WG 5 - TC 46/WG 5

IEC 61726:2022 describes the measurement of screening attenuation by the reverberation chamber measurement method, also called mode stirred chamber method.
This document is applicable to screening attenuation measurements of cable assemblies, cables, connectors, and passive microwave components, such as waveguides, phase shifters, diplexers/multiplexers, power dividers/combiners, etc.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2015. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a. reworded Clause 1 "Scope";
b. replaced IEC TS 62153-4-1 by IEC 62153 (all parts) in Clause 2;
c. added the definition of screening attenuation in 3.1;
d. added Clause 4 "Principle of screening attenuation measurement";
e. added the descriptions of some test set-ups, such as frequency synthesizer, spectrum analyser, stepper motor, linking devices and the sampling system, etc. in Clause 5;
f. added Clause 6 "DUT";
g. reworded Clause 7 "Measurement procedure";
h. added Clause 8 "Caution notes";
i. added Clause 9 "Acceptance criterion";
j. added Clause 10 "Information to be given in the relevant specification".

IEC 62153-4-5:2021 is suitable to determine the screening- or the coupling-attenuation of metallic communication cables in the frequency range of 30 MHz to 1 000 MHz (2 400 MHz), depending on the performance of the clamp. It is an alternative method to the triaxial method of IEC 62153-4-4 or IEC 62153-4-9. Due to the undefined outer circuit of this absorbing clamp method, the test results obtained at different places and laboratories could vary by at least ± 6 dB.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2006. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a. reorganisation of clauses and annexes;
b. extension of frequency range to 2,4 GHz;
c. application of a virtual balun respectively balunless test procedure with multiport VNA.

IEC 62153-4-16:2021 specifies a method to extrapolate the test results of transfer impedance to higher frequencies and the test results of screening attenuation to lower frequencies when measured with the triaxial set-up in accordance with IEC 62153-4-3, IEC 62153‑4‑4 and IEC 62153-4-15. This method is applicable for homogenous screens, i.e. screens having a transfer impedance directly proportional to length.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2016. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- replacement of the conversion formula which was limited to a matched DUT by a new conversion formula suitable for any load conditions.

IEC 62153-4-15:2021 is available as IEC 62153-4-15:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 62153-4-15:2021 specifies the procedures for measuring with triaxial cell the transfer impedance, screening attenuation or the coupling attenuation of connectors, cable assemblies and components, for example accessories for analogue and digital transmission systems, and equipment for communication networks and cabling. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2015.This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) measurement of coupling attenuation of balanced connectors, assemblies and components with balun and balunless added;
b) application of a test adapter was added;
c) application of a moveable shorting plane;
d) application of the triaxial "absorber" cell;
e) correction of test results in the case that the receiver input impedance R is higher than the characteristic impedance of the outer circuit Z2.

IEC 62153-4-7:2021 is available as IEC 62153-4-7:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 62153-4-7:2021 deals with the triaxial tube in tube method. This triaxial method is suitable to determine the surface transfer impedance and/or screening attenuation and coupling attenuation of mated screened connectors (including the connection between cable and connector) and cable assemblies. This method could also be extended to determine the transfer impedance, coupling or screening attenuation of balanced or multipin connectors and multicore cable assemblies. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2015 and its Amendment 1:2018.This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- Annex E contains informative information about the direct measurement of screening effectiveness of connectors;
- Annex F gives normative information about mixed mode parameters;
- Annex G contains normative information about accessories for measuring coupling attenuation;
- Annex H discusses the low frequency screening attenuation.

IEC 62153-4-17:2018 applies to the testing of the reduction factor of multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control. The described method is generally applicable to all screened metallic cables.
The reduction factor describes the screening effectiveness of a cable screen at frequencies below 1 kHz with a ratio of voltages describing the screened and unscreened situation. During the measurement, the cable under test is connected to a specific current loop arrangement.

IEC 62153-4-8:2018 is also available as IEC 62153-4-8:2018 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 62153-4-8:2018 specifies a test method for determining the capacitive coupling admittance, the capacitive coupling impedance and the coupling capacitance by the use of a triaxial set-up in a similar manner as for the measurement of the transfer impedance (see IEC 62153-4-3). Most cables have negligible capacitive coupling; however, in the case of cables with loose single-braids, the coupling through the holes in the screen shall be determined by the measurement of the capacitive coupling admittance. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2006. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) use of the triaxial set-up in a similar manner as for the measurement of the transfer impedance (see IEC 62153-4-3),
b) use of vector network analyser instead of capacitance bridge or pulse generator.

IEC 62153-4-9:2018 is also available as IEC 62153-4-9:2018 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 62153-4-9:2018 applies to metallic communication cables. It specifies a test method for determining the coupling attenuation aC of screened balanced cables. Due to the concentric outer tube, measurements are independent of irregularities on the circumference and external electromagnetic fields. A wide dynamic and 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. However, when using a balun, the upper frequency is limited by the properties of the balun. Measurements can be performed with standard tube procedure (respectively with standard test head) according to IEC 62153-4-4 or with open tube (open test head) procedure.
The procedure described herein to measure the coupling attenuation aC is based on the procedure to measure the screening attenuation aS according to IEC 62153-4-4. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2008. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
– two test procedures, open head and standard head procedure;
– measuring with balun or with multiport respectively mixed mode VNA;
– extension of frequency range up to and above 2 GHz.

IEC 62153-4-6:2017 is available as IEC 62153-4-6:2017 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 62153-4-6:2017 determines the screening effectiveness of a shielded metallic communication cable by applying a well-defined current and voltage to the screen of the cable and measuring the induced voltage in order to determine the surface transfer impedance.
Measurements in the frequency range from a few kHz up to and above 1 GHz can be made with the use of normal high frequency instrumentation.

IEC 62153-4-7:2015 describes a triaxial method, suitable to determine the surface transfer impedance and/or screening attenuation and coupling attenuation of mated screened connectors (including the connection between cable and connector) and cable assemblies. This method could also be extended to determine the transfer impedance, coupling or screening attenuation of balanced or multipin connectors and multicore cable assemblies. For the measurement of transfer impedance and screening- or coupling attenuation, only one test set-up is needed. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
The document is revised and updated. The changes of the revised IEC 62153-4-3:2013, and IEC 62153-4-4:2015, are included. Measurements can be achieved now with mismatch at the generator site, impedance matching devices are not necessary. The contents of the corrigendum of April 2016 have been included in this copy.

IEC 62153-4-15:2015(E) specifies the procedures for measuring with triaxial cell the transfer impedance, screening attenuation or the coupling attenuation of connectors, cable assemblies and components, e.g. accessories for analogue and digital transmission systems and equipment for communication networks and cabling (in accordance with the scope of IEC technical committee 46). Measurements can be achieved by applying the device under test direct to the triaxial cell or with the tube in tube method in accordance with IEC 62153-4-7.

IEC 62153-4-10:2015 details a coaxial method suitable for determining the transfer impedance and/or screening attenuation of feed-throughs and electromagnetic gaskets. The shielded screening attenuation test set-up according to IEC 62153-4-4 (triaxial method) has been modified to take into account the particularities of feed-throughs and gaskets. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2009. It constitutes a technical revision. The main technical changes with regard to the previous edition are as follows:
- addition of a new clause that describes a procedure for verification of the measurement set-up and further information regarding sample preparation;
- addition of a new Annex that describes how to improve measurement certainty in the very low frequency area.

IEC 61726:2015 describes the measurement of screening attenuation by the reverberation chamber test method, sometimes named mode stirred chamber, suitable for virtually any type of microwave component and having no theoretical upper frequency limit. It is only limited toward low frequencies due to the size of the test equipment, which is frequency-dependent and is only one of several methods of measuring screening attenuation. For the purpose of this standard, examples of microwave components are waveguides, phase shifters, diplexers/multiplexers, power dividers/combiners etc. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition, published in 1999. This edition constitutes a technical revision. It takes into account the latest developments in the design of reverberation chambers as described in IEC 61000-4-21, which is also referencing this standard as a possible test method. Furthermore, an alternative measurement procedure is added which is able to reduce the measurement time needed.

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.

IEC 62153-4-3:2013(E) determines the screening effectiveness of a cable shield by applying a well-defined current and voltage to the screen of the cable and measuring the induced voltage in order to determine the surface transfer impedance. This test measures only the magnetic component of the transfer impedance. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2006. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- now three different test configurations are described;
- formulas to calculate the maximum frequency up to which the different test configurations can be used are included;
- the effect of ground loops is described.

IEC 62153-4-14:2012(E) is applicable to the in-field test method that is used to determine the coupling attenuation for installed links and channels used in analogue and digital communication systems. This method is used to determine the attenuation of disturbing power to signal power in a cabling system, and vice versa. This determines the influence from cabling on the EMC performance of a system. This standard is part of the IEC 62153 series titled Metallic communication cable test methods.

IEC/TR 62152:2009(E) lays the foundation for agreement on the fundamental terms and definitions to be used world wide in describing the transmission properties of a two-port or quadripole end and builds a bridge between the classical quadripole theory and the scattering matrix presentation which is based on incident and reflecting square root of power waves at the input and output of a two-port. This second edition cancels and replaces the previous one and introduces some technical improvements. Important terms and definitions have been added. Some of the terms are better described in the German language and therefore many countries have originally taken terms and definitions from German and translated them into their own language.

IEC 62153-4-11:2009(E) details the method of test to determine the coupling attenuation and screening attenuation for patch cords, coaxial cable assemblies and pre-connectorized cables used in analogue and digital communication systems.
This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 62153-4-5:2006.

IEC 62153-4-13:2009(E) details the method of test to determine the coupling attenuation or screening attenuation for connecting hardware used in analogue and digital communication systems. The test method details means to test one part of a connecting hardware (e. g. wall outlet or plug alone) as well as testing a mated pair of connecting hardware.
This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 62153-4-5:2006.

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.

IEC 62153-4-10:2009(E) details a coaxial method suitable for determining the transfer impedance and/or screening attenuation of feed-throughs and electromagnetic gaskets. A wide dynamic and frequency range can be applied to test even super screened feed throughs and gaskets with normal instrumentation from low frequencies up to the limit of defined transversal waves in the coaxial circuits at approximately 4 GHz.

It describes important background material used during the revision of IEC 61196-1:1995, Clause 14, Guidance for surface transfer impedance and screening attenuation limits for flexible r.f. cables. It is also given the relationship between surface transfer impedance (ZT) and screening attenuation (as), also measurements of ZT and as are provided to show the correlation of mean screening attenuation between 200 MHz and 500 MHz and ZT at both 30 MHz and 300 MHz.

determines the coupling or screening attenuation of metallic communication cables in the frequency range of 30 MHz to 1 000 MHz. It is an alternative method to the injection clamp method of IEC 62153-4-3 or the triaxial method of IEC/ PAS 62338. Due to the undefined outer circuit of this absorbing clamp method, the test results obtained at different places and laboratories could vary by at least ±6dB.

describes the injection clamp test method which determines the screening attenuation (as) of coaxial cables and the coupling attenuation (ac) of balanced shielded or unshielded data cables in a frequency range from 30 MHz up to 1 000 MHz and in a dynamic range up to 130 dB.

IEC/TR 62153-4-1:2010(E) gives a brief introduction to basic concepts and terms trying to reveal the common features of apparently different test methods. It should assist in correct interpretation of test data, and in the better understanding of screening (or shielding) and related specifications and standards. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2007. The significant change is a new clause on the background of the shielded screening attenuation test method.
This publication contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding of its contents.