IEC 61196-1-212:2021

IEC 61196-1-212 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Coaxial communication cables –
Part 1-212: Environmental test methods – UV stability
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IEC 61196-1-212 ®
Edition 1.0 2021-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Coaxial communication cables –

Part 1-212: Environmental test methods – UV stability

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.120.10 ISBN 978-2-8322-9984-5

– 2 – IEC 61196-1-212:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Test methods . 7
4.1 Test methods for outdoor application . 7
4.1.1 Method A: xenon arc source . 7
4.1.2 Method B: fluorescent UV lamp. 8
4.1.3 Method C: mercury vapour lamp . 10
4.2 Test methods for indoor application . 11
4.2.1 Method A: xenon arc source . 11
4.2.2 Method B: fluorescent UV lamp. 11
4.2.3 Method C: mercury vapour lamp . 11
5 Measurements . 12
5.1 Loss in mechanical properties . 12
5.1.1 General . 12
5.1.2 Defined test duration . 12
5.1.3 Defined loss in property . 12
5.2 Change in appearance . 12
5.3 Change in colour . 12
6 Evaluation of results . 12
7 Test report . 13
Annex A (informative)  Example of UV test apparatus with mercury vapour lamp
source . 14
Annex B (informative)  Guidelines to the interpretation and use . 16
Bibliography . 19

Figure A.1 – Vapour mercury test apparatus . 14
Figure A.2 – Vapour mercury test apparatus – Details of construction . 15

Table B.1 – Excerpt from MICE table . 17
a
Table B.2 – Measurement units and conversion . 17

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
COAXIAL COMMUNICATION CABLES –

Part 1-212: Environmental test methods – UV stability

FOREWORD
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IEC 61196-1-212 has been prepared by subcommittee 46A: Coaxial cables, of IEC technical
committee 46: Cables, wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and microwave passive
components and accessories. It is an International Standard.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
46A/1452/CDV 46A/1487/RVC
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.

– 4 – IEC 61196-1-212:2021 © IEC 2021
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement,
available at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by
IEC are described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/standardsdev/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61196 series, published under the general title Coaxial
communication cables, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
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INTRODUCTION
UV hazard assessment for synthetic compounds is possible using a number of UV sources.
For the purposes of this document, three alternative methods are given.
1) Method A uses a xenon arc source to simulate the UV effect on cable sheath. The effect is
measured by the variation of mechanical characteristics and/or change in colour after
exposure.
2) Method B uses a fluorescent lamp to simulate the UV effect on cable sheath. Two different
lamps may be used: type I (called UV-A lamps) and type II (called UV-B lamps). The effect
is measured, as for method A, by the variation of mechanical characteristics and/or
change in colour after exposure.
3) Method C uses a mercury vapour lamp to simulate the UV effect on cable sheath. As for
methods A and B, the effect is determined by the variation of mechanical characteristics
and/or change in colour after exposure. This test has been typically used for
telecommunication cables.
For outdoor cable application only, the test specimens are periodically subjected to water
attack, for methods A and B. A recent modification of method C now allows for a water
immersion cycle.
For method C, the round robin tests made without water (see Annex B) indicate the method
may be applicable to outdoor environments.
Other sources and determination methods are capable of detecting and analysing the UV
hazard for a cable sheath. Examples of such methods are metal halide lamps or sunshine
carbon arc lamps, in combination with proper filters in order to cut off most radiation having
wavelengths lower than 290 nm. Contracting parties may agree to use such other methods,
but such methods cannot claim conformity to this document. If used, it is recommended that
such methods have at least equivalent sensitivity and detection levels as those in this
document.
Informative Annex B gives guidelines for the use and interpretation of results.
NOTE It is useful to recall the introduction to ISO 4892-1:2016, which says, "The relative durability of materials in
actual-use exposures can be very different depending on the location of the exposure because of differences in UV
radiation, time of wetness, temperature, pollutants and other factors. Therefore, even if results from a specific
accelerated laboratory test are found to be useful for comparing the relative durability of materials exposed in a
particular outdoor location or in particular actual-use conditions, it cannot be assumed that they will be useful for
determining the relative durability of materials exposed in a different outdoor location or in
...