IEC 62153-4-17-2018 PDF

Full title and description

St IEC 62153-4-17:2018 — Metallic cables and other passive components — Test methods — Part 4‑17: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) — Reduction Factor. This international standard specifies a laboratory method to determine the reduction factor (a measure of screening effectiveness) of multi‑element screened metallic cables used for analogue and digital communication and control; the measurement is performed with the cable connected in a defined current‑loop arrangement and is intended for frequencies below about 1 kHz.

Abstract

IEC 62153‑4‑17:2018 defines the test arrangement and measurement procedure for the reduction factor of screened multi‑element metallic communication and control cables. The reduction factor is expressed as a ratio of voltages (screened vs. unscreened conditions) and gives an index of how effectively a cable screen reduces externally induced low‑frequency interference. The method is generally applicable to screened metallic cables used in environments where power‑frequency or low‑frequency electromagnetic fields are present.

General information

• Status: Published, active international standard (base publication).
• Publication date: 15 August 2018.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 33.120.10 (Coaxial cables. Waveguides — EMC / cable test methods).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2018).
• Number of pages: 21 (IEC edition PDF length).

(Publication details and bibliographic data from the IEC publication record and national distributors.)

Scope

This part of IEC 62153 applies to the testing of the reduction factor of multi‑element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control. It covers screened metallic cables and specifies the measurement arrangement, instrumentation, test conditions and the method for calculating the reduction factor for frequencies below ~1 kHz. The procedure is intended for laboratory characterisation of screening effectiveness rather than for in‑service field monitoring.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of the reduction factor as a voltage ratio describing screened vs unscreened conditions for low frequencies (below ≈1 kHz).
• Detailed test arrangement including the required current‑loop connection of the cable under test.
• Specification of instrumentation, measurement points and signal levels to ensure repeatability between laboratories.
• Procedures for calculating and reporting results, including relevant uncertainties and test conditions.
• Relationship and consistency considerations with other IEC 62153 EMC test methods (other Part 4‑xx documents).

Typical use and users

Primary users are cable manufacturers, EMC test laboratories, design and compliance engineers for communication and control systems, and specifiers for industrial and railway signalling installations where low‑frequency field coupling to cables is a concern. Test houses and R&D teams apply this method to quantify and compare screening effectiveness of cable constructions and to support EMC mitigation design. (User types inferred from the scope and the IEC TC46 remit.)

Related standards

IEC 62153‑4‑17 is part of the IEC 62153 series (metallic cables — test methods). Related parts include introductory guidance (4‑1), multiple EMC measurement methods (4‑2 through 4‑16 and later updates) covering transfer impedance, screening attenuation, triaxial and clamp methods, and extensions of frequency ranges. For measurement of transfer impedance and screening attenuation of connectors and assemblies, see other Part 4‑xx documents (for example 4‑7, 4‑15, 4‑16 and subsequent corrigenda/amendments).

Keywords

Reduction factor; screening effectiveness; screened metallic cables; EMC test method; transfer impedance (related measurands); screening attenuation; cable testing; IEC 62153; TC 46.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62153‑4‑17:2018 is an international standard that specifies a laboratory test method to measure the reduction factor (screening effectiveness) of multi‑element screened metallic cables at low frequencies.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the test arrangement, measurement procedure, instrumentation requirements and calculation/reporting of the reduction factor for screened multi‑element metallic communication and control cables (frequencies below ≈1 kHz).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Cable manufacturers, EMC test laboratories, design/compliance engineers, and specifiers concerned with low‑frequency electromagnetic coupling to cables—used for product development, compliance assessment and comparative performance testing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The IEC base publication date is 15 August 2018 (Edition 1.0). Users should check the IEC webstore or their national standards body for any amendments, corrigenda or later parts that affect related measurement methods; some neighbouring parts in the 62153 series have been updated or amended since 2018.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the IEC 62153 series (metallic cables and other passive components — test methods), specifically the Part 4 (EMC) family of methods. Other Part 4‑xx documents cover transfer impedance, screening attenuation, triaxial and clamp methods and frequency‑range extensions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Reduction factor; screening; shielded cables; EMC; transfer impedance; screening attenuation; cable test; IEC 62153.