IEC 62153-4-13:2009

Metallic communication cable test methods - Part 4-13: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Coupling attenuation of links and channels (laboratory conditions) - Absorbing clamp method

IEC 62153-4-13:2009(E) details the method of laboratory test to determine the coupling attenuation for links and channels used in analogue and digital communication systems.
This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 62153-4-5:2006.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 05-Aug-2009
• 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: 06-Aug-2009
• Completion Date: 31-Oct-2009

Overview

IEC 62153-4-13:2009 - Metallic communication cable test methods - Part 4-13 specifies a laboratory test method to determine coupling attenuation of links and channels (analogue and digital communication systems) using the absorbing clamp method. This part defines equipment, test-sample preparation, calibration, test set‑up and measurement procedures to quantify electromagnetic coupling (surface-wave and common‑mode) at connecting hardware under controlled laboratory conditions. The standard is published by IEC (2009) and is to be read in conjunction with IEC 62153-4-5:2006.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test objective: Measure the coupling attenuation (EMC performance) of metallic communication links and channels under laboratory conditions using an absorbing clamp.
• Absorbing clamp method: Uses ferrite absorbers/clamps to induce and measure surface waves and common-mode currents on the link or channel.
• Equipment and set-up: Defines required instruments such as signal generator, high-dynamic-range receiver, absorbing clamp(s), current transformer, reflector plate and balun (if needed).
• Balun requirements: Specifies minimum balun performance (Table 1):
  • Primary impedance typically 50 Ω (unbalanced)
  • Secondary (balanced) 100 Ω or 150 Ω
  • Operational attenuation ≤ 10 dB
  • Output signal balance ≥ 50 dB (30–100 MHz), ≥ 30 dB (above 100 MHz)
• Extension cable rules: Use extension cables matched to the link/channel (screened/unscreened/coaxial as appropriate); insertion loss of near-end extension cable shall be < 2.0 dB up to the highest measurement frequency.
• Calibration & measurement sensitivity: Procedures for calibration, set‑up verification and validation; measurement sensitivity must be at least 6 dB better than the pass/fail limit for the device under test.
• Test reporting: Standardizes expression of results and required information in the test report (test conditions, connectors, cable lengths, balun data, measured attenuation curves).

Practical applications

• Evaluate EMC coupling attenuation of patch cords, structured cabling links, screened/unscreened channels and connecting hardware.
• Support product development and quality control for cable and connector manufacturers.
• Provide reproducible laboratory methods for independent EMC test laboratories and certification bodies.
• Help network/system integrators and installers verify cable system immunity to common‑mode interference and ensure compliance with cabling specifications.

Who uses this standard

• EMC and test laboratory engineers
• Cable and connector manufacturers
• Certification and compliance bodies
• Network designers and installation contractors

Related standards

• IEC 62153-4-5:2006 (absorbing clamp background and related procedures)
• IEC 60050-726, IEC 61196-1 (terms and cable specs)
• ISO/IEC 11801 (generic cabling)
• ITU‑T G.117 and O.9 (measurement of unbalance and related metrics)

Keywords: IEC 62153-4-13, coupling attenuation, absorbing clamp method, EMC testing, metallic communication cable test methods, balun, extension cable, laboratory conditions.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 62153-4-13 ®
Edition 1.0 2009-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Metallic communication cable test methods –
Part 4-13: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Coupling attenuation of links
and channels (laboratory conditions) – Absorbing clamp method

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IEC 62153-4-13 ®
Edition 1.0 2009-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Metallic communication cable test methods –
Part 4-13: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Coupling attenuation of links
and channels (laboratory conditions) – Absorbing clamp method

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
P
ICS 33.100; 33.120.10 ISBN 978-2-88910-640-0
– 2 – 62153-4-13 © IEC:2009(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.3

1 Scope.5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .5
4 Test method .5
4.1 Equipment.5
4.1.1 General .5
4.1.2 Balun requirements .6
4.1.3 Extension cable requirements.7
4.2 Test sample .8
4.2.1 General .8
4.2.2 Length of extension cables .8
4.2.3 Tested length .8
4.2.4 Preparation of test sample.8
4.3 Calibration procedure .9
4.4 Test set-up.9
4.4.1 General .9
4.4.2 Test set-up verification .10
4.5 Measuring procedure.11
4.5.1 General .11
4.5.2 Example of link measurement.11
5 Expression of test results .13
6 Test report.14
6.1 General .14
6.2 Evaluation of test results .14

Figure 1 – Measurement of surface wave at connecting hardware in one end of a link
or channel.6
Figure 2 – Termination of link or channel or applied extension cable.9
Figure 3 – Test set-up for a near-end measurement of the first connecting hardware of
a link or channel .10
Figure 4 – Example of a four-connector link configuration as defined in ISO/IEC 11801.12
Figure 5 – First tested part of the link .12
Figure 6 – Second tested part of the link.13
Figure 7 – Last tested part of the link.13
Figure 8 – Typical measurement of a screened channel.15
Figure 9 – Typical measurement of an unscreened balanced channel .15

Table 1 – Balun performance characteristics.7

62153-4-13 © IEC:2009(E) – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
METALLIC COMMUNICATION CABLE TEST METHODS –

Part 4-13: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) –
Coupling attenuation of links and channels
(laboratory conditions) – Absorbing clamp method

FOREWORD
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9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62153-4-13 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 46:
Cables, wires, waveguides, R.F. connectors, R.F. and microwave passive components and
accessories.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
46/313/CDV 46/329/RVC
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 is to be read in conjunction with IEC 62153-4-5 (2006).

– 4 – 62153-4-13 © IEC:2009(E)

This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts of the IEC 62153 series, 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 maintenance result date indicated on the IEC web site 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 may be issued at a later date.

IMPORTANT – The “colour inside” logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this publication using a colour printer.

62153-4-13 © IEC:2009(E) – 5 –
METALLIC COMMUNICATION CABLE TEST METHODS –

Part 4-13: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) –
Coupling attenuation of links and channels
(laboratory conditions) – Absorbing clamp method

1 Scope
This part of IEC 62153 details the method of laboratory test to determine the coupling
attenuation for links and channels used in analogue and digital communication systems.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60050-726, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Chapter 726: Transmission lines
and waveguides
IEC 61196-1, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1: Generic specification – General,
definitions and requirements
IEC 62153-4-5:2006, Metallic communication cables test methods – Part 4-5: Electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC) – Coupling or screening attenuation – Absorbing clamp method
ISO/IEC 11801, Information technology – Generic cabling for customer premises
ITU-T Recommendation G.117:1996, Transmission aspects of unbalance about earth
ITU-T Recommendation O.9:1999, Measuring arrangements to assess the degree of
unbalance about earth
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-726 and
IEC 61196-1 apply.
In this document, connecting hardware is defined as a complete connecting device including
compensating or matching networks (if any), connectors and cable terminations.
4 Test method
4.1 Equipment
4.1.1 General
See 5.1.1 of IEC 62153-4-5 and Figure 1 below.

– 6 – 62153-4-13 © IEC:2009(E)

600 cm ± 10 cm
2 10
IEC  1475/09
Key
0 signal generator, output impedance Z 8 absorber (ferrite tube) of the clamp,
insertion loss > 10 dB
1 link or channel under test, nominal characteristic
impedance Z 9 absorber (or second clamp),
insertion loss > 10 dB
2 outer circuit of the link or channel under test,
impedance Z
10 termination of the far-end extension cable
connected to link or channel under test
3 absorbing clamp, impedance Z
11 shield of signal generator and balun if needed
4 measuring receiver
for high dynamic range
5 balun (if applicable)
12 reflector plate
6 current transformer
13 extension cable connected through mating
7 measuring receiver cable (use the same in
connector to link or channel under test, if
measurement and calibration)
applicable
14 connecting hardware in measured end of link or
channel
Figure 1 – Measurement of surface wave at connecting
hardware in one end of a link or channel
4.1.2 Balun requirements
For measurement of symmetrical cable assemblies, a means for generating symmetrical
signals shall be provided. If the generator is unbalanced, this may be performed by the use of
a balun or 180° power splitter.
The minimum requirements for this device are specified in Table 1.
The attenuation of the balun shall be kept as low as possible because it will limit the dynamic
range of the coupling attenuation or screening attenuation measurements.

62153-4-13 © IEC:2009(E) – 7 –
Table 1 – Balun performance characteristics
Parameter Value
a
Impedance, primary
50 Ω (unbalanced)
b
Impedance, secondary 100 Ω or 150 Ω (balanced)
d
Operational attenuation
≤ 10 dB
(including matching pads if used)
Return loss, bi-directional
≥ 6 dB
Power rating To accommodate the power of the generator and amplifier
(if applicable)
c
Output signal balance
≥ 50 dB from 30 MHz to 100 MHz
≥ 30 dB from 100 MHz to the highest measured frequency
a
Primary impedance may differ if necessary to accommodate analyzer outputs other than 50 Ω.
b
Balanced outputs of the test baluns shall be matched to the nominal impedance of the symmetrical patch cord /
cable pair. 100 Ω shall be used for termination of 120 Ω cabling.
c
Measured per ITU-T Recommendations G.117 and O.9.
d
The operational attenuation of a balun shall be mathematically deduced from 3 operational attenuation
measurements with 3 baluns back-to-back.

4.1.3 Extension cable requirements
An extension cable is only required if the channel or link under test does not include a cable,
which can be connected to the test set-up.
Unscreened extension cables shall be used for testing unscreened, balanced link or channels.
Screened, balanced extension cables shall be used for testing screened, balanced cable
assemblies. Unbalanced (coaxial) extension cable
...