines.
2) Create wiring diagrams for each function category of the cables. When connecting the devices generating noise and

susceptible to noise, connect filters, and/or isolate cables and grounding.

6.1.2. Wiring route

Please note the following when considering the wring routes.

・ Band by wiring systems (power input/output system, or signal/control system) and keep the wiring as short as possible.
(Do not fold the cable.)

・ Extra length of the cable can be a path for the noise and transmits the noise to other cables and devices. Adjust the cable as
short as necessary.

Good Bad

Device B Device B
Device Device
A A

Fig. 8. Processing of extra length of cable

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 ・ The power input/output system cables for the drive devices generate a large amount of noise. Keep them away from the
power input cables, control lines, and signal lines of the control devices, and do not lay those cables along each other. The

noise will cut in from the power input/output cables of the drive devices due to capacitive coupling and magnetic coupling. If

unavoidable, isolate the cables of the different systems by using a duct, and cross the cables perpendicularly to limit the

superimposition of the induction noise caused by crosstalk.

・ Use shielded wires for the control and signal lines when the wires are laid outside the control cabinet.

・ Refer to section 6.2.2 for the shield termination of the control and signal lines.

Control cabinet Control cabinet

Power input cable

Control device Isolated Control device Control device Control device

Communication cable
Control cable Power input cable Signal cable

Isolated
Provide ducts
for the power Power Avoid passing the
cables and that cables and power cables and
for the control/ Less affected by noise control/
communication
signal cables when the cables are signal cables
are in the cables together
separately. isolated by ducts, and
Drive Drive same duct. through the same
moreover a metal hole. Otherwise,
device device
separator (requires the cables will be
Isolated
Control cable grounding) is inserted affected by noise.
Communication cable between the ducts.
Power Power Communication cable
Control cable
input cable input cable

Motor Motor
Motor output cable Motor output cable

Good wiring Duct for power supply line Bad wiring

Duct for both power supply and signal lines
example example
Duct for control/signal lines

It is recommended that you keep a distance of 300 mm or longer between the power cables and the communication/signal/control
cables. For some reason, if the cables are laid along close to each other, isolate the ducts and insert a metal separator to suppress
the noise influence. Be sure to ground the separator to the cabinet.
300 mm or longer

Communication/signal/control cables
Wiring duct Wiring duct

Power cables Power cables Communication/signal/

control cables
Separator (metal)

Fig. 9 Example of cabling

6.2. Separating and grounding of control cabinet

Install the control devices and the drive devices in isolated control cabinets. The most effective method of noise control is to

isolate the control cabinets.

When space is limited and it is unavoidable to install the control devices and the drive devices together in the same control

cabinet, be sure to ground referring to section 6.2.1 2) to suppress the mutual interference noise.

Grounding is the most important countermeasure against noise. Be sure to ground as recommended as possible.

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6.2.1. Grounding of devices

1) Between cabinets

・ Prepare isolated control cabinets for the control devices and for the drive devices, and each cabinet must have a dedicated
grounding. If it is difficult to have a dedicated grounding, have a shared grounding.

Do not use a common grounding because the devices affect each other by the common impedance. For example, if an

inverter and a PLC have a common grounding, the noise current flows from the inverter to the common impedance, and the

ground potential of the PLC changes, causing malfunction.

Dedicated grounding: Best Shared grounding: Good Common grounding: Bad

Control Control Control Control Control Control

cabinet for cabinet for cabinet for cabinet for cabinet for cabinet for
drive devices control drive devices control drive devices control
devices devices devices
Ground
Ground Ground
Ground potential potential
potential potential

Ground
potential Ground potential

Fig. 10. Grounding

2) Grounding inside the control cabinet when the control devices and the drive devices are in the same cabinet

(Refer to Figure 11.)

・ The noise of the drive devices cut in the control devices, and therefore, install countermeasure member such as an EMC
noise filter on the power supply side of the drive devices. Installing the EMC noise filter suppresses the noise from cutting in

the control devices.

・ Ground the drive devices and the control devices to each dedicated grounding bar in a way that the grounding bar is shared
by the same system devices. Ground the grounding bars by sharing the grounding terminal of the control cabinet.

・ When it is difficult to install dedicated grounding bars, separate the installation areas for the drive devices and the control
devices on the installation panel, and connect the grounding lines of the devices to the installation panel with the shortest

possible cables. The installation area for the drive devices must be close to the grounding terminal of the control cabinet.
Control cabinet Control cabinet Control cabinet
[Control device area] [Control device area] [Control device area]

Control Control Control Control Control Control

device device device device device device
Isolate the areas for the
control devices and for Chassis Chassis ground Chassis
the drive devices. ground ground
Grounding bar Grounding bar

[Drive device area] [Drive device area] [Drive device area]

Drive Drive Drive Drive Drive Drive

Place the area for the EMC
EMC device device device device device device
drive devices close to the noise noise
ground to prevent the filter filter Chassis
Chassis ground
noise from going to other Chassis Chassis
ground
areas. ground ground
Chassis ground
Grounding bar Grounding bar

Grounding Separate the grounding for the drive Grounding Shortest grounding to the Do not have a common
devices and the control devices by Grounding
on cabinet on cabinet mounting panel (inner panel) on cabinet grounding through
using grounding bars and have a grounding bars.
common grounding.

Best Good Bad

Fig. 11. Example of installing drive devices and control devices in the same control cabinet

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 3) Grounding lines

・ Thick wiring lowers impedance and drops the noise easily to the cabinet.

・ Short wiring suppresses unnecessary radiation from the grounding lines themselves and crosstalk from other cables. Refer
to manuals of each product for selecting thickness and length of the grounding lines.

6.2.2. Grounding of shielded cables

Shielded cables are effective for suppressing the radiated noise. The common mode current inside the shield flows in the

opposite direction from the common mode current flows in the core, and the common mode currents will be canceled. Thus, the

common mode current leaking out of the shield will be suppressed.

However, using the shielded cables increases the stray capacitance and may increase the conduction noise. Set a filter on the

power supply side of the drive devices to return the conduction noise back to the drive device side.

1) Attachment of a clamp on the shielded cable

・ Use a P-clip, U-clip, or clamp fitting to make a contact with a wide surface when grounding the shielded cable.
The clamp fitting which can be grounded with a wide surface is effective for high frequency noise because this type of noise

flows on surfaces due to the skin effect.

・ The high frequency noise does not flow easily with pigtail grounding because the pigtail has a smaller surface than the clip
and clamp fitting. If pigtail is used to connect to the terminal, it is recommended that a clamp fitting also be used.

Example of cable grounding Example of P-clip and U-clip

Good Cabinet surface Good Good Bad

Shield
Example of
cable grounding U-clip
A fitting that attaches
the shield of the Shield
cable effectively to
the cabinet surface P-clip

Example of Example of Grounding by extending

grounding by P-clip grounding by U-clip a tied-up shield
(pigtail)

A cable clamp fitting is composed of a ground plate and a cable clamp.

Strip the cable insulator

of the clamp area Cutter
Cable
Cable clamp Ground plate

Cable

External conductor
Clamp part drawing

Fig. 12. Termination process of shielded cable

2) Grounding of signal, control, I/O, and communication cables

・ Refer to manuals of each product for connecting the signal, control, I/O, and communication cables to the connectors and
terminal blocks.

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 ・ When connecting the cables between the cabinets, be sure to use shielded cables and ground at the end of both cabinets
for the control devices and the drive devices. If a potential difference is generated between the cabinets because of the

difference in grounding resistance, ground the cable shields with the clamp fittings close to the control devices only in the

cabinet for the control devices to prevent the noise current from cutting in the control signal and communication lines due to

the potential difference.

・ When grounding the shielded cable in the same control cabinet, ground the both ends of the cables with the clips or clamp
fittings close to the control device and the drive device. When it is difficult to ground the both ends, ground only on the

control device side. If grounding is executed on the drive device side only, the effect of grounding the shielded cable cannot

be expected, and the noise from the drive device may cut in the control device.

・ Do not ground the shielded cables of the control lines connected to the common terminals (SD, SE, and 5) of the inverter
with clamp fittings.
Ground both ends of the
connection between the
cabinets with clamps. When Cabinet for control devices
Cabinet for drive devices
there is a potential difference
and noise affect the devices,
ground only the control device
cabinet side with a clamp.
Power input cable HUB
Communication cable
Control When there is a
device communication cable in
the same cabinet, ground Communication
Do not ground the shielded Communication cable both ends of the cable or cable
ground of the inverter only the control device
side with a clamp.
control lines on the device
side. Signal, control, Control device
and I/O cables
Ground both ends of the
shielded ground of the
Inverter Servo servo control lines. Control device
Connect the shielded ground of the amplifier When noise affect the
inverter control lines to the common devices, ground only the
terminals (SD, SE, and 5). Do not control device side.
connect it on the device side. Power input cable

Motor

Motor output cable

Power input cable
Motor

Ground both ends of the

communication cable Core (ferrite/amorphous)
between the drive devices.
Clamp

Fig. 13 Grounding of signal, control, and I/O shielded cables and communication cables

・ Generation and transmission of the common mode noise due to the potential difference in grounding between the control
devices and drive devices

It is recommended that the signal, control, and I/O shielded cables be grounded on the control device side.

As illustrated in Figure 14, when there are grounding points for both the drive devices and the control devices, the common

mode noise is being transmitted to the grounding points of the drive devices, and therefore the potential will be high against

the ground reference point.

If the signal, control, I/O, and communication shielded cables are grounded on the drive device side, the grounding potential

will be high. The potential difference from the control device side causes the noise to transmit to the control device side.

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 Shielded cable for signal, control, and I/O

Drive system grounding (high potential)

IC V
Ground connection
Control system grounding (Low potential)

V：potential difference
GND IC：common mode noise
Fig. 14 Noise transmission mechanism of grounding lines of shielded cable

3) Grounding of shielded cable of motor output cable

・ Use a shielded cable, shielding cover, or metal pipe (conduit pipe) for the motor output cable.

・ Connect the shield of the shielded cable to the ground on both ends (drive unit side: control cabinet, and motor side: motor
terminal box or grounding terminal).

・ If the shield is connected by pigtail (shield wires are tied up and extended), it is less effective than the grounding by the clips
or clamp fittings.

・ Use a shielded cable with four cores for the motor output, and connect one to the ground terminal on the motor side and to
the ground terminal on the drive unit.

・ Be sure to ground the motor side because it is effective to suppress the noise.

4) Termination process of shielded cable of encoder cable

・ Note that the grounding method of the encoder cable connecting the drive unit and the motor varies for vector inverters and
servos.

・ For the vector inverter, ground one side on the drive unit side to the control cabinet with a crimp fitting.

・ For servo, ground both drive unit side and motor side with crimp fittings.

6.3. Designing of control cabinet

6.3.1. Type of control cabinet

・ Use a metal control cabinet. The radiated noise will be suppressed and the grounding will be stabilized.

・ Weld or screw the cabinet's top plate and side plate without any space on the joining sections. Keep the intervals between
the welding or screws to 100 mm or less. (To have 20 dB or higher shielding effect, keep the opening length to 1/20 or less

of the wave length of the shielding frequency. Refer to Figure 15. When the opening length L is 100 mm (0.1 m), the

shielding frequency of 20 dB or higher is 150 MHz or less.)

・ The installation panels (inner panels) of the cabinet must be plated to have sufficient grounding for the devices, and be sure
to connect the installation panel to the grounding terminal of the cabinet.

・ Open holes for leading cables from the control cabinet. Separate holes must be provided for the cables of each system and
have enough distance from each other.

・ There are general and EMC-dedicated control cabinets. The EMC-dedicated control cabinet has following features. It is
effective to use the EMC-dedicated control cabinet especially when enhancing the noise control. (Refer to Figure 16.)

1) Shield characteristics of casing: It has a sealing structure by being welded without any space. A rectangular wire for
grounding and shielding gaskets are provided.

2) Process of opening: The opening is shielded with a punched metal to prevent leakage of noise.

3) The inside the cabinet is plated so that the noise from the devices can be released easily.

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 Calculation of shielding frequency f [MHz] and
opening length L [m] with shielding effect of 20 [dB].
・ Opening length L [m]
150
L=
10 ∗ f
Bad Good
・ Shielding frequency [MHz]
150
f=
10 ∗ L

When the long side (indicated by ↔) of the opening is welded or screwed with an interval of 100 mm or shorter, noise of

150 kHz or less is shielded by 20 dB or more.

Fig. 15. Measures for openings

Paint mask

Opening with a diagonal

length exceeding 100 mm パンチングメタル

Punching metal

* Provide electrical conduction

シールドガスケット
Shielding gasket

Control
cabinet

Metal cabinet

Door
Packing
Plated inside cabinet

A contact part of the shielding gasket is

Rectangular wire conductive processed

Fig. 16 Example of control cabinet with EMC countermeasures

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6.3.2. Layout of devices in the control cabinet

Please note the following when laying out the devices in the control cabinet.

・ Consider the electromagnetic compatibility of the devices and the wiring route.

・ Lay out the devices to make the wiring as short as possible and not to connect different types of cables.

・ Secure the positions for the EMC noise filter, clips, clamp fittings, ferrite cores, and amorphous cores.

・ Install the EMC filter on a bare metal or a plated metal to release the noise from the filter. (Refer to Figure 17.)

・ Isolate the control devices and the drive devices with a metal shielding plate, etc.

・ Ground the control cabinet with a thick short cable (4.2 mm2 or thicker is recommended).

Fig. 17. Mounting devices on the control cabinet

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7. Countermeasure Member

Methods of using the general noise countermeasure members are listed. (not in recommended order)

Please also refer to appendix for the recommended countermeasure members.

7.1. Ferrite core and amorphous core

・ When the ferrite core or amorphous core is attached, its magnetic loss effect converts the noise to heat or the inductance
component increases the impedance to lower the noise.

・ The impedance is proportional to the square of windings on the ferrite core or the amorphous core. Pass through multiple
times (three or four passes) if possible. However, note that winding too much lowers the high frequency impedance of the

ferrite core or amorphous core because of the stray capacitance between the cables, and cancels the effect.

Magnetic field Magnetic field Converted into heat

Current Current

Fig. 18. Characteristics of ferrite core and amorphous core

7.1.1. Cautions when attaching the ferrite core and amorphous core

The attachment method of the ferrite core and amorphous core varies depending on the noise types (common mode noise or

normal mode noise). (Refer to Figure 19.)

The common mode noise is the dominant source. Therefore, attaching the ferrite core or amorphous core on L and N together

(three phases together for 3-phase power supply) is effective for suppressing the noise.

For the normal mode noise, attach the ferrite cores or amorphous cores on each L and N wire separately. When the core is

attached on each wire, the currents may generate magnetic saturation, causing lower impedance, heat generation, or noise due

to magnetostriction. When the magnetic saturation occurs, reduce the number of passes, replace with a larger ferrite core, or

replace with an amorphous core in which the magnetic saturation hardly occurs.
Common mode noise
コモンモードノイズ
Ｌ
N
機器
Device

Attaching a core for common mode noise

ノーマルモードノイズ
Normal mode noise

Ｌ
N
機器
Device

Attaching cores for normal mode noise

Fig. 19. Effective attachment of ferrite core or amorphous core

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7.1.2. Attachment position of ferrite core or amorphous core

1) Power input cables of the control devices: Lowers the noise flows on the cable

2) Motor output cables: Lowers the noise flows on the cable.

Lowering the noise from the motor output cable with the ferrite core or amorphous core lowers the noise induced to the other

cables such as for signal, control, and I/O.

3) Signal, control, and I/O cables: Lowers the noise.

It is recommended that the cores be attached on the both sides of the cables. If only one side is available, attach the core as

close to the control device as possible. Note that attachment of the ferrite core or amorphous core may deteriorate the signals,

depending on the cable type and length. In addition, for the communication cables, preventing the communication speed to

be more than necessary can be a countermeasure against the noise.

Control cabinet

Power input cable

DC power
supply
HUB

Control device
Attach a core to the control line
between the cabinets.
Control device Communication cable
Attach cores to the Core (ferrite/amorphous)
power input/output
cables. Clamp
Signal, control,
and I/O cables
Attach ferrite cores to the control
lines connecting the control device
and the drive device directly.
Drive When attaching the core on one
device side, attach it on the control
device side. (Countermeasure for
the radiated noise in the cabinet)

Motor output cable

Power input cable Motor

Fig. 20. Attachment position of ferrite core and amorphous core

4) Line noise filter: FR-BSF01, FR-BLF

Mitsubishi Electric has optional ferrite cores available as line noise filters. Please use these filters effective for the noise by

attaching on the power input cables and the motor cables.

7.2. Shielded cable

A shielded cable is an electrical cable enclosed by a metal shield. The shield is composed of braided strands of metal or a layer

of metal foil, and is useful for shielding the radiated noise and for returning the common mode currents.

Use a double-shielded cable for higher effect.

Termination process is important for the shielded cable. Refer to section 6.2.2 for the termination.

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7.3. EMC noise filter

・ This filter is often used for the power input lines, and is composed of a capacitor, common mode choke coils, and resistors.

・ Effect of EMC noise filter: Generally, this filter is effective in a band width of 0.1 MHz to ten-odd MHz. It is especially
recommended that the EMC noise filter be installed in the input side of the control devices. In this way, the filter lowers the

noise of the drive devices and decreases the noise transmission to the control devices.

・ Selecting EMC noise filter: When installing the EMC noise filter on the power input lines of the control cabinet at one place,
consider the total power supply capacity of the whole control cabinet, and select the EMC noise filter with a margin. If the

power supply capacity of the EMC noise filter is small, the core built in the filter generates magnetic saturation, eliminating

the noise reduction effects.

・ Mitsubishi Electric has capacitor-type optional filters available as radio noise filters FR-BIF. Please use these filters effective
for the radio band width (medium-wave broadcasting band) by connecting to the power supply lines.

・ The effects of the EMC noise filter vary by wiring and grounding methods. Connect the filter as follows:
When the EMC noise filter is installed, leakage current becomes larger. Refer to manuals of each product.

Isolate the input and output of the EMC noise filter. When they are banded together, even if the noise is
attenuated by the filter, the noise of the input side will be conducted to the output side.

Good Bad

入力
Input
フィルタ
Filter フィルタ
Filter
出力
Output

Input and output are isolated Noise will be conducted to the output side from the input side
because the input and output are close to each other.

Fig. 21. Caution for handling EMC noise filter (1)

EMCノイズフィルタ
EMC noise filter

Ground the EMC noise filter with low impedance. The ground
line will be inductance in the high frequency band. When the
cable is long, the impedance will be large, lowering the noise
attenuation effect of the EMC noise filter.
The filter is more effective when it is grounded by surface.

FG

Inductance
インダクタンス

Best Good Bad

Filter Filter

Filter Grounding terminal Grounding terminal

Casing is grounded by surface. Ground line is thick and short. Ground line is thin and long.

Fig. 22. Caution for installing EMC noise filter (2)

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 7.4. Insulation transformer and NoisecuttransTM (Noisecuttrans is a trademark of Denkenseiki Research Institute Co., Ltd.)

・ Separate the power supplies for the control devices and for the drive devices, and connect an insulation transformer or the
Noisecuttrans.

・ The insulation transformer is effective for suppressing the common mode noise, and the Noisecuttrans is effective for
suppressing both the common mode noise and normal mode noise.

・ Connecting the insulation transformer or the Noisecuttrans to the power supply of the control devices requires a smaller
capacity and therefore cost-effective than connecting to the power supply of the drive devices.

・ However, if the noise from the drive devices is large and has a large influence on the peripheral equipment, shield the noise
from the noise source by connecting the power supply of the drive devices.

Main Junction
power terminal Control system
supply block power supply
PLC

Insulation transformer
GOT
or noisecuttrans

Drive system
power supply

Inverter

Use the noisecuttrans

when influence of the Servo system
noise is large.

Fig. 23. Connection of insulation transformer or Noisecuttrans

7.5. Lightening surge protector (reference: immunity measures)

・ Connect a lightening surge protector (surge absorber) to the power supply for countermeasures against the lightening
surge.

・ Separate the grounding for the devices and the lightening surge absorber.
・ If not separated, the lightning surge traveling to the ground may flow into the devices.

Device

Lightning surge protector

Fig. 24. Connecting a lightning surge protector

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8. Summary of EMC Countermeasures

EMC countermeasures and effects explained in section 6 and 7 are listed in Table 6.

Table 6 EMC countermeasures and effects

Effect
Countermeasure
Method Conduction Radiated Induction Principal
part
noise noise noise
Use a metal casing. Shielding the electromagnetic interference
waves by a metal shielding effect.
Space of 100 mm or shorter is recommended for
When the shielding effect of 20 dB or larger
the joining area (top and side plates) of the metal
is required, keep the openings and the
Control casing. A little Very
Effective space of the joining area to 1/20 or less of
cabinet Use shielding gaskets for the door. effective effective the frequency wave length to be shielded.
Keep the openings as small as possible (ϕ100 mm For ϕ100 mm, it is effective up to 150 MHz.
or smaller is recommended.)
Insulate devices in the cabinet by using a metal
shielding plate.
Have dedicated grounding for each of the drive Separating the grounding for the control
Grounding devices and the control devices. If not possible, Effective Effective Effective devices and for the drive devices by having
have a shared grounding. different grounding points.
Do not lay along the power cables and Preventing the induction noise due to
control/signal cables close to each other, or do not crosstalk between the cables.
Very Very Very
fold the cables together. (Keep at least 100 mm effective effective effective
away from each other. Keeping 300 mm is
recommended.)
All cables Use P-clips, U-clips, or clamp fittings for grounding Effective for the skin effect of the current.
Very Very
the shielded cable. effective effective
Effective (Frequency of 1 MHz or higher flows only
on the surface of conductor.)
Install the clips or clamp fittings as close to the Preventing superimposition of exogenous
A little
opening of the control cabinet as possible. Effective Effective
effective
noise caused by the second radiation from
(Distance of 100 mm is recommended.) the wires in the control cabinet.
Shield by using the shielded cables, shielding  Shielding by the shield effect.
Effective Very
covers, or metal pipes. Effective  Reducing the ground loop area by
*1 effective
returning the common mode noise.
Separate the power supply systems. Very Not Not Effect from separating the noise
effective effective effective transmission paths.
Insulation transformer or the Noisecuttrans: Cutting the ground loop by the insulation of
A little Not
Power input Connect to the power input lines to shield the Effective
effective effective
the transformer, and shielding the noise.
port noise.
EMC noise filter: Reducing the noise by the heat of the LCR
Very A little Not
Install to the power input lines. effective effective effective
filter or returning the noise from the power
Select the recommended filters for each product. supply line to the product.
Radio noise filter: FR-BIF Resolving the unbalance between the lines
Not
Connect a capacitor to the power input lines and Effective Effective
effective
with the capacitor, or returning the noise to
ground line. the devices with a small ground loop.
Ferrite core and amorphous core Attenuating the noise by converting it into
Attach the cores to the input/output cables as close heat by the magnetic loss effect with the
A little
to the product as possible. Be careful with the Effective Effective
effective
core.
Power magnetic saturation when the cores are attached Attenuating the noise inflow by increasing
input/output for the normal mode noise. the impedance in the high frequency band.
port Line noise filter: FR-BLF/FR-BSF01
Install the filter on the input side and output side of A little
the drive device. Multiple number of passes is Effective Effective
effective
highly effective. (Four passes are recommended.)
Wire the control lines in the cabinet. When wiring  Shielding by the shield effect.
outside the cabinet, use the shielded twisted pair  Reducing the ground loop area by
Effective Effective Effective
cable, and connect the shielded ground wire to a returning the common mode noise.
specified place (SG, LG, etc.).
Ferrite core and amorphous core: Attenuating the noise by converting it into
Attach the cores to the control and signal lines. heat by the resistance component with the
Signal, control,
Attach the cores as close to the product as core in the high frequency band.
I/O cable
possible.
A little
For the cables between the control device and Effective Effective
effective
drive device, it will more effective when the cores
are attached on the both ends.
When attaching the core to only one side, it is more
effective to attach to the control device side.
Lightning surge protector: Attenuating the lightning surge noise level
Other
Attach the protector for countermeasure against Not Not Not by intentionally discharging electricity with
immunity effective effective effective a varistor (*2) or gas arrester (*3).
the lightning surge from the power input cable or a
countermeasure
circuit breaker.
*1. Only when the EMC noise filter is used.
*2. A varistor is an electronic component with two electrodes. When a certain voltage is applied, the electric resistance suddenly drops. The varistor is
used as a bypass to protect from the lightening surge.
*3. A gas arrestor (also called as a gas-encapsulated discharge tube) discharges electricity to protect the devices when a certain voltage is applied
such as lightning surge.

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9. Recommended Configurations

1) A recommended wiring diagram is shown in Figure 25 for when the control cabinets are installed separately for the control

devices and for the drive devices.

Communication line
Signal, control, and I/O lines
Power input line

Attach a protector against

Cabinet for control devices Encoder cable

lightning surge noise. Motor power cable

Lightning Grounding line
～ surge
protector
EMC filter/
transformer
24 V
Use a twisted
pair wires for
Chassis ground
HUB
DC the DC power P-clip/U-clip/shield clamp
supply.
Core (ferrite/amorphous)
Weld or screw the metal control cabinet
with intervals of 100 mm or shorter. Keep PLC/Motion
FR-BIF FR-BIF
GOT controller Attach cores to
the opening φ100 mm or shorter. If
the control lines
exceeded, shield with punched metal, etc. FR-BSF01/FR-BLF
led from outside
the cabinet.
Duct for communication/signal lines

Connect the shielded ground of the

Duct for power supply line
inverter control lines to the common
terminals (SD, SE, and 5). Do not
connect it on the device side.
Grounding on
cabinet Ground both ends of the communication cable between the
Connect the shielded ground of the cabinets with clamps. When there is a potential difference
inverter control lines to the common Dedicated ground (PE) and noise affects the devices, ground only the control device
terminals (SD, SE, and 5). Do not for control devices cabinet side with a clamp.
connect it on the device side.
Cabinet for drive devices
Clamp both ends of the servo control
～ lines. If there is a potential difference
between the cabinets and noise affects
Place an EMC filter or insulation
EMC filter

the devices, ground only the control

transformer close to the inlet for device cabinet side with a clamp.
Vector
wiring on the cabinet. Keep a
inverter Inverter
distance as long as possible Servo Attach cores to the
between the primary and secondary amplifier control lines led from
wiring. Do not band them together. outside the cabinet.
FR-BIF

FR-BIF Provide the ducts

FR-BIF
for the control lines
Ground one side the encoder and the power lines
cable of the vector inverter as separately.
close to the inverter as possible.

Keep a distance as long as

Set different kinds of
possible for the mark of ↔.
cables orthogonal.

Grounding on cabinet
Ground the motor power cable with a shield
Dedicated ground (PE) clamp, etc. within 100 mm from the opening.
Encoder Vector motor
for drive devices

Induction
Ground the motor Clamp the shield ground
motor. to the motor terminal box.

Attach a shield clamp

on both ends of the Servo motor
Encoder
servo motor encoder.

Ground the
motor.

Fig. 25. Recommended wiring diagram inside cabinet (separation by dedicated cabinet)

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 2) Figure 26 shows a recommended wiring diagram inside cabinet including the layout, wiring, countermeasure member, and

grounding for when there are the control devices and drive devices together in the same cabinet. (having difficulty of

separating cabinets)

Remove the noise of the drive device

system with a filter or transformer. Recommended wiring inside control cabinet
Weld or screw the metal control board with intervals of 100 mm
Lightning
or shorter. Keep the opening φ100 mm or shorter. If exceeded,
～ surge
protector
EMC filter/
transformer shield with punched metal, etc.

24 V Use a twisted pair wires for

Attach a protector against
GOT DC the DC power supply.
EMC filter
lightning surge noise.

Place an EMC filter or insulation Clamp both ends or one side of

transformer close to the inlet for the communication cable.
wiring on the cabinet. Keep a PLC/ HUB
Motion Controller
distance as long as possible Grounding bar for control devices
between the primary and secondary
wiring. Do not band them together.
Connect the shielded ground of the
Place the grounding bar to be a inverter control lines to the common
shared grounding for the cabinet terminals (SD, SE, and 5). Do not
grounding. connect it on the device side.
Metal shielding plate
To prevent more interference, Servo Clamp both ends of the servo control
separate the areas for the drive amplifier lines. If there is a potential difference
Vector between the cabinets and noise affects
devices and the control devices Communication line
inverter Inverter
with a metal shield. the devices, ground only the control
Signal, control, and I/O lines
device side with a clamp.
Power input line
FR-BIF Provide the ducts for the Encoder cable
Ground one side the encoder cable communication/control lines
of the vector inverter as close to the FR-BIF Motor power cable
FR-BIF and the power lines separately.
inverter as possible. Grounding line
Keep a distance as long as Chassis ground
Set different kinds of possible for the mark of ↔.
cables orthogonal. P-clip/U-clip/shield clamp
Grounding bar for drive devices
Core (ferrite/amorphous)
Grounding on
cabinet Provide grounding bars for the FR-BIF FR-BIF
control devices and the drive
FR-BSF01/FR-BLF
Protective devices separately, and place the
ground (PE) grounding bar to be a shared
Duct for communication/signal lines
grounding for the cabinet grounding.

Duct for power supply line

Encoder Vector motor
Ground the motor power cable with a shield
clamp, etc. within 100 mm from the opening.

Induction
Ground the motor Clamp the shield ground
motor. to the motor terminal box.

Attach a shield clamp on the

both ends of the servo motor Servo motor
Encoder
encoder.

Ground the
motor.

Fig. 26. Recommended wiring diagram inside cabinet (control devices and drive devices in one cabinet)

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10. Reference (*: Available at Mitsubishi Electric’s Factory Automation Website)

・ Mitsubishi Electric Inverter EMC Installation Guidelines *

・ Mitsubishi Electric General-Purpose AC Servo EMC Installation Guidelines *

・ Mitsubishi Electric Motion Controller User’s Manual (Q series) *

・ Mitsubishi Electric MELSEC iQ-R Module Configuration Manual *

・ GOT2000 Series User's Manual (Hardware) *

・ Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering by Henry W. Ott

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Appendix: List of Countermeasure Members

1. Lines of Noise Countermeasure Members for FA Products of Mitsubishi Electric

App.-Table 1. List of noise countermeasure members (Official options by Mitsubishi Electric)

Model* Product name Type Application Note

FR-BIF(-H) Radio noise filter Capacitor type Inverter and servo (-H) is for 400 V AC.

Inverter, servo, and

FR-BSF01 Line noise filter Ferrite core For 200 V AC and 400 V AC
robot
Inverter, servo, and
FR-BLF Line noise filter Ferrite core For 200 V AC and 400 V AC
robot

SF series Noise filter Noise filter Inverter and servo Filter for power supply

FR-E5NF series Noise filter Noise filter Inverter

FR-S5NFSA series Noise filter Noise filter Inverter Filter for 1-phase power supply
A filter pack including a DC
FR-BFP2 Noise filter Filterpack Inverter reactor, zero-phase reactor, and
capacitive filter.
Surge voltage suppression filter
Surge voltage suppression
FR-ASF EMC noise filter Inverter for output side of 400 V class
filter
inverter
Surge voltage suppression filter
Surge voltage suppression
FR-BMF EMC noise filter Inverter for output side of 400 V class
filter
inverter
MT-BSL Sine wave filter EMC noise filter Inverter Connecting the filter on the
output side of the inverter makes
the voltage and current of the
MT-BSC Sine wave filter EMC noise filter Inverter motor almost sine waves.
PLC, GOT, and
AD75CK Cable clamp Clamp fitting For clamping the shielded cable
Motion controller
AERSBAN-DSET Cable clamp Clamp fitting Servo and PLC For clamping the shielded cable

AERSBAN-ESET Cable clamp Clamp fitting Servo and PLC For clamping the shielded cable

* Models available at Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

Refer to catalogs and instruction manuals of each product for details.

As of January 30, 2017

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