ISO 19642-12:2023

Overview

ISO 19642-12:2023 specifies dimensions and performance requirements for unscreened single twisted-pair RF (UTP / JUTP) cables for road-vehicle applications with a specified analogue bandwidth up to 1 GHz. The standard targets cables intended for vehicle electrical systems with nominal voltages of 30 V a.c. or 60 V d.c. and defines test methods, construction features and pass/fail criteria applicable to in-vehicle RF signal links.

Key topics and technical requirements

This part of the ISO 19642 series covers:

• Scope and general conditions
  • Intended use in road vehicles, nominal system voltage limits and general test conditions.
• Cable construction and designators
  • Requirements for cores, twisted-pair geometry, optional separator and outer sheath.
• Dimensional requirements
  • Outside diameter, insulation thickness, conductor diameter, CSA, lay length and ovality criteria.
• Electrical requirements and RF performance
  • Low‑frequency electrical tests (conductor resistance, continuity, insulation resistivity, withstand voltage).
  • RF tests including characteristic impedance (frequency and time domain), insertion loss (IL), return loss (RL), velocity of propagation and unbalance attenuations.
• Mechanical tests
  • Strip force, break force, cyclic/dynamic bending, minimum bending radius, abrasion and flexibility tests.
• Environmental tests
  • Ageing (long term 3 000 h and short term 240 h at temperature class rating), thermal overload, pressure tests, shrinkage, cold impact, humidity cycling, resistance to water, chemicals, ozone, flame propagation and durability of markings.
• Representative element testing
  • Procedures to select representative cable elements for testing and reference test setups.

Practical applications

ISO 19642-12:2023 is specifically useful where reliable RF signal transmission up to 1 GHz is required in automotive environments, such as:

• In-vehicle infotainment links, antenna feeders and interconnects
• Camera and sensor cabling for driver-assistance systems (where analogue RF links are used)
• On-board test and measurement harnesses and prototype vehicle integrations

Compliance ensures predictable electrical performance, mechanical robustness and environmental durability under typical automotive service conditions.

Who should use this standard

• Automotive cable manufacturers and designers
• OEM vehicle electrical architects and component engineers
• Test laboratories performing electrical, RF and environmental qualification
• Suppliers specifying in-vehicle RF interconnects and harness integrators

Related standards

• Other parts of the ISO 19642 series covering automotive cable families and related tests
• Relevant ISO/IEC test methods and automotive electrical/EMC test standards used alongside ISO 19642-12 for complete qualification

Keywords: ISO 19642-12:2023, automotive cables, unscreened twisted pair RF cables, 1 GHz, in-vehicle RF, UTP, JUTP, characteristic impedance, insertion loss, environmental testing.