Overview

IEC 61196-5:2022 is the fourth edition sectional specification for coaxial communication cables used in CATV trunk and distribution networks. It applies to coaxial cables for analogue and digital one- and two-way signal transmission - including CATV, MATV and SMATV systems - in the frequency range 5 MHz to 2000 MHz and for operating temperatures from −40 °C to +65 °C. This edition updates and replaces the 2018 edition and adds formal cable identification and marking rules plus a table of preferred cable types.

Key topics and requirements

The standard focuses on construction, testing and quality for trunk and distribution coaxial cables:

Cable construction and materials: inner conductor, dielectric, outer conductor/screen, sheaths, moisture barriers, fillers, metallic protection, and optional messenger wires.
Identification and marking: required type names, variants, screening classes and sheath marking (new in 2022).
Electrical tests: low-frequency/DC measurements and high-frequency transmission tests (return loss, characteristic impedance, attenuation, delay) as referenced to IEC 61196‑1 series test methods.
Environmental tests: climatic, thermal cycling, water penetration, UV stability and damp heat per referenced IEC methods.
Mechanical tests: ovality, eccentricity, tensile, torsion, bending, crush and maximum pulling force requirements.
Fire performance and quality assessment: specified fire requirements and guidance for factory testing, delivery and storage.
Annexes: Annex A on cable identification/marking (normative) and Annex B with preferred nominal dimensions and cable types (informative).

Applications and who uses it

IEC 61196-5:2022 is essential for:

Cable manufacturers specifying and verifying CATV trunk and distribution products.
Network operators and system integrators designing and deploying cable-TV, broadband and two-way interactive services.
Test laboratories and conformity assessors performing electrical, environmental and mechanical tests.
Procurement, installation and maintenance teams ensuring installed cable meets performance and marking requirements.

Practical benefits include consistent product performance across the 5 MHz–2000 MHz band, reliable two‑way signal transport, predictable environmental durability (−40 °C to +65 °C), and traceable cable identification for network lifecycle management.

Related standards

IEC 61196-5 references and aligns with other standards for system and test methods, including:

IEC 61196‑1 series (generic coaxial cable test methods)
IEC 60728 series (cable networks for television and interactive services)
ISO/IEC 11801‑1 and 11801‑4 (structured cabling interfaces)

Keywords: IEC 61196-5:2022, coaxial communication cables, CATV trunk and distribution cables, cable testing, cable identification and marking, 5 MHz–2000 MHz, −40 °C to +65 °C.

Overview

Key topics and requirements

The standard focuses on construction, testing and quality for trunk and distribution coaxial cables:

Cable construction and materials: inner conductor, dielectric, outer conductor/screen, sheaths, moisture barriers, fillers, metallic protection, and optional messenger wires.
Identification and marking: required type names, variants, screening classes and sheath marking (new in 2022).
Electrical tests: low-frequency/DC measurements and high-frequency transmission tests (return loss, characteristic impedance, attenuation, delay) as referenced to IEC 61196‑1 series test methods.
Environmental tests: climatic, thermal cycling, water penetration, UV stability and damp heat per referenced IEC methods.
Mechanical tests: ovality, eccentricity, tensile, torsion, bending, crush and maximum pulling force requirements.
Fire performance and quality assessment: specified fire requirements and guidance for factory testing, delivery and storage.
Annexes: Annex A on cable identification/marking (normative) and Annex B with preferred nominal dimensions and cable types (informative).

Applications and who uses it

IEC 61196-5:2022 is essential for:

Cable manufacturers specifying and verifying CATV trunk and distribution products.
Network operators and system integrators designing and deploying cable-TV, broadband and two-way interactive services.
Test laboratories and conformity assessors performing electrical, environmental and mechanical tests.
Procurement, installation and maintenance teams ensuring installed cable meets performance and marking requirements.

Related standards

IEC 61196-5 references and aligns with other standards for system and test methods, including:

IEC 61196‑1 series (generic coaxial cable test methods)
IEC 60728 series (cable networks for television and interactive services)
ISO/IEC 11801‑1 and 11801‑4 (structured cabling interfaces)

Keywords: IEC 61196-5:2022, coaxial communication cables, CATV trunk and distribution cables, cable testing, cable identification and marking, 5 MHz–2000 MHz, −40 °C to +65 °C.

IEC 61196-5:2022 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and requirements

Applications and who uses it

Related standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key topics and requirements

Applications and who uses it

Related standards

Related standards

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