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).
