IEC 62153-4-4 specifies the test method for measuring the screening attenuation (shielding effectiveness) of cable screens used in metallic communication cables.
The test typically uses a tube-in-tube measurement method where the shielded cable is placed inside a test fixture and the ratio of electromagnetic energy transmitted through the shield versus the incident energy is measured across a range of frequencies. Results are expressed in decibels.
Screening attenuation measurements are essential for cables used in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) sensitive applications including aerospace, military communications, and data transmission systems where shielding integrity directly affects signal quality.