Types of Cables in India — IS 694, IS 1554, IS 7098, IS 17048 & IEC 62930 Reference Guide
A "cable type" in India is defined by four parameters: the insulation compound (PVC, HR-PVC, XLPE, HFFR, EPR), the voltage rating (1100 V for low-voltage building wires, up to 33 kV for HT distribution), the conductor class under IS 8130:2013, and the applicable Indian Standard issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Every BIS-licensed cable carries an ISI mark and a CM/L XXXXXXXX (10-digit) licence number traceable on the BIS portal. This guide maps the 16 cable types used across Indian residential, commercial, industrial, solar, telecom, and infrastructure work — with standard, voltage, conductor class, regulated HCl limit where applicable, and the situations where each is the right choice. The 16-row master table below is the reference; each row is then explained in its own section.
Master comparison table — 16 cable types used in India
| # | Type | IS / IEC standard | Voltage | Conductor class | HCl emission | Primary use case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FR (Flame Retardant) PVC | IS 694:2010 | 1100 V | Class 5 Cu | Reduced (no fixed limit) | House wiring up to G+3 |
| 2 | FR-LSH (FR Low Smoke Halogen) | IS 694:2010 | 1100 V | Class 5 Cu | < 15% | Hospitals, hotels, G+4 and above |
| 3 | HRFR (Heat-Resistant FR) | IS 694:2010 (HR-PVC) | 1100 V | Class 5 Cu | Reduced | AC circuits, hot-zone runs |
| 4 | HR-FR-LSH (HR + LSH) | IS 694:2010 (HR + LSH) | 1100 V | Class 5 Cu | < 15% | Polycab Green Wires (single-brand) |
| 5 | HFFR / LSZH / ZHFR | IS 17048:2018 | 1100 V | Class 5 Cu | < 0.5% | Hospitals, metro, airports, data centres |
| 6 | Armoured (SWA / STA) | IS 1554-1 / IS 1554-2 | 1.1 kV | Class 2 Cu/Al | n/a | Underground, industrial distribution |
| 7 | XLPE LT | IS 7098-1 | up to 1.1 kV | Class 2 Cu/Al | n/a | Industrial feeders, solar AC, EV |
| 8 | XLPE HT | IS 7098-2 | 3.3 – 33 kV | Class 2 Al | n/a | Utility, substations, MV distribution |
| 9 | Coaxial (RG-59 / RG-6 / RG-11) | MIL-C-17 / Indian commercial | 75 Ω | Solid Cu | n/a | CCTV, satellite, CATV |
| 10 | LAN Cat6 / Cat6a UTP | TIA-568.2-D | data | 23/24 AWG solid Cu | n/a | Gigabit Ethernet to 100 m |
| 11 | CCTV camera cable (3+1 / 4+1) | Composite | 75 Ω + LV | RG-59 + Cu | n/a | Analog CCTV (HD-CVI/TVI/AHD) |
| 12 | Solar DC | IEC 62930 / IS/IEC 62930 | 1500 V DC | Class 5 tinned Cu | Halogen-free | PV strings (rooftop, utility) |
| 13 | Telephone (paired) | ITD G/WIR-06/02 | 80 V | 0.4 / 0.5 mm solid tinned Cu | n/a | Switchboard to instrument runs |
| 14 | Welding (HOFR / TPE) | IS 9857 | 1100 V | Class 5/6 Cu | n/a | MMA / MIG welding leads |
| 15 | Lift / flat travelling | IS 9968-1 | 300/500 V | Class 5 Cu | n/a | Elevator car-to-controller festoon |
| 16 | Submersible flat 3-core | IS 694:2010 | 1100 V | Class 5 Cu | Reduced | Borewell pumps, jet pumps |
1. FR (Flame Retardant) PVC — IS 694:2010
The default house-wire of India. FR PVC is a single-core PVC-insulated, Class 5 copper wire to IS 694:2010 at 1100 V, with a flame-retardant PVC additive tested to IS 10810-53. There is no fixed HCl ceiling — the compound is flame-retardant, not low-smoke. Common sizes 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 4.0 and 6.0 sqmm. Appropriate for residential and light-commercial up to G+3; above G+3, NBC 2016 Part 4 escalates the spec to FR-LSH or HFFR.
Compare prices: /category/fr-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/polycab-fr-1-5-sqmm-90m
2. FR-LSH (Flame Retardant — Low Smoke and Halogen) — IS 694:2010
FR-LSH is built to the same IS 694:2010 envelope as FR but adds low smoke density (≥ 60% light transmission per IS 10810-63) and HCl emission < 15% by mass (IS 10810-64). Class 5 copper, 1100 V. "LSH" does not mean halogen-free — that is HFFR/LSZH — it caps acid-gas emission. Standard specification for G+4 and above residential, hotels, schools, and IT-park interiors. Roughly 8–15% costlier per metre than plain FR.Compare prices: /category/fr-lsh-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/havells-fr-lsh-2-5-sqmm-90m
3. HRFR (Heat Resistant Flame Retardant) — IS 694:2010 with HR PVC
HRFR is FR-grade IS 694:2010 wire whose insulation uses heat-resistant PVC rated for a continuous conductor temperature of 85 °C (vs 70 °C for standard PVC). Class 5 copper at 1100 V; only the compound changes. HRFR is recommended for AC final circuits, geyser tails, kitchen high-load points, and concealed conduit in west-facing walls or above false ceilings where ambient temperatures cross 50 °C. Typically a 5–10% premium over plain FR.Compare prices: /category/hrfr-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/finolex-hrfr-4-sqmm-90m
4. HR-FR-LSH (Heat Resistant FR-LSH) — IS 694:2010
HR-FR-LSH combines the heat-resistant compound of HRFR with the low-smoke-and-halogen performance of FR-LSH (HCl < 15%, smoke ≥ 60% light transmission). As of April 2026, only Polycab carries this composite grade at scale under the Polycab Green Wires line; other major brands sell HR-PVC and FR-LSH as separate SKUs. Built to IS 694:2010 with both compound enhancements. Specify HR-FR-LSH where AC final circuits run through corridors of G+4-plus residential or hospital floors — both elevated ambient and life-safety smoke emission jointly govern.Compare prices: /category/hr-fr-lsh-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/polycab-green-hr-fr-lsh-2-5-sqmm-90m
5. HFFR / LSZH / ZHFR — IS 17048:2018
HFFR (Halogen-Free Flame Retardant), also marketed as LSZH, ZHFR, or LS0H, is a different standard — IS 17048:2018 — not IS 694:2010. Insulation is a halogen-free polyolefin compound: HCl < 0.5%, very low smoke, no toxic acid gas on combustion. Class 5 copper, 1100 V. Preferred under NBC 2016 Part 4 for hospitals, airports, metro tunnels, data centres, and high-rise atria. Roughly 35–60% costlier than plain FR.Compare prices: /category/hffr-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/rr-kabel-hffr-4-sqmm-90m
6. Armoured Cable (SWA / STA) — IS 1554 Part 1 / Part 2
Armoured power cables carry a steel layer between inner and outer sheath for mechanical protection — Steel Wire Armour (SWA) for round multicore, Steel Tape Armour (STA) for flat multicore. Indian standards: IS 1554-1 (PVC, ≤ 1100 V) and IS 1554-2 (HOFR, heat- and oil-resistant). Class 2 stranded copper or aluminium. Mandatory for direct-buried runs, industrial cable trays, road crossings, and substation-to-building feeders. Single-core AC runs require non-magnetic (aluminium-wire) armour to avoid eddy-current heating.Compare prices: /category/armoured-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/polycab-4c-25-sqmm-armoured-cu
7. XLPE LT (Low-Tension Cross-Linked Polyethylene) — IS 7098 Part 1
XLPE LT cables to IS 7098-1 use cross-linked polyethylene insulation: 90 °C continuous (vs PVC 70 °C) and 250 °C short-circuit (vs PVC 160 °C), up to 1.1 kV. Carry roughly 20–25% more current than equivalent PVC cables — the default for industrial feeders, solar AC runs (inverter to LT panel), EV-charging cabling, and DG-set output. Class 2 copper or aluminium; armoured and unarmoured both available.Compare prices: /category/xlpe-lt-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/kei-3-5c-95-sqmm-xlpe-al-armoured
8. XLPE HT (High-Tension XLPE) — IS 7098 Part 2
XLPE HT cables to IS 7098-2 cover the medium-voltage band of 3.3, 6.6, 11, 22 and 33 kV for utility distribution, captive-substation feeders, and industrial primary cabling. Construction adds semiconducting screens over conductor and insulation, plus a metallic screen (copper tape or wire) for fault-current return. Class 2 aluminium for cost or compacted copper for tight bend radii. Installation governed by CEA Regulations 2010; termination and jointing must be performed by a licenced contractor.Compare prices: /category/xlpe-ht-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/polycab-3c-300-sqmm-11kv-xlpe
9. Coaxial Cable — RG-59, RG-6, RG-11
A coaxial cable has a centre conductor in a dielectric, surrounded by braided/foil shield and outer jacket, at 75 Ω for video/RF. Three Indian variants: RG-59 (smaller centre conductor, legacy analog CCTV up to ~250 m); RG-6 (modern standard for DTH, set-top-box drops, and CATV, with quad-shield variants); RG-11 (larger conductor, lower attenuation, backbone runs above 300 m). 50 Ω coax (RG-58, LMR-400) is a separate family for radio and Wi-Fi feeds, not video.
Compare prices: /category/coaxial-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/dlink-rg6-quad-shield-305m
10. LAN Cable — Cat6 / Cat6a UTP
Cat6 UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) is a 4-pair, 23 AWG solid-copper cable certified to TIA-568.2-D for gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) up to 100 m and 10GBASE-T up to 55 m. Cat6a uses heavier insulation and tighter twists to support 10 Gbps to the full 100 m. The LSZH-jacketed variant is mandatory in plenum spaces under NBC 2016. Use solid-conductor Cat6 for permanent-link runs in conduit; stranded Cat6 for patch cords between wall plate and device.Compare prices: /category/lan-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/dlink-cat6-utp-305m
11. CCTV Camera Cable (3+1, 4+1)
A CCTV "3+1" or "4+1" composite cable combines an RG-59 video coax with 3 or 4 small power conductors (typically 0.5 sqmm copper) in one PVC jacket — for analog CCTV (HD-CVI, HD-TVI, AHD) where camera and DVR are within ~250 m. For IP cameras and PoE, do not use 3+1 composite — use Cat6 UTP, which carries data and 802.3af/at/bt power on the same 4 pairs. Sub-standard CCA (copper-clad aluminium) reels are a frequent root cause of camera dropouts; reject on receipt by checking ISI mark and conductor cross-section.
Compare prices: /category/cctv-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/finolex-3plus1-cctv-90m
12. Solar DC Cable — IEC 62930 / IS/IEC 62930
Solar PV DC cables carry the string-side current from module junction box to combiner to inverter DC input. The standard is IEC 62930 (adopted as IS/IEC 62930): 1500 V DC, UV-resistant cross-linked polyolefin, double insulation, Class 5 fine-stranded tinned copper, 25-year outdoor service life. Standard sizes 4 and 6 sqmm. IS 694:2010 PVC house-wire is not acceptable on the DC side — it UV-degrades in 18–36 months.Compare prices: /category/solar-dc-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/polycab-solar-dc-4-sqmm-100m
13. Telephone Cable (Paired) — ITD G/WIR-06/02
Indoor switchboard telephone cable to ITD spec G/WIR-06/02 uses 0.4 or 0.5 mm solid annealed tinned copper, polyethylene-insulated, in 1- to 100-pair counts. Though VoIP and Cat6 are displacing TDM in new builds, paired cable remains in use for analog extension lines, EPABX trunk wiring, and intercom systems.Compare prices: /category/telephone-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/finolex-2pair-telephone-90m
14. Welding Cable (HOFR / TPE) — IS 9857
Welding cables to IS 9857 carry the heavy, intermittent currents of MMA, MIG, TIG, and SMAW arc welding — typically 100 A to 600 A. Class 5 or Class 6 very-fine-stranded copper for extreme flexibility. Sheath is HOFR (Heat-, Oil-, and Flame-Resistant rubber) or TPE/TPR at 1100 V. Common sizes: 16, 25, 35, 50, 70 and 95 sqmm. Not interchangeable with house-wire — fine stranding and rubber sheath are essential to survive shop-floor abuse.Compare prices: /category/welding-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/cona-welding-35sqmm-100m
15. Lift / Flat Travelling Cable — IS 9968 Part 1
Flat travelling cables for elevators are built to IS 9968-1 with a flat ribbon cross-section so the cable can flex thousands of times a day between controller and moving cabin. Class 5 copper in PVC or EPR insulation, typically 8-, 12-, 16- or 24-core at 0.5 or 0.75 sqmm at 300/500 V, often with an embedded support tape or steel suspension wire for high-rise. Composite versions add coaxial pairs and Cat5 elements for car CCTV and IoT modernisations.Compare prices: /category/lift-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/polycab-lift-flat-12c-0-75-sqmm
16. Submersible Flat 3-Core Cable — IS 694:2010
Submersible cable for borewell, jet, and openwell pump motors is a flat 3-core (R-Y-B) PVC-insulated, PVC-sheathed cable to IS 694:2010 at 1100 V, Class 5 fine-stranded copper. The flat profile cleats alongside the rising main inside a 4″ borewell casing. Sizes 1.5 sqmm (½ HP) to 35 sqmm (25 HP). Always size from the pump's voltage-drop table — undersized submersible cable is the single biggest cause of motor burn-out in Indian agricultural service.Compare prices: /category/submersible-cable-prices · Example SKU: /sku/polycab-3c-flat-4-sqmm-submersible
How to choose the right cable for your project
- Building height and occupancy? — Residential up to G+3 → FR (IS 694:2010). G+4 and above, hotels, schools → FR-LSH (HCl < 15%) baseline, HFFR/LSZH (IS 17048:2018, HCl < 0.5%) upgrade for hospitals, metros, airports, data centres. Hot zones (AC circuits, west-wall conduit) → HRFR or HR-FR-LSH.
- Underground, outdoor, or industrial? — LT direct-buried → armoured PVC (IS 1554-1) or armoured XLPE (IS 7098-1) (SWA round, STA flat). HT 3.3–33 kV → XLPE HT (IS 7098-2).
- Solar PV plant? — DC string → solar DC to IEC 62930 / IS/IEC 62930, 1500 V DC. AC side → XLPE LT (IS 7098-1).
- Data and signal? — LAN / IP CCTV / PoE → Cat6 or Cat6a UTP (LSZH in plenum). Analog CCTV → 3+1 composite (RG-59). DTH / CATV → RG-6; long backbone → RG-11.
- Specialty? — Lift → IS 9968-1. Welding → IS 9857 HOFR/TPE. Borewell → IS 694:2010 flat 3-core submersible.
Always cross-check the cable's ISI mark and CM/L licence number on the BIS portal before paying — a 30-second check that catches counterfeit reels.
Engineering note: Reaction to Fire ≠ Fire Survival
This is the most-confused distinction in Indian cable specification, and getting it wrong is a professional liability issue.
- Reaction-to-Fire cables — FR, FR-LSH, HRFR, HR-FR-LSH (IS 694:2010) and HFFR / LSZH (IS 17048:2018) — describe how the cable behaves during a fire: flame propagation, smoke emission, acid-gas release. They are not designed to keep working once fire reaches them.
- Fire-Survival cables (also called circuit-integrity or fire-resistant) are a separate product category governed by IEC 60331 (predecessor profile IEC 60330) and BS 6387 categories C, W, Z. They maintain electrical circuit integrity for 30, 60, 90 or 180 minutes at up to 950 °C, often with simultaneous water-spray and mechanical-shock exposure. Mandated for fire-alarm, smoke-extraction, emergency lighting, fire pumps, and stairwell pressurisation — life-safety circuits that must keep operating while the building burns.
A cable can be HFFR (excellent reaction-to-fire) and still fail as a fire-survival circuit — the two test regimes are unrelated. Specifying HFFR where the code requires IEC 60331 is a substitution error, not an upgrade.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different types of cables used in India?
What is the difference between FR, FR-LSH, and HFFR cables?
What is the difference between IS 694:2010 and IS 17048:2018?
What is the difference between Class 2 and Class 5 conductor?
What cable is mandatory for hospitals under NBC 2016?
What is the difference between armoured cable and unarmoured cable?
What cable should I use for solar PV panels?
What cable is used for CCTV cameras?
What is XLPE cable used for?
What is the difference between coaxial RG-6 and RG-59?
Are FR cables fire-resistant?
What is HFFR cable also called (LSZH, ZHFR, LS0H)?
Updated weekly by the cablepriceindia.com price-research desk. Last verified: 1 July 2026. Sources cited inline. We are an independent price-discovery service. Verify any BIS Conformity Marking Licence (CM/L) at bis.gov.in.