SIST EN 50109-1:1999

Overview

EN 50109-1:1995 is a European (CLC) standard that defines the general requirements and tests for hand crimping tools used to make crimp terminations on electric cables and wires for low frequency and radio frequency (RF) applications. Part 1 covers tools intended for normal hand operation within an ambient temperature range of -15 °C to +40 °C. This standard establishes baseline expectations for safety, durability and functional performance of hand-operated crimping tools used in electrical and RF wiring work.

Key Topics

• Scope and applicability
  • Hand-operated crimping tools for low-frequency and RF cable/wire terminations.
  • Ambient operating range: -15 °C to +40 °C.
• General requirements
  • Design and construction criteria appropriate for reliable crimp terminations and repeated manual use.
  • Ergonomics and operator safety considerations for hand tools.
• Performance and testing
  • Mandatory tests to verify tool performance, repeatability and durability under the specified environmental conditions.
  • Acceptance criteria for consistent crimp quality relevant to electrical and RF connections.
• Quality and marking
  • Identification, traceability and documentation expectations for compliant tools.
• Compatibility
  • Emphasis on the tool’s suitability for intended cable, wire and connector types used in low-frequency and RF systems.

(Note: Specific test procedures and numerical pass/fail criteria are defined in the full standard document.)

Applications

Who uses EN 50109-1:1995 and why it matters:

• Tool manufacturers - to design, test and certify hand crimping tools that meet European general requirements for electrical and RF terminations.
• Quality and compliance teams - to specify acceptance and inspection criteria for incoming tools and production tooling.
• Electrical and telecom installers - for procurement guidance to ensure tools deliver reliable crimp terminations on low-frequency and RF cables.
• Maintenance and field service technicians - to select tools appropriate for on-site cable and connector repairs within the stated ambient temperature range.
• Purchasing and procurement - to define technical requirements in supplier specifications and tenders.

Practical use cases include crimping coaxial RF connectors, telecom wiring terminations, and general electrical cable assembly where hand-operated crimp tools are preferred.

Related Standards (if applicable)

• Part 1 provides the general framework; users should consult additional parts of the EN 50109 series (where published) and connector-specific standards for detailed dimensional and electrical performance requirements.
• For complete compliance, cross-reference national adoptions (e.g., SIST EN 50109-1:1999) and other CENELEC/CENELEC-related standards that govern connector interfaces and cable performance.

Keywords: hand crimping tools, crimp termination, electric cables, RF applications, low frequency, general requirements, tests, ambient temperature.