SIST EN IEC 61169-1-3:2026

• Abstract:

  IEC 61169-1-3:2026 is applicable to built-in devices (hereinafter referred to as "SPD" - surge protective device) or surge protection of telecommunications and signalling networks against indirect and direct effects of lightning or other transient over voltages.; An SPD is intended to protect the electrical apparatus from transient over voltages and to divert surge currents.; The SPD built in the coaxial connector can be a gas discharge tube type, a ¼ wavelength short stub type, a flash-off gap type, and a hybrid type thereof.; The purpose of these built-in SPD is to protect modern electronic equipment connected to telecommunications and signalling networks with nominal system voltages up to 1 000 V (RMS) AC and 1 500 V DC.

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 31-Jul-2025
• Publication Date: 21-Jul-2026
• ICS: 33.120.30 - RF connectors
• Technical Committee: MOC - Mobile Communications
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 07-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 11-Sep-2026
• Completion Date: 22-Jul-2026
• Ref Project: EN IEC 61169-1-3:2026 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 1-3: Electrical test methods - Surge withstand - Surge protective devices built in a coaxial connector - Performance requirements and testing methods

• Refers: SIST EN 61169-1:2014 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 1: Generic specification - General requirements and measuring methods
• Effective Date: 02-Jun-2026
• Refers: SIST EN IEC 61169-1-2:2020 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 1-2: Electrical test methods - Insertion loss (IEC 61169-1-2:2019)
• Effective Date: 02-Jun-2026
• Refers: SIST EN 61643-311:2013 - Components for low-voltage surge protective devices - Part 311: Performance requirements and test circuits and methods for gas discharge tubes (GDT)
• Effective Date: 02-Jun-2026

Overview

SIST EN IEC 61169-1-3:2026 specifies electrical test methods and performance requirements for surge protective devices (SPDs) built into radio-frequency (RF) coaxial connectors. These SPDs are designed to safeguard telecommunications and signaling networks from the adverse effects of lightning-induced surges and other transient overvoltage events. The standard outlines rigorous procedures and criteria for verifying surge withstand capabilities, ensuring effective surge protection for electronic equipment operating with system voltages up to 1,000 V AC (RMS) and 1,500 V DC.

This standard is essential for manufacturers, system integrators, and users seeking reliable surge protection in radio-frequency signal paths, particularly in environments susceptible to lightning strikes or surge events.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application of Built-in SPDs
  Applies to SPDs integrated into coaxial connectors used in telecommunications and signaling networks, protecting against both direct and indirect lightning strikes as well as other transient overvoltages.

• Types of Built-in SPDs
  The standard covers several SPD technologies, namely:

  • Gas discharge tube (GDT) type
  • ¼ wavelength short stub type
  • Flash-off gap type
  • Hybrid combinations

• Environmental and Operational Conditions
  Specifies normal, extended, and storage temperature ranges, as well as humidity and altitude parameters, ensuring SPDs function correctly across diverse service conditions.

• Electrical Requirements
  Addresses initial and post-test performance criteria, including:

  • Sparkover voltage
  • Return loss (VSWR)
  • Insertion loss
  • Insulation resistance
  • Impulse durability under specified currents and conditions

• Performance Testing Methods
  Details test setups and procedures such as:

  • DC and impulse sparkover voltage measurement
  • Return and insertion loss verification
  • Durability to impulse currents, simulating lightning surge conditions

• Measurement and Test Equipment
  Guidance on using specific tools-such as withstand voltage testers, oscilloscopes, high-voltage probes, and lightning impulse generators-to assess SPD performance.

Applications

SIST EN IEC 61169-1-3:2026 finds practical application in the design, production, and testing of RF connectors with integrated surge protection. Key sectors include:

• Telecommunication Infrastructure:
  Protection of sensitive devices and backbone equipment (e.g., base stations, repeaters, remote radio heads) in wireless networks from transient voltage surges.

• Broadcast Equipment:
  Shielding transmitters and receivers deployed in outdoor or exposed locations.

• Signaling Networks:
  Ensures the durability and reliability of signaling apparatus susceptible to surge damage, including railway and industrial signaling systems.

• Test and Measurement:
  Used by manufacturers and testing laboratories to validate SPD performance before market release or field installation.

By specifying rigorous surge withstand and test methods for coaxial connectors, this standard supports:

• Improved equipment reliability
• Reduced maintenance and downtime due to surge-related failure
• Compliance with international safety and EMC requirements

Related Standards

For comprehensive surge protection and compatibility, consider the following closely associated international standards:

• IEC 61643-21: Surge Protective Devices connected to telecommunications and signaling networks - Performance requirements and testing methods
• IEC 61000-4-5: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Test methods for surge immunity
• IEC 61169-1: Radio-frequency connectors – Generic specification: General requirements and measuring methods
• IEC 61643-12: Low-voltage surge protective devices – Selection and application principles

Complying with SIST EN IEC 61169-1-3:2026 in conjunction with these standards helps ensure robust surge protection, system longevity, and regulatory compliance for RF connectors deployed in critical communications infrastructure.

Keywords: radio-frequency connectors, surge protective devices, SPD, coaxial connectors, surge withstand testing, IEC 61169-1-3, telecommunications surge protection, lightning protection for RF systems, electrical test methods, impulse durability, performance requirements.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2026
Radiofrekvenčni konektorji - 1-3. del: Električne preskusne metode - Odpornost na
prenapetost - Prenapetostna zaščitna naprava z vgrajenim koaksialnim
konektorjem - Zahtevane lastnosti in preskusne metode (IEC 61169-1-3:2026)
Radio-frequency connectors - Part 1-3: Electrical test methods - Surge withstand - Surge
protective devices built-in coaxial connector - Performance requirements and testing
methods (IEC 61169-1-3:2026)
Hochfrequenz-Steckverbinder - Teil 1-3: Elektrische Prüfverfahren -
Überspannungsschutz - Überspannungsschutzgeräte mit eingebautem Koaxialstecker -
Leistungsanforderungen und Prüfverfahren (IEC 61169-1-3:2026)
Connecteurs pour fréquences radioélectriques - Partie 1-3: Méthodes d'essais
électriques - Tenue aux tensions de choc - Connecteurs coaxiaux intégrés pour
parafoudres - Exigences de performance et méthodes d'essai (IEC 61169-1-3:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 61169-1-3:2026
ICS:
33.120.30 Radiofrekvenčni konektorji RF connectors
(RF)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 61169-1-3

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM July 2026
ICS 33.120.30
English Version
Radio-frequency connectors - Part 1-3: Electrical test methods -
Surge withstand - Surge protective devices built in a coaxial
connector - Performance requirements and testing methods
(IEC 61169-1-3:2026)
Connecteurs pour fréquences radioélectriques - Partie 1-3: Hochfrequenz-Steckverbinder - Teil 1-3: Elektrische
Méthodes d'essais électriques - Tenue aux tensions de Prüfverfahren - Überspannungsschutz -
choc - Dispositifs de protection contre les surtensions Überspannungsschutzgeräte mit eingebautem
intégrés dans un connecteur coaxial - Exigences de Koaxialstecker - Leistungsanforderungen und Prüfverfahren
performance et méthodes d'essai (IEC 61169-1-3:2026)
(IEC 61169-1-3:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2026-06-01. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 61169-1-3:2026 E

European foreword
The text of document 46F/738/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 61169-1-3, prepared by SC 46F "RF and
microwave passive components" of IEC/TC 46 "Cables, wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and
microwave passive components and accessories" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote
and approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 61169-1-3:2026.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2027-07-31
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2029-07-31
document have to be withdrawn
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61169-1-3:2026 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 60060-2:2025 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60060-2:2025 (not modified)
IEC 60068-1:2013 NOTE Approved as EN 60068-1:2014 (not modified)
IEC 60068-2-38:2021 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 60068-2-38:2021 (not modified)
IEC 60364-5-51:2005 NOTE Approved as HD 60364-5-51:2009 +A11:2013
IEC 61643-12 NOTE Approved as CLC/TS 61643-12
IEC 61643-21:2025 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 61643-21:2026 (not modified)
IEC 62305-4 NOTE Approved as EN IEC 62305-4
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
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.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod),
the relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cencenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 61083-1 - Instruments and software used for - -
measurements in high-voltage and high-
current tests - Part 1: Requirements for
instruments for impulse tests
IEC 61169-1 2013 Radio frequency connectors - Part 1: EN 61169-1 2013
Generic specification - General
requirements and measuring methods
IEC 61169-1-2 - Radio-frequency connectors - Part 1-2: EN IEC 61169-1-2 -
Electrical test methods - Insertion loss
IEC 61643-311 2013 Components for low-voltage surge EN 61643-311 2013
protective devices - Part 311: Performance
requirements and test circuits for gas
discharge tubes (GDT)
IEC 61169-1-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2026-04
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Radio-frequency connectors -
Part 1-3: Electrical test methods - Surge withstand - Surge protective devices
built in a coaxial connector - Performance requirements and testing methods
ICS 33.120.30  ISBN 978-2-8327-1219-1

IEC 61169-1-3:2026-04(en)
IEC 61169-1-3:2026 © IEC 2026
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Service and test conditions . 8
4.1 Service conditions . 8
4.1.1 Normal service conditions . 8
4.1.2 Abnormal service conditions . 8
4.2 Temperature and humidity test . 8
4.3 SPD testing . 9
5 Electrical requirements . 9
5.1 General . 9
5.2 Initial values . 9
5.2.1 Sparkover voltages . 9
5.2.2 Return loss (VSWR) . 9
5.2.3 Insertion loss . 9
5.2.4 Insulation resistance . 9
5.3 Test measurements and requirements – Impulse durability . 10
5.4 Requirements after application of load . 10
5.4.1 General . 10
5.4.2 Sparkover voltages . 10
5.4.3 Return loss (VSWR) . 10
5.4.4 Insertion loss . 10
5.4.5 Insulation resistance . 10
6 Test and measurement procedures and circuits . 10
6.1 DC sparkover voltage. 10
6.2 Impulse sparkover voltage . 11
6.3 Impulse durability . 11
6.4 Return loss (VSWR) . 12
6.5 Insertion loss . 12
6.6 Insulation resistance . 12
7 Details to be specified . 12
Annex A (informative) Measurement equipment examples of DC sparkover voltage
test . 13
A.1 Applicable tools . 13
A.2 Test overview . 14
A.3 Test procedure and method . 14
A.4 Test results . 16
Annex B (informative) Measurement equipment examples of impulse sparkover
voltage test . 17
B.1 Applicable tools . 17
B.2 Test overview . 17
B.3 Test results . 18
Annex C (informative) Measurement equipment examples of impulse durability test . 20
C.1 Impulse durability (applicable to signal and communication SPDs) . 20
IEC 61169-1-3:2026 © IEC 2026
C.2 Impulse durability category C2 (applicable to signal and communication
SPDs) . 20
C.3 Impulse durability category D1 (applicable to signal and communication
SPDs) . 20
C.4 Applicable tools and overview . 20
Bibliography . 24

Figure 1 – Coaxial adapter for surge protection device with gas discharge tube . 6
Figure 2 – Coaxial adapter for surge protection device with ¼ wavelength short stub. 7
Figure 3 – Circuit for DC sparkover voltage test at 100 V/s . 11
Figure 4 – Circuit for impulse sparkover voltage at 1 000 V/μs . 11
Figure 5 – Test circuits for impulse durability and overstressed fault mode . 12
Figure A.1 – Withstand voltage tester . 13
Figure A.2 – Oscilloscope . 13
Figure A.3 – High-voltage probe . 14
Figure A.4 – Test equipment overview . 15
Figure A.5 – Test results . 16
Figure B.1 – Lightning surge tester . 17
Figure B.2 – Test overview . 18
Figure B.3 – Test results . 19
Figure C.1 – Direct lightning impulse generator . 20
Figure C.2 – Names of the parts of the direct lightning impulse generator . 21
Figure C.3 – Impulse durability measurement layout . 22
Figure C.4 – Connector setup example . 23

IEC 61169-1-3:2026 © IEC 2026
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Radio-frequency connectors -
Part 1-3: Electrical test methods - Surge withstand -
Surge protective devices built in a coaxial connector -
Performance requirements and testing methods

FOREWORD
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
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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
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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 61169-1-3 has been prepared by subcommittee 46F: RF and microwave passive
components, of IEC technical committee 46: Cables, wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF
and microwave passive components and accessories. It is an International Standard.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
46F/738/FDIS 46F/741/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.
IEC 61169-1-3:2026 © IEC 2026
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 61169 series, published under the general title Radio-frequency
connectors, 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.
IEC 61169-1-3:2026 © IEC 2026
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61169 is applicable to built-in devices (hereinafter referred to as "SPD" – surge
protective device) or surge protection of telecommunications and signalling networks against
indirect and direct effects of lightning or other transient over voltages.
An SPD is intended to protect the electrical apparatus from transient over voltages and to divert
surge currents.
The SPD built in the coaxial connector can be a gas discharge tube type, a ¼ wavelength short
stub type, a flash-off gap type, and a hybrid type thereof.
The purpose of these built-in SPD is to protect modern electronic equipment connected to
telecommunications and signalling networks with nominal system voltages up to 1 000 V (RMS)
AC and 1 500 V DC.
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 61083-1, Instruments and software used for measurements in high-voltage and high-
current tests - Part 1: Requirements for instruments for impulse tests
IEC 61169-1:2013, Radio frequency connectors - Part 1: Generic speci
...