IEC 61196-1-303:2018

Coaxial communication cables - Part 1-303: Mechanical test methods - Test for silver and tin plating thickness

IEC 61196-1-303:2018(E) defines the requirements for measuring the plating thickness for silver and tin conductors for coaxial cables used in analogue and digital communication systems.
This test method uses a procedure for determining the plating thickness of silver and tin coatings on conductors by galvanic removal (coulometric method).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 08-Jan-2018
• ICS: 29.100.10 - Magnetic components
• ICS: 29.180 - Transformers. Reactors
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: SC 46A - Coaxial cables
• Drafting Committee: WG 3 - TC 46/SC 46A/WG 3
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 09-Jan-2018
• Completion Date: 02-Feb-2018

Overview

IEC 61196-1-303:2018 specifies a standardized test method for measuring silver and tin plating thickness on conductors used in coaxial communication cables (analogue and digital systems). The method uses galvanic removal (coulometric method) with an electronic thickness tester that measures the time/current required to remove the coating and converts that reading to an average plating thickness. The standard is part of the IEC 61196 series for coaxial communication cables.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope: Measurement of silver and tin coating thickness on cable conductors using a coulometric (galvanic removal) technique.
• Test equipment: Use an electronic thickness tester; allow a 15-minute warm-up and perform calibration per manufacturer instructions. Ensure the selector is set to “Silver” or “Tin” and correct units (µm or inch).
• Test solutions:
  • Silver: potassium thiocyanate solution (180 g/1 000 ml distilled water) - if manufacturer solution unavailable.
  • Tin: 37% hydrochloric acid (100 ml) - if manufacturer solution unavailable.
  • Maintain solution temperature at 20 °C to 25 °C and follow safety/health procedures.
• Test samples: Cut straight conductor lengths (~200 mm), mark and bend to submerge without touching the beaker. Sample length depends on conductor diameter (e.g., 0.050–0.140 mm → 100 ±5 mm; 0.141–0.290 mm → 50 ±5 mm; 0.291–0.700 mm → 25 ±2 mm; >0.700 mm → 12 ±2 mm).
• Procedure: Insert conductor, lower to the mark, start measurement. If plating is not fully removed, repeat or add counts per guidance. After test, measure the length of removed plating and compute thickness.
• Calculation: Thickness T (µm) = (C · CF) / (l · d), where C = counter reading, CF = correction factor, l = removed length (mm), d = conductor diameter (mm).
• Accuracy & reporting: Average plating thickness measurable to ±5% with conventional apparatus. Test report must include the measured silver/tin plating thickness. Final compliance is checked against the relevant detailed specification.

Applications and Users

• Cable manufacturers and quality laboratories performing plating thickness verification on coaxial cable conductors.
• R&D and production engineers verifying electroplating quality for RF and communications cables.
• Test labs performing conformity assessments, failure analysis, and incoming material inspection.
• Useful for procurement/specification writers who need objective, repeatable plating-thickness test data for supplier specifications.

Related Standards

• IEC 61196-1:2005 (generic specification, definitions and requirements)
• Other parts of the IEC 61196 series covering coaxial cable mechanical, electrical and environmental tests.

Keywords: IEC 61196-1-303, coaxial communication cables, plating thickness measurement, silver plating, tin plating, coulometric method, galvanic removal, electronic thickness tester.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61196-1-303 ®
Edition 1.0 2018-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Coaxial communication cables –
Part 1-303: Mechanical test methods – Test for silver and tin plating thickness

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IEC 61196-1-303 ®
Edition 1.0 2018-01
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Coaxial communication cables –

Part 1-303: Mechanical test methods – Test for silver and tin plating thickness

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.120.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-5238-3

– 2 – IEC 61196-1-303:2018 © IEC 2018
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Procedure . 5
4.1 Test equipment and method . 5
4.2 Test solution . 5
4.3 Test sample . 6
4.4 Procedure . 6
5 Test report . 8
6 Requirements . 9

Figure 1 – Example of a conductor with a diameter of 0,3 mm. 6
Figure 2 – Conductor before and after measurement . 7
Figure 3 – Measure the length of the removed silver or tin . 8

Table 1 – Length of the test sample in dependence upon the diameter of the
conductor . 6

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
COAXIAL COMMUNICATION CABLES –

Part 1-303: Mechanical test methods –
Test for silver and tin plating thickness

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