IEC 61196-1-106:2008

Coaxial communication cables - Part 1-106: Electrical test methods - Test for withstand voltage of cable sheath

It applies to coaxial communication cables. It specifies test methods for determining the withstand voltage of the dielectric of coaxial cables.

Câbles coaxiaux de communication - Partie 1-106: Méthodes d'essais électriques - Essai de tenue en tension des gaines de câble

Elle s'applique aux câbles coaxiaux de communication. Elle spécifie les méthodes d'essai relatives à la détermination de la tenue en tension des gaines de câble.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 06-Feb-2008
• 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: 07-Feb-2008
• Completion Date: 29-Feb-2008

Overview

IEC 61196-1-106:2008 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies electrical test methods for coaxial communication cables, focusing on the withstand voltage of the cable sheath. This part of the IEC 61196 series defines a standardized procedure to determine the electrical insulation strength of the cable sheath by conducting voltage withstand tests under controlled conditions.

The standard ensures the reliability and safety of coaxial communication cables by verifying that the sheath can withstand specified voltages without breakdown. This test primarily serves as a proof test or type test to validate cable manufacturing quality and electrical performance.

Key Topics

• Scope of Application
  Applies specifically to coaxial communication cables and addresses test methods for the sheath's dielectric withstand voltage.

• Test Principle
  The withstand voltage test is performed by immersing the cable sheath in water, applying an a.c. test voltage between the cable conductor and the water, and monitoring for electrical breakdown.

• Test Equipment
  Requires a metallic water tank equipped with suitable electrodes and an a.c. power supply operating between 40 Hz and 60 Hz capable of delivering voltages from 0.8 kV up to 5 kV r.m.s., adjustable according to sheath thickness.

• Sample Preparation
  Cable samples are cut to specified lengths, with the cable sheath removed at one end to contact the cable screen to the power supply.

• Test Procedure
  The cable is immersed in water at 15 °C to 35 °C for one hour. After immersion, the prescribed test voltage is applied for 1 to 2 minutes between the outer conductor and the water. Test voltage levels depend on the nominal sheath thickness, from 1 kV for sheaths up to 0.5 mm thickness to 5 kV for thicknesses over 1.0 mm.

• Test Report Requirements
  Reports must detail test conditions including temperature, sample length, test voltage and frequency, test duration, and the pass/fail result based on voltage breakdown occurrence.

• Performance Requirement
  The sheath must show no electrical breakdown during the test to meet the standard's requirements.

Applications

IEC 61196-1-106:2008 is fundamental for manufacturers and quality assurance teams working with coaxial communication cables in diverse industries, including:

• Telecommunications: Ensuring coaxial cables used for data and voice communication maintain insulation integrity for safe and reliable transmissions.

• Broadcasting: Verifying cable durability and electrical safety in transmission systems for radio and television signals.

• Industrial and Military: Validating cable robustness in demanding electrical environments, where withstand voltage is critical for operational safety.

• Cable Design and Testing: Providing a benchmark method for manufacturers during cable development, type approval, and routine quality control.

By ensuring cable sheath integrity, this standard helps prevent failures caused by electrical breakdown, reducing downtime, maintenance costs, and safety hazards.

Related Standards

• IEC 61196-1: Coaxial communication cables - Part 1: Generic specification – general definitions and requirements. This foundational document provides the terms, definitions, and general requirements referenced by IEC 61196-1-106.

• Other parts of the IEC 61196 series: Cover various mechanical, environmental, and electrical test methods for coaxial communication cables, complementing the withstand voltage testing to ensure overall cable performance.

• ISO/IEC Directives Part 2: Guidelines on drafting international standards, under which IEC 61196-1-106 was developed.

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Keywords

IEC 61196-1-106, coaxial communication cables, withstand voltage test, cable sheath testing, electrical test methods, dielectric strength, cable insulation test, coaxial cable quality, IEC standards for cables, cable type test, voltage breakdown test, sheath dielectric test.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61196-1-106
Edition 1.0 2008-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Coaxial communication cables –
Part 1-106: Electrical test methods – Test for withstand voltage of cable sheath

Câbles coaxiaux de communication –
Partie 1-106: Méthodes d’essais électriques – Essai de tenue en tension des
gaines de câble
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IEC 61196-1-106
Edition 1.0 2008-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Coaxial communication cables –
Part 1-106: Electrical test methods – Test for withstand voltage of cable sheath

Câbles coaxiaux de communication –
Partie 1-106: Méthodes d’essais électriques – Essai de tenue en tension des
gaines de câble
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
F
CODE PRIX
ICS 33.120.10 ISBN 2-8318-9579-0

– 2 – 61196-1-106 © IEC:2008
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.3

1 Scope.5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .5
4 Test for withstand voltage of cable sheath .5
4.1 Principle.5
4.2 Test equipment .5
4.3 Sample preparation .5
4.4 Procedure .5
5 Test report.6
6 Requirement.6

61196-1-106 © IEC:2008 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
COAXIAL COMMUNICATION CABLES –

Part 1-106: Electrical test methods –
Test for withstand voltage of cable sheath

FOREWORD
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International Standard IEC 61196-1-106 has been prepared by subcommittee 46A: Coaxial
cables, of IEC technical committee 46: Cables, wires, waveguides, R.F. connectors, R.F. and
microwave passive components and accessories.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
46A/872/FDIS 46A/889/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

– 4 – 61196-1-106 © IEC:2008
A list of all the parts in the IEC 61196 series, under the general title Coaxial communication
cables, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the maintenance result date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in
the data related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
61196-1-106 © IEC:2008 – 5 –
COAXIAL COMMUNICATION CABLES –

Part 1-106: Electrical test methods –
Test for withstand voltage of cable sheath

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61196 applies to coaxial communication cables. It specifies test methods for
determining the withstand voltage of cable sheath.
NOTE This test is primarily a proof test re
...