IEC 60966-1:2019

Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies - Part 1: Generic specification - General requirements and test methods

IEC 60966-1:2019 specifies requirements for radio frequency coaxial cable assemblies operating in the transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) and establishes general requirements for testing the electrical, mechanical and environmental properties of radio frequency coaxial cable assemblies composed of cables and connectors. Additional requirements relating to specific families of cable assemblies are given in the relevant sectional specifications. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 1999. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) measurement method for screening effectiveness was cancelled;
b) give references to relevant test procedures for transfer impedance and screening attenuation

Cordons coaxiaux et cordons pour fréquences radioélectiques - Partie 1: Spécification générique - Exigences générales et méthodes d'essai

L'IEC 60966-1:2019 définit les exigences relatives aux cordons coaxiaux et aux cordons pour fréquences radioélectriques travaillant en mode électromagnétique transversal (TEM: Transverse Electromagnetic Mode). Elle fixe des exigences générales pour contrôler les propriétés électriques, mécaniques et environnementales des cordons coaxiaux pour fréquences radioélectriques composés de câbles et de connecteurs. Des exigences supplémentaires relatives à des familles spécifiques de cordons figurent dans les spécifications intermédiaires applicables. Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition parue en 1999. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) méthode de mesure de l’efficacité d’écran a été retiree;
b) donne les références aux procédures d'essai applicables pour impedance de transfert and affaiblissement d'écran.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 07-Feb-2019
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: TC 46 - Cables, wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and microwave passive components and accessories
• Drafting Committee: WG 9 - TC 46/WG 9
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 08-Feb-2019
• Completion Date: 16-Nov-2018

Relations

• Revises: IEC 60966-1:1999 - Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies - Part 1: Generic specification - General requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60966-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2019-02
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies –
Part 1: Generic specification – General requirements and test methods

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé [e-mail]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical containing more than 22 000 terminological entries in English
committee,…). It also gives information on projects, replaced and French, with equivalent terms in 16 additional languages.
and withdrawn publications. Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published IEC Glossary - std.iec.ch/glossary
details all new publications released. Available online and 67 000 electrotechnical terminology entries in English and
once a month by email. French extracted from the Terms and Definitions clause of
IEC publications issued since 2002. Some entries have been
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc collected from earlier publications of IEC TC 37, 77, 86 and
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or CISPR.

need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service

Centre: [e-mail].
IEC 60966-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2019-02
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies –

Part 1: Generic specification – General requirements and test methods

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.120.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-6560-4

– 2 – IEC 60966-1:2019 RLV © IEC 2019
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 7
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Design and manufacturing requirements . 13
4.1 Cable design and construction . 13
4.2 Connector design and construction . 13
4.3 Outline and interface dimensions . 13
5 Workmanship, marking and packaging . 13
5.1 Workmanship . 13
5.2 Marking . 14
5.3 End caps. 14
5.4 Packaging and labelling . 14
6 Quality assessment management . 14
7 Test methods – General . 14
7.1 Standard atmospheric conditions for testing . 14
7.2 Visual inspection . 15
7.3 Dimensions inspection . 15
7.3.1 Interface dimensions . 15
7.3.2 Outline dimensions . 15
8 Electrical tests . 15
8.1 Reflection properties . 15
8.1.1 Object . 15
8.1.2 Test equipment . 15
8.1.3 Procedure . 16
8.1.4 Requirements . 16
8.1.5 Information to be given in the detail specification . 16
8.2 Uniformity of impedance . 17
8.2.1 Object . 17
8.2.2 Procedure . 17
8.2.3 Requirements . 17
8.2.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 17
8.3 Insertion loss . 17
8.3.1 Procedure . 17
8.3.2 Requirements . 17
8.3.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 17
8.4 Insertion loss stability . 17
8.4.1 Object . 17
8.4.2 Procedure . 17
8.4.3 Requirements . 17
8.4.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 17
8.5 Propagation time . 18
8.5.1 Procedure . 18
8.5.2 Requirements . 18
8.5.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 18

8.6 Stability of electrical length . 18
8.6.1 Object . 18
8.6.2 Procedures . 18
8.6.3 Requirements . 21
8.6.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 22
8.7 Phase difference . 22
8.7.1 Object . 22
8.7.2 Procedure . 22
8.7.3 Requirements . 22
8.7.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 22
8.8 Phase variation with temperature . 22
8.8.1 Object . 22
8.8.2 Procedure . 22
8.8.3 Requirements . 22
8.8.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 22
8.9 Screening effectiveness . 23
8.9.1 Transfer impedance . 23
8.9.2 Screening attenuation . 23
8.10 Voltage proof . 23
8.10.1 Procedure . 23
8.10.2 Requirements . 23
8.10.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 23
8.11 Insulation resistance . 24
8.11.1 Procedure . 24
8.11.2 Requirements . 24
8.11.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 24
8.12 Inner and outer conductor continuity . 24
8.12.1 Object . 24
8.12.2 Procedure . 24
8.12.3 Requirements . 24
8.12.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 24
8.13 Power rating . 24
8.13.1 Object . 24
8.13.2 Procedure . 25
8.13.3 Requirements . 25
8.13.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 25
8.14 Intermodulation level measurement . 25
8.14.1 Procedure . 25
8.14.2 Requirements . 25
8.14.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 25
9 Mechanical robustness tests . 25
9.1 Tensile . 25
9.1.1 Object . 25
9.1.2 Procedure . 26
9.1.3 Requirements . 26
9.1.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 26
9.2 Flexure . 26
9.2.1 Object . 26
9.2.2 Procedure . 26

– 4 – IEC 60966-1:2019 RLV © IEC 2019
9.2.3 Requirements . 27
9.2.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 27
9.3 Flexing endurance . 27
9.3.1 Object . 27
9.3.2 Procedure . 27
9.3.3 Requirements . 28
9.3.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 28
9.4 Cable assembly crushing . 28
9.4.1 Object . 28
9.4.2 Procedure . 28
9.4.3 Requirements . 29
9.4.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 29
9.5 Torque . 30
9.5.1 Procedure . 30
9.5.2 Requirements . 30
9.5.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 30
9.6 Multiple bending. 30
9.6.1 Object . 30
9.6.2 Procedure . 30
9.6.3 Requirements . 31
9.6.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 31
9.7 Abrasion test of cable assembly . 31
9.7.1 Object . 31
9.7.2 Procedure . 31
9.8 Vibrations, shocks . 31
9.9 Impact test . 31
9.10 Mechanical endurance . 31
10 Environmental tests . 32
10.1 Recommended severities . 32
10.2 Vibration, bumps and shock . 32
10.3 Climatic sequence. 32
10.3.1 Procedure . 32
10.3.2 Requirements . 32
10.3.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 32
10.4 Damp heat, steady state . 32
10.4.1 Procedure . 32
10.4.2 Requirements . 32
10.4.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 33
10.5 Rapid change of temperature . 33
10.5.1 Procedure . 33
10.5.2 Requirements . 33
10.5.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 33
10.6 Resistance to solvents and contaminating fluids . 33
10.6.1 Procedure . 33
10.6.2 Requirements . 33
10.6.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 34
10.7 Water immersion . 34
10.7.1 Procedure . 34
10.7.2 Requirements . 34

10.7.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 34
10.8 Salt mist and sulphur dioxide tests . 34
10.8.1 Procedure . 34
10.8.2 Requirements . 34
10.8.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 34
10.9 Dust tests . 34
10.9.1 Object . 34
10.9.2 Procedure . 35
10.9.3 Requirements . 35
10.9.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 35
10.10 Flammability . 36
10.10.1 Procedure . 36
10.10.2 Requirements . 36
10.10.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 37
11 Specialized test methods . 37
12 Test schedules . 37
Annex A (normative) Test methods for insertion loss determination . 38
A.1 Purpose . 38
A.2 Test methods . 38
A.2.1 General . 38
A.2.2 Test method 1 . 38
A.2.3 Test method 2 . 39
A.2.4 Test method 3 . 41
A.3 Correction for characteristic impedance differences . 42
Annex B (informative) Measuring methods for propagation time . 44
B.1 Introduction General . 44
B.2 Resonance method for propagation time measurement . 44
B.3 Time domain method for propagation time measurement . 45
Annex C (informative) Measurement method for screening effectiveness .
C.1 Introduction .
C.2 Test method .
Annex C (informative) Recommended severities for environmental tests . 46
C.1 Introduction to the relationship between environmental conditions and

severities of testing . 49
C.1.1 General . 49
C.1.2 Environmental conditions . 49
C.1.3 Environmental testing . 49
C.2 Recommended severities for environmental tests. 50
C.2.1 Vibration . 50
C.2.2 Bump . 51
C.2.3 Shock . 51
C.2.4 Climatic sequence . 51
C.2.5 Damp heat, steady state . 52
C.2.6 Rapid change of temperature . 52
C.2.7 Salt mist . 52
C.2.8 Sulphur dioxide test . 52
C.2.9 Dust test . 52
Annex D (normative) Quality assessment management . 53

– 6 – IEC 60966-1:2019 RLV © IEC 2019
D.1 Introduction General . 53
D.2 Object . 53
D.3 General Basic aspects . 53
D.3.1 Related documents . 53
D.3.2 Standards and preferred values . 53
D.3.3 Marking of the cable assembly and packaging (see 5.2) . 53
D.3.4 Terminology . 54
D.4 Quality assessment management procedures . 54
D.4.1 Procedures for qualification approval . 54
D.4.2 Procedures for capability approval . 55
D.4.3 Quality conformance inspection . 56
D.5 Capability manual and approval . 57
D.5.1 Responsibilities . 57
D.5.2 Contents of the capability manual . 57
D.5.3 Criteria for capability limits . 58
Bibliography . 61

Figure – Dust measuring device .
Figure 1 – Bending test: U shape assembly . 19
Figure 2 – Bending test: straight assembly . 20
Figure 3 – Twisting test: U shape assembly . 21
Figure 4 – Fixture for cable assembly flexure test . 27
Figure 5 – Apparatus for cable assembly flexing endurance test . 28
Figure 6 – Fixture for cable crushing test . 29
Figure 7 – Example of test fixture for torque . 30
Figure 8 – Multiple bending test . 31
Figure A.1 – Circuit for the determination of insertion loss . 38
Figure A.2 – Circuit for the determination of insertion loss – principle . 40
Figure A.3 – Alternative circuit for the determination of insertion loss . 40
Figure A.4 – Double-pass circuit for the determination of insertion loss. 41
Figure B.1 – Arrangement of test equipment . 44
Figure C.1 – Description of action needed for the preparation of the environmental test
specification. 50

Table 1 – Standard range of atmospheric conditions . 14
Table C.1 – Relationship between displacement and acceleration . 51
Table C.2 – Relationship between peak acceleration and velocity change. 51
Table D.1 – Example of capability limits for cable assemblies . 59
Table D.2 – Example of capability limits for flexible cables . 59
Table D.3 – Example of capability limits for connectors . 59
Table D.4 – Example of flow chart (see D.5.2.5) . 60

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
RADIO FREQUENCY AND COAXIAL CABLE ASSEMBLIES –

Part 1: Generic specification – General requirements and test methods

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes
made to the previous edition. A vertical bar appears in the margin wherever a change
has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough red text.

– 8 – IEC 60966-1:2019 RLV © IEC 2019
International Standard IEC 60966-1 has been prepared by technical committee 46: Cables,
wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and microwave passive components and accessories.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 1999. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Annex C (informative) Measurement method for screening effectiveness was cancelled;
b) Subclause 8.9 gives references to relevant test procedures.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
46/700A/FDIS 46/704/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 60966 series, published under the general title Radio frequency
and coaxial cable assemblies, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
RADIO FREQUENCY AND COAXIAL CABLE ASSEMBLIES –

Part 1: Generic specification – General requirements and test methods

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60966 specifies requirements for radio frequency coaxial cable assemblies
operating in the transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) and establishes general
requirements for testing the electrical, mechanical and environmental properties of radio
frequency coaxial cable assemblies composed of cables and connectors. Additional
requirements relating to specific families of cable assemblies are given in the relevant
sectional specifications.
NOTE The design of the cables and connectors used should will preferably conform to the
applicable parts of IEC 61196 and IEC 61169 respectively.
NOTE 1 This document does not include tests which are normally performed on the cables and connectors
separately. These tests are described in IEC 61196-1 (all parts) and IEC 61169-1 respectively.
NOTE 2 Wherever possible, cables and connectors used in cable assemblies, even if they are not described in
the IEC 61196 or IEC 61169 series, are tested separately according to the tests given in the relevant generic
specification.
NOTE 3 Where additional protection is applied to a cable assembly, the mechanical and environmental tests
described in this document are applicable.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
IEC 60068 (all parts), Environmental testing
IEC 60068-2-3:1969, Environnmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test Ca: Damp heat, steady
state
IEC 60068-2-6:1995, Environmental testing – Part 2-6: Tests – Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
IEC 60068-2-11:1981, Basic environmental testing procedures – Part 2-11: Tests – Test Ka:
Salt mist
IEC 60068-2-14:1984, Environmental testing – Part 2-14: Tests – Test N: Change of
temperature
IEC 60068-2-27:1987, Environmental testing – Part 2-27: Tests – Test Ea and guidance:
Shock
IEC 60068-2-29:1987, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test Eb and guidance: Bump
IEC 60068-2-42:1982, Environmental testing – Part 2-42: Tests – Test Kc: Sulphur dioxide
test for contacts and connections
IEC 60068-2-68:1994, Environmental testing – Part 2-68: Tests – Test L: Dust and sand

– 10 – IEC 60966-1:2019 RLV © IEC 2019
IEC 60068-2-78, Environmental testing – Part 2-78: Tests – Test Cab: Damp heat, steady
state
IEC 60096-1:1986, Radio frequency cables – Part 1: General requirements and measuring
methods
IEC 60332-1:1993, Tests on electric cables under fire conditions – Part 1: Test on a single
vertical insulated wire or cable
IEC 60332-1-2:2004, Tests on electric and optical fibre cables under fire conditions –
Part 1-2: Test for vertical flame propagation for a single insulated wire or cable – Procedure
for 1 kW pre-mixed flame
IEC 60339 (all parts), General purpose rigid coaxial transmission lines and their associated
flange connectors
IEC 60512-5:1992, Electromechanical components for electronic equipment, basic testing
procedures and measuring methods – Part 5: Impact tests (free components), static load tests
(fixed components), endurance tests and overload tests
IEC 60512-6-2, Connectors for electronic equipment –Tests and measurements – Part 6-2:
Dynamic stress tests – Test 6b: Bump
IEC 60512-7-2, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements – Part 7-2:
Impact tests (free components) – Test 7b: Mechanical strength impact
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60966-2 (all parts), Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies
IEC 60966-3 (all parts), Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies
IEC 60966-4 (all parts), Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies
IEC 61169 (all parts), Radio-frequency connectors
IEC 61169-1:1992 2013, Radio-frequency connectors – Part 1: Generic specification –
General requirements and measuring methods
IEC 61196 (all parts), Coaxial communication cables
IEC 61196-1:1995, Radio-frequency cables – Part 1: Generic specification – General
definitions, requirements and test methods
IEC 61196-1-119, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-119: Electrical test methods – RF
power rating
IEC 61726:1995, Cable assemblies, cables, connectors and passive microwave components –
Screening attenuation measurement by the reverberation chamber method
IEC 62037-2, Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement –
Part 2: Measurement of passive intermodulation in coaxial cable assemblies
IEC 62153-4-6, Metallic cables and other passive components test methods – Part 4-6:
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Surface transfer impedance – Line injection method

IEC 62153-4-7:2015, Metallic communication cable test methods – Part 4-7: Electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC) – Test method for measuring of transfer impedance Z and screening
T
attenuation a or coupling attenuation a of connectors and assemblies up to and above
s C
3 GHz – Triaxial tube in tube method
IEC QC 001002:1986, Rules of procedure of the IEC quality assessment system for electronic
components (IECQ)
ISO 9000, Quality management and quality assurance standards
ISO 9001:1994, Quality systems – Model for quality assurance in design, development,
production, installation and servicing
ISO 9002:1994, Quality systems – Model for quality assurance in production, installation and
servicing
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
cable assembly
combination of cable(s) and connector(s) with or without any additional protection and with
specified performance, used as a single unit
3.2
flexible cable assembly
cable assembly where the cable is capable of repeated flexure
Note 1 to entry: The cable usually has a braid outer conductor.
3.3
semi-flexible cable assembly
cable assembly not intended for applications requiring repeated flexure of the cable in
service, but bending or forming is permissible to facilitate installation
3.4
semi-rigid cable assembly
cable assembly not intended to be bent or flexed after manufacture
Note 1 to entry: Any bending or flexing during installation or use may degrade the performance of the cable
assembly.
3.5
insertion loss
loss introduced by inserting a cable assembly into a system
Note 1 to entry: In this standard, it is the ratio, expressed in decibels, of the power (P ) delivered to a load
connected directly to a source and the power (P ) delivered to a load when the cable assembly is inserted between
the source and the load.
– 12 – IEC 60966-1:2019 RLV © IEC 2019
 P 
Insertion loloss 10×g
 
P
 2 
3.6
reflection factor
ratio of the complex wave amplitude of the reflected wave to the complex wave amplitude of
the incident wave at a port or transverse cross-section of a transmission line
3.7
electrical length
equivalent free-space length of the cable assembly
3.8
electrical length difference
difference in electrical length between cable assemblies
3.9
phase difference
difference in phase between a transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) wave which has
traversed the cable assembly and an identical wave which has traversed another cable
assembly
3.10
propagation time
time taken for the propagation of a TEM wave between the reference planes of the two
conne
...

IEC 60966-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2019-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies –
Part 1: Generic specification – General requirements and test methods

Cordons coaxiaux et cordons pour fréquences radioélectriques –
Partie 1: Spécification générique – Exigences générales et méthodes d’essai

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé [e-mail]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

IEC Catalogue - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The stand-alone application for consulting the entire The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and
bibliographical information on IEC International Standards, electrical terms containing 21 000 terms and definitions in
Technical Specifications, Technical Reports and other English and French, with equivalent terms in 16 additional
documents. Available for PC, Mac OS, Android Tablets and languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
iPad. Vocabulary (IEV) online.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Glossary - std.iec.ch/glossary
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a 67 000 electrotechnical terminology entries in English and
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical French extracted from the Terms and Definitions clause of
committee,…). It also gives information on projects, replaced IEC publications issued since 2002. Some entries have been
and withdrawn publications. collected from earlier publications of IEC TC 37, 77, 86 and

CISPR.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished

Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
details all new publications released. Available online and If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or
also once a month by email. need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: [e-mail].
A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Catalogue IEC - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
Application autonome pour consulter tous les renseignements
Le premier dictionnaire en ligne de termes électroniques et
bibliographiques sur les Normes internationales,
électriques. Il contient 21 000 termes et définitions en anglais
Spécifications techniques, Rapports techniques et autres
et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans 16
documents de l'IEC. Disponible pour PC, Mac OS, tablettes
langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire
Android et iPad.
Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.

Recherche de publications IEC -
Glossaire IEC - std.iec.ch/glossary
webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform
67 000 entrées terminologiques électrotechniques, en anglais
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC et en français, extraites des articles Termes et Définitions des
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, publications IEC parues depuis 2002. Plus certaines entrées
comité d’études,…). Elle donne aussi des informations sur les antérieures extraites des publications des CE 37, 77, 86 et
projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées. CISPR de l'IEC.

IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues. publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
Disponible en ligne et aussi une fois par mois par email. [e-mail].

IEC 60966-1 ®
Edition 3.0 2019-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies –

Part 1: Generic specification – General requirements and test methods

Cordons coaxiaux et cordons pour fréquences radioélectriques –

Partie 1: Spécification générique – Exigences générales et méthodes d’essai

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.120.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-6259-7

– 2 – IEC 60966-1:2019 © IEC 2019
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 7
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 10
4 Design and manufacturing requirements . 12
4.1 Cable design and construction . 12
4.2 Connector design and construction . 12
4.3 Outline and interface dimensions . 13
5 Workmanship, marking and packaging . 13
5.1 Workmanship . 13
5.2 Marking . 13
5.3 End caps. 13
5.4 Packaging and labelling . 13
6 Quality management . 13
7 Test methods – General . 13
7.1 Standard atmospheric conditions for testing . 13
7.2 Visual inspection . 14
7.3 Dimensions inspection . 14
7.3.1 Interface dimensions . 14
7.3.2 Outline dimensions . 14
8 Electrical tests . 15
8.1 Reflection properties . 15
8.1.1 Object . 15
8.1.2 Test equipment . 15
8.1.3 Procedure . 15
8.1.4 Requirements . 16
8.1.5 Information to be given in the detail specification . 16
8.2 Uniformity of impedance . 16
8.2.1 Object . 16
8.2.2 Procedure . 16
8.2.3 Requirements . 16
8.2.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 16
8.3 Insertion loss . 16
8.3.1 Procedure . 16
8.3.2 Requirements . 16
8.3.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 16
8.4 Insertion loss stability . 17
8.4.1 Object . 17
8.4.2 Procedure . 17
8.4.3 Requirements . 17
8.4.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 17
8.5 Propagation time . 17
8.5.1 Procedure . 17
8.5.2 Requirements . 17
8.5.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 17

8.6 Stability of electrical length . 17
8.6.1 Object . 17
8.6.2 Procedures . 17
8.6.3 Requirements . 19
8.6.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 19
8.7 Phase difference . 19
8.7.1 Object . 19
8.7.2 Procedure . 19
8.7.3 Requirements . 19
8.7.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 20
8.8 Phase variation with temperature . 20
8.8.1 Object . 20
8.8.2 Procedure . 20
8.8.3 Requirements . 20
8.8.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 20
8.9 Screening effectiveness . 20
8.9.1 Transfer impedance . 20
8.9.2 Screening attenuation . 20
8.10 Voltage proof . 21
8.10.1 Procedure . 21
8.10.2 Requirements . 21
8.10.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 21
8.11 Insulation resistance . 21
8.11.1 Procedure . 21
8.11.2 Requirements . 21
8.11.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 21
8.12 Inner and outer conductor continuity . 22
8.12.1 Object . 22
8.12.2 Procedure . 22
8.12.3 Requirements . 22
8.12.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 22
8.13 Power rating . 22
8.13.1 Object . 22
8.13.2 Procedure . 22
8.13.3 Requirements . 22
8.13.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 22
8.14 Intermodulation level measurement . 23
8.14.1 Procedure . 23
8.14.2 Requirements . 23
8.14.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 23
9 Mechanical robustness tests . 23
9.1 Tensile . 23
9.1.1 Object . 23
9.1.2 Procedure . 23
9.1.3 Requirements . 23
9.1.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 23
9.2 Flexure . 24
9.2.1 Object . 24
9.2.2 Procedure . 24

– 4 – IEC 60966-1:2019 © IEC 2019
9.2.3 Requirements . 24
9.2.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 24
9.3 Flexing endurance . 24
9.3.1 Object . 24
9.3.2 Procedure . 25
9.3.3 Requirements . 25
9.3.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 25
9.4 Cable assembly crushing . 25
9.4.1 Object . 25
9.4.2 Procedure . 25
9.4.3 Requirements . 26
9.4.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 26
9.5 Torque . 26
9.5.1 Procedure . 26
9.5.2 Requirements . 27
9.5.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 27
9.6 Multiple bending. 27
9.6.1 Object . 27
9.6.2 Procedure . 27
9.6.3 Requirements . 28
9.6.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 28
9.7 Abrasion test of cable assembly . 28
9.7.1 Object . 28
9.7.2 Procedure . 28
9.8 Vibrations, shocks . 28
9.9 Impact test . 28
9.10 Mechanical endurance . 28
10 Environmental tests . 29
10.1 Recommended severities . 29
10.2 Vibration, bumps and shock . 29
10.3 Climatic sequence. 29
10.3.1 Procedure . 29
10.3.2 Requirements . 29
10.3.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 29
10.4 Damp heat, steady state . 29
10.4.1 Procedure . 29
10.4.2 Requirements . 29
10.4.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 30
10.5 Rapid change of temperature . 30
10.5.1 Procedure . 30
10.5.2 Requirements . 30
10.5.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 30
10.6 Resistance to solvents and contaminating fluids . 30
10.6.1 Procedure . 30
10.6.2 Requirements . 30
10.6.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 31
10.7 Water immersion . 31
10.7.1 Procedure . 31
10.7.2 Requirements . 31

10.7.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 31
10.8 Salt mist and sulphur dioxide tests . 31
10.8.1 Procedure . 31
10.8.2 Requirements . 31
10.8.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 31
10.9 Dust tests . 31
10.9.1 Object . 31
10.9.2 Procedure . 31
10.9.3 Requirements . 32
10.9.4 Information to be given in the detail specification . 32
10.10 Flammability . 32
10.10.1 Procedure . 32
10.10.2 Requirements . 32
10.10.3 Information to be given in the detail specification . 32
11 Specialized test methods . 32
12 Test schedules . 32
Annex A (normative) Test methods for insertion loss determination . 33
A.1 Purpose . 33
A.2 Test methods . 33
A.2.1 General . 33
A.2.2 Test method 1 . 33
A.2.3 Test method 2 . 34
A.2.4 Test method 3 . 36
A.3 Correction for characteristic impedance differences . 37
Annex B (informative) Measuring methods for propagation time . 39
B.1 General . 39
B.2 Resonance method for propagation time measurement . 39
B.3 Time domain method for propagation time measurement . 40
Annex C (informative) Recommended severities for environmental tests . 41
C.1 Introduction to the relationship between environmental conditions and
severities of testing . 41
C.1.1 General . 41
C.1.2 Environmental conditions . 41
C.1.3 Environmental testing . 41
C.2 Recommended severities for environmental tests. 42
C.2.1 Vibration . 42
C.2.2 Bump . 43
C.2.3 Shock . 43
C.2.4 Climatic sequence . 43
C.2.5 Damp heat, steady state . 44
C.2.6 Rapid change of temperature . 44
C.2.7 Salt mist . 44
C.2.8 Sulphur dioxide test . 44
C.2.9 Dust test . 44
Annex D (normative) Quality management . 45
D.1 General . 45
D.2 Object . 45
D.3 Basic aspects . 45

– 6 – IEC 60966-1:2019 © IEC 2019
D.3.1 Related documents . 45
D.3.2 Standards and preferred values . 45
D.3.3 Marking of the cable assembly and packaging (see 5.2) . 45
D.3.4 Terminology . 46
D.4 Quality management procedures . 46
D.4.1 Procedures for qualification approval . 46
D.4.2 Procedures for capability approval . 47
D.4.3 Quality conformance inspection . 48
D.5 Capability manual and approval . 49
D.5.1 Responsibilities . 49
D.5.2 Contents of the capability manual . 49
D.5.3 Criteria for capability limits . 50
Bibliography . 53

Figure 1 – Bending test: U shape assembly . 18
Figure 2 – Bending test: straight assembly . 18
Figure 3 – Twisting test: U shape assembly . 19
Figure 4 – Fixture for cable assembly flexure test . 24
Figure 5 – Apparatus for cable assembly flexing endurance test . 25
Figure 6 – Fixture for cable crushing test . 26
Figure 7 – Example of test fixture for torque . 27
Figure 8 – Multiple bending test . 28
Figure A.1 – Circuit for the determination of insertion loss . 33
Figure A.2 – Circuit for the determination of insertion loss – principle . 35
Figure A.3 – Alternative circuit for the determination of insertion loss . 35
Figure A.4 – Double-pass circuit for the determination of insertion loss. 36
Figure B.1 – Arrangement of test equipment . 39
Figure C.1 – Description of action needed for the preparation of the environmental test
specification. 42

Table 1 – Standard range of atmospheric conditions . 14
Table C.1 – Relationship between displacement and acceleration . 43
Table C.2 – Relationship between peak acceleration and velocity change. 43
Table D.1 – Example of capability limits for cable assemblies . 51
Table D.2 – Example of capability limits for flexible cables . 51
Table D.3 – Example of capability limits for connectors . 51
Table D.4 – Example of flow chart (see D.5.2.5) . 52

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
RADIO FREQUENCY AND COAXIAL CABLE ASSEMBLIES –

Part 1: Generic specification – General requirements and test methods

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60966-1 has been prepared by technical committee 46: Cables,
wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and microwave passive components and accessories.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 1999. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Annex C (informative) Measurement method for screening effectiveness was cancelled;
b) Subclause 8.9 gives references to relevant test procedures.

– 8 – IEC 60966-1:2019 © IEC 2019
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
46/700A/FDIS 46/704/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 60966 series, published under the general title Radio frequency
and coaxial cable assemblies, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
RADIO FREQUENCY AND COAXIAL CABLE ASSEMBLIES –

Part 1: Generic specification – General requirements and test methods

1 Scope
This part of IEC 60966 specifies requirements for radio frequency coaxial cable assemblies
operating in the transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) and establishes general
requirements for testing the electrical, mechanical and environmental properties of radio
frequency coaxial cable assemblies composed of cables and connectors. Additional
requirements relating to specific families of cable assemblies are given in the relevant
sectional specifications.
The design of the cables and connectors used will preferably conform to the applicable parts
of IEC 61196 and IEC 61169 respectively.
NOTE 1 This document does not include tests which are normally performed on the cables and connectors
separately. These tests are described in IEC 61196-1 (all parts) and IEC 61169-1 respectively.
NOTE 2 Wherever possible, cables and connectors used in cable assemblies, even if they are not described in
the IEC 61196 or IEC 61169 series, are tested separately according to the tests given in the relevant generic
specification.
NOTE 3 Where additional protection is applied to a cable assembly, the mechanical and environmental tests
described in this document are applicable.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
IEC 60068 (all parts), Environmental testing
IEC 60068-2-6, Environmental testing – Part 2-6: Tests – Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
IEC 60068-2-11, Basic environmental testing procedures – Part 2-11: Tests – Test Ka: Salt
mist
IEC 60068-2-14, Environmental testing – Part 2-14: Tests – Test N: Change of temperature
IEC 60068-2-27, Environmental testing – Part 2-27: Tests – Test Ea and guidance: Shock
IEC 60068-2-42, Environmental testing – Part 2-42: Tests – Test Kc: Sulphur dioxide test for
contacts and connections
IEC 60068-2-68, Environmental testing – Part 2-68: Tests – Test L: Dust and sand
IEC 60068-2-78, Environmental testing – Part 2-78: Tests – Test Cab: Damp heat, steady
state
IEC 60332-1-2:2004, Tests on electric and optical fibre cables under fire conditions –
Part 1-2: Test for vertical flame propagation for a single insulated wire or cable – Procedure
for 1 kW pre-mixed flame
– 10 – IEC 60966-1:2019 © IEC 2019

IEC 60512-6-2, Connectors for electronic equipment –Tests and measurements – Part 6-2:
Dynamic stress tests – Test 6b: Bump
IEC 60512-7-2, Connectors for electronic equipment – Tests and measurements – Part 7-2:
Impact tests (free components) – Test 7b: Mechanical strength impact
IEC 60529, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code)
IEC 60966-2 (all parts), Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies
IEC 60966-3 (all parts), Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies
IEC 60966-4 (all parts), Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies
IEC 61169 (all parts), Radio-frequency connectors
IEC 61169-1:2013, Radio-frequency connectors – Part 1: Generic specification – General
requirements and measuring methods
IEC 61196 (all parts), Coaxial communication cables
IEC 61196-1-119, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-119: Electrical test methods – RF
power rating
IEC 62037-2, Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement –
Part 2: Measurement of passive intermodulation in coaxial cable assemblies
IEC 62153-4-6, Metallic cables and other passive components test methods – Part 4-6:
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Surface transfer impedance – Line injection method
IEC 62153-4-7:2015, Metallic communication cable test methods – Part 4-7: Electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC) – Test method for measuring of transfer impedance Z and screening
T
attenuation a or coupling attenuation a of connectors and assemblies up to and above
s C
3 GHz – Triaxial tube in tube method
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
cable assembly
combination of cable(s) and connector(s) with or without any additional protection and with
specified performance, used as a single unit
3.2
flexible cable assembly
cable assembly where the cable is capable of repeated flexure

Note 1 to entry: The cable usually has a braid outer conductor.
3.3
semi-flexible cable assembly
cable assembly not intended for applications requiring repeated flexure of the cable in
service, but bending or forming is permissible to facilitate installation
3.4
semi-rigid cable assembly
cable assembly not intended to be bent or flexed after manufacture
Note 1 to entry: Any bending or flexing during installation or use may degrade the performance of the cable
assem
...