SCTE 293-12 2025

What is...Signal Leakage Field Strength?

Executive Summary

This document is one in a series of technical monographs providing a high-level overview of a given topic. Here, signal leakage field strength is discussed.

Scope

The cable industry has been required to monitor and measure signal leakage for many years, because of the potential for leakage-related harmful interference to licensed over-the-air users. An important part of dealing with signal leakage is understanding field strength, which is how signal leakage is characterized. Government regulations often include signal leakage field strength limits, which are typically expressed in units of volts per meter (e.g., microvolts per meter), along with measurement techniques and measurement distance(s) from the cable network. This technical monograph provides a high-level overview of signal leakage field strength.

Benefits

The material in this document can be used as part of technical training programs, a tutorial for individuals seeking a high-level understanding of signal leakage field strength, and/or a refresher for those who may have forgotten some of the fundamentals of the topic.

Intended Audience

The intended audience for this document includes technical personnel from installers to engineers. The material is also suitable for those new to the cable industry.