DESIGNATION OF CABLES

The standardisation of the method for designation of cables and wires by means of harmonised standards has been introduced in order to facilitate the identification of products available on the market. These are often products from many different domestic or foreign manufacturers. Getting acquainted with and following the harmonised marking system ensures a precise selection of the cable that is suitable for the user’s needs and requirements in terms of material from which it is made.

1. Relation to the harmonised standard:
H - cable made in accordance with the harmonised standard
A - non-harmonised cable (national standard)

2. Nominal voltage:
01 - 100/100V
03 - 300/300V
05 - 300/500V
07 - 450/750V

3. Insulation & sheath materials:
B - ethylene-propylene rubber
G - ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer
J - glass fibre braiding
N - flame retardant polychloroprene rubber
N2 - special polychloroprene mixture for welding cables
N4 - chlorosulphonated polyethylene or chlorinated polyethylene
R - standard ethylene polypropylene rubber
S - silicone rubber
T - textile braiding
V - polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
V2 - polyvinyl chloride resistant to increased temperature (PVC)
V3 - polyvinyl chloride for low temperatures
V4 - cross-linked polyvinyl chloride
V5 - oil resistant polyvinyl chloride
Z - low-gas emission cross-linked polyolefin compound
Z1 - thermoplastic low-gas emission polyolefin compound

4. Metal coating:
C - Concentric copper conductor
C4 - copper braid screen

5. Non-metal coating:
B - ethylene-propylene rubber
G - ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer
J - glass fibre braiding
N - flame retardant polychloroprene rubber
N2 - special polychloroprene mixture for welding cables
N4 - chlorosulphonated polyethylene or chlorinated polyethylene
Q - polyurethane
Q4 - polyamide
R - standard ethylene polypropylene rubber
S - silicone rubber
T - textile braiding
V - polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
V2 - polyvinyl chloride resistant to increased temperature (PVC)
V3 - polyvinyl chloride for low temperatures
V4 - cross-linked polyvinyl chloride
V5 - oil resistant polyvinyl chloridepolyolefin compound
Z - low-gas emission cross-linked
Z1 - thermoplastic low-gas emission polyolefin compound

6. Cable structure:
no designation for round cables
H - flat cables, non-separable
H2 - flat cables, non-separable
H6 - flat cables with 3 or more conductors

7. Conductor material:
A - Aluminium
a dash "-" without an additional letter designation means that the conductor is made of copper. Moreover, it is worth noting that the dash itself is also an element of transition between the description of insulation and structure of the cable and the internal description of the conductor.

8. Conductor structure:
D - fine wire for welding cables
E - extra fine wire for welding cables
F - fine wire for cables (class 5)
H - extra fine wire for cables (class 6)
K - fine wire for fixed installation (class 5)
R - rigid conductor of multi stranded wires
U - round conductor of single wire

9. Numerical designation of the number of conductors

10. Protective conductor
G - green/yellow protective conductor
X - lack of green/yellow protective conductor
U - round conductor of single wire

11. Numerical designation of the conductor cross-section

With the theoretical part behind us, we can conclude that the cable designation system according to the harmonised standard itself is not that complicated. It is worth paying attention to the method of marking the materials used to produce the inner insulation or outer sheath of the cable. Let us try to identify the structure and basic properties of sample products.

H07V2-K single core cable
Relation to the harmonised standard:
H - cable made in accordance with the harmonised standard
Nominal voltage: 07- 450/750V
Insulation & sheath materials: V2- polyvinyl chloride resistant to increased temperature (PVC)
Cable structure: no designation: round cable
Conductor material: a dash, which means copper
Conductor structure: K - fine wire for fixed installation (class 5)
Number of conductors: 1
Protective conductor: X - lack of green/yellow protective conductor
Conductor cross-section: 10mm2