IEC 63171-1:2024

Connectors for electrical and electronic equipment - Part 1: Detail specification for 2-way, shielded or unshielded, free and fixed connectors - Mechanical mating information, pin assignment and additional requirements for Type 1 (copper LC style)

IEC 63171-1:2024 is part of the IEC 63171 series which is a set of International Standards covering shielded or unshielded free and fixed connectors for balanced single-pair data transmission with current carrying capacity.
IEC 63171 is the general requirements and tests part (general specifications) of the whole series. Subsequent parts, such as this Part 1, are product detail specifications of the series IEC 63171 and do not duplicate information given in IEC 63171, but list only additional requirements. Each subsequent part is identified by a type of connector covered with the same number identifying the part. Some parts can describe more embodiments, with different connectors geometries (rectangular, circular), sharing the core element and the relevant features.
This part of IEC 63171 covers two-way, shielded or unshielded, free and fixed connectors known as Type 1, for balanced single-pair data transmission with frequencies up to 600 MHz and with current carrying capacity up to 2,0 A at 60 °C.
It specifies the common dimensions, and provides the mechanical, electrical, signal integrity, and environmental characteristics, the reliability specifications and corresponding tests for these connectors.
For the complete specifications regarding a connector of this series, both the general specification and the relevant detail specification are therefore required.
For the qualification of a connector of this series, both the general specification and the relevant detail specification shall be met.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2020. This edition constitutes a technical revision and includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
* Information on obtaining a license agreement was updated.
* Connector characteristics and test requirements were aligned with IEC 63171:2021 where applicable.
* Added requirements for Polarizing method (5.6.4) and Dynamic stress (5.6.5) to align with IEC 63171:2021.
* Added test group BP - Moisture (6.7.3.4) to align with IEC 63171:2021.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 02-Apr-2024
• ICS: 31.220.10 - Plug-and-socket devices. Connectors
• Technical Committee: SC 48B - Electrical connectors
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 03-Apr-2024
• Completion Date: 08-Mar-2024

Relations

• Revises: IEC 63171-1:2020 - Connectors for electrical and electronic equipment - Part 1: Detail specification for two-way, shielded or unshielded, free and fixed connectors - Mechanical mating information, pin assignment and additional requirements for Type 1 copper LC style
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview - IEC 63171-1:2024 (Type 1, copper LC style)

IEC 63171-1:2024 is the Part 1 detail specification of the IEC 63171 series covering 2‑way, shielded or unshielded free and fixed connectors for balanced single‑pair data transmission. Known as Type 1 (copper LC style), this international standard defines mechanical mating information, pin assignment, common dimensions and the additional requirements that supplement the series’ general specification (IEC 63171). It applies to connectors supporting frequencies up to 600 MHz and a current carrying capacity of 2.0 A at 60 °C.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Connector scope and interoperability
  • Defines the Type 1 geometry for free (cable‑terminated) and fixed (PCB or bulkhead) connectors and interoperability expectations between mating pairs.
• Mechanical mating information
  • Common dimensions, insertion/withdrawal characteristics, coupling effectiveness and polarizing methods to prevent mis‑mating.
• Pin assignment
  • Standardized contact assignments for balanced single‑pair signalling to ensure consistent wiring and system integration.
• Electrical and signal integrity characteristics
  • Requirements for insertion loss (IL), return loss (RL), propagation delay and balance metrics (TCL, TCTL), plus transfer impedance for shielded variants.
• Environmental, reliability and mechanical tests
  • Test schedules covering mechanical operation, dynamic stress, vibration, moisture (test group BP added in this edition), temperature cycling and contact resistance measurements.
• Current and safety limits
  • Current‑temperature derating guidance and voltage/insulation criteria consistent with the series general specification.
• Edition 2 (2024) updates
  • Alignment with IEC 63171:2021 where applicable, updated licensing information, added polarizing method and dynamic stress requirements, and the new Moisture test group.

Practical applications and who uses this standard

IEC 63171-1 is directly applicable to industries and professionals specifying, designing, manufacturing or testing single‑pair connectors for data and low‑power applications:

• Connector designers and OEMs creating Type 1 LC‑style products
• PCB and cable assembly manufacturers
• Test laboratories and qualification engineers performing conformity testing and reliability verification
• System integrators and procurement teams needing standardized pinouts and mechanical mating data
• Standards and compliance engineers ensuring products meet IEC series requirements

Using IEC 63171-1 together with the IEC 63171 general specification provides the complete technical baseline required for product development, qualification and interoperability.

Related standards

• IEC 63171 (general specification, tests) - mandatory companion document for complete requirements and qualification of IEC 63171 series connectors.
• Other parts of the IEC 63171 series (detail specs for additional connector types) - refer to the IEC catalogue for published parts.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 63171-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2024-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Connectors for electrical and electronic equipment –
Part 1: Detail specification for 2-way, shielded or unshielded, free and fixed
connectors – Mechanical mating information, pin assignment and additional
requirements for Type 1 (copper LC style)

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IEC 63171-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2024-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Connectors for electrical and electronic equipment –

Part 1: Detail specification for 2-way, shielded or unshielded, free and fixed

connectors – Mechanical mating information, pin assignment and additional

requirements for Type 1 (copper LC style)

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 31.220.10  ISBN 978-2-8322-8217-5

– 2 – IEC 63171-1:2024 © IEC 2024
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 9
4 Common features and typical connector pair . 10
4.1 Mating information . 10
4.1.1 General . 10
4.1.2 Interoperability . 10
4.1.3 Contacts – Mating conditions . 11
4.1.4 Fixed connector . 11
4.1.5 Free connector . 15
5 Characteristics . 16
5.1 General . 16
5.2 Pin assignment . 16
5.3 Classification into climatic category . 16
5.4 Electrical characteristics . 17
5.4.1 Creepage and clearance distances . 17
5.4.2 Voltage proof . 17
5.4.3 Current-temperature derating . 17
5.4.4 Initial contact resistance – interface only . 17
5.4.5 Input to output DC resistance . 17
5.4.6 Input to output DC resistance unbalanced. 17
5.4.7 Initial insulation resistance . 17
5.5 Transmission characteristics . 17
5.5.1 General . 17
5.5.2 Insertion loss (IL) . 17
5.5.3 Return loss (RL) . 18
5.5.4 Propagation delay . 18
5.5.5 Transverse conversion loss (TCL) . 18
5.5.6 Transverse conversion transfer loss (TCTL) . 18
5.5.7 Transfer impedance (shielded only) . 18
5.5.8 Coupling attenuation . 18
5.5.9 Power sum alien (exogenous) NEXT . 18
5.5.10 Power sum alien (exogenous) FEXT . 18
5.6 Mechanical characteristics . 18
5.6.1 Mechanical operation . 18
5.6.2 Effectiveness of connector coupling devices . 18
5.6.3 Insertion and withdrawal forces . 18
5.6.4 Polarizing method . 18
5.6.5 Dynamic stress . 18
6 Tests and test schedule . 19
6.1 General . 19
6.2 Example of arrangement for input to output contact resistance measurement . 19
6.3 Example of arrangement for contact resistance measurement . 19
6.4 Arrangement for vibration test (test phase DP) . 19

6.5 Test procedures and measuring methods . 19
6.6 Preconditioning . 20
6.7 Test schedules . 20
6.7.1 General . 20
6.7.2 Basic (minimum) test schedule . 20
6.7.3 Full test schedule . 20
Bibliography . 21

Figure 1 – Relationships between the IEC 63171 series and its related references . 7
Figure 2 – Connector overview . 8
Figure 3 – Mated fixed and free Type 1 connectors . 11
Figure 4 – Fixed Type 1 connector . 12
Figure 5 – Fixed Type 1 connector pin detail (detail A from Figure 4c) section D-D) . 14
Figure 6 – Free Type 1 connector . 15
Figure 7 – Arrangement for vibration test . 19

Table 1 – Dimensions for Figure 4a), Figure 4b) and Figure 4c) . 13
Table 2 – Dimensions for Figure 5 . 14
Table 3 – Dimensions for Figure 6a) and Figure 6b) . 16
Table 4 – Creepage and clearance distances . 17

– 4 – IEC 63171-1:2024 © IEC 2024
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
CONNECTORS FOR ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT –

Part 1: Detail specification for 2-way, shielded or unshielded, free and
fixed connectors – Mechanical mating information, pin assignment and
additional requirements for Type 1 (copper LC style)

FOREWORD
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IEC 63171-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 48B: Electrical connectors, of IEC technical
committee 48: Electrical connectors and mechanical structures for electrical and electronic
equipment. It is an International Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2020. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Information on obtaining a license agreement was updated.
b) Connector characteristics and test requirements were aligned with IEC 63171:2021 where
applicable.
c) Added requirements for Polarizing method (5.6.4) and Dynamic stress (5.6.5) to align with
IEC 63171:2021.
d) Added test group BP – Moisture (6.7.3.4) to align with IEC 63171:2021.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
48B/3062/FDIS 48B/3083/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.
A list of all parts in the IEC 63171 series, published under the general title Connectors for
electrical and electronic equipment, can be found on the IEC website.
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 I
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