What are shielded test enclosures? 

A shielded test enclosure is a metallic enclosure designed to provide an isolated environment for a device under test (DUT) to perform EMC testing. These enclosures are made of conductive material and are often lined with RF-absorbing foam on the walls, floors, and ceiling. They are equipped with grounding systems, conductive gaskets, airtight seals, and various power supply and interface ports to ensure effective shielding. The shielded test enclosure uses the principle of a Faraday cage that prevents radiated EMI (electromagnetic interference) signals from entering or exiting the enclosed area.  

Figure: Shielded test enclosure It is essential to test devices in an isolated environment to understand the device’s performance. By preventing EMI/RFI signals from entering the enclosed area, the test enclosure provides an isolated environment for DUT to perform EMC testing. The RF-absorbing foam absorbs and dissipates electromagnetic waves, preventing them from reflecting off surfaces and interfering with the accuracy of tests. Additionally, it ensures that emissions from the DUT are contained, thereby protecting surrounding electronic equipment from potential interference.

Shielded test enclosures come in various configurations, including portable and fixed models, and are available in different sizes, opening types (front, top, and clamshell), and package types (benchtop/tabletop and rack mount). They are ideal for mobile phones, Bluetooth, RFID, 3G, and 5G devices testing, as well as used in digital forensics, R&D applications, and more. 

Key specification details of shielded test enclosure: 

Type: The enclosure comes in various types, which include Rack-Mount, Stand-Alone, or Bench-top / Table-Top type.   

Frequency: This is the frequency range in which the shield test enclosure provides isolation from interference. Based on the device under test and testing frequency range, the frequency range of the enclosure will be selected. 

Isolation: Represents the level of isolation (in dB) provided by the enclosure. Higher isolation means the enclosure will provide better shielding against interference.  

Interface: Represents the type of interface (e.g., RS232, USB, etc.) that is supported by the enclosure. The interface is used to establish the connection with the device inside the test enclosure.