IEC 61196-13:2023

Overview

IEC 61196-13:2023 is the International Electrotechnical Commission sectional specification for semi-rigid coaxial communication cables with silicon dioxide dielectric. It specifies materials, cable construction, IEC type designation, identification, marking and labelling, standard ratings and characteristics, finished-cable requirements, quality assessment, delivery and storage. This part targets semi-rigid coaxial cables with a tubular outer conductor intended for extreme environments, including nuclear power plants, oil rigs, and aircraft engines.

Key topics and requirements

The standard defines essential technical and quality controls for semi-rigid coaxial cables, including:

• Materials and construction

  • Inner conductor materials and construction
  • Silicon dioxide dielectric specification
  • Tubular outer conductor and optional sheath requirements

• Identification, marking and labelling

  • IEC type designation, cable marking layout and labelling rules for traceability

• Standard ratings and characteristics

  • Nominal characteristic impedance
  • Rated temperature and humidity ranges
  • Operating frequency, average and peak power ratings
  • Specified bending radius

• Finished cable requirements

  • Electrical requirements (attenuation, impedance stability)
  • Environmental requirements (radiation, temperature cycling, humidity)
  • Mechanical requirements (tensile, crush and bend performance)

• Quality assessment and testing

  • Qualification, capability and quality-conformance inspections
  • Normative test procedures in annexes: performance tables, gamma irradiation testing, thermal shock procedures, and attenuation measurement protocols

• Delivery and storage

  • Packaging, storage and handling guidance to preserve performance

Applications and who uses it

IEC 61196-13:2023 is essential for anyone specifying, manufacturing, testing or procuring semi-rigid coaxial cables for harsh or mission-critical systems:

• Cable manufacturers and design engineers developing semi-rigid coaxial cables with silicon dioxide dielectric
• Aerospace, nuclear, oil & gas and defense system engineers specifying cables for extreme environments
• Test laboratories performing qualification tests (gamma irradiation, thermal shock, attenuation)
• Procurement, quality assurance and certification bodies requiring documented conformity to IEC standards

Related standards

• Read in conjunction with IEC 61196-1:2005 and other parts of the IEC 61196 series for broader coaxial cable family requirements and terminology.

For the full specification, test procedures, and normative tables, obtain IEC 61196-13:2023 from the IEC Webstore to ensure compliance with the latest edition.