IEC 61196-12:2024

Coaxial communication cables - Part 12: Specification for spacer clamps for radiating cables

IEC 61196-12:2024 defines general requirements for spacer clamps for radiating cables, including terms and definitions, design and construction, IEC type designation, requirements and test procedures and type tests.
The contents of this document are suitable for spacer clamps for installation of radiating cables. These cables and their spacer clamps are widely used in tunnels, subways, underpasses, and shafts. Their intended application is in weather-protected environments and, optionally, outdoors.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 29-May-2024
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: SC 46A - Coaxial cables
• Drafting Committee: JWG 21 - TC 23/SC 23A/JWG 21
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 30-May-2024
• Completion Date: 14-Jun-2024

Overview - What IEC 61196-12:2024 covers

IEC 61196-12:2024 is the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specification for spacer clamps for radiating coaxial communication cables. It defines general requirements, terms and definitions, design and construction rules, IEC type designation, detailed requirements and test procedures, and type test regimes. The standard is targeted at spacer clamps used to install radiating cables in confined infrastructure such as tunnels, subways, underpasses and shafts, for use in weather-protected environments and optionally outdoors.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Scope and terminology - Definitions for spacer clamp types (cantilever, suspended, fireproof clamp, etc.) to ensure consistent product classification.
• Design & materials - Clamps may be metallic, non‑metallic or composite. Design must match cable geometry, preserve radiating performance, and accommodate radial marking lines on radiating cables.
• Environmental ratings - Design for operation over −40 °C to +85 °C and 5 % to 95 % relative humidity.
• Mechanical performance - Tests and requirements for clamping force, normal tensile force, shear force and optional high‑cycle fatigue. Figures and test setups are provided for reproducible evaluation.
• Environmental testing - Procedures include cold temperature installation, climatic sequence (damp heat cyclic), salt mist, solar radiation for outdoor non‑metallic clamps, and fire resistance tests for fireproof clamps.
• Fireproof devices - Requirements and type tests for clamps designed to prevent cable fall‑down during a fire event (fire‑resistance testing references ISO 834-1).
• Marking, packaging and IEC type designation - Rules for type codes (e.g., “SC”), variant identification, marking and packaging information to support procurement and traceability.
• Normative references - Links to related environmental and corrosion tests (IEC 60068 series, ISO 9227, IEC 61196-4 for radiating cable specs).

Practical applications - who uses this standard

• Cable manufacturers - to design spacer clamps compatible with radiating cable systems and to prepare product detail specifications.
• System integrators and tunnel/metro operators - to select clamps that meet mechanical, environmental and fire‑safety requirements for in‑tunnel wireless coverage systems.
• Civil and rail infrastructure engineers - to specify fixings, spacing and installation methods that preserve antenna performance and safety.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies - to carry out the standardized mechanical and environmental type tests.
• Procurement teams - to define acceptance criteria, marking and packaging for supply contracts.

Related standards and keywords

Related documents cited include IEC 61196-4 (radiating cable specs), IEC 60068 (environmental testing), ISO 9227 (salt spray) and ISO 834-1 (fire‑resistance).
Relevant SEO keywords: IEC 61196-12, spacer clamps, radiating cables, coaxial communication cables, tunnel cable installation, fireproof clamp, mechanical performance tests, environmental testing.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61196-12 ®
Edition 1.0 2024-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Coaxial communication cables –
Part 12: Specification for spacer clamps for radiating cables

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 Secretariat 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 IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews, graphical symbols and the glossary.
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced With a subscription you will always have access to up to date
and withdrawn publications. content tailored to your needs.

IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
details all new publications released. Available online and once
containing more than 22 500 terminological entries in English
a month by email.
and French, with equivalent terms in 25 additional languages.

Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc
(IEV) online.
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need

further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: [e-mail].
IEC 61196-12 ®
Edition 1.0 2024-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Coaxial communication cables –

Part 12: Specification for spacer clamps for radiating cables

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.120.10  ISBN 978-2-8322-8975-4

– 2 – IEC 61196-12:2024 © IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Design and construction . 7
4.1 Ratings and characteristics . 7
4.2 Material and design . 7
5 IEC type designation . 8
5.1 Type . 8
5.2 Variant . 8
5.3 Marking . 9
5.4 Packaging . 9
6 Requirements and test procedures . 9
6.1 General conditions for the tests . 9
6.2 Visual inspection . 10
6.2.1 Requirements . 10
6.2.2 Test procedure . 10
6.3 Structural dimensions . 10
6.3.1 Requirements . 10
6.3.2 Test procedure . 10
6.4 Mechanical performance . 10
6.4.1 Clamping force . 10
6.4.2 Normal tensile force . 14
6.4.3 Shear force . 16
6.5 Environmental characteristics . 17
6.5.1 Cold temperature installation . 17
6.5.2 Climatic sequence . 18
6.5.3 Salt mist . 19
6.5.4 High cycle fatigue (optional) . 20
6.5.5 Fire-resistance (fireproof clamp) . 22
6.5.6 Solar radiation (outdoor spacer clamp with non-metallic material) . 24
7 Type test . 24
Annex A (informative) Recommended mechanical characteristics for spacer clamps . 26
Annex B (informative) Cable dummy . 27
Annex C (informative) Suitability test of spacer clamps of non-self-supporting cable . 28
C.1 Objective . 28
C.2 Test procedure . 28
C.3 Requirements . 28
C.4 Information to be given in the product detail specification . 28
Bibliography . 29

Figure 1 – The dimensions of the integrated messenger wire . 8
Figure 2 – Schematic diagram of test for clamping force . 13
Figure 3 – Schematic diagram of normal tensile force . 15
Figure 4 – Schematic diagram of shear force . 16

Figure 5 – Schematic diagram of cold temperature installation . 17
Figure 6 – Installation for climatic sequence test . 18
Figure 7 – Schematic diagram of test for high cycle fatigue . 21
Figure 8 – Swelling load . 22
Figure 9 – Schematic diagram of fire resistance test . 23
Figure B.1 – Structure for a cable dummy . 27

Table 1 – Type test . 25
Table A.1 – Recommended mechanical characteristics for spacer clamps . 26

– 4 – IEC 61196-12:2024 © IEC 2024
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
COAXIAL COMMUNICATION CABLES –

Part 12: Specification for spacer clamps for radiating cables

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) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 61196-12 has been prepared by subcommittee 23A: Cable management systems, of IEC
technical committee 23: Electrical accessories. It is an International Standard.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
23A/1073/FDIS 23A/1076/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.

This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61196 series, published under the general title Coaxial
communication cables, 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 webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
 reconfirmed,
 withdrawn, or
 revised.
IMPORTANT – The "colour inside" logo on the cover page of this document 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.

– 6 – IEC 61196-12:2024 © IEC 2024
COAXIAL COMMUNICATION CABLES –

Part 12: Specification for spacer clamps for radiating cables

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61196 defines general requirements for spacer clamps for radiating cables,
including terms and definitions, design and construction, IEC type designation, requirements
and test procedures and type tests.
The contents of this document are suitable for spacer clamps for installation of radiating cables.
These cables and their spacer clamps are widely used in tunnels, subways, underpasses, and
shafts. Their intended application is in weather-protected environments and, optionally,
outdoors.
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 60068-2-1, Environmental testing – Part 2-1: Tests – Test A: Cold
IEC 60068-2-5, Environmental testing – Part 2-5: Tests – Test S: Simulated solar radiation at
ground level and guidance for solar radiation testing and weathering
IEC 60068-2-30, Environmental testing – Part 2-30: Tests – Test Db: Damp heat, cyclic
(12 h + 12 h cycle)
IEC 61196-4, Coaxial communication cables – Part 4: Sectional specification for radiating
cables
ISO 834-1:1999, Fire-resistance tests – Elements of building construction – Part 1: General
requirements
ISO 9227, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres – Salt spray tests
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61196-4 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp

3.1
spacer clamp
mechanical device to install a radiating cable at a certain distance from the base or from a steel
rope
3.2
suspended clamp
spacer clamp to install a radiating cable on suspended steel ropes
3.3
cantilever clamp
spacer clamp to install a radiating cable at a certain distance from the base
3.4
fireproof clamp
spacer clamp with a fireproof device that can prevent the radiating cable from falling if it catches
fire
3.5
fireproof device
device that can prevent the radiating cable from falling when a fire happens
4 Design and construction
4.1 Ratings and characteristics
Spacer clamps shall be designed and built to satisfy the environmental requirements as follows:
a) Temperature range: −40 °C to +85 °C
b) Humidity: 5 % to 95 %
4.2 Material and design
Spacer clamps shall be designed and built to meet the following requirements:
a) Spacer clamps shall be made of metallic, non-metallic or composite materials.
NOTE Spacer clamps that are made of metal or comprise metallic components can cause the creation of
external passive intermodulation.
b) The structure and dimensions of spacer clamps shall be matched to the cable to be fastened.
c) For radiating cables with a radial direction marking line, the spacer clamp shall be designed
with a structure to locate the radiating direction, which shall be consistent with the marking
line of the radiating cable.
d) Minimum vertical distance from the surface of the radiating cable installed to that of the
base after installation shall be in accordance with the stated requirements of the
corresponding cable.
e) Spacer clamps and their fireproof devices, if any, shall be designed so that they cannot
influence radiating performance of the cable, and shall be compatible with the climate and
mechanical environments during operation.
f) Fasteners and fixings for spacer clamps shall be specified in the product detail specification.
Spacer clamps may be assembled from various components of a modular system. Depending
on the combination of components, different features may be made available, for example
different spacing to the base and fire retardancy. In this case, the spacer clamp shall also be
understood to be a specific combination of system elements.

– 8 – IEC 61196-12:2024 © IEC 2024
5 IEC type designation
5.1 Type
The type designation of spacer clamps for radiating cables shall be as follows:
a) SC: the code of the spacer clamp;
b) minimum outer diameter for clamping the cable, expressed by an integer, in mm;
c) maximum outer diameter for clamping the cable, expressed by an integer, in mm.
For example, SC38-41 represents spacer clamps for radiating cables with the outer diameter
range from 38 mm to 41 mm for clamping the cables.
5.2 Variant
The variant designation of spacer clamps shall be as follows:
a) Fireproof type – expressed as follows:
– F: for fireproof clamp;
– omitted for non-fireproof clamp.
b) Installation type – expressed as follows:
– C: cantilever type;
– S: suspended type;
– CM: cantilever type for self-supporting radiating cable with messenger;
– SM: suspended type for self-supporting radiating cable with messenger.
c) The space distance of cable surface to the base or wire, in mm; for example, 80 means
80 mm.
d) Nominal dimensions of the integrated messenger wire for self-supporting radiating cables –
expressed as follows:
d*w*h: d, w and h are the nominal dimensions of the integrated messenger wire, expressed
by an integer, in mm, as shown in Figure 1.

Key
1 integrated messenger wire of the radiating cable
2 self-supporting radiating cable
Figure 1 – The dimensions of the integrated messenger wire
For example, SC38-41FCM80 9*2*3 represents spacer clamps, the outer diameter range from
38 mm to 41 mm for clamping the cables, fireproof cantilever clamp, the space distance of cable
surface to the base or wire is 80 mm, for self-supporting radiating cables with the nominal
dimensions of the integrated messenger wire d = 9, w = 2 and h = 3.

5.3 Marking
A marking on the product shall enable the user to unambiguously assign the product to the
technical data provided by the manufacturer and the IEC standard applied.
The marking on the product itself does not have to include the full designation in accordance
with this standard.
A marking on the product shall allow clear identification of the responsible supplier.
5.4 Packaging
Packaging boxes of spacer clamps shall be marked with manufacturer name (or code),
trademark, type designation of the spacer clamps, quantity, production lot number, and IEC
standard number.
6 Requirements and test procedures
6.1 General conditions for the tests
Spacer clamps shall be tested in the following general conditions:
a) Tests in accordance with this document are type tests.
b) Unless otherwise specified, the tests shall be carried out in standard atmospheric conditions
as follows:
– temperature: (23 ± 2)° C;
– relative humidity: (45 to 55) %;
– air pressure: (86 to 106) kPa.
c) Unless otherwise specified, tests shall be carried out with the spacer clamps assembled and
installed as in normal use according to the manufacturer's or responsible vendor's
instructions.
d) Tests on non-metallic spacer clamps or composite spacer clamps shall not be commenced
earlier than 168 h after manufacture.
e) When toxic or hazardous processes are used, precautions shall be taken to safeguard the
person performing the test.
f) If there are different sizes for each type series of spacer clamps, the size (e.g. clamping
diameter) that is most critical for tests is to be used for the respective test. The result
obtained then also applies to all other sizes of this type of series by similarity.
If it cannot be technically determined which size is the critical one, all sizes shall be tested
individually. All sizes shall be checked individually if the manufacturer or distributor wishes
to specify different performances per size.
g) The test samples shall be taken as a random sample from series production. Unless
otherwise defined, the sample size to be tested per test is at least 3.
h) The test requirement is considered fulfilled when all test samples have successfully passed
the test.
i) If one of the samples does not satisfy a test, that test and any preceding ones that might
have influenced the results of the test shall be repeated, and also the tests that follow shall
be made in the required sequence on another full set of samples, all of which shall comply
with the requirements.
j) If relative humidity or the ambient temperature has a significant effect on performance data
obtained under the conditions of 6.1d), these shall be determined and declared. If
necessary, the limits of use of the product shall be restricted compared to 4.1.

– 10 – IEC 61196-12:2024 © IEC 2024
k) If a system component or system is coated in paint or any other substance that is likely to
affect its classified properties, then the relevant tests in this document shall be performed
on the coated sample.
l) The total applied load for each of the load tests shall have a tolerance of 0 % to +3 %.
m) All lengths and distances for test arrangements shall not exceed a tolerance of ±5 %.
6.2 Visual inspection
6.2.1 Requirements
All metal parts of spacer clamps shall be flat, free from burrs, scratches, oxidation and other
obvious mechanical damages to their surfaces, and shall show no evidence of bubbles,
discoloration, pinholes and other defects on plating when plated.
The non-metallic parts shall be smooth, and free from blowholes, cracks, pits, swelling,
discoloration from degradation, as well as significant foreign substance, at their surfaces. In
addition, all edges shall be smooth, and free from wrinkles, sharp corners, burrs as well as
other defects.
6.2.2 Test procedure
Visual examinations shall be performed with naked eyes.
6.3 Structural dimensions
6.3.1 Requirements
Structural dimensions for spacer clamps shall be in accordance with the relevant detail
specification.
If necessa
...