EN 50147-1:1996

Overview

EN 50147-1:1996 - adopted as SIST EN 50147-1:1997 - is a European (CLC) standard titled "Anechoic chambers - Part 1: Shield attenuation measurement." It defines a common measurement procedure for validating the shielding effectiveness of shielded enclosures (chambers and rooms) across the frequency range 9 kHz – 40 GHz. The standard is classified under electrical and magnetism topics (ICS 17.220.01, 29.020) and provides a harmonized approach to quantify how well an anechoic or shielded room attenuates external electromagnetic fields.

Key Topics

• Scope and frequency range: Measurement of shielding attenuation for shielded enclosures from 9 kHz to 40 GHz.
• Purpose: Establishes a common measurement procedure to validate shielding effectiveness of chambers and shielded rooms.
• Measurement considerations: Principles for performing reproducible shield attenuation measurements, including test setup, instrumentation and calibration practices (general, not prescriptive in this summary).
• Performance validation: Procedures intended to demonstrate that a shielded enclosure meets expected attenuation levels for EMC, radiated immunity or emissions testing.
• Documentation and reporting: Guidance on recording results and ensuring traceability of measurements (general emphasis).

Note: The original text establishes procedural and general technical requirements; specific measurement parameters and step-by-step setups are defined in the full standard document.

Applications

• EMC and RF test laboratories: Use EN 50147-1 to verify that anechoic chambers and shielded rooms provide adequate isolation for accurate electromagnetic compatibility testing.
• Chamber manufacturers and facility designers: Validate shielding performance during design, commissioning and maintenance of shielded enclosures.
• Telecommunications, aerospace, medical and defense sectors: Ensure test environments meet shielding requirements for sensitive RF measurements and regulatory compliance.
• Quality assurance and accreditation bodies: Provide a consistent measurement basis for certifying test facilities and comparing shielding performance across sites.

Who Should Use It

• EMC test engineers and technicians
• Chamber designers and installers
• Compliance officers and accreditation assessors
• R&D teams conducting sensitive RF experiments

Related Standards

EN 50147-1 is part of the broader ecosystem of EMC and chamber standards. For complete test programs, users commonly consult other EMC and anechoic chamber guidance documents and national adoptions for complementary measurement and performance criteria.

By following EN 50147-1, organizations achieve consistent, reproducible shield attenuation measurement practices for reliable EMC testing within the 9 kHz–40 GHz band.