EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026

EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026 is a European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) amendment to the radio-frequency (RF) connector standard for type 1,85 coaxial interfaces. It updates the requirements for 50-ohm RF coaxial connectors with a 1.85 mm inner diameter of the outer conductor and screw coupling. Engineers, manufacturers, and test laboratories use it when designing, qualifying, or checking this connector family, especially for higher-frequency use.

What does EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026 specify?

EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026 amends IEC 61169-32, Part 32 of the RF connector series. It does not redefine the whole connector family - it updates the current edition by replacing the ratings and characteristics table in clause 3.2 and by adding Grade 0 connectors.

In practice, the amendment keeps the standard focused on the type 1,85 connector interface while extending its technical coverage for high-frequency applications. The reasoning note links the change to the fifth-generation mobile communication (5G) band between 66 GHz and 71 GHz, so users can see why the higher-frequency range matters.

What are the key requirements of EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026?

EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026 centers on the updated table in clause 3.2. That table sets the electrical, mechanical, environmental, endurance, and chemical-contamination characteristics that the connector family has to meet.

Electrical performance

• The amendment adds Grade 0 connectors and extends the usable upper frequency range so the connector family can cover the 66 GHz to 71 GHz 5G band. For users, this is the key design change: the connector interface is no longer limited to the previous upper-frequency boundary.
• The table keeps separate performance levels for Grade 0 and Grade 1 connectors, including reflection factor limits by frequency band. In practice, this lets a designer or buyer match the connector grade to the intended RF performance.
• Clause 3.2 also covers nominal impedance, centre contact resistance, outer conductor continuity, insulation resistance, voltage proof, environmental test voltage, screening effectiveness, and discharge behavior. These are the checks that show whether the connector will carry signals cleanly and stay electrically safe.

Mechanical performance

• The table retains requirements for soldering, gauge retention of resilient contacts, contact captivation, engagement and separation, coupling torque, tensile strength of the coupling mechanism, and cable fixing. These items matter because they show whether the connector can be assembled, mated, and secured without damage.
• It also includes vibration, shock, bump, bending moment, and cable movement tests. In practice, these checks tell you whether the connector will stay stable under handling, installation, and service loads.

Environmental and endurance performance

• EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026 keeps the environmental ratings for climatic categories, sealing of panel and barrier connectors, and hermetically sealed connectors. This tells users what environmental protection the connector family is intended to provide.
• The table also points to endurance, salt mist, resistance to solvents and contaminating fluids, and sulphur dioxide exposure. These are the qualification items that matter for industrial, outdoor, and contaminated environments.

What terms does EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026 define?

• Grade 0 connectors - the added higher-performance class intended for the wider high-frequency range.
• Grade 1 connectors - the existing performance class retained in the revised ratings table.
• Reflection factor - a measure of RF mismatch used to set the frequency-dependent performance limits.
• Screening effectiveness - the ability of the fully mated connector to limit electromagnetic leakage.
• Characteristic impedance - the nominal impedance of the connector interface, given here as 50 ohms.
• Screw coupling - a threaded mating method that locks the connector halves together.
• Outer conductor - the coaxial outer conductor whose inner diameter defines the type 1,85 interface.

Who uses EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026?

EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026 is used by RF connector designers, cable assembly manufacturers, test laboratories, telecom equipment engineers, and quality managers. It is relevant wherever type 1,85 connectors are specified, built, tested, or purchased.

In practice, these users rely on it for product design, qualification testing, production verification, supplier approval, and performance comparison between Grade 0 and Grade 1 connectors. It is especially relevant for high-frequency measurement systems and 5G-related development work.

What changed in EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026 from the previous edition?

EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026 amends IEC 61169-32 First Edition 1999-07. The amendment adds Grade 0 connectors, updates the title and introduction to reflect that new grade, and replaces the clause 3.2 ratings table.

The stated technical purpose is to extend the upper frequency limit so the connector family can support the 66 GHz to 71 GHz 5G band. The reasoning note says this is intended to improve measurement coverage for that band and support further 5G development and deployment.

Which standards are used with EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026?

IEC 61169-1 is the main companion standard named in the ratings table. It supplies the test methods used for the electrical, mechanical, and environmental characteristics.

IEC 61169-32 First Edition 1999-07 is the base document that this amendment modifies. Users need both the amendment and the base part when they want the full current requirement set.

What does the EN 61169-32:1999/prA1:2026 document contain?

The document contains front matter, the amendment purpose, the revised clause 3.2 table, and a reasoning section. The table groups the connector requirements into electrical, mechanical, environmental, endurance, and chemical-contamination characteristics, and it links many of them to IEC 61169-1 test methods.

For engineers and test labs, this is the section to use when planning qualification work or checking whether a connector meets the Grade 0 or Grade 1 requirements. The reasoning text explains why the higher-frequency update was proposed.