IEC 62153-4-4:2015

Metallic communication cable test methods - Part 4-4: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Test method for measuring of the screening attenuation as up to and above 3 GHz, triaxial method

IEC 62153-4-4:2015(E) describes a test method to determine the screening attenuation as of metallic communication cable screens. Due to the concentric outer tube, measurements are independent of irregularities on the circumference and outer electromagnetic field. A wide dynamic frequency range can be applied to test even super-screened cables with normal instrumentation from low frequencies up to the limit of defined transversal waves in the outer circuit at approximately 4 GHz. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition, published in 2006 and constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- Impedance matching adapters are no longer required when measuring devices have a characteristic impedance different from the characteristic impedance of the test equipment;
- The reflection loss due to a mismatch is taken into account by a (calculated) correction factor.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Apr-2015
• ICS: 33.100.10 - Emission
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: TC 46 - Cables, wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and microwave passive components and accessories
• Drafting Committee: WG 5 - TC 46/WG 5
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 29-Apr-2015
• Completion Date: 31-May-2015

Relations

• Revises: IEC 62153-4-4:2006 - Metallic communication cable test methods - Part 4-4: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Shielded screening attenuation, test method for measuring of the screening attenuation as up to and above 3 GHz
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 62153-4-4:2015 specifies a triaxial test method for measuring the screening attenuation of metallic communication cable screens (EMC). The standard covers measurements up to and above 3 GHz (practically limited by transversal waves in the outer circuit at ≈4 GHz) and is designed to test even highly screened ("super‑screened") cables using standard instrumentation. This second edition (2015) replaces the 2006 edition and includes key procedural updates on impedance mismatch handling.

Key topics and requirements

• Test principle: Triaxial measuring set‑up with a concentric outer tube that makes results independent of circumference irregularities and external electromagnetic fields.
• Screening attenuation (a_s): Defined as the logarithmic ratio between feeding power and the maximum radiated power observed from coupling peaks; results are derived from measured coupling voltages and converted to power ratios.
• Frequency range and dynamic range: Designed to apply a wide dynamic frequency range from low frequencies up to the limit of transverse wave propagation (≈4 GHz) to capture performance across relevant EMC bands.
• Electrical parameters addressed: Surface transfer impedance (Z_T), capacitive coupling impedance (Z_F), effective coupling length and its impact on measured attenuation, and the influence of impedance mismatches.
• Impedance guidance (technical change in 2015):
  • Impedance matching adapters are no longer mandatory when the measuring device’s characteristic impedance differs from the test equipment.
  • Reflection loss from mismatch must be accounted for via a calculated correction factor.
• Measurement independence: Measurement results do not depend on outer tube diameter or on outer circuit characteristic impedance provided certain conditions (e.g., outer circuit impedance larger than receiver input) are met.
• Procedure elements: Equipment requirements, cable preparation (coaxial, symmetrical and multi‑conductor), measurement steps, and expression of results.

Applications and who uses it

• Cable manufacturers: for design validation and quality control of cable shields.
• EMC test laboratories: to characterize shielding performance and produce comparable, repeatable results.
• Product compliance teams and procurement: to specify and verify shield effectiveness for telecom, data, and industrial cabling.
• R&D engineers: to evaluate materials, braid/foil constructions and design improvements for high‑frequency shielding.
• Standards writers and test developers: as a reference method to harmonize screening attenuation measurements.

Related standards

• IEC 62153-4-1 - introduction to electromagnetic screening measurements (normative reference).
• The IEC 62153 series - other metallic communication cable test methods.

Keywords: IEC 62153-4-4, screening attenuation, triaxial method, EMC test, metallic communication cable test methods, surface transfer impedance, impedance mismatch, cable shielding measurement.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 62153-4-4 ®
Edition 2.0 2015-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Metallic communication cable test methods –
Part 4-4: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Test method for measuring of
the screening attenuation a up to and above 3 GHz, triaxial method
s
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IEC 62153-4-4 ®
Edition 2.0 2015-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Metallic communication cable test methods –

Part 4-4: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Test method for measuring of

the screening attenuation a up to and above 3 GHz, triaxial method

s
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.100; 33.120.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-2653-7

– 2 – IEC 62153-4-4:2015 © IEC 2015
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Symbols and theoretical background . 5
3.1 Electrical symbols . 5
3.2 Theoretical background . 6
3.3 Screening attenuation . 7
3.4 Impact of coupling length and relationship between the screening
attenuation and the surface transfer impedance Z . 7
T
4 Principles of the measuring method . 10
5 Measurement . 11
5.1 Equipment . 11
5.2 Cable under test . 11
5.2.1 Coaxial cables . 11
5.2.2 Symmetrical and multiconductor cables . 11
5.2.3 Impedance matching . 12
5.3 Procedure . 12
5.4 Expression of results . 12
6 Requirement . 13
Annex A (normative) Determination of the impedance of the inner circuit . 14
Annex B (informative) Example of a self-made impedance matching adapter . 15
Annex C (informative) Reflection loss of a junction . 17
Bibliography . 19

Figure 1 – Relationship of U /U on a log (f) scale for a single braided cable . 8
2 1
Figure 2 – Relationship of U /U on a linear (f) scale and screening attenuation a on
2 1 s
a linear (f) scale for a single braided cable . 9
Figure 3 – Measured screening attenuation a formed by the maximum envelope
s
curve to the measured coupling voltage ratio U /U of a single braided cable . 9
2 1
Figure 4 – Triaxial measuring set-up . 10
Figure 5 – Triaxial measuring set-up connected to the network analyser . 10
Figure 6 – Preparation of test sample (symmetrical and multi-conductor cables) . 12
Figure B.1 – Attenuation and return loss of an 50 Ω to 5 Ω impedance matching
adapter; logarithmic frequency scale . 15
Figure B.2 – Attenuation and return loss of an 50 Ω to 5 Ω impedance matching
adapter; linear frequency scale . 16
Figure C.1 – Equivalent circuit of generator with load . 17

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
METALLIC COMMUNICATION CABLE TEST METHODS –

Part 4-4: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) –
Test method for measuring of the screening attenuation a
s
up to and above 3 GHz, triaxial method

FOREWORD
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International Standard IEC 62153-4-4 has been prepared by technical committee 46: Cables,
wires, waveguides, R.F. connectors, R.F. and microwave passive components and
accessories.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition, published in 2006 and constitutes a
technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition. Impedance matching adapters are no longer required when measuring devices have a
characteristic impedance different from the characteristic impedance of the test equipment.
The reflection loss due to a mismatch is taken into account by a (calculated) correction factor.

– 4 – IEC 62153-4-4:2015 © IEC 2015
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
46/545/FDIS 46/554/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 62153 series, published under the general title, Metallic
communication cable test methods, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.

IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
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METALLIC COMMUNICATION CABLE TEST METHODS –

Part 4-4: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) –
Test method for measuring of the screening attenuation a
s
up to and above 3 GHz, triaxial method

1 Scope
This part of IEC 62153 describes a test method to determine the screening attenuation a of
s
metallic communication cable screens. Due to the concentric outer tube, measurements are
independent of irregularities on the circumference and outer electromagnetic field.
A wide dynamic frequency range can be applied to test even super-screened cables with
normal instrumentation from low frequencies up to the limit of defined transversal waves in
the outer circuit at approximately 4 GHz.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 62153-4-1, Metallic communication cable test methods – Part 4-1: Electromagnetic
Compatibility (EMC) – Introduction to electromagnetic screening measurements
3 Symbols and theoretical background
3.1 Electrical symbols
Z
characteristic impedance of the primary circuit (cable under test)
Z characteristic impedance of the secondary circuit
Z
normalized value of the characteristic impedance of the environment
S
of a typical cable installation (150 Ω). It is in no relation to the
impedance of the outer circuit of the test set-up Z
Z is always 150 Ω (arbitrary determined) whereas Z is varying with
S 2
the dimensions of the CUT and inner diameter of the tube
R input impedance of the receiver
Z
transfer impedance of the cable under test in Ω/m
T
Z = Z × Z × jω × C capacitive coupling impedance of the cable under test in Ω/m
F 1 2 T
f frequency in Hz
C through capacitance of the outer conductor per unit length in F/m
T
relative dielectric permittivity of the cable under test
ε
r1
relative dielectric permittivity of the secondary circuit
ε
r2
normalized value of the relative dielectric permittivity of the
ε
r2,n
environment of the cable
l effective coupling length
vacuum wavelength
λ
– 6 – IEC 62153-4-4:2015 © IEC 2015
C vacuum velocity
a screening attenuation which is comparable to the results of the

s
absorbing clamp method
P feeding power of the primary circuit
P measured power received on the input impedance R of the receiver
in the secondary circuit
P radiated power in the environment of the cable, which is comparable
r
to P + P of the absorbing clamp method
2,n 2,f
S scattering parameter S (complex quantity) of the set-up where the
11 11
primary side of the two port is the DUT and the secondary side is the
tube
S scattering parameter S (complex quantity) of the set-up where the
21 21
primary side of the two port is the DUT and the secondary side is the
tube
ϕ = 2π( ε − ε ) l /λ
1 r1 r2 0
ϕ = 2π( ε + ε ) l /λ
2 r1 r2 0
ϕ =ϕ −ϕ = 4π ε l /λ
3 2 1 r2 0
3.2 Theoretical background
There will be a variation of the voltage U on the far end, caused by the electromagnetic
coupling through the screen and superimposition of the partial waves caused by the surface
transfer impedance Z , the capacitive coupling impedance Z (travelling to the far and near
T F
end) and the totally reflected waves from the near end.
For exact calculation, if feedback from the secondary to the primary circuit is negligible, the
ratio of the far-end voltages U and U are given by
1 2
U Z − Z Z + Z 1
− jϕ − jϕ
2 T F T F
1 2
≈
...