IEC 61196-6-3:2020

Overview

IEC 61196-6-3:2020 is the International Electrotechnical Commission detail specification for 75‑5 type CATV drop coaxial cables. It applies to coaxial communication cables described in IEC 61196‑6 and sets construction, performance and test requirements for drop cables used in CATV distribution, surveillance & control systems, satellite TV receiving and bidirectional hybrid fibre‑coax (HFC) networks. The operating frequency range is 5 MHz to 3 000 MHz. This second edition (2020) replaces the 2018 edition and introduces variant designations, consistent screening classes and limits the bending test to flexible cables.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Cable types and construction: 75‑5S (standard shield), 75‑5T (tri‑shield), 75‑5Q (quad‑shield) with specified inner conductor (BC or CCS), foamed PE dielectric and PE/PVC/LSZH jackets. Typical dimensions are specified (e.g., inner conductor Ø 1.02 mm; dielectric Ø 4.57 mm; outer diameters per variant).
• Electrical performance:
  • Nominal impedance: 75 Ω ± 3 Ω (measured at 200 MHz).
  • Operating frequency: 5 MHz – 3 000 MHz.
  • Return loss (uniformity of impedance): ≥ 20 dB (5–1 000 MHz), ≥ 18 dB (1 000–2 000 MHz), ≥ 16 dB (2 000–3 000 MHz).
  • Attenuation: Maximum values defined in Annex B (measured at 20 °C).
  • Relative propagation velocity: ~85% nominal.
• Screening and EMC:
  • Defined screening classes (A+, A, B, C) with transfer impedance limits (e.g., A+ ≤ 0.9 mΩ/m @5–30 MHz) and screening attenuation minima across frequency bands (measured before/after flexure).
• Mechanical and environmental tests:
  • Flexure/bending (IEC 61196‑1‑314), cold bend, climatic sequence, damp heat, UV ageing and thermal ageing with pass/fail limits (e.g., attenuation change ≤ 7% after climatic cycles).
  • Mechanical tolerances: eccentricity, ovality, sheath thickness and tensile/elongation requirements for BC/CCS conductors.
• Identification & marking: variant designation, screening class and construction details per Annex A.

Applications and who uses this standard

IEC 61196‑6‑3:2020 is used by:

• Cable manufacturers for design, production and quality control of 75‑5 CATV drop cables.
• Network operators and HFC system designers specifying drop cable performance for broadband CATV, satellite TV and surveillance installations.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing electrical, mechanical and EMC testing.
• Installers and procurement teams who need compliant cable specifications (material, screening, jacket type: PE/PVC/LSZH).

Related standards

• IEC 61196‑1:2005 (Generic specification - general requirements and test methods)
• IEC 61196‑6:2009 (Sectional specification for CATV drop cables)
• IEC 61196‑1‑314 (bending test procedures), IEC 62153 series (screening/transfer impedance test methods)

Keywords: IEC 61196‑6‑3:2020, 75‑5 type CATV drop cables, coaxial communication cables, CATV drop cable specification, HFC, screening classes, return loss, attenuation, cable testing.