What is ground, anyway?

Power ground? Earth ground? Digital ground? Zero-volt reference?

So many variants, each with distinct roles, yet lumped under one confusing term.

How do we connect them, and how can we tame EMI with smarter “grounding”?

In my latest article, I dive into why “ground” needs a serious rethink to master EMI control in electronics design.

If you are still using two-layer PCBs without "Ground" planes for your awesome electronic design and you're planning to test for EMC, then this is for you.

At a fundamental level, something just doesn’t add up.

The reason is simple: it's in how the signal propagates in the PCB.

The "water flowing through pipes" analogy to describe how signals propagate in a PCB no longer works.

It fails to explain how electromagnetic fields actually travel through the dielectric medium (not the conductors), which is key to understanding signal propagation—especially in high-speed designs.

This is a very expensive question to be left guessing.

Luckily for us, there are simple ways we can test the board before going for official testing.

It turns out that with a few simple tools (yes, some even DIY!), we can run pre-compliance tests to find out how our electronics will perform.

Best of all, we can then make adjustments and repeat the tests.

Don't wait until the last minute to find out whether your board is ready or not.

Great question, isn't it?

What if there was a fairly inexpensive way to find out, right from your workbench?

Wouldn't you be interested in finding out?

If the answer is yes, then great, because in my latest article, this is exactly what I'm discussing.

You can read the full article here.

EMC tests will find out the hard way if it’s not.

Standards can be quite boring, but they are "usually" there to help.

Discover how EN 61000-4-6 helps you design circuits that pass compliance from the start.

Don’t risk a test failure to learn its importance.

Read my latest article here.

Traditional electronics education simplifies circuits by focusing on components connected by wires, often treating "ground" as an implied connection.

This can hide the fact that both signal/power and ground paths are equally important for a circuit to work properly.

The article explains why this misunderstanding happens, the electromagnetic reasons why both paths need careful design, and practical tips for better PCB layouts.

Check out the article here!

-Dario

Because, if you’ve got this troubleshooting kit on your bench, it’s game over for noise.

💥 Comes with near-field probes and a sleek emissions-ready scope

💥 A pre-compliant EMC PCB to impress your boss and clients

💥 Not included: excuses

Grab Yours Here 👉 fresuelectronics.com

When designing a new electronic product, it's essential to consider how that product will interact with other devices in the same environment. 

Failing to account for EMI can result in a product that may fail in the field due to interference from other devices.

This article explores the essentials of electromagnetic compatibility training, addressing its importance, contents, and key components that can help individuals and organizations understand and apply EMC principles effectively.

Check out the article here

-Dario

To achieve EMC compliance, you need to plan carefully, execute precisely, and understand how electromagnetic fields behave.

A frequent misstep in the process is addressing EMC issues only after the main design has been completed.

In this article, we examine the drawbacks of relying on post-design EMC fixes, the benefits of early-stage EMC planning, and effective strategies for ensuring compliance during the design phase.

Check out the article here!

-Dario