IEC 61196-9:2023

Coaxial communication cables - Part 9: Sectional specification for flexible RF coaxial cables

IEC 61196-9:2023 specifies the materials and cable construction for RF flexible coaxial communication cables with solid or with semi-air-spaced dielectric, IEC type designation, identification, marking and labelling, standard rating and characteristics, requirements of finished cables, quality assessment, delivery and storage, etc.
This document applies to RF flexible coaxial communication cables for use in mobile communication systems, microwave test equipment and other fields. It is read in conjunction with IEC 61196-1:2005.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 27-Jun-2023
• 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: 28-Jul-2023
• Completion Date: 28-Jun-2023

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61196-9:2014 - Coaxial communication cables - Part 9: Sectional specification for RF flexible cables
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61196-9
®

Edition 2.0 2023-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD

colour
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Coaxial communication cables –
Part 9: Sectional specification for flexible RF coaxial cables

IEC 61196-9:2023-06(en)

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IEC 61196-9

®


Edition 2.0 2023-06




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD









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Coaxial communication cables –

Part 9: Sectional specification for flexible RF coaxial cables


























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CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Materials and cable construction . 9
4.1 Cable construction . 9
4.2 Inner conductor . 9
4.3 Dielectric . 9
4.4 Outer conductor or screen . 9
4.5 Sheath . 9
5 Standard rating and characteristics . 10
5.1 Nominal characteristic impedance . 10
5.2 Rated temperature range . 10
5.3 Operating frequency . 10
5.4 Power rating . 10
5.5 Bending radius . 10
5.5.1 Static bending radius . 10
5.5.2 Dynamic bending radius . 10
6 Identification, marking and labelling . 11
6.1 Cable identification . 11
6.1.1 Type name . 11
6.1.2 Variants . 11
6.2 Cable marking . 11
6.3 Labelling . 12
7 Requirements of finished cables . 12
7.1 General . 12
7.2 Electrical requirements of finished cables . 12
7.3 Environmental requirements of the finished cable . 14
7.4 Mechanical requirements of the finished cables . 15
7.5 Fire performance requirements . 16
7.6 Content of toxic and harmful substance . 16
8 Quality assessment . 16
9 Delivery and storage . 16
Annex A (normative) Stress-crack resistance . 17
A.1 Preparation of test sample (TS) . 17
A.2 Test procedure . 17
A.3 Requirements . 17
Annex B (normative) Vibrations . 18
B.1 Preparation of test samples (TS) . 18
B.2 Procedure . 18
B.2.1 Initial measurements . 18
B.2.2 Vibrations . 18
B.2.3 Final measurements . 18
B.3 Requirements . 18

Figure B.1 – Preferred arrangement for vibrations test . 18

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IEC 61196-9:2023 © IEC 2023 – 3 –
Table 1 – Rated temperature . 10
Table 2 – Distinguishing number . 11
Table 3 – Electrical measurements . 12
Table 4 – Environmental requirements of the finished cable . 14
Table 5 – Mechanical requirements of the finished cable . 15
Table 6 – Fire performance requirements . 16
Table 7 – Content of toxic and harmful substance . 16

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INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

COAXIAL COMMUNICATION CABLES –

Part 9: Sectional specification for flexible RF coaxial 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,
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Publication(s)"). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
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agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
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6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
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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)
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IEC 61196-9 has been prepared by subcommittee 46A: Coaxial cables, of IEC technical
committee 46: Cables, wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and microwave passive
components and accessories. It is an International Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2014. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Title: "RF flexible cables" is changed to "flexible RF coaxial cables",
b) Clause 2: different standards are added,
c) Subclauses 4.2 to 4.5: materials and construction details are added,

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IEC 61196-9:2023 © IEC 2023 – 5 –
d) Subclause 5.1: nominal characteristic impedance is added,
e) Subclause 5.2: rated temperature range is added,
f) Subclause 5.4: power rating is added,
g) Subclause 5.4: bending radius is added,
h) Clause 6: cable identification is revised,
i) Clause 7: completely revised, different requirements or typical values are added,
j) Annex A: Stress-crack resistance is added,
k) Annex B: Vibrations is added.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
46A1620/CDV 46A/1634/RVC

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.
This document is to be read in conjunction with IEC 61196-1:2005.
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,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

IMPORTANT – The "colour inside" logo on the cover page of this document indicates
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COAXIAL COMMUNICATION CABLES –

Part 9: Sectional specification for flexible RF coaxial cables



1 Scope
This part of IEC 61196 specifies the materials and cable construction for RF flexible coaxial
communication cables with solid or with semi-air-spaced dielectric, IEC type designation,
identification, marking and labelling, standard rating and characteristics, requirements of
finished cables, quality assessment, delivery and storage, etc.
This document applies to RF flexible coaxial communication cables for use in mobile
communication systems, microwave test equipment and other fields. It is read in conjunction
with IEC 61196-1:2005.
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 60068-1:2013, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 60068-2-20:2021, Environmental testing – Part 2-20: Tests – Test Ta and Tb: Test
methods for solderability and resistance to soldering heat of devices with leads
IEC 60332-1-2, 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 60754-1, Test on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables – Part 1:
Determination of the halogen acid gas content
IEC 60811-607, Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials –
Part 607: Physical tests – Test for the assessment of carbon black dispersion in polyethylene
and polypropylene
IEC 60966-1:2019, Radio frequency and coaxial cable assemblies – Part 1: Generic
specification – General requirements and test methods
IEC 61034-2, Measurement of smoke density of cables burning under defined conditions –
Part 2: Test procedure and requirements
IEC 61196-1:2005, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1: Generic specification – General,
definitions and requirements
IEC 61196-1-1, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-1: Capability approval for coaxial
cables
IEC 61196-1-101, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-101: Electrical test methods – Test
for conductor d.c. resistance of cable

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IEC 61196-9:2023 © IEC 2023 – 7 –
IEC 61196-1-102, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-102: Electrical test methods – Test
for insulation resistance of cable dielectric
IEC 61196-1-103, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-103: Electrical test methods – Test
for capacitance of cable
IEC 61196-1-105, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-105: Electrical test methods – Test
for withstand voltage of cable dielectric
IEC 61196-1-106, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-106: Electrical test methods – Test
for withstand voltage of cable sheath
IEC 61196-1-108, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-108: Electrical test methods – Test
for characteristic impedance, phase and group delay, electrical length and propagation
velocity
IEC 61196-1-110, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-110: Electrical test methods – Test
for continuity
IEC 61196-1-111, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-111: Electrical test methods –
Stability of phase test methods
IEC 61196-1-112, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-112: Electrical test methods – Test
for return loss (uniformity of impedance)
IEC 61196-1-113, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-113: Electrical test methods – Test
for attenuation constant
IEC 61196-1-114, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-114: Electrical test methods – Test
for inductance
IEC 61196-1-116, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-116: Electrical test methods – Test
for impedance with time domain reflectometry (TDR)
IEC 61196-1-119, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-119: Electrical test methods – RF
average power rating
IEC 61196-1-126, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-126: Electrical test methods –
Corona extinction voltage
IEC 61196-1-201:2009, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-201: Environmental test
methods – Test for cold bend performance of cable
IEC 61196-1-203, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-203: Environmental test methods –
Test for water penetration of cable
IEC 61196-1-206, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-206: Environmental test methods –
Climatic sequence
IEC 61196-1-209, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-209: Environmental test methods –
Thermal cycling
IEC 61196-1-212, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-212: Environmental test methods –
UV stability

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IEC 61196-1-215, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-215: Environmental test methods –
High temperature cable ageing
IEC 61196-1-301, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-301: Mechanical test methods –
Test for ovality
IEC 61196-1-302, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-302: Mechanical test methods –
Test for eccentricity
IEC 61196-1-313, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-313: Mechanical test methods –
Adhesion of dielectric and sheath
IEC 61196-1-314, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-314: Mechanical test methods –
Test for bending
IEC 61196-1-316, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-316: Mechanical test methods –
Test of maximum pulling force of cable
IEC 61196-1-317, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-317: Mechanical test methods –
Test for crush resistance of cable
IEC 61196-1-324, Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-324: Mechanical test methods –
Test for abrasion resistance of cable
IEC 62037-4, Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement – Part
4: Measurement of passive intermodulation in coaxial cables
IEC 62153-4-3, Metallic communication cable test methods – Part 4-3: Electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC) – Surface transfer impedance – Triaxial method
IEC 62153-4-4, Metallic communication cable test methods − Part 4-4: Electromagnetic
compatibility (EMC) − Test method for measuring of the screening attenuation as up to and
above 3 GHz, triaxial method
IEC 62230, Electric cables, Spark-test method
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61196-1 as well as
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
flexible coaxial communication cable
coaxial cable which can repeat flexure in service
Note 1 to entry: The typical construction for this type of cable is a single inner conductor which can be solid or
stranded covered by dielectric core material, which is surrounded by a braided outer conductor(s), with a protective
sheath.

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IEC 61196-9:2023 © IEC 2023 – 9 –
4 Materials and cable construction
4.1 Cable construction
The cable construction shall be in accordance with 4.2 to 4.5 and the requirements stated in
the relevant detail specification.
4.2 Inner conductor
The inner conductor shall be a solid or strand copper wire or solid or strand copper clad steel
wire according to IEC 61196-1:2005, 4.4.1 to 4.4.4 or any other appropriate material as stated
in the relevant detail specification. The conductor can be coated or uncoated. If it is silver
plated, the minimum thickness of the silver coating shall be 1 µm.
The nominal diameter shall be stated in the relevant detail specification.
Diameter tolerance for the completed inner conductor shall be as specified in the relevant
detail specification.
The inner conductor shall be smooth and continuous.
4.3 Dielectric
The construction of the dielectric shall be one of the materials listed below or a combination of
the following:
a) solid dielectric (such as: solid polyolefin, solid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), solid
fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), solid perfluoroalcoxylalkane (PFA), etc.);
b) semi-air-spaced dielectric (such as: foamed polyolefin, foamed FEP, foamed PFA, low
density PTFE, etc.);
c) any other appropriate materials and types as specified in the relevant detail specification.
The nominal diameter and thickness shall be stated in the relevant detail specification.
The tolerance of the dielectric diameter shall be stated in the relevant detail specification.
4.4 Outer conductor or screen
The construction of the outer conductor or screen should be a wrap or/and braid. It consists of
one or more of the following layer(s):
a) metal foil layer or metallized film layer (when applicable): metal foil layer or metallized film
layer is optional，which can be copper foil, copper plastic composite tape or any other
films as stated in the relevant detail specification. These layers can be applied
longitudinally or helically over the dielectric of coaxial cable, with a sufficient overlap as
specified in the relevant detail specification;
b) braid: a braid of plain or coated wire or tape. Joints in the braiding wires or tapes shall be
soldered, twisted, or woven in, and there shall be no joint in the complete braid. The braid
shall be applied evenly. The braid angle and the filling factor or coverage factor shall be
specified in the relevant detail specification.
The construction, material, maximum diameter of the outer conductor or screen shall be
specified in the relevant detail specification.
4.5 Sheath
IEC 61196-1:2005, Subclause 4.7 applies with the following amendments and additions.

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a) the outer sheath of a cable shall be a thermoplastic material as specified in the relevant
detail specification, including the material type;
b) the minimum sheath thickness shall be specified in the relevant detail specification;
c) the nominal diameter and tolerance of the sheath shall be specified in the relevant detail
specification.
5 Standard rating and characteristics
5.1 Nominal characteristic impedance
The nominal characteristic impedance shall be 50 Ω or specified in the relevant detail
specification.
5.2 Rated temperature range
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant detail specification, the ratings temperature of the
materials used in a cable shall be as specified in Table 1.
Table 1 – Rated temperature
Materials used in cable Storage Installation Operational
°C °C °C
PE −40 to +70 −20 to +60 −40 to +70
PVC −40 to +75 −20 to +60 −40 to +70
TPE −40 to +85 −20 ～+60 −40 ～+80
LSZH −25 to +70 −20 to +60 −25 to +70
FEP −55 to +200 −20 to +60 −55 to +200
PFA −55 to +250 −20 to +60 −55 to +230
ETFE −55 to +150 −20 to +60 −55 to +150
PTFE −60 to +250 −20 to +60 −60 to +250
The rated temperature of the cable should comprehensively consider the high
temperature and low temperature resistance of the inner conductor, dielectric, outer
conductor and sheath of a cable.

5.3 Operating frequency
The operating frequency range is specified in the relevant detail specification.
5.4 Power rating
When required, the power rating is specified in the relevant detail specification.
5.5 Bending radius
5.5.1 Static bending radius
The static bending radius R of the cable shall not be less than 5 times the cable diameter D,
i.e. R ≥ 5×D, or as specified in the relevant detail specification.
5.5.2 Dynamic bending radius
The dynamic bending radius R of the cable shall not be less than 10 times the cable diameter
D, i.e. R ≥ 10×D, or as specified in the relevant detail specification.

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6 Identification, marking and labelling
6.1 Cable identification
6.1.1 Type name
Cables shall be identified by the following:
a) a number giving the nominal characteristic impedance of the cable in ohms, for
example,"50";
b) a number that corresponds to the approximate diameter measured over the dielectric in
mm.
6.1.2 Variants
The variant of cables should be identified by the following:
a) Type name, see 6.1.1.
b) Distinguishing number: It should consist of three characters (XYZ) which distinguish the
different construction and material of the various cables.
The "X" specifies the material type of the inner conductor.
The "Y" specifies the material type and structure of the dielectric.
The "Z" specifies the material type of sheath.
Details are listed in Table 2.
Table 2 – Distinguishing number
Material and structure
"X" Material of the inner conductor "Y" "Z" Material of sheath
of dielectric
1 Solid silver plated copper wire No Entry Solid PTFE 1 FEP
Solid silver plated copper clad
2 E Expand PTFE 2 PFA
steel wire
3 Strand silver plated copper wire P Profiled PTFE 3 ETFE
Strand silver plated copper clad
4 FP Foamed PFA 4 PVC
steel wire
5 Solid copper wire SP Solid PFA 5 LSZH
6 Strand copper wire FF Foamed FEP 6 TPE
7 Other material SF Solid FEP 7 Other material
 ST Solid ETFE
 SE Solid PE
 FE Foamed PE
 o Other material

6.2 Cable marking
The cable marking shall be applied to the sheath.
The marking shall comply with 6.2 or as specified in the relevant detail specification.
Cable marking shall be made up of the
...