Example of electromagnetic shielding effectiveness test
IEC-50147-1 Anechoic Chambers Shield attenuation measurement
emctest technologies performs shielding effectiveness tests
EMCTEST Technologies, Via Marecchiese 273, Rimini, ITALY
Phone: +39 0541 728562 | E-Mail: info@emctest.it

IEC-50147-1 - MEASURING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELDING ENCLOSURES

This standard IEC-50147-1 applies to measurements of shielding attenuation of shielded enclosures (chambers, rooms) in the frequency range 9 kHz - 40 GHz. The object of this standard is to establish a common measurement procedure for validating the shielding effectiveness of a shielded enclosure.

Shield Attenuation Measurement

The measurement is normally carried out with all the shielding components in place and, in the case of filters, with all wires and cables connected.
    NOTE: The procedure is derived from NSA 65-6; National Security Agency Specification for R.F. Shielded Enclosures for Communication Equipment.

Test equipment

The following types of equipment shall be used in performing that shield attenuation test, depending on the frequency range given in the specification of the enclosures. The measurement equipment shall have sufficient dynamic range to enable the test to be performed:
  1. CW signal sources covering 9 kHz to 40 GHz with adequate frequency stability. If unavailable in the microwave region (1-40 GHz), pulsed sources may be substituted.
    • NOTE: The starting frequency for shield attenuation measurements may be 10 kHz if the measurement equipment offers no other alternative.
  2. Loop antennas for magnetic field measurements
  3. Tunable of broadband dipoles, monopoles with ground planes for electric field and plane wave measurements, and horn antennas for plane waves at microwave frequencies.
  4. Probes for joint leakage tests.
  5. Receivers with adequate sensitivity.

Acceptance tests

Measurements shall be taken at several positions around the enclosure as given in the specification of the enclosure. In general, these measurements are made before absorber installation.
If the ambient noise level is low enough, all tests should be run with the receiver outside and the transmitter inside the enclosure.

Leakage test

Prior to acceptance tests leakage tests should be made all around the door frame, through accessible joints, around the filters and all around the air ducts. In addition, the magnitude and location of the maximum signal level emanating from the enclosure should be found by moving the antennas to at least four locations, preferably on different walls.

Electric and magnetic field measurements

Electric and magnetic field attenuation tests (reference measurements) shall be made with the antennas located directly opposite each other and separated by a specific distance plus the wall thickness.
Magnetic fields shall be measured with the loops parallel to a wall panel directly opposite each other.
Reccomend test frequencies for magnetic fields are 10 kHz, 100 kHz, 1 MHz, 10 MHz and 30 MHz, and 10 MHz and 30 MHz for electric field.

Plane wave measurements

Measurements shall be taken at the frequencies 100 MHz, 400 MHz, 1 GHz, 10 GHz and 40 GHz at least, depending on the frequency range given in the specification of the enclosure.

EMCTEST Technologies is a leading test laboratory in Italy and Europe for electromagnetic shielding effectiveness testing. Thanks to advanced instrumentation and extensive experience in the field, we perform measurements from 10 kHz to 110 GHz on materials and devices intended for industrial, telecommunications, medical, military, automotive, railway, marine, aerospace, scientific, governmental, and civil applications.

Typical Test Frequencies

  • Low frequency: 10 kHz, 100 kHz, 500 kHz, 1 MHz
  • Mid frequency: 10 MHz, 30 MHz, 100 MHz, 433 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz
  • High frequency (RF and microwave): 1 GHz, 1.5 GHz, 2.4 GHz (ISM band), 3 GHz, 5 GHz, 5.8 GHz, 6 GHz, 10 GHz
  • Very high frequency: 17 GHz, 18 GHz, 24 GHz (ISM – Industrial, Scientific, and Medical bands), 26.5 GHz, 30 GHz, 35 GHz, 40 GHz, 50 GHz, 60 GHz (wireless communication and radar applications)
  • Millimeter wave: 75 GHz, 77 GHz (automotive radar systems), 94 GHz, 100 GHz, 110 GHz

Our test laboratory is equipped to perform shielding effectiveness measurements up to 110 GHz.


You can read more on the home page. If you are looking for a laboratory to test your product, you are in the right place – feel free to contact us by email or phone.

shielding effectiveness test example with 2 antennas
GENERAL APPLICATION FIELDS
Textiles
  • Shielded bags
  • Shielded shirts
  • Shielded card holders for RFID cards
  • Shielded pockets for jackets and shirts
  • Shielding fabrics for domestic environments against electromagnetic fields
  • Shielded suitcases for protection of sensitive devices or documents

Construction
  • Shielding panels and sheets for private rooms, shielded enclosures, medical rooms, or small shelters

Glass
  • Shielded glass for residential windows or interior partitions
  • Shielded glass for screens and small electronic devices

Applicable Solutions
  • Custom shielding solutions on request
  • Shielding sprays for residential use
  • Shielding paints for indoor use

Other Shielding Materials
  • Conductive films and shielding sheets for walls or domestic surfaces
  • Conductive gaskets and shielding foams for residential use
  • Shielding materials for IoT and consumer electronics
  • Shielding tapes for small devices or DIY applications
  • Shielding solutions for RFID cards and personal devices
  • Conductive paints and coatings for indoor applications
  • Not mentioned above

Oversize Products
  • Oversize Products
  • Aircrafts and airplanes
  • Shielded electrical cabinets / enclosures
  • Shielded trucks
  • Vehicles with shielded components
  • Shielded containers
  • Freighters
  • Ships
  • Military shelters

Buildings
  • Anechoic chambers
  • Professional shielded rooms
  • Complete buildings requiring shielding
  • Government buildings and security zones
  • Sensitive or restricted areas
  • Shielded rooms and technical environments
  • Medical shielded rooms

Glass Applications
  • Shielded screens for industrial and medical equipment
  • Shielded glass with or without conductive mesh
  • Shielded glass for railway applications

Applicable Solutions
  • Custom shielding solutions
  • Industrial or professional shielding sprays
  • Military-grade shielding paints

Other Shielding Materials
  • Telecom and wireless networking equipment
  • RF absorbers and layered shielding materials for critical environments
  • Automotive control units compliant with ISO 11452, CISPR 25
  • Conductive plastic or composite components
  • Medical devices compliant with IEC 60601-1-2
  • Conductive films, sheets, and tapes for electronics and telecoms
  • Conductive gaskets and shielding foams for industrial or military installations
  • RFID shielding materials for logistics or industrial use
  • Conductive paints and coatings for industrial, military or technical applications
  • Not mentioned above

shielding effectiveness graph
CONTACT US
For information regarding the shielding effectiveness test, or to get a quote, you can contact us by phone or write us an email.
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