EN IEC 62037-8:2025

• Abstract:

  IEC 62037-8:2025 defines a radiated passive intermodulation (PIM) test to determine PIM levels generated by a device or object when it is exposed to RF radiation. This test can be conducted on any material or object and is not limited to devices designed to propagate RF signals. This test can be conducted as either a near field or far field test as defined by the test specification in an outdoor test site or in an anechoic test chamber. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2021. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) added safety warning to verify that transmitters are switched off before connecting or disconnecting any component; b) corrected formula for calculating directivity; c) corrected antenna orientation labels in Figure 6; d) added clarification that PIM tests reports shall include maximum PIM and VSWR values.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 01-May-2025
• ICS: 33.120.01 - Components and accessories in general
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 46X - Communication cables
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 02-May-2025
• Due Date: 30-May-2025
• Completion Date: 02-May-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN IEC 62037-8:2025 - Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement - Part 8: Measurement of passive intermodulation generated by objects exposed to RF radiation (IEC 62037-8:2025)

• Replaces: EN IEC 62037-8:2022 - Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement - Part 8: Measurement of passive intermodulation generated by objects exposed to RF radiation
• Effective Date: 14-Mar-2023
• Refers: EN IEC 62037-1:2025 - Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement - Part 1: General requirements and measuring methods
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN IEC 62037-1:2021 - Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement - Part 1: General requirements and measuring methods
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 61169-59:2017 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 59: Sectional specification for type L32-4 and L32-5 threaded multi-pin radio-frequency connectors
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 61169-49:2014 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 49: Sectional specification for SMAA series R.F connectors
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 61169-52:2015 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 52: Sectional specification for series MMCX RF coaxial connectors
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 61169-50:2015 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 50: Sectional specification for RF coaxial connectors with inner diameter of outer conductors 4,11 mm with quick lock system - Characteristic impedance 50 Ohm (type QMA)
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 61169-51:2015 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 51: Sectional specification for RF coaxial connectors with inner diameter of outer conductors 13,5 mm with bayonet lock - Characteristic impedance 50 Ohm (type QLI)
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 61169-47:2015 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 47: Sectional specification for radio-frequency coaxial connectors with clamp coupling, typically for use in 75 Ω cable networks (type F-Quick)
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 61169-53:2016 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 53: Sectional specification for RF coaxial connectors with inner diameter of outer conductor 16 mm with screw lock - Characteristic impedance 50 Ohm (Type S7-16)
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Referred By: EN 61169-48:2015 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 48: Sectional specification for series BMP R.F. coaxial connectors
• Effective Date: 03-Feb-2026

Overview

EN IEC 62037-8:2025 specifies a radiated passive intermodulation (PIM) test method to determine PIM levels generated by any material or object when exposed to RF radiation. The standard covers both near‑field and far‑field test configurations and allows testing in an outdoor test site or inside an anechoic test chamber. This is the second edition and constitutes a technical revision, updating safety, measurement and reporting clarifications for radiated PIM testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Radiated PIM test scope: Applies to any object or material (not limited to RF propagation devices) subjected to RF radiation to measure passive intermodulation products.
• Test environments: Procedures for testing outdoors (subject to local RF regulatory limits) or in anechoic chambers to reduce external RF and environmental PIM sources.
• Test set‑ups and configurations: Single/dual antenna arrangements, single/dual band approaches, antenna type selection, polarization control and DUT (device under test) placement and orientation.
• Antenna characteristics: Considerations for antenna directivity, VSWR and polarization; the 2025 edition corrected the directivity formula and clarified antenna orientation labeling.
• Verification checks: Residual PIM verification and VSWR verification to ensure the test system and antennas do not introduce misleading PIM.
• Safety: Added safety warning to verify that transmitters are switched off before connecting or disconnecting any component.
• Reporting: Test reports must include maximum PIM and VSWR values and other specified test details to support result traceability and validity.
• Related measurement topics: Dynamic stimulus, test zone definition (near vs far field), and procedures for minimizing external PIM coupling into the measurement.

Applications and who uses this standard

EN IEC 62037-8:2025 is intended for:

• RF and microwave test laboratories performing PIM characterization.
• Antenna, connector and cable manufacturers assessing passive intermodulation risk from materials and components.
• Telecom network integrators and site engineers evaluating PIM contributions from nearby objects or infrastructure.
• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and RF compliance teams verifying installations and mitigating PIM that can degrade system performance.
• Outdoor test site and chamber designers implementing low‑PIM measurement capability.

Practical use cases include qualifying coatings, fasteners, architectural elements, and equipment racks for PIM susceptibility, or validating that installation environments do not introduce harmful PIM into wireless systems.

Related standards

• IEC/EN IEC 62037-1 - General requirements and measuring methods for passive RF and microwave intermodulation level measurement.
• Other parts of the IEC 62037 series cover complementary PIM measurement topics and procedures.

Keywords: EN IEC 62037-8:2025, radiated passive intermodulation, PIM measurement, RF radiation, anechoic chamber, near field, far field, VSWR, antenna directivity.