Improvement of the absorbing clamp coupling and screening attenuation measurements and standards for symmetric and coaxial cables and connecting hardware (connectors and cable assemblies)

This paper describes developments in one of the test methods for screening, which is described in the IEC standard for radio-frequency cables, IEC 61196-1. The test method is an open site test for screening attenuation, which uses an absorbing clamp to pick up disturbing signals on the screen. During development work performed by a CENELEC working group, TC 46 X/WG 3, this method has been extended to measure the electromagnetic properties of symmetric cables (coupling attenuation), which is the combined attenuation of the disturbing signals due to screening and balance. In addition calibration of the set-up has been modified so that the complete calibration is based on measurements and not on calculations based on simplified theoretical models. The test method and performance limits for the different classes of cabling components and systems are now under introduction in the standardization committees with the purpose of having better control of the electromagnetic performance of cabling. This performance affects, in conjunction with the associated electronic equipment, the electromagnetic compliance performance of cabled communication systems