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:
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Materials and construction
- Inner conductor materials and construction
- Silicon dioxide dielectric specification
- Tubular outer conductor and optional sheath requirements
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Identification, marking and labelling
- IEC type designation, cable marking layout and labelling rules for traceability
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Standard ratings and characteristics
- Nominal characteristic impedance
- Rated temperature and humidity ranges
- Operating frequency, average and peak power ratings
- Specified bending radius
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Finished cable requirements
- Electrical requirements (attenuation, impedance stability)
- Environmental requirements (radiation, temperature cycling, humidity)
- Mechanical requirements (tensile, crush and bend performance)
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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
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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.
Open preview (PDF)Coaxial communication cables - Part 13 - Sectional specification for semi-rigid cables with silicon dioxide dielectric
