MIcable microwave cable assemblies of all types offer a long service life providing they are treated with the appropriate care and attention. Microwave cable assemblies are high precision system components and require proper handling in order to ensure that measured performance values are maintained.

To achieve the maximum installed performance the following guidelines should be followed

* Assemblies should remain in their original packaging for delivery and storage. Storage temperature should between –50 °C and +80 °C and the relative humidity should not exceed 85%.

* Carefully unpack assemblies before installation.  Avoid kinking cables when straightening from a coil or reel.

* Ensure that the surroundings are clean and free of dust, dirt and any other particles that could enter unsealed connector interfaces.

* Use protective caps to prevent contamination whenever connectors are unmated.

* Where interfaces are contaminated, particles can be removed with dry, oil-free compressed air. Please use eye-protection. Interfaces can be cleaned with dry cotton swabs. Do not use hard hand tools or solvents. Do not blow into interfaces or use normal compressed-air.

* Choose the installation routing using the largest bend radii possible. Small bend radii may affect electrical performance. Exceeding the specified limits during the installation process could cause a permanent degradation.

* Avoid twisting microwave cable assemblies. Torsion of this type of assembly can alter the relative diameters of cable layers and affects the electrical characteristics. Exceeding the limit of 10° per metre during installation process could cause a permanent degradation.

* Assemblies should be fixed in place without excess pressure. The use of cable ties should be avoided where possible, as they can easily exert more force than this. If cable ties must be used then they should be as wide as possible and still allow movement of the cable. Avoid placing fixings at regular intervals.

* Examine interfaces for damage and/or contamination before mating.

* Discharge connectors before mating or ensure that they are connected to a suitable ground.

* When mating connectors with a screwed interface always hold the connector bodies and turn only the coupling nut. This avoids twisting the cable and ensures minimum wear on the connector pins.

* Do not exceed the specified torque.

* Personnel handling testing instruments should always wear a wrist, leg or ankle strap which connected to work bench mat. The work bench mat should be connected via a 1MΩ protective resistor directly to a ground. When the cable assembly is connected to the analyzer or any other ESD sensitive instruments, the inner conductor should always be properly grounded.