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Meeting stringent operational guidelines

Industry Canada regulations require all electric utilities to perform radio frequency compliance measurements according to strict operational guidelines. Regulations stipulate specific procedures for electromagnetic radiation measurements and define maximum limits for radiated noise levels. Electric utilities must retain detailed accessible supporting documentation for at least five years.

Transmission lines and electromagnetic noise

Due to the proliferation of new sources and the increasing number of radio receptors, the engineering study of electromagnetic interference (radio noise) has assumed much greater importance in recent years. (Electric power lines and stations are common sources of unwanted electromagnetic energy). Corona on the transmission conductor injects impulsive currents into the conductor that produce wide-band frequency electromagnetic fields capable of interference with receivers near transmission lines.

The siting of transmission lines is regulated to ensure RI compatibility and, mitigate the adverse effects of electromagnetic interference on radio, mobile radio, television, and aircraft instrumentation.

Prevention is the best cure

Preventative steps taken at the early project stages return exponential benefits by verifying, during initial site planning, that proposed line routes and station sites do not interfere with communications systems facilities, thereby expediting government approvals and avoiding costly future mitigation. If stations and lines are sited and designed correctly, the role of radio interference tests is reduced to mere confirmation and documentation of the successful test results.

Comprehensive expertise and experience

Kinectrics provides the knowledge and tools to resolve any electromagnetic interference problem. Our professional experience in conducting successful EMI investigations spans over 25 years. Kinectrics’ comprehensive EMI expertise encompasses analytic modeling, and laboratory and field testing, for both ground level and in-air field measurements, to certify EM compatibility.

Innovative technology

Kinectrics has developed a predictive software to characterize radio noise levels emanating from transmission lines as well as unique analytical software to predict the effects of power transmission lines on AM broadcast station patterns. Setting an industry standard, Kinectrics authored the IEEE guide dealing with prediction, measurement and analysis of AM broadcast radiation from power lines.

The Kinectrics team has also developed effective TVI source location methods and logged an impressive record of success in conducting in air, and ground field tests at numerous power line sites.

Complete services and advanced scientific facilities

Electromagnetic Compatibility Services

• Signal and noise measurements
• Noise source location and mitigation
• Compliance testing to meet federal radio interference regulations
• EMC standards compliance testing
• Specialized consultation on power system interference problems
• Analytical investigations and troubleshooting

EMC Mobile Test Facility

• EMI test receivers (CISPR and MIL standards) and antennae covering 9 kHz to 1GHz
• Extendible 12 m antenna mast

Specialized equipment for TVI noise source location

• Portable signal and noise meter, and hand-held VHF and UHF directional antennae
• Ultrasonic detector and radio frequency "sniffer" for pin point accuracy
• TVI analyzer and oscilloscope to characterize electromagnetic interference amplitude statistics and pulse repetition rates

Specialized instrumentation and Data Acquisition Systems for airborne helicopter measurements

• Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system for accurate mapping of electromagnetic interference levels above transmission lines and stations

For more information, contact

Steve Cress, 416.207.6000 x6557, steve.cress@kinectrics.com