IEC 61196-1-113:2024

Overview

IEC 61196-1-113:2024 is the International Electrotechnical Commission standard that defines an electrical test method for determining the attenuation constant of coaxial communication cables. Applicable preferably at frequencies ≥ 5 MHz (and at lower frequencies when impedance conditions permit or a form-fitting function is applied), this third edition (2024) replaces the 2018 edition and introduces technical revisions including new clauses on terms, test environment, preconditioning, expanded test methods and temperature-stability annexes.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: Test method for coaxial communication cables used in communications systems; preference for measurements at ≥ 5 MHz.
• Test environment: Tests should be performed at normal temperature with ambient variation kept within ±2 °C.
• Preconditioning: Test samples (TS) must be temperature-stable for at least 4 hours, with the ambient temperature recorded.
• Equipment: Typical equipment includes a vector network analyser (VNA), accurate length-measuring tools (accuracy no worse than 1/1000 of TS length), appropriate connectors and, if needed, impedance-matching adapters. Adapter mismatch must be controlled to keep reflection-loss errors negligible (≤ 0.02 dB).
• Test methods:
  • Method 1 - Long cable method: Use a sufficiently long cable assembly where connector insertion loss is negligible; suitable when connector loss is small relative to cable loss.
  • Method 2 - Double-cable method: Measure two cable assemblies of different lengths to extract the attenuation constant while cancelling connector effects.
  • Method 3 - Temperature stability: Procedures to determine the stability of the attenuation constant across temperatures (normative Annex A, examples in Annex B).
• Data processing: The standard includes provisions for temperature correction, fitting the attenuation constant formula, reporting requirements and pass/fail criteria.

Applications

• Qualification and acceptance testing of coaxial communication cables for telecom, broadcast, RF and microwave systems.
• Production and quality control testing in cable manufacturing.
• R&D and performance benchmarking when designing cable constructions and materials.
• Environmental and temperature-stability assessment for installations exposed to varying climates.

Who should use this standard

• Cable manufacturers and test laboratories
• Quality assurance and compliance engineers
• Design engineers working on RF/coaxial systems
• Telecommunications operators and procurement teams specifying cable performance

Related standards

• IEC 61196-1 - Coaxial communication cables - Part 1: General specification (definitions and general requirements). Use IEC 61196-1 in conjunction with IEC 61196-1-113:2024 for complete testing and specification context.

Keywords: IEC 61196-1-113:2024, attenuation constant, coaxial communication cables, test method, vector network analyser, long cable method, double-cable method, temperature stability, preconditioning, test environment.