IEC 61156-8:2023

IEC 61156-8:2023 - Overview

IEC 61156-8:2023 is the sectional specification for symmetrical pair cables intended for work area wiring, defining multicore cables with transmission characteristics up to 1 200 MHz. It covers cables built as four individually screened pairs (S/FTP) with an optional common screen over the cable core. The standard applies to cables intended for normal communication system voltages and currents and supports delivery of DC low-voltage remote powering (e.g., PoE-type applications), but explicitly excludes use with low-impedance mains power sources.

Key topics and technical requirements

The standard aligns with IEC 61156-1 and IEC 61156-7 and introduces a blank detail specification and a test reference update (IEC 62153-4-9). Main technical topics include:

• Cable construction and materials

  • Four individually screened (S/FTP) pairs, optional overall screen
  • Conductor and insulation specifications, pair identification, sheath

• Electrical characteristics & tests

  • Conductor resistance, resistance unbalance
  • Dielectric strength and insulation resistance
  • Mutual capacitance and capacitance unbalance (pair-to-ground)
  • Transfer impedance and coupling attenuation (triaxial method per IEC 62153-4-9)
  • Current-carrying capacity and screen resistance

• Transmission performance

  • Attenuation and frequency behavior up to 1 200 MHz
  • Velocity of propagation, phase delay and delay skew
  • Near‑end crosstalk (NEXT, PS NEXT), far‑end crosstalk (ACR‑F, PS ACR‑F)
  • Alien (exogenous) near‑end and far‑end crosstalk
  • Impedance and return loss

• Mechanical, environmental & fire safety

  • Dimensional and tensile tests, bending, impact, crush, repeated flexing
  • Thermal ageing, cold/heat tests, damp heat, UV, solvent resistance
  • Fire performance: flame propagation, smoke, halogen and toxic gas emissions, integrated fire tests

Practical applications and users

IEC 61156-8 is used to specify and verify work-area cords and short patch cables for high-speed digital communications in office, data center and commercial environments. Typical applications:

• High-frequency data links and short-range patching up to 1 200 MHz
• Work area cabling supporting data and low-voltage remote powering

Primary users:

• Cable manufacturers and designers
• Cabling system specifiers and integrators
• Test laboratories and certification bodies
• Procurement teams and facility managers

Related standards

• IEC 61156-1:2023 (general requirements for multicore and symmetrical cables)
• IEC 61156-7:2023 (other parts of the series)
• IEC 62153-4-9 (triaxial test method for coupling attenuation)

Keywords: IEC 61156-8:2023, work area wiring, symmetrical pair cables, S/FTP, up to 1 200 MHz, coupling attenuation, transfer impedance, NEXT, return loss, alien crosstalk.