Designation: A 698/A 698M – 02

Standard Test Method for

Magnetic Shield Efficiency in Attenuating Alternating
Magnetic Fields1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation A 698/A 698M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method provides means for determining the 3.1 The following symbols and abbreviated definitions ap-
performance quality of a magnetic shield when placed in a ply only to this test method (the official symbols and definitions
magnetic field of alternating polarity. are listed in Terminology A 340):
1.2 This test method provides means for establishing the 3.2 attenuation ratio—the ratio of the measured voltage in
desired value of alternating magnetic field strength, of suitable the pickup coil before and after the insertion of the shield under
uniformity, inside a standard test coil. test, E1/E2.
1.3 This test method provides tests for determining the 3.3 A—ac ammeter (usually root mean square (rms) but
strength of the alternating magnetic field inside the standard may be peak reading type).
coil. 3.4 E1—voltage in the pickup coil, after establishing the
1.4 This test method provides tests for determining the field of test but before insertion of the shield into the test
attenuation of the established alternating magnetic field due to position.
the insertion of a magnetic shield around the point of measure- 3.5 E2—highest voltage observed in the pickup coil, at the
ment. field of test, while rotating the test shield in the test position.
1.5 This test method shall be used in conjunction with and 3.6 Hp—magnetic field strength, Oe [A/m].
shall conform to the requirements of Practice A 34/A 34M. 3.7 Ip—ac magnetizing current, peak amperes.
1.6 The values and equations stated in customary (cgs-emu 3.8 I—ac magnetizing current, rms amperes.
and inch-pound) or SI units are to be regarded separately as 3.9 lc—length of demagnetizing air coil, cm [m].
standard. Within this test method, SI units are shown in 3.10 N—number of turns per coil section (one half of total
brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact Helmholtz coil turns).
equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently 3.11 N1—number of turns in demagnetizing coil.
of the other. Combining values from the two systems may 3.12 R—mean radius of Helmholtz coil, cm [m].
result in nonconformance with the test method. 3.13 V—electronic voltmeter (average volts 3 p/2 =2 ).
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4. Summary of Test Method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.1 Frequency—Tests under this test method are normally
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- conducted at a test frequency of 60 Hz.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. NOTE 1—Other test frequencies are used by mutual agreement. In
general, as test frequencies are increased, it will be necessary to make
2. Referenced Documents corresponding changes in pickup or test coils and in the size of the power
2.1 ASTM Standards: supply.
A 34/A 34M Practice for Sampling and Procurement Test- 4.2 Magnetic Field Strength—Tests may be conducted at
ing of Magnetic Materials2 any desired magnetic field strength. The standard test level for
A 340 Terminology of Symbols and Definitions Relating to ac magnetic fields is 0.5 or 2.0 peak Oe [40 or 160 peak A/m]
Magnetic Testing2 and in the presence of the earth’s magnetic field (see 9.2).
4.3 Instrumentation—The instruments described are for use
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A06 on at 60 Hz. At higher frequencies, electronic voltmeters and
Magnetic Properties and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee A06.01 on Test preamplifiers should also be satisfactory. It may be necessary
Methods. to change the rms ammeter and power supplies for use at
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2002. Published November 2002. Originally
published as A 698 – 74. Last previous edition A 698 – 92 (1997)e1.
higher test frequencies. It may also be desirable to reduce the
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.04. number of area turns in the pickup coil at these frequencies.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 A 698/A 698M – 02
4.4 Field Attenuation—The usable range of attenuation
ratios is determined by the strength of the starting field and the
sensitivity of the available instrumentation. Measurements
shall not be made when signal voltages cannot be clearly
distinguished from amplifier noise or other transient voltages.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method provides an easy, accurate, and repro- FIG. 2 Diagram of Connections for the Shield Test
ducible method for determination of shielding factors (attenu-
ation ratios) in simple alternating magnetic fields. larger shields are to be measured, the Helmholtz coil diameter
5.2 Since the sensing or pickup coil is of finite size, the shall be at least three times the length of the test specimen or
measured shielding factor tends to be the average value for the four times its diameter, or both. By mutual agreement, small
space enclosed by the coil. Due care is required when inter- specimens may be measured in smaller Helmholtz coils pro-
preting results when the coil is located near an opening in the viding the ratio of coil to specimen sizes described above is
shield. maintained. The framework shall be constructed to allow easy
5.3 This test method is suitable for design, specification access for insertion of the shield test specimen. The pickup coil
acceptance, service evaluation, quality assurance, and research should be fastened to a support that maintains its position and
purposes. orientation at the center of the Helmholtz coil system. The test
6. Apparatus fixture also requires an adjustable specimen support that
permits perpendicular positioning in relation to the axis of the
6.1 Helmholtz Coil: coil and permits 360° rotation. Also the test fixture shall be
6.1.1 The standard Helmholtz coil shall have an inside equipped with a centering adjustment which holds the shield
diameter of 48 in. [1.22 m]. It shall consist of two identical coil specimen in place at the center of the Helmholtz coil system
sections of 48 turns each, wound on separate forms that are during the test. The axis of the test specimen shall be 90° to the
rigidly fastened together or as two separate 48-turn coils direction of the field. No magnetic material shall be used in the
wound on a single cylindrical form. The frame shall be construction of the test apparatus, and the use of electrically
constructed of nonmagnetic materials. A satisfactory wire size conducting materials should also be avoided wherever pos-
is No. 14 varnish-insulated copper wire wound into concen- sible.
trated multi-layer coils of approximately square cross section. 6.2 Pickup Coil—The pickup coil shall be wound to have a
The two coils shall be mounted to have a common axis with value of area turns that is adequate to provide sufficient voltage
the spacing between coil centers equal to the coil radius. for good instrument scale deflections when the coil is in the
The electrical connections between coil sections shall be such weakest field to be measured. In general, for broad-range
that they are connected in series with their fields aiding to form requirements, the pickup coil should have an area turns product
the Helmholtz coil (Figs. 1 and 2). of approximately 50 000-cm2 turns. For best reproducibility,
6.1.2 The standard Helmholtz coil will measure shields up the coil should be covered with a thin nonmagnetic electrically
to 16 in. [0.40 m] in length and 12 in. [0.30 m] in diameter. If conductive foil shield (copper, aluminum, and so forth) which
should be connected to the system common point or to ground.
Care must be taken to make sure the edges of this shield
material are insulated in such a manner as to prevent a shorted
turn effect around the flux linking the coil area. Coil leads to
the instrument shall be enclosed in a grounded electrostatic
shield which may also be connected to the foil of the coil
shield. The pickup coil should be positioned at the center of the
Helmholtz coil, equidistant from the two coil sections, and
oriented so its axis coincides with that of the Helmholtz coil.
Either or both the diameter and length of the pickup coil shall
be equal to or less than one half of the diameter of the shield
test specimen and should be less than one tenth of the
Helmholtz coil radius. The pickup coils listed in Table 1 are
recommended for use with various size shields.

TABLE 1 Suggested Pickup Coils

Approximate Dimensions
Pickup Wire Number
Coil Size of Mean
Length,
Number No. Turns Diameter,
in. [mm]
in. [mm]
1 40 10 000 1.0 [25.4] 1.0 [25.4]
2 40 20 000 1.25 [31.8] 1.25 [31.8]
FIG. 1 Shield Testing Apparatus

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 A 698/A 698M – 02
6.3 Ammeter—A true rms ammeter, having rated full-scale 7.3 Large magnetic shields of any size may be tested
accuracy of at least 1 %, may be used to set the magnetizing providing the ratio of Helmholtz coil to magnetic shield size is
current in the Helmholtz coil. The peak value of magnetizing maintained in accordance with the requirements of 6.2.
current is calculated from the measured value of rms amperes.
When desired, the ammeter may be one which reads directly in 8. Standard Test Values
peak amperes. 8.1 The standard test conditions shall be an alternating field,
6.4 Electronic Voltmeter—A wide voltage range, average at a frequency of 60 Hz and at a magnetic field strength, Hp, of
responding type, calibrated p/2 =2 3 average (sometimes 0.5 or 2.0 Oe [39.8 or 159 A/m], which is calculated from a
called rms calibrated), electronic voltmeter having a rated measured peak value of current or from the assumed peak
full-scale accuracy of at least 1 % shall be used to measure value of the measured rms current using the relationship Ip = I
induced voltage in the pickup coil. This meter shall have a =2 . By mutual agreement, tests may be conducted at other
minimum impedance of 1 MV to avoid excessive loading frequencies and field strengths.
effects on the pickup coil. It shall be accurately calibrated at the
frequency of test. 9. Procedures
6.5 Preamplifier—When specimens having high attenuation
are tested or when pickup coils with relatively small values of 9.1 Orient the test set to the direction that gives the lowest
area turns are used, the electronic voltmeter may be unable to possible spurious voltage in the test pickup coil as a result of
resolve the low value of pickup voltage obtained from inside stray magnetic fields (Note 2). Measure this residual voltage on
the shield. In such cases, a linear high-impedance preamplifier the electronic voltmeter with and without the test specimen in
having an extremely low noise level voltage in its output is place and before power is applied to the Helmholtz coils. A
placed between the pickup coil and the electronic voltmeter to satisfactory test location is one in which the stray pickup
extend its low voltage range. This preamplifier should have an voltage is very small relative to either of the test voltages. (The
input impedance of at least 1 MV at the test frequency. The recommended ratio of test to stray voltage is 100:1.) Take care
preamplifier should be connected into the circuit for voltage to avoid coupling stray pickup directly into the electronic
measurement, both with and without the shield in test position. voltmeter amplifier through its metal case. It should be isolated
A calibrated attenuator may be used if necessary. from equipment such as oscilloscopes or other test instruments.
6.6 Power Supply—Commercial 60-Hz power sources are They should be remotely located and turned off during mea-
satisfactory providing they have good regulation and maintain surement where interference occurs.
an accurate sinusoidal voltage. Current waveform distortion is NOTE 2—Some high-permeability magnetic shields are very susceptible
acceptable in forms or amounts that do not cause the measured to physical damage and must be handled very carefully to avoid
peak value of current to deviate by more than 5 % from the degradation of magnetic properties.
peak value obtained by calculation from the measured rms 9.2 Demagnetize the shield before test (see 9.3). After
exciting current and by using sinusoidal waveform constants. demagnetization, begin the test at the lowest value of magnetic
For satisfactory tests, the current waveform distortion must field strength (Note 3). With the shield specimen remotely
remain constant for the duration of each test. Twisted pair-type located, apply excitation to the Helmholtz coil and increase it
leads should be used for all connections within the power until the desired value of magnetizing current has been
supply and between the power supply and the Helmholtz coils. reached. Then read the electronic voltmeter and record the
6.7 Power Control Equipment—Variable-ratio autotrans- voltage as E1 for that value of magnetic field strength. Reduce
formers, induction regulators, oscillators, power amplifiers, or the excitation to zero field, then insert the shield test specimen
other devices are suitable for adjusting voltages needed to over the pickup coil and center it in the Helmholtz coil. Slowly
provide the desired Helmholtz coil currents. The use of restore and readjust the current to the same magnetic field
rheostat-type controls is not recommended. All power supply strength, then obtain the attenuated value of pickup voltage E2
parts must be located as far as practicable from the Helmholtz by slowly rotating the test shield around its axis (pickup coil
coils and must be energized during all tests. and Helmholtz coil remaining stationary). Record the highest
6.8 Hall Probes—In certain instances such as when low value of voltage pickup as E2. Nonsymmetrical or partial shield
attenuation ratios are present or when very small shields are to enclosures should be oriented in the direction of use. Remove
be tested, transverse Hall probes may be used instead of pickup the shield from the Helmholtz coil. The next higher value of
coils. The active sensing element dimensions must conform to magnetic field strength is now established and the testing
the same size restrictions as pickup coils (see 6.2). procedure shall be repeated.
7. Test Specimens NOTE 3—During the test, care must be taken to ensure that the shield is
7.1 Magnetic shields of any shape may be evaluated for the only magnetic material present. Trouble may result from metal stools,
attenuation under this test method providing their geometric benches, desks, carts, spare test specimens, tools, laboratory instruments,
file cabinets, or other metal devices that are near the test coils.
shape is one that can partially surround the pickup coil. Any
size shield may be tested when the requirements specified in 9.3 Demagnetization—Because previous magnetic history
7.2 and 7.3 are met. may leave a residual magnetic field in the shield, demagneti-
7.2 The shield shall be large enough to fit around a pickup zation may be necessary to achieve reproducible results. Two
coil of sufficient area turns and must maintain the coil to shield acceptable demagnetization methods are described in 9.3.1 and
size relationship specified in 6.2. 9.3.2.

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 A 698/A 698M – 02
9.3.1 Demagnetization Method 1—The shield may be de- TABLE 3 Demagnetizing with Applied Windings
magnetized by slowly withdrawing it from the center of an air Material
Approximate Field
coil (along the coil axis) and removing it directly to a location A-turns/cm [A-turns/m]

remote from the coil (Note 4). The diameter of the air coil Nickel-iron and amorphous alloys 2 [0.02]
Silicon iron and low-carbon steel alloys 10 [0.10]
should be a minimum of two times the diameter (or diagonal,
as of a square shield) of the shield. The length-to-diameter ratio
of the air coil should be a minimum of three to one. The field,
Hp, in the center of the demagnetizing air coil should be
established with commercial power frequency currents to the 10.2.1 When the current in the standard Helmholtz coil
values shown in Table 2 using the following relationships: windings is read on a true rms-indicating ammeter, the relation
becomes:
Hp 5 0.4pN1Ip/lc ~cgs2emu!
Hp 5 1.00 I ~cgs2emu!

H 5 N1Ip/lc @SI#
Hp 5 79.6 I @SI#
NOTE 4—If the demagnetizing coil is located in the same room as the
Helmholtz coil equipment, or in such a place that the field set up by it will
10.2.2 If a peak-reading ammeter is used with the standard
interfere with other testing, it should be turned on only while being used Helmholtz coil the relation is as follows:
to demagnetize the test specimens. Hp 5 0.708 Ip ~cgs2emu!
9.3.2 Demagnetization Method 2—The shield may be de-
magnetized by threading turns (when the structure permits) H 5 56.3 Ip @SI#
through the open ends of the shield and establishing a high flux 10.3 Attenuation Ratio—The test values shall be recorded
level in the material of the shield with commercial power as E1 and E2 voltage readings (see 9.2) and the attenuation ratio
frequency currents in these turns. The current must be slowly calculated as follows:
and smoothly reduced from the maximum value, in very small
Attenuation ratio 5 ~E1/E2!
increments, to a vanishingly small applied magnetic field. The
magnetizing field for magnetic path lengths given in Table 3 10.4 Attenutation (Decibels)—When desired, the attenua-
are needed to establish the required maximum induction. The tion may be specified or measured in decibels. If recorded in
magnetic path length shall be taken as the maximum circum- decibels, the attenuation is the difference between the decibel
ferential dimension of the shield. readings corresponding to the voltages E1 and E2. If recorded
as voltages, the decibels (dB) may be calculated from the
10. Calculation following relation:
10.1 The magnetic fields established during the test and the Attenuation 5 20 log ~E1/E2!
resultant magnetic field attenuations shall be calculated in
10.5 If a Hall probe is used, the magnetic field strength can
accordance with 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4. The symbols and
be directly determined. The attenuation ratio is given by:
abbreviated definitions used in the equations or descriptions are
defined in 3.1. Attenuation Ratio 5 H1/H2
10.2 Magnetic Field Strength—The magnetic field in the where H1 is the magnetizing field strength without the shield
central test area of the Helmholtz coil shall be calculated as in place and H2 is the magnetizing field strength with the shield
follows: placed in the Helmholtz coil.
Hp 5 0.8992 NIp/R ~cgs2emu!
11. Precision and Bias
H 5 0.7156 NIp/R @SI# 11.1 The reproducibility of test values can be drastically
The turns and dimensions of the standard Helmholtz coil can affected by physical damage to the shield specimen. When test
be chosen to have values that reduce the above formula to the shields are properly handled and the equipment is designed to
simpler and more convenient relations shown below: keep the meter indications well upscale, the precision of test
for attenuation ratio is 65 % of the voltage ratio or 60.4 dB.
TABLE 2 Demagnetizing Field for Air Solenoid When the meter indications are allowed to fall downscale and
sinusoidal current waveform in the Helmholtz coil cannot be
Magnetic Field Strength,
Hp, in Center of maintained, the test errors will become progressively larger.
Material
Demagnetizing
Coil, Oe [A/m]
12. Keywords
Nickel-iron and amorphous alloys 10 [800]
Silicon iron and low-carbon steel alloys 50 [4000] 12.1 attenuation ratio; Helmholtz coil; magnetic shield;
pick-up coil; shielding factor

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 A 698/A 698M – 02

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