TC 46 - Cables, wires, waveguides, RF connectors, RF and microwave passive components and accessories

IEC TR 61169-1-8:2025 provides a test method for voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR, hereinafter) of single RF connector by double-connector method. This document is applicable to single RF cable connectors and single microstrip RF connectors as well as single adapters if an estimation of the VSWR of a single completely installed RF-connector is used and a time domain feature is not available on the vector network analyzer.

IEC 62037-4:2012 is part of the IEC 62037 series, and defines test fixtures and procedures recommended for measuring levels of passive intermodulation generated by coaxial cables. Two dynamic test methods and a static test method are defined.

IEC 62037-2:2021 defines a procedure to measure levels of passive intermodulation generated by a coaxial cable assembly. This test method is applicable to jumper cables, i.e. cable assemblies intended to provide interface flexibility between rigid devices. It is also used to evaluate cable assemblies that are subjected to motion in operation.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2012. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a. criteria for application of mechanical stress revised to be a function of advertised cable bend radius.

IEC 62037-6:2021 defines the test fixtures and procedures recommended for measuring levels of passive intermodulation generated by antennas, typically used in wireless communication systems. The purpose is to define qualification and acceptance test methods for antennas for use in low intermodulation (low IM) applications. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2013. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a. dynamic testing requirements updated to define impact energy and locations to apply impacts to devices under test

IEC 63616:2025 relates to a conductivity measurement method of thin metal films at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. This method has been developed to evaluate the conductivity of a metal foil used for adhering to a substrate or the interfacial conductivity of a metal layer formed on a dielectric substrate. It uses higher-order modes of a balanced-type circular disk resonator and provides broadband conductivity measurements by using a single resonator.

IEC 63466-1:2025 specifies the general requirements and test methods for leaky waveguides, including terms and definitions, design and structure, type designation, ratings and characteristics, identification, marking and labelling, requirements and test methods, etc.
This document is applicable to leaky waveguides, including rigid rectangular leaky waveguides and elliptic leaky waveguides. These leaky waveguides are intended for use in tunnels, railways, highways, subways, elevators and other installations in which conventional antenna transmission is not satisfactory or even impossible.

IEC 60153-2:2025 specifies straight hollow metallic tubing of ordinary rectangular cross-section for use as waveguides in radio frequency electrical applications.
The term "ordinary rectangular waveguide" in the title of this document refers to rectangular waveguides with a b-to-a ratio of 0,5 (or slightly less).
The objective of this document is to specify for hollow metallic waveguides:
a) the details necessary to ensure compatibility and, as far as is essential, interchangeability;
b) test methods;
c) uniform requirements for the electrical and mechanical properties.
This document does not contain any binding specifications for the materials to be used, but merely examples. The exact selection of materials is subject to agreement between the customer and the supplier.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2016. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) addition of a cross-sectional view of the waveguide;
b) addition of informative content on the theoretical background of the standard;
c) use of a lower case "k" in the waveguide designation, where appropriate;
d) revision of main specification table (now Table 1):
1) two waveguides moved to the end of the table (R 35, R 41);
2) correction of one waveguide designation (now R 26k);
3) correction of one waveguide outside width (R 18);
4) relaxation of tolerances of waveguide outside dimensions (R 14 to R 70);
5) removed attenuation values of waveguides made of gold, aluminium, and stainless steel;
6) implementation of attenuation values for an idealised copper waveguide;
e) relaxation of tolerances of waveguide outside dimensions for R 14 to R 70 in the table now referred to as Table 4;
f) clarification of the electrical tests:
1) use of standard annealed copper as the reference material for waveguide tubes;
2) correction of the formula for calculating the theoretical attenuation of an idealised copper waveguide;
3) addition of a formula for calculating the theoretical attenuation of waveguides made of any material;
4) addition of an informative table with typical waveguide materials (Table 5);
g) addition of an informative cross-reference for waveguide type designations (Annex A).

IEC 60966-2-8:2025 is available as IEC 60966-2-8:2025 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC 60966-2-8:2025 is a detail specification that applies to cable assemblies with F-Quick connectors (see IEC 61169-47) and requires quad-shield screening class A++ (see IEC 61196-6-5). This document applies to the cable assemblies for radio and TV receivers. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2022. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) in item [5], drawing expanded by right angled connectors;
b) in item [12], female F-connectors cancelled (not standardized by IEC 61169-47);
c) in item [14] Reflection properties (return loss): different values for straight and right-angled connectors;
d) in item [14] Insertion loss: different factors for insertion loss calculation for straight and right-angled connectors;
e) in item [14] Loop resistance: loop resistance was set to 1 Ω max. value for the complete length.

IEC 61196-1-114:2025 specifies a test method to determine the inductance characteristics of coaxial communication cables. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) the term "inductance" has been revised;
b) the necessary abbreviated term is added;
c) the length and layout of the test sample have been revised;
d) the measuring procedure has been revised;
e) the additional information for the bending effect on coaxial cable inductance test is provided in Annex A.

IEC 61169-74:2025, which is a Sectional Specification (SS), provides information and rules for the preparation of Detail Specifications (DS) for series HN RF coaxial connectors with screw coupling with a characteristic impedance of 50 Ω.
This document prescribes mating face dimensions for high performance connectors (grade 2), dimensional details of standard test connectors (grade 0), gauging information and tests selected from IEC 61169-1, applicable to all Detail Specifications relating to series HN RF connectors.
This document indicates recommended performance characteristics which are considered when writing a Detail Specification and it covers test schedules and inspection requirements for assessment levels M and H.
The series HN connectors are intended to be used in microwave transmission systems and can be connected with all kinds of RF cables and microstrips. The operating frequency is up to 6 GHz.

IEC 62153-4-7:2021 deals with the triaxial tube in tube method. This triaxial method is suitable to determine the surface transfer impedance and/or screening attenuation and coupling attenuation of mated screened connectors (including the connection between cable and connector) and cable assemblies. This method could also be extended to determine the transfer impedance, coupling or screening attenuation of balanced or multipin connectors and multicore cable assemblies. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2015 and its Amendment 1:2018.This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- Annex E contains informative information about the direct measurement of screening effectiveness of connectors;
- Annex F gives normative information about mixed mode parameters;
- Annex G contains normative information about accessories for measuring coupling attenuation;
- Annex H discusses the low frequency screening attenuation.

IEC 61169-64:2025, which is a sectional specification (SS), provides information for the preparation of detail specifications (DS) for coaxial connectors with 0,8 mm inner diameter of the outer conductor, characteristic impedance of 50 Ω, and with screw coupling. These connectors are referred to below as type 0,8 connectors. They are used in telecommunications technology as well as in test and measurement applications for operating frequencies up to 145 GHz.
This document describes mating face dimensions for high performance connectors (grade 1) and standard test connectors (grade 0), gauging information and tests selected from IEC 61169-1, applicable to all detail specifications relating to type 0,8 connectors.
This document indicates the recommended performance characteristics to consider when writing a detail specification and it covers test schedules and inspection requirements for assessment levels M and H.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2019. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) upgrading of the inferior connector class to a grade 1 “high performance connector”;
b) alignment of the mating face dimensions as well as the ratings and characteristics with the precision 0,8 mm connectors specified in the IEEE 287.1-2021 and IEEE 287.3-2021 standards;
c) figures: true-to-scale design; change of datum system for tolerances; introduction of an additional dimension;
d) gauge pins: correction of dimensions and test procedures;
e) simplification of the clauses on quality assessment (Clause 5), preparation of a detail specification (Clause 6), and marking (Clause 7) by making direct reference to the generic specification IEC 61169-1;
f) introduction of an optional design for the coupling nut.

IEC 62783-2:2025 specifies the definitions and requirements of twin-axial (twinax) cables used in digital communication systems. This document covers twinax cable intended to be used indoors. The specifications are intended to support the twinax link segment specifications of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-3 Ethernet over twinax physical layer (PHY) specifications. This document gives requirements and transmission characteristics for a single twinax element as well as for multiple twinax elements within the same sheath, i.e. "twinax cable". This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2019. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) updating according to the revised generic twinax cable requirements given in IEC 62783 1:2023;
b) updating according to new twinax link segment specifications recently added to ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-3 Ethernet physical interfaces.

IEC 62783-1-2:2025 gives the definitions of different types of impedance in time domain and specifies the test method of these kinds of impedance. It is applicable for determining the values of time domain impedance of twinax cables and twinax cable assemblies.

IEC 61169-23:2025, which is a sectional specification (SS), provides information and rules for the preparation of detail specifications (DS) for pin and socket connector for use with 3,5 mm rigid precision coaxial lines with inner diameter of outer conductor 3,5 mm (0,137 8 in).
This document specifies mating face dimensions for high performance connectors – grade 1, dimensional details of standard test connectors – grade 0, gauging information and tests selected from IEC 61169-1, applicable to all detail specifications relating to series 3,5 mm RF connectors.
This document indicates recommended performance characteristics to be considered when writing a detail specification and it covers test schedules and inspection requirements for assessment levels M and H.
These connectors are constructed so as to affix on the 50 Ω, 3,5 mm rigid precision coaxial line described in IEC 60457-5, and to provide low reflection to 34 GHz. These connectors can be intermated with SMA (IEC 61169-15) and 2,92 mm (IEC 61169-35) connectors.

IEC TS 61169-1-7:2025 relates to radio frequency connectors for RF transmission lines for use in telecommunications, electronics and similar equipment.
This document sets out the provisions for a report on the uncertainty specifications for insertion loss measurements, which apply to individual connector types, by vector network analyzers (VNAs). It is intended to establish concepts and procedures considering
– testing and measuring procedures concerning frequency domain electrical properties, and
– uncertainty specifications of VNAs measurements for insertion loss of RF connectors.
The test methods and procedures of this document are intended for acceptance and type approval testing.

IEC 61196-1-128:2025 applies to radiating cables. It specifies a test method for determining the polarization directivity of radiating cables for use in MIMO communication systems.

IEC TR 62839-1:2025 describes the product specific rules (PSR) for wires and cables used for communication, data, control and command.
These PSR are applicable in case the life cycle assessment (LCA) results are intended to be used in external communication in the form of an environmental product declaration (EPD), as laid out in ISO 14021, ISO 14025, ISO 14026 and ISO 14067. These PSR are complementary to the product category rules (PCR) for (LCA) of electrical and electronic products and systems (EEPS) provided in IEC 63366.
The following categories of wires and cables are covered in this document:
– communication and data wires and cables which can comprise metallic conductors or optical fibre;
– control and command wires and cables which can comprise metallic conductors or optical fibre.
This document is applicable to communication cables in general, it is related in particular to the wire and cable products covered by generic cabling described in the ISO/IEC 11801 series which is based on component standards described in the IEC 60794 series (fibre optic cables), IEC 61156 series (metallic balanced communication cables) and the IEC 61196 series (coaxial metallic communication cables). According to this relationship, this document is related to ISO/IEC 14763-5 which describes sustainability aspect of generic cabling.
This document is primarily intended for:
– environment and/or product managers;
– LCA experts in companies or contractors and other 3rd party operators, in charge of EPD;
– verifiers in charge of conformity assessment in accordance with the defined rules.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) The term "accessory products" has been removed from the title and the text as accessories are covered by IEC TR 62839-2.
b) The consideration of remote powering was added for the evaluation of the use stage.
c) Guidance was added with respect to evaluate the use stage of certain coaxial cables.
d) Update of the entire document to reflect a complete life cycle assessment.

IEC 61196-1-102:2025 applies to coaxial communication cables. It specifies test methods for determining the insulation resistance of coaxial cables. It is intended to detect the flaws in the dielectric of finished coaxial cables. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition, published in 2005. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) the scope was extended;
b) the procedure is updated for the period of discharge and the test sample with high insulation resistance;
c) the unit of cable length has been amended;
d) the test procedures for the cables with special structure are specified in Annex A.

IEC 61156-11:2023 describes cables intended to be used for single balanced pair (office, home, industrial) applications according to ISO/IEC 11801-1. An example of existing application is 1000BASE-T1, see ISO/IEC TR 11801-9906. The transmission characteristics of these cables are specified up to a frequency of 1,25 GHz and at a temperature of 20 °C. The T1-C type cable is specified up to 600 MHz, the T1-D type cable up to 1,25 GHz. Depending on the MICE environment and the installation conditions either unscreened or screened cables can be used. A blank detail specification can be found in Annex A.

IEC 61156-14:2025 specifies cables for work area wiring intended to be used for transmission of 10 Mb/s over a single twisted pair in channels for distances of up to 1 km. The transmission characteristics of these cables are specified up to a frequency of 20 MHz and at a temperature of 20°C. Depending on the MICE environment and the installation conditions, either unscreened or screened cables can be used. Furthermore, to consider different maximum transmission lengths, two sets of requirements are specified. The cable type A-1000W does not have attenuation de-rating compared to the A-1000 type according to IEC 61156-13 and is a design supporting up to 1 km channel length. The cable type A-400W has attenuation de-rating compared to the A-400 type according to IEC 61156-13. A blank detail specification can be found in Annex A.
The cables covered by this document are intended to operate with voltages and currents normally encountered in communication systems. While these cables are not intended to be used in conjunction with low impedance sources, for example the electric power supplies of public utility mains, they are intended to be used to support the delivery of DC low voltage remote powering applications.

IEC 61196-1-101:2025 applies to coaxial communications cables. It specifies test methods for determining the conductor DC resistance of coaxial cables.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2005. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) Clause 4, Test equipment, is extended;
b) in Clause 5, the cable length is specified;
c) Clause 6, Test procedure, is revised;
d) Clause 7, Expression of test results, is revised;
e) Clause 8, Failure criterion, is introduced;
f) Clause 9, Information to be given in the relevant specification, is revised;
g) Clause 10, Test report, is revised.

IEC 61169-1-9:2025 specifies test methods for the safety wire hole pull-out of RF connectors.
This document is applicable to the connectors with safety wire holes.

IEC 61156-12:2025 specifies cables intended to be used for single balanced pair cabling for office, home and industrial application described in ISO/IEC 11801-1:2017 and ISO/IEC 11801:2017/AMD1 . An example of existing application is 1000BASE-T1, see ISO/IEC TR 11801 9906. The transmission characteristics of these cables are specified up to a frequency of 1,25 GHz and at a temperature of 20 °C. The T1-B type cable is specified from 0,1 MHz to 600 MHz, the T1 C type cable from 0,1 MHz to 1,25 GHz. Depending on the MICE environment and the installation conditions, either unscreened or screened cables can be used. A blank detail specification can be found in Annex A. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2021. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) additional cable type in support of T1-C generic single pair cabling up to 1,25 GHz;
b) introduction of low frequency coupling attenuation as an integral parameter describing screening efficiency at frequencies below 30 MHz.

IEC 62037-3:2025 defines the impact test on coaxial connectors to evaluate their robustness against weak connections and particles inside the connector, as independently as possible from the effects of cable passive intermodulation (PIM). For other connectors (e.g. panel mounted connectors), the cable can be replaced by an adequate transmission line (e.g. airline, stripline). In order to evaluate the effects of mechanical stresses on the connectors, a series of impacts is applied to the connectors while measuring the PIM.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2021. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) impact test requirements for multi-channel connectors added;
b) method for calculating impact energy added for connector shapes other than round;
c) revised test considerations for achieving maximum PIM in reverse (reflected) PIM measurements;
d) added clarification that PIM tests reports shall include the maximum PIM value measured.

IEC 62037-8:2025 defines a radiated passive intermodulation (PIM) test to determine PIM levels generated by a device or object when it is exposed to RF radiation. This test can be conducted on any material or object and is not limited to devices designed to propagate RF signals. This test can be conducted as either a near field or far field test as defined by the test specification in an outdoor test site or in an anechoic test chamber.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2021. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) added safety warning to verify that transmitters are switched off before connecting or disconnecting any component;
b) corrected formula for calculating directivity;
c) corrected antenna orientation labels in Figure 6;
d) added clarification that PIM tests reports shall include maximum PIM and VSWR values.

IEC 63185:2025 relates to a measurement method for complex permittivity of dielectric substrates at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. This method has been developed to evaluate the dielectric properties of low-loss materials used in microwave and millimeter-wave circuits and devices. It uses higher-order modes of a balanced-type circular disk resonator and provides broadband measurements of dielectric substrates by using one resonator, where the effect of excitation holes and that of fringing fields are taken into account accurately on the basis of the mode-matching analysis.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2020. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) the upper limit of the applicable frequency range has been extended from 110 GHz to 170 GHz;
b) circular disk resonators used for the measurements now include one with waveguide interfaces;
c) in calculating the complex permittivity from the measured resonant properties, the fringing fields are now accurately taken into account based on the mode-matching analysis.

IEC 60050-726:2025 gives the terms and definitions for the wide area of transmission lines and waveguides and the related technologies, from the physics to their applications representing the present state-of-the–art. This new edition reviews and complements the previous one. It has the status of a horizontal standard in accordance with IEC Guide 108.
This terminology is consistent with the terminology developed in the other specialized parts of the IEV.
This horizontal publication is primarily intended for use by technical committees in the preparation of IEC publications in accordance with the principles laid down in IEC Guide 108.
One of the responsibilities of a technical committee is, wherever applicable, to make use of horizontal publications in the preparation of its publications.

IEC 62037-1:2025 deals with the general requirements and measuring methods for intermodulation (IM) level measurement of passive RF and microwave components, which can be caused by the presence of two or more transmitting signals. The test procedures given in this document give the general requirements and measurement methods required to characterize the level of unwanted IM signals using two transmitting signals. The IEC 62037 series addresses the measurement of PIM but does not cover the long-term reliability of a product with reference to its performance. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2021. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) added clarification that PIM generation is typically frequency dependent and noted that testing with swept or multiple fixed frequencies often provides more accurate results;
b) identified multi-port PIM analyzers as a possible test set-up topography;
c) added specification that test power level does not exceed the power handling capability of the DUT;
d) updated test specification to include missing parameters needed to properly define a PIM test;
e) added clarification that PIM test reports include the maximum PIM value measured over the test duration;
f) corrected error in Figure 3 that was erroneously changed in IEC 62037-1:2021.

IEC 61196-1-108:2025 applies to coaxial communications cables. It specifies test methods for determining the phase, phase constant, phase and group delay, propagation velocity, electrical length, and mean characteristic impedance of coaxial cables for use in communications systems.
A procedure to measure phase dispersion of coaxial cable is included as Annex A.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2011. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) Change of title, "phase and phase constant" was added.
b) Clause 6, "Preparation of test sample (TS)" was added.
c) Clause 7, "Test procedure" was added.
d) Clause 8, "Failure criterion" was added.
e) Clause 9, "Information to be given in the relevant specification" was added.

IEC 61196-1-113:2024 applies to coaxial communications cables. It specifies a test method for determining the attenuation constant of coaxial cables for use in communications systems. The test is applicable preferably at frequencies ≥5 MHz but also for lower frequencies if the magnitude of the complex characteristic impedance is approximately equal to the nominal characteristic impedance of the test sample (TS) or if a form fitting function is applied.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2018. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) add Clause 3 "Terms and definitions";
b) add Clause 4 "Test environment";
c) add Clause 5 "Preconditioning";
d) add Subclause 7.1 "General";
e) add detail test methods including 7.2 "long cable methods" and 7.3 "double-cable method";
f) add "Annex A Stability of attenuation constant at different temperatures";
g) add "Annex B Test examples of stability of attenuation constants at different temperature".

IEC 61196-1-111:2024 provides test methods to determine the stability of phase of coaxial communication cables. This document is applicable to RF coaxial cables. RF coaxial cable assemblies can also use this document for reference. This part of IEC 61196 comprises following test methods:
a) phase variation with temperature (Clause 4);
b) phase constant variation with temperature (Clause 5);
c) phase stability with bending (Clause 6);
d) phase stability with twisting (Clause 7);
e) phase consistency test for two or more cables (Annex A);
f) phase variation with temperature test between two cables (Annex B).
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) addition of the list of test methods in the Scope;
b) addition of "the number of scanning points" in every test method;
c) addition of Annex A, Phase consistency test for two or more cables;
d) addition of Annex B, Phase variation with temperature test between two cables.

IEC 61156-15:2024 refers to cables as described in IEC 61156-5:2020 or cables containing element(s) from cables as described in IEC 61156-5 which are required to maintain both circuit integrity and data transmission capability before, during and after flame application under specified conditions.
In addition to the basic cable construction, it describes the means of sample preparation, checking arrangements and gives the performance requirements, means to evaluate the data transmission capability during and after subjecting to fire, and gives means for evaluating test results and the parameters that are specified in the detail specification.
The cables covered by this document are intended to operate with voltages and currents normally encountered in communication systems. While these cables are not intended to be used in conjunction with low impedance sources, for example the electric power supplies of public utility mains, they are intended to be used to support the delivery of low voltage remote powering applications and have no rated voltage and are used for extra low voltage circuits.
For the purpose of this document, fire conditions as currently listed in IEC 60331-23:1999 and basic test apparatus as per IEC 60331-11:1999 apply.
As the test method according to IEC 60331-23:1999 will not be developed further, other test methods could be used or added in future editions of this document.
IEC 60331-1 and IEC 60331-2 will be added in a future revision as the standard tests for circuit integrity and the test rig to be used for all testing.

IEC 61196-1-105:2024 applies to coaxial communication cables. It specifies test methods for determining the withstand voltage of the dielectric of coaxial cables. It is intended to detect the flaws in the dielectric of finished coaxial cables. The test procedures for the cables with special structure are specified in Annex A.

IEC 61169-69:2024, which is a sectional specification (SS), provides information and rules for the preparation of detail specifications (DS) for RF coaxial connectors with push-on coupling, typically for use in 50 Ω RF cables or micro-strips in microwave, telecommunication, wireless systems, and other fields (SMP3).
It specifies mating face dimensions for general purpose connectors – grade 2, dimensional details of standard test connectors-grade 0, gauging information and tests selected from IEC 61169-1, applicable to all detail specifications relating to series SMP3 RF connectors.
This specification indicates recommended performance characteristics to be considered when writing a detail specification and it covers test schedules and inspection requirements for assessment levels M and H.
The SMP3 push-on coupling structure series RF coaxial connectors with the characteristic of normative impedance 50 Ω are used with various kinds of RF cables or micro-strips in microwave, telecommunication, wireless systems, and other fields. The operating frequency limit is up to 65 GHz.
NOTE Imperial dimensions are the original dimensions since this is a very miniature RF connector. There is a concern that conversion to the metric system could lead to rounding errors which can lead to performance degradation from the original imperial design. The SMPM connector was released as an imperial design for this reason. All undimensioned pictorial information is for reference only.

IEC 61196-12:2024 defines general requirements for spacer clamps for radiating cables, including terms and definitions, design and construction, IEC type designation, requirements and test procedures and type tests.
The contents of this document are suitable for spacer clamps for installation of radiating cables. These cables and their spacer clamps are widely used in tunnels, subways, underpasses, and shafts. Their intended application is in weather-protected environments and, optionally, outdoors.

IEC 62153-4-3:2013(E) determines the screening effectiveness of a cable shield by applying a well-defined current and voltage to the screen of the cable and measuring the induced voltage in order to determine the surface transfer impedance. This test measures only the magnetic component of the transfer impedance. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2006. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- now three different test configurations are described;
- formulas to calculate the maximum frequency up to which the different test configurations can be used are included;
- the effect of ground loops is described.

IEC 60966-2-1:2024 is a sectional specification that relates to flexible RF coaxial cable assemblies operating in the transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM). It establishes uniform requirements for testing the electrical, mechanical and climatic properties of flexible cable assemblies composed of flexible RF coaxial cables and RF coaxial connectors.
This part of IEC 60966 applies to flexible cable assemblies composed of flexible RF coaxial cables and coaxial connectors. Flexible RF cable assemblies are widely used in mobile communication systems, microwave test equipment, radar, aerospace and other fields.
NOTE 1 For the purposes of this sectional specification, a cable assembly is always regarded as an integral unit. All specifications apply to the finished assembly and not to individual and non-assembled parts thereof.
NOTE 2 This sectional specification can be supplemented with detail specifications giving additional details as required by the particular application. This application will not necessarily require all tests.

IEC 60966-4:2024 is a sectional specification that relates to semi-rigid coaxial cable assemblies operating in the transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM). It specifies the design and construction, IEC type designation, workmanship, marking and packaging, standard rating and characteristics, electrical, mechanical and environmental requirements of finished semi-rigid cable assemblies, quality assessment, delivery and storage, etc.
This part of IEC 60966 applies to semi-rigid cable assemblies composed of semi-rigid coaxial cables and coaxial connectors. Semi-rigid cable assemblies are widely used in mobile communication systems, microwave test equipment, radar, aerospace and other fields.
NOTE 1 For the purpose of this sectional specification, a cable assembly is always regarded as an integral unit. All specifications apply to the finished assembly and not to individual and non-assembled parts thereof.
NOTE 2 This sectional specification can be supplemented with detail specifications giving additional details as required by the particular application. This application will not necessarily require all tests.

IEC 60966-2-2:2024 is a blank detail specification that relates to flexible coaxial cable assemblies operating in the transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM).
The creation of a uniform layout and style of detail specifications is determined by the use of a blank detail specification pro forma. The detail specification may be prepared by a national organization, a manufacturer or a user.

IEC 60966-4-1:2024 is a blank detail specification that relates to semi-rigid coaxial cable assemblies operating in the transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM).
The creation of a uniform layout and style of detail specifications is determined by the use of a blank detail specification pro forma. The detail specification may be prepared by a national organization, a manufacturer, or a user.

IEC 61196-1-127:2024 applies to radiating cables. It specifies a test method for determining the link loss of radiating cables for use in communication systems.