Shielding attenuation

Shielding attenuation is in fact a decisive parameter that describes the effectiveness of the shielding of a coaxial cable. This shielding, which consists of one or more layers of metallic material, serves to improve the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of the cable by protecting the line from external electric fields and at the same time attenuating the electromagnetic field generated by the current-carrying line.

The way the shielding works is similar to a Faraday cage, which shields the inside of the cable from external electromagnetic interference. The shielding therefore acts as a barrier that prevents external electromagnetic interference from entering the cable and at the same time reduces the leakage of electromagnetic radiation from the cable.

The shielding attenuation is usually specified in decibels (dB) and indicates how much the electromagnetic field is attenuated by the shielding of the cable. A higher shielding attenuation means more effective shielding and therefore better EMC properties of the cable.

IEEE-STD 299 defines common measurement methods for determining the shielding effectiveness of coaxial cables. This standard replaced MIL-STD 285 in 1997 and defines precise guidelines for measuring and evaluating shielding attenuation. By complying with these standards, manufacturers can ensure the performance and reliability of their coaxial cables and ensure that they meet EMC requirements.

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