Pigtail termination

Illustrated explanation

Two ways to terminate a cable screen

2Pigtail termination
Circumferential and pigtail screen connectionsTwo cable-screen terminations are shown beside an equipment bonding surface. Callout 1 marks a ring contacting the screen around its circumference, 2 a screen gathered into a pigtail lead and 3 the connection route into the equipment. Electrical continuity and high-frequency screening performance are separate checks. Current term: Pigtail termination, callout 2. 1 2 3 Circumferential contactGathered leadEquipmentbonding surface
  1. 360-degree screen contact

    Contact hardware touches the exposed screen around its circumference. Check screen diameter, exposed length and assembly method.

  2. Pigtail terminationThis term

    A gathered screen lead connects to a terminal. Lead length and geometry affect the high-frequency connection.

  3. Screen continuity

    A conductive route joins the screen termination to the intended equipment connection. Verify the whole path and relevant EMC performance.

Circumferential contact uses a ring around the exposed screen. A pigtail gathers the screen into a separate lead. Both need a defined conductive path into the equipment bonding arrangement.

Conceptual screen termination, not a protective-earth sizing diagram. Continuity alone does not establish equivalent high-frequency screening performance.

ReferencesIEC TR 61000-1-1:2023 — EMC terminology and fundamental conceptsIEC 62153-4-15 — Triaxial-cell screening measurements