IEC 62153-4-5-2021 PDF

Full title and description

St IEC 62153-4-5-2021 — Metallic communication cable test methods — Part 4-5: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) — Screening or coupling attenuation — Absorbing clamp method. This standard specifies the absorbing-clamp test technique for determining screening (shielding) or coupling attenuation of metallic communication cables, including test arrangements, measurement procedures and reporting requirements.

Abstract

This second edition (2021) updates the absorbing-clamp method and extends its applicable frequency range. The procedure is suitable to determine screening- or coupling-attenuation of metallic communication cables in the nominal range 30 MHz to 1 000 MHz (and, depending on clamp performance, up to 2 400 MHz). The 2021 edition reorganises clauses and annexes and introduces a virtual-balun / balunless test procedure with multiport vector network analyzers (VNAs). It cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2006.

General information

• Status: Published / active international standard.
• Publication date: 26 August 2021.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 33.120.10, 33.100.10 (cable & EMC related categories).
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2021).
• Number of pages: 81 pages (IEC publication metadata).

Scope

The standard defines the absorbing-clamp measurement method to assess screening (shielding) or coupling attenuation of metallic communication cables. It covers required test equipment and clamps, test fixtures and cable preparation, measurement procedures (including balun and balunless approaches), limits of applicability and uncertainty considerations. The absorbing-clamp technique is presented as an alternative to injection-clamp, triaxial or other referenced methods (for example IEC 62153‑4‑3, IEC 62153‑4‑4 and IEC 62153‑4‑9) and includes practical notes about inter-laboratory variability (results can vary by about ±6 dB because the outer circuit is not strictly defined). Frequency applicability is nominally 30 MHz to 1 000 MHz and may be extended up to 2 400 MHz depending on clamp performance.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and objective of the absorbing-clamp method for screening/coupling attenuation measurements.
• Required test equipment: absorbing clamps, coaxial leads, reference loads, and (multiport) VNAs for balun/balunless measurements.
• Detailed test set-up, specimen preparation, measurement steps and data-recording requirements.
• Procedures for virtual balun / balunless testing with multiport VNAs introduced in the 2021 edition.
• Frequency coverage and applicability limits; statement on expected inter-laboratory variability (≈ ±6 dB) and related uncertainty considerations.
• Annexes and guidance addressing clamp performance, calibration checks and comparative method notes.

Typical use and users

Used by EMC test laboratories, cable and connector manufacturers, quality and compliance engineers, product verification teams and R&D groups developing or validating metallic communication cables and screened cable assemblies. It is commonly applied where an absorbing-clamp method is preferred for practical or equipment-availability reasons or to complement triaxial/injection-clamp test data.

Related standards

Closely related parts of the IEC 62153 series and other referenced EMC/test methods, for example IEC 62153‑4‑3 (injection clamp), IEC 62153‑4‑4 and IEC 62153‑4‑9 (triaxial methods), and related national/adopted versions such as EN/BS/UNE adoptions of EN IEC 62153‑4‑5. The 2021 edition explicitly positions the absorbing-clamp method as an alternative to the triaxial and injection-clamp techniques.

Keywords

metallic communication cable, absorbing clamp, screening attenuation, coupling attenuation, EMC testing, shielding, balun, balunless, multiport VNA, measurement uncertainty, IEC 62153 series.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62153-4-5:2021 is an international test method standard that specifies the absorbing-clamp technique for measuring shielding (screening) or coupling attenuation of metallic communication cables.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the test arrangement, required equipment (including absorbing clamps and VNA options), detailed measurement procedures (including virtual-balun/balunless approaches), frequency applicability (nominally 30 MHz to 1 000 MHz and up to 2 400 MHz depending on clamp), reporting and uncertainty considerations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: EMC laboratories, cable and connector manufacturers, product compliance teams, R&D and QA engineers involved in screening/shielding performance verification for metallic communication cables.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2021 edition (Edition 2.0) is the current IEC publication and it cancels and replaces the previous edition published in 2006.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 4‑5 of the IEC 62153 series (Metallic communication cable test methods). Other parts in the series define alternative methods (for example injection-clamp and triaxial methods referenced in Parts 4‑3, 4‑4 and 4‑9).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Screening attenuation, coupling attenuation, absorbing clamp, metallic communication cable, EMC, balun, virtual balun, multiport VNA, measurement uncertainty, IEC 62153.