IEC 61196-9:2023

Overview - IEC 61196-9:2023 (Coaxial communication cables)

IEC 61196-9:2023 is the sectional specification for flexible RF coaxial cables used in RF and microwave applications. Read together with IEC 61196-1:2005, it defines required materials, cable construction (inner conductor, solid or semi-air-spaced dielectric, outer conductor/screen, sheath), type designation, identification, marking and labelling, standard ratings and characteristics, finished-cable requirements, quality assessment, delivery and storage.

Keywords: IEC 61196-9:2023, flexible RF coaxial cables, coaxial communication cables, RF cables, mobile communication systems, microwave test equipment.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Materials & construction: Specifications for inner conductor, dielectric (solid or semi-air-spaced), outer conductor/screen and sheath to ensure consistent RF performance and mechanical durability.
• Electrical characteristics: Nominal characteristic impedance, operating frequency, capacitance, DC resistance, return loss, phase/group delay and power rating.
• Thermal & mechanical limits: Rated temperature ranges, static and dynamic bending radius, mechanical strength and vibration resistance.
• Environmental and durability tests: Requirements for environmental aging, thermal cycling, humidity, stress-crack resistance (Annex A) and vibration (Annex B).
• Fire and safety: Smoke density, halogen acid gas content and flame propagation tests referenced (e.g., IEC 60332-1-2, IEC 60754-1, IEC 61034-2).
• Identification & labelling: Type names, variant coding and mandatory marking for traceability.
• Quality assessment & delivery: Factory test regimes, conformity checks, storage and packaging requirements.

Practical applications and users

IEC 61196-9:2023 applies to flexible RF coaxial cables used in:

• Mobile communication systems (base station feeders, jumper leads)
• Microwave test and measurement equipment (lab coax, calibration leads)
• Aerospace, broadcast and RF test fixtures where flexible RF cables are required

Primary users:

• Cable and component manufacturers (design, production, quality control)
• Test laboratories and certification bodies (compliance testing)
• System integrators, procurement and OEM engineers specifying cable performance and traceability

Related standards

This document is to be used with IEC 61196-1:2005 and references other IEC standards for testing and safety, such as:

• IEC 60966-1:2019 (RF and coaxial cable assemblies)
• IEC 60068-1 (environmental testing)
• IEC 60332-1-2, IEC 60754-1, IEC 61034-2 (fire/smoke/halogen testing)

IEC 61196-9:2023 provides a consistent technical framework for specifying and verifying flexible RF coaxial cables, helping manufacturers and users ensure reliable RF performance, safety and interchangeability.