ASTM E1851-09

This standard provides measurement procedures for determining the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of durable rigid wall relocatable shielded enclosures. This standard specifies a method for comparing the shielded enclosure performance of structures provided by different suppliers. In addition, this standard is written to minimize variations in measured shielding effectiveness at a given frequency and test point regardless of test personnel, equipment, and test site. Therefore, the shielding effectiveness of a durable rigid wall relocatable shielded enclosure of any size from any supplier can be determined. This standard specifies a minimum set of measurements at a given frequency and a minimum set of frequencies to determine shielding effectiveness.

Source Fields—Performance of a shielded enclosure is to be assessed for two source fields: magnetic and plane wave.

Magnetic Field Measurements—The attenuation provided by a shielded enclosure is assessed by using a local source to generate the near field. The magnetic field measurements are specified for two narrow frequency bands: 140 to 160 kHz and 14 to 16 MHz.

Plane Wave Measurements—The attenuation provided by a shielded enclosure is assessed by using a locally generated distant source or plane wave field. The plane wave measurements are specified for three narrow frequency bands: 300 to 500 MHz, 900 to 1000 MHz, and 8.5 to 10.5 GHz.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of durable relocatable shielded enclosures.

1.1.1 The intended application of this test method is for virgin shielded enclosures that do not have any equipment or equipment racks. It is recommended that tests be conducted before the interior finish work begins. However, the shield assembly including all enclosure penetrations shall be completed and required penetration protection devices shall be installed in accordance with the design specification. The test method can also be used on existing shielded enclosures after repair work is done to verify workmanship, but it may be necessary to remove equipment or equipment racks to gain access to a test area.

1.1.2 The test procedures delineated in this document are comprehensive and may require several days to complete for a room-size shielded enclosure. A user can apply this test method for a first article test that requires proof of concept and validation of design and fabrication technique. Appendix X2 provides guidance on choosing test points so shielding effectiveness tests on a room-size shielded enclosure may be completed in about one-half day for which it applies to shielded enclosures coming off an assembly line.

1.2 This test method is for use in the following frequency ranges: 140 to 160 kHz, 14 to 16 MHz, 300 to 500 MHz, 900 to 1000 MHz, and 8.5 to 10.5 GHz. Specific test frequencies within these ranges are required (see 10.1.1 and 10.2.1). Additional measurements in the range of 10 kHz to 10.1.5.1 GHz may be performed. For specific applications, the frequency range may be extended from 50 Hz to 40 GHz. Appendix X1 provides guidance on selecting measurement frequencies.

1.3 This test method is not applicable to individual components such as separate walls, floors, ceilings, or shielded racks.

1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, equipment, or any combination.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

X2.1.1 The test methods described in this appendix can be used to verify quality of workmanship of shielded enclosures coming off an assembly line. It is presumed that a first article of the shielded enclosure has been tested to verify its design concept in accordance with the procedures specified in the main text of this standard and that the shielded enclosure passed a shielding effectiveness test. Test methods specified in this appendix are considered a reasonably cost effective means of verifying quality of workmanship of a shielded enclosure.

X2.1.1.1 As specified in 1.1 of the main text, the intended application of the test methods is for shielded enclosures that do not have equipment or equipment racks. It is recommended that tests be conducted before the interior finish work begins. However, the shield assembly including all enclosure penetrations shall be completed, and penetration protection devices shall be installed in accordance with the design specification if required.

X2.1.2 These test methods are not applicable to individual components such as separate walls, floors, ceilings, or shielded racks.

X2.1.3 Test methods described in this appendix may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. It is the responsibility of the user of this appendix to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

X2.1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.