IEC 61587-3:2013

IEC 61587-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2013-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and
IEC 60297 –
Part 3: Electromagnetic shielding performance tests for cabinets and subracks

Structures mécaniques pour équipement électronique – Essais pour la
CEI 60917 et la CEI 60297 –
Partie 3: Essais de performance du blindage électromagnétique pour les baies et
les bacs à cartes
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IEC 61587-3 ®
Edition 2.0 2013-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and

IEC 60297 –
Part 3: Electromagnetic shielding performance tests for cabinets and subracks

Structures mécaniques pour équipement électronique – Essais pour la

CEI 60917 et la CEI 60297 –
Partie 3: Essais de performance du blindage électromagnétique pour les baies et

les bacs à cartes
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX N
ICS 31.240 ISBN 978-2-83220-640-9

– 2 – 61587-3 © IEC:2013
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope and object . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Electromagnetic shielding performance test . 6
3.1 Electromagnetic shielding performance tests for cabinets and subracks . 6
3.2 Test condition . 6
3.3 Test configuration . 6
3.3.1 Calibration of the reference antenna . 6
3.3.2 Transmitting antenna . 6
3.3.3 Receiving antenna . 6
3.3.4 Reference measurement . 7
3.3.5 Transmitting antenna set-up . 7
3.3.6 Test specimen set-up . 7
3.4 Test requirements . 7
3.5 Test results . 8
3.5.1 General . 8
3.5.2 Open field test sites . 9
3.5.3 Semi-anechoic or full anechoic chambers . 10
Annex A (informative) Examples of SDA-antenna and measurement . 12

Figure 1 – Typical test equipment configuration . 8
Figure 2 – Example of a measurement data presentation . 9
Figure 3 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E . 9
Figure 4 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E (cabinet) . 10
Figure 5 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E (subrack) . 10
Figure 6 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E . 10
Figure 7 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E (cabinet) . 11
Figure 8 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E (subrack) . 11
Figure A.1 – A pictorial view of a SDA. 12
Figure A.2 – The SDA system . 12
Figure A.3 – Transmission property of E/O-O/E . 13
Figure A.4 – Measurement system for transmission property of E/O-O/E . 13
Figure A.5 – Measurement results . 14
Figure A.6 – Measurement setup at a measurement site . 14

Table 1 – Electric field attenuation levels . 8

61587-3 © IEC:2013 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT –
TESTS FOR IEC 60917 AND IEC 60297 –

Part 3: Electromagnetic shielding performance
tests for cabinets and subracks

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61587-3 has been prepared by subcommittee 48D: Mechanical
structures for electronic equipment, of IEC technical committee 48: Electromechanical
components and mechanical structures for electronic equipment.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition issued in 2006. It constitutes a
technical revision.
The main technical changes with regard to the previous edition are as follows.
This edition corrects the errors of EM code descriptions and the frequency range for the
shielding performance is extended up to 3 000 MHz.

– 4 – 61587-3 © IEC:2013
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
48D/527/FDIS 48D/534/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts of IEC 61587 series, under the general title Mechanical structures for
electronic equipment – Tests for IEC 60917 and IEC 60297, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
61587-3 © IEC:2013 – 5 –
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT –
TESTS FOR IEC 60917 AND IEC 60297 –

Part 3: Electromagnetic shielding performance
tests for cabinets and subracks

1 Scope and object
This part of IEC 61587 specifies the tests for empty cabinets and subracks concerning
electromagnetic shielding performance, in the frequency range of 30 MHz to 3 000 MHz.
Stipulated attenuation values are chosen for the definition of the shielding performance level
of cabinets and subracks for the IEC 60297 and IEC 60917 series. The shielding performance
levels are chosen with respect to the requirements of the typical fields of industrial application.
They will support the measures to achieve electromagnetic compatibility but cannot replace
the final testing of compliance of the equipped enclosure.
The purpose of this standard is to ensure physical integrity and environmental performance of
cabinets and subracks, taking into account the need for different levels of performance in
different applications. It is intended to give the user a level of confidence in the selection of
products to meet his specific needs. This standard in whole or in part applies only to the
empty enclosures, for example cabinets and subracks according to IEC 60297 and IEC 60917
and does not apply to the enclosures when electronic equipment is installed. Chassis may be
tested in the same way as subracks and cases may be tested in the same way as cabinets.
This standard was developed in close relationship to IEC 61000-5-7 but with the specific
focus on subracks and cabinets and the determination of performance levels at the chosen
frequency range.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60297 (all parts), Mechanical structures for electronic equipment – Dimensions of
mechanical structures of the 482,6 mm (19 in) series
IEC 60917 (all parts), Modular order for the development of mechanical structures for
electronic equipment practices
IEC 61000-4-3, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-3: Testing and measurement
techniques – Radiated, radio-frequency, electromagnetic field immunity test
IEC 61000-5-7, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Part 5-7: Installation and mitigation
guidelines – Degrees of protection provided by enclosures against electromagnetic
disturbances (EM code)
CISPR 16-1 (all parts), Specification for radio disturbance and immunity measuring apparatus
and methods
– 6 – 61587-3 © IEC:2013
3 Electromagnetic shielding performance test
3.1 Electromagnetic shielding performance tests for cabinets and subracks
Various levels of shielding performance can be achieved depending upon the construction of
the cabinet or subrack. Although shielding performance measurements are of limited value in
predicting the final overall system performance, consistent measurement techniques are vital
to ensure any measure of repeatability. The aim of this standard is to provide comparable
shielding performance testing results from one test laboratory to another (see IEC 61000-4-3).
The test result is valid only for cabinets or subracks determined by equal dimensions and
contents, for example removable covers, door, etc. The standard should be used for the
evaluation of design variations.
3.2 Test condition
All testing shall be performed in a semi-anechoic or full anechoic chamber or open field test
site as illustrated in the figures. When the semi-anechoic chamber or the open field test site is
used, the chamber shall meet the vertical and horizontal site attenuation test described in
CISPR 16-1. For the test set-up in the open field or an anechoic chamber, see Figures 3 to 8.
3.3 Test configuration
3.3.1 Calibration of the reference antenna
The purpose of calibration is to check the characteristics of the reference antenna, which is
the output level of a transmitting antenna and the sensitivity level of a receiving antenna.
The test shall be performed by setting the transmitting antenna facing the receiving antenna.
The direction of the transmitting antenna is at 0° and the radiated field strength is maximum.
The height of the transmitting antenna shall be set at 1,1 m.
The receiving antenna shall be positioned 1 m high and 3 m in distance from the transmitting
antenna. The frequency is 100 MHz and 500 MHz.
Calibration shall be made using both horizontal and vertical antenna polarities.
3.3.2 Transmitting antenna
The transmitting source shall be a Spherical Dipole Antenna (SDA) see Annex A or similar
(see Note 1 in Table 1). The size of the transmitting antenna should be equal or smaller than
150 mm in diameter. The equivalency to the SDA should be evaluated by an analysis of the
radiation pattern of the alternative antenna. Annex A illustrates the application of a spherical
dipole antenna (SDA). It is necessary to confirm whether sufficient power level of the
transmitting antenna can be ensured.
The transmitting antenna should be connected to the sender equipment located in outside of
the test specimen without affecting the shielding integrity of the test specimen.
The distance of the transmitting antenna to the metal wall of the enclosure should be at least
the diameter of the spherical antenna. The dynamic range of the measuring equipment should
be determined with the appropriate level above the expected attenuation level as shown in
Table 1.
3.3.3 Receiving antenna
The receiving antenna shall be one of the following types:

61587-3 © IEC:2013 – 7 –
– 30 MHz to 200(300) MHz biconical antenna;
– 200(300) MHz to 1 000 MHz log periodic antenna.
The change from biconical to the log periodic may be at 200 MHz or 300 MHz (see Note 1 in
Table 1).
Alternatively, a combined biconical/logarithmic-periodic antenna for the whole frequency
range up to 1 000 MHz may be used.
For the frequency range 1 000 MHz to 3 000 MHz, horn antennas should be used.
3.3.4 Reference measurement
(dBµV) are made without the test specimen. The transmitting
Reference measurements E
antenna shall be placed at the position in which it will be once the test specimen is present.
The transmitting antenna shall be positioned at 3 m distance from the receiving antenna and
the two antennas shall face each other in the same direction as that of the calibration.
Measurements shall use both horizontal and vertical polarities. Transmitting and receiving
antenna shall be polarized in the same manner. Frequency sweeps shall be in increments of
not greater than 5 MHz between 30 MHz and 3 000 MHz. The receiving antenna shall be
swept through heights of 1 m to 4 m. The greatest signal strength E for each frequency shall
be recorded (see Figures 3 and 6).
3.3.5 Transmitting antenna set-up
The transmitting antenna shall be placed in the centre inside the test specimen in the same
direction as that of the reference measurement and suspended by non-conductive material
(see Note 1 in Table 1).
3.3.6 Test specimen set-up
In the case of a floor-standing cabinet, there shall be an insulation between the cabinet and
the reference plane of the chamber of 100 mm (±5 %). A table top test specimen shall be
placed at a height of 800 mm (±5 %) from the reference plane.
3.4 Test requirements
Measurements shall be made by using both horizontal and vertical antenna polarities. Both
transmitting and receiving antennas shall be polarized in the same manner. Frequency
increment measurements shall be made.
The equipment under test shall be rotated 360° through its vertical axis (via a turntable or
other means) and the maximum signal strength determined in increments of 90°, i.e. a
minimum of four reading points in the frequency range of 30 MHz to 200(300) MHz, 45° in the
frequency range of 200(300) MHz to 1 000 MHz and 30° in the frequency range of 1 000 MHz
to 3 000 MHz.
Frequency sweeps shall be made in increments of not greater than 5 MHz between 30 MHz
and 3 000 MHz. The receiving antenna shall be swept through heights of 1 m to 4 m. The
greatest signal strength E (dBµV) from the combined sweep of the turntable and antenna
height shall be recorded for each frequency. For the typical test equipment configuration, see
Figure 1.
– 8 – 61587-3 © IEC:2013
3.5 Test results
3.5.1 General
The enclosure shielding performance is the difference between the appropriate reference
measurement (Figure 3 or 6) and the associated measurement with the antenna within the
cabinet or subrack. Refer to Table 1 for the appropriate test results.
The shielding performance is calculated in decibels as the difference between E and E . For
1 2
the shielding performance levels, defined by attenuation values dependent on the frequency
range, see Table 1. A typical graph of a measurement data (E -E ) (dB) presentation is
1 2
shown in Figure 2.
Attenuation requirements are based upon the final cabinet/subrack configuration with all vents,
panels, openings, etc., present. For a definition of the minimum shielding performance, see
Note 2 in Table 1.
Table 1 – Electric field attenuation levels
Performance level Minimum shielding performance
Frequency range Frequency range Frequency range
30 MHz to 230 MHz 230 MHz to 1 000 MHz 1 000 MHz to 3 000 MHz
dB dB dB
1 20 10 0
2 40 30 20
3 60 50 40
NOTE 1 For the receiving antenna, biconical or log periodic antennas should be used for the frequency range
between 30 MHz and 1 000 MHz and horn antennas should be used for the frequency range between 1 000 MHz
and 3 000 MHz. A spherical dipole antenna (SDA) may be used especially for the installation within the relatively
small subrack as the transmitting antenna. Equivalent SDA can be used. See Annex A on SDA.
NOTE 2 The minimum shielding performance will exclude cavity resonance.

Signal Transmitting
Computer E/O
antenna
generator
Spectrum
Receiving
analyzer
antenna
Antenna tower Antenna
controller tower
Turntable
Turntable
controller
IEC  351/13
NOTE 1 Electromagnetic shielding in accordance to IEC 61000-5-7,
performance level 1: EMxx20xx (EM code is not fully equivalent to level 1)
performance level 2: EMxx42xx (EM code is not fully equivalent to level 2)
performance level 3: EMxx64xx (EM code is not fully equivalent to level 3)
NOTE 2 E/O is used for fibre optical cable connection.
Figure 1 – Typical test equipment configuration

61587-3 © IEC:2013 – 9 –
The antenna, as detailed in Figures 3 to 8, shall be selected as described in 3.5.2 and 3.5.3.

30 100 200 300 500 1 000 2 000 3 000
Frequency  (MHz)
IEC  352/13
Figure 2 – Example of a measurement data presentation
The graph in Figure 2 shows a typical plot from test results.
3.5.2 Open field test sites
Fibre optical cable connection between a sender equipment and a transmitting antenna is an
example for using the SDA.
3 m
Transmitting antenna
Receiving antenna
Sender equipment Receiver equipment
Reference plane
Fibre optical cable Coaxial cable
IEC  353/13
Figure 3 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E
Shielding performance E – E  (dB)
1 2
H = 1,1 m
H = 1 ∼ 4 m
– 10 – 61587-3 © IEC:2013
3 m
Transmitting antenna
Receiving antenna
Cabinet
Sender equipment Receiver equipment
Reference plane
Fibre optical cable Coaxial cable
IEC  354/13
Figure 4 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E (cabinet)
3 m
Transmitting antenna
Receiving antenna
Subrack
Receiver equipment
Sender equipment
Reference plane
Fibre optical cable Coaxial cable
IEC  355/13
Figure 5 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E (subrack)
3.5.3 Semi-anechoic or full anechoic chambers
Fibre optical cable connection between a sender equipment and a transmitting antenna is an
example for using the SDA.
3 m
Receiving antenna
Transmitting antenna
Test chamber
Sender equipment Receiver equipment
Reference plane
Fibre optical cable Coaxial cable
IEC  356/13
Figure 6 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E
H = 1,1 m
800 mm
100 mm
H = 1,1 m
H = 1,1 m
H = 1 ∼ 4 m
H = 1 ∼ 4 m
H = 1 ∼ 4 m
61587-3 © IEC:2013 – 11 –
3 m
Transmitting antenna Test chamber
Receiving antenna
Cabinet
Sender equipment Receiver equipment
Reference plane
Fibre optical cable Coaxial cable
IEC  357/13
Figure 7 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E (cabinet)
3 m
Test chamber
Transmitting antenna
Receiving antenna
Subrack
Sender equipment Receiver equipment
Reference plane
Fibre optical cable Coaxial cable
IEC  358/13
Figure 8 – Set-up for measurement of reference field strength E (subrack)
800 mm
100 mm
H = 1,1 m
H = 1,1 m
H = 1 ∼ 4 m
H = 1 ∼ 4 m 2
– 12 – 61587-3 © IEC:2013
Annex A
(informati
...