Overview
IEC 61196-1-209:2016 specifies an environmental test method (thermal cycling) for assessing the ability of coaxial communication cables to withstand repeated temperature changes without unacceptable degradation of transmission performance. The procedure accelerates temperature-cycling effects to reveal potential dielectric, conductor or RF performance failures.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Defines a test to determine effects of temperature cycling on cable transmission performance and mechanical integrity.
- Reference test method: Uses the thermal profile in IEC 60068-2-14 with a default transition rate of 2 °C/min and a baseline of 20 cycles (one cycle = exposure at upper and lower limits).
- Sample size: Electrical and mechanical tests are performed on samples of 50 m ± 5 m unless otherwise specified; samples are loosely coiled in the chamber.
- Exposure time: Table-based exposure durations depend on specimen/fixture mass (exposure times range from 0.25 h to 8 h).
- Adjustments and acceleration:
- Number of cycles is adjusted by transition-rate and temperature-range adjustment factors (formulas in Clauses 5.2). The transition-rate adjustment factor is limited to a maximum of 4.
- Annex A provides a reliability acceleration factor (A_TC) for modelling accelerated test-to-use equivalence; when unknown, conservative exponents m = 2.5 and n = 1/3 are recommended.
- Measurements and acceptance:
- Electrical tests (impedance, return loss, passive intermodulation, contact resistance, etc.) and mechanical monitoring (dielectric/conductor movement) are required.
- Performance criteria and acceptance limits are to be specified in the detailed product specification.
- Test report must record initial/final measurements, sample details, connector type, test conditions (temperatures, rate, cycle count and duration), sample placement and any deviations.
Applications and users
IEC 61196-1-209 is used by:
- Cable manufacturers for qualification and design verification of coaxial cables.
- Independent test laboratories and quality assurance teams conducting environmental and reliability testing.
- System integrators and OEMs (telecom, broadcast, aerospace, defence, industrial RF systems) specifying environmental robustness in procurement and acceptance tests.
- R&D engineers modelling accelerated life testing and temperature-stress effects.
Related standards
- IEC 61196-1 - Generic specification for coaxial communication cables
- IEC 60068-2-14 - Environmental testing: Change of temperature
- IEC 62506 - Methods for product accelerated testing
Keywords: IEC 61196-1-209, thermal cycling, coaxial cables, environmental test methods, temperature cycling, accelerated testing, IEC 60068-2-14, transmission performance, test report.
Open preview (PDF)Coaxial communication cables - Part 1-209: Environmental test methods - Thermal cycling
