User Documentation
6 Earthing and shielding | Shielding of cables 
362484950000/00/03.2016 Manual UR67-PROIFBUS
Only when a cable shield is connected to the local refer-
ence potential on both sides is it possible to achieve optimal 
shielding against electric and magnetic elds. Exceptions 
are possible, for example, with high-impedance, symmetrical 
or analogue signal cables. If a shield is attached on only one 
side, this merely achieves an isolation against electric elds.
ATTENTION
Material damage! 
Requirements for effective shielding design:
 – The shield connection to the shield bus should be low 
impedance
 – The shield must be connected directly at its entrance 
into the system
 – Keep cable ends as short as possible
 – Do not use cable shields for equipotential bonding
When connecting a data cable using a sub-D connector, the 
connection must be made through the connector's shield 
collar and never through pin 1.
The data cable's shield must be attached to the shield bus 
with the insulation stripped away. The shield is to be con-
nected and attached with clamping brackets or similar metal 
xing devices. The shield bus must be connected to the refer-
ence potential surface through a low impedance (e.g.fasten-
ing point with a separation of 10 to 20cm). The brackets 
must surround and make contact with a large part of the 
shield. 
Isolation of the cable shield should be avoided. Instead, it 
should be routed into the system (for example, the switch 
cabinet) up to the interface connection.
ATTENTION
Shielding of eld bus cables 
When shielding eld-bus cables, the installation guidelines 
for the respective eld buses must be observed. (See the 
websites of the eld bus organisations.)
Material damage! 
If it is only possible to have a one-sided shield connection 
for reasons specic to the circuit or equipment, the second 
side of the cable shield can be routed to the local reference 
potential via a capacitor (with short connections). To pre-
vent disruptive discharges when interference pulses occur, 
a varistor or a resistor can also be wired in parallel to the 
capacitor.
As an alternative, a doubled version (galvanically isolated) 
can be used, whereby the inner shield is connected on one 
side and the outside shield is connected on both sides.
Equipotential bonding 
If system components are positioned separately from each 
other, potential differences may arise, provided that:
 – Power is provided from different sources
 – The earthing is implemented at different system parts, 
despite the cable shields being connected at both sides
A voltage equalising cable must be used for equipotential 
bonding.
WARNING
Possible danger to life!
The shield must not be used for equipotential 
bonding!
The following features are essential for a voltage equalising 
cable:
 – In the case of cable shields on both ends, the impedance 
of the equalising cable must be considerably smaller than 
that of the shield connection (maximum 10 % of its 
impedance)
 – When the length of the equalising cable is less than 
200m, its cross-section must be at least 16 mm
2
 If the 
cable is greater than 200m in length, a cross-section of 
at least 25 mm
2
 is necessary.
 – Large-surface connection with the PE conductor or the 
earthing and corrosion protection are requirements for 
long-term safe operation
 – They must be made of copper or galvanised steel
 – In order to keep the enclosed area as small as possible, 
the equalising cable and signal cable must be routed as 
close to each other as possible
Wiring of inductances
In case of inductive loads we recommend a suppressor circuit directly 
on the load. The ground (PE/FE) must be positioned star-shaped 
according to the standards.










