BSI ID: G 0.12

Information technology today consists largely of electronic components. Although optical transmission technology is increasingly being used, computers, network coupling elements and storage systems, for example, still contain a large number of electronic components. Electromagnetic interference affecting such components can impair the function of electronic devices or even damage them. This can result in failures, malfunctions, incorrect processing results or communication errors, among other things. Wireless communication can also be impaired by electromagnetic interference. In some cases, sufficient interference with the frequency bands used is sufficient for this to occur. Furthermore, information stored on certain types of data carriers can be deleted or corrupted by electromagnetic interference. This applies in particular to magnetisable data carriers (hard disks, magnetic tapes, etc.) and semiconductor memories. Damage to such data carriers by electromagnetic interference is also possible. There are many different sources of electromagnetic fields or radiation, for example radio networks such as WLAN, Bluetooth, GSM, UMTS, etc., permanent magnets and cosmic radiation. In addition, every electrical device emits electromagnetic waves of varying intensity, which can propagate through the air and along metallic conductors (e.g. cables, air conditioning ducts, heating pipes, etc.). In Germany, the Electromagnetic Compatibility of Equipment Act (EMVG) contains regulations on this subject.