IEC 61156-2-1:2010

Overview

IEC 61156-2-1:2010 is the third edition (2010) blank detail specification for multicore and symmetrical pair/quad cables intended for horizontal floor wiring in premises cabling. It supersedes the 2003 edition and aligns with the technical changes in IEC 61156-2 (2010). Rather than specifying a single cable design, this document provides a template and layout for preparing detailed, nationally or commercially specific cable specifications that meet the sectional requirements for horizontal cabling.

Key topics and requirements

The blank detail specification defines the required structure and the types of technical information that a detail specification must include. Major technical topics covered:

• Cable description and identification
  • Type and number of elements (pairs/quads), nominal impedance, screening, application, category (e.g., Cat 3, Cat 5), trade names.
• Materials and construction
  • Conductor, insulation, element screening, core make-up, sheath material and marking, packaging.
• Electrical characteristics
  • Conductor resistance, resistance unbalance, dielectric strength, insulation resistance, mutual capacitance and capacitance unbalance.
  • Transfer impedance requirements given at multiple frequencies (examples in the standard: 1 MHz, 10 MHz, 30 MHz, 100 MHz).
• Transmission characteristics
  • Attenuation and near‑end crosstalk (NEXT) performance across defined frequencies (1 MHz up to 100 MHz), characteristic impedance, structural return loss (SRL), phase/delay metrics where applicable.
• Mechanical characteristics
  • Dimensional requirements, elongation at break (conductors, insulation, sheath), tensile strength, crush and impact, repeated bending and tensile performance.
• Environmental and safety tests
  • Temperature range performance, ageing, cold-bend, heat-shock, flame propagation (single and bunched cables), smoke, acid gas and toxic gas emissions, plus combined tests for air-handling spaces.
• Guidance for filling out the template
  • Use of NA (not applicable) or NS (not specified) where appropriate; reference to relevant subclauses in IEC 61156-2.

Applications

IEC 61156-2-1 is used to produce precise cable product specifications for:

• Horizontal floor wiring in office, commercial and industrial buildings (customer premises cabling).
• Specifying cables for LAN and structured cabling installers, procurement teams and facility managers.
• Establishing test and acceptance criteria for manufacturing, quality control and certification.

Who should use this standard

• Cable manufacturers preparing product detail specifications.
• National standards bodies and industry groups creating localized detail specs.
• System integrators, installers and consultants specifying horizontal cabling components.
• Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies verifying compliance with IEC 61156 sectional requirements.

Related standards and keywords

• Related: IEC 61156-1:2002 (generic specification), IEC 61156-2:2010 (sectional specification), ISO/IEC 11801 (generic cabling).
• SEO keywords: IEC 61156-2-1, multicore cables, symmetrical pair/quad cables, horizontal floor wiring, blank detail specification, category 3, category 5, cable transmission characteristics, cable testing, structured cabling.