What are the different types of cables? What do the designations and abbreviations mean?

 

In the following table you will find common cable designations and cable types as well as the meaning of the abbreviations for electrical cables and wires.

Cable Designations/Abbreviation | Cable Type Key for Harmonized, International Cables and Wires

 

Fundamental type                                               

H= harmonised type
A= nationally recognised type

 

Nominal voltage

01= 100 Volts
03= 300/300 Volts
05= 300/500 Volts
07= 450/750 Volts

 

 

Materials

= Ethylene propylene rubber
E= PE Polyethylene
= fibre-glass braiding
N= Chloroprene rubber
Q= Polyurethane
R= Rubber
S= Silicone rubber
T= Textile braiding
= PVC
V2 = PVC + 90°C
V3 = PVC flexible at low temperatures
V5= PVC increased oil resistant
= XPE, cross linked PE

 

Additions

C4= copper wire braiding
= divisible flat cable
H2= non-divisible flat cable
H6= non-divisible flat cable for elevators
H8 = helix cable

 

 

Types of conductor

U= single wire
R= multi wire
= fine strands (fixed laying)
= fine strands (flexible use)
= extra fine strands (flexible use)
= fine strands for welding cable
= fine strands for welding cable

 

 

Earth wire

= without green-yellow earth wire
= with green-yellow earth wire
Cable Designations | Cable Type Key acc. to DIN VDE  and with reference to DIN VDE 
(SAB BRÖCKSKES standard)

 

Fundamental type

= National standard
B / Bi = Besilen® cable (silicone rubber)
CC= Control Cable (PVC control cable)
Li= strands (data cable)
SCable track cable
SD= Cable track cable (data cable)
SL Servo cable
SABIX®= Halogen-free material on a Polyolefin base
BL= Marine cable
R= railway cable
HV= high-voltage cable
AGL Compensating cable
ThL Extension Cable


Insulation


see Insulation and sheath materials

 

Screening/Armouring

= steel wire protection
= steel wire braiding
= copper braiding
= stainless steel braiding
= copper wrapping
ST = static screen


Sheath materials


see Insulation and sheath materials

 

Specials

= numbered control cable
= single core
= flexible
FF= highly flexible
(E) = intrinsically safe (blue)
(TR) = transparent outer sheath
(B) = drain wire
TP= twisted pairs
HT= high temperature resistant cable
FRNC= flame retardant, non corrosive / flame retardant, halogen free
LS0H/ LSZH= low smoke, “0” (zero) halogen / low smoke density , halogen free
LSHF= low smoke, halogen free / low smoke density, halogen free

 

Earth wire

J= with green-yellow earth wire
= without green-yellow earth wire

Insulation and sheathing materials - Abbreviations and meaning

The most common abbreviations for insulating and sheathing materials and their descriptions are listed in the following table:

acronymabbreviationdescription
YPVCPolyvinyl chloride
YwPVCPolyvinyl chloride, heat resistant (+90°C or +105°C)
YkPVC Polyvinyl chloride, cold resistant (-40°C)
2YPEPolyethylen als LDPE oder HDPE (Low/High Density)
02YPEfoamed PE, cellular Polyethylene
02YSPEfoamed PE, cellular Polyethylene with foam skin
2XVPEreticulated Polyethylene (XLPE)
3YPSPolystyrene
4YPAPolyamide
5YPTFEPolytetrafluoroethylene
6YFEPPerfluoroethylene propylene
7YETFEEthylene tetrafluoroethylene
8YPIPolyimide
9YPPPolypropylene
09YSPEfoamed PP, cellular Polypropylene with foam skin
10YPVDFPolyvinyldiene fluoride
11YPURPolyurethane
12YTPE-ETPE-E, TPE based on Polyether ester
13YTPE-ETPE-EE TPE based on Polyether ester
17YTPE-SStyrene-ethenbutene-styrene copolymer
18YTPE-OPolyolefin elastomer
31YTPE-SPolystyrene elastomer
41YTPE-APolyamide elastomer
51YPFAPFA, Perfluoro alkoxylalkane
71YECTFEMonochlorotrifluoroethylene
91YTPE-O/VPolyolefin elastomer
GNR/SBRnatural rubber, Styrene-butadiene rubber
2GSIRsilicone rubber
GL glass fibre braiding
3GEPREthylene-propylene polymer
4GEVAEthylene-vinyl acetate copolymer
5GCRPolychloroprene
6GCSMChlorosulphonated polyethylene mixture
7GFKMFluoroelastomer, Fluororubber

 


Examples of cable designations:


LiYY - PVC data cable

LiYCY - PVC data cable with overall copper screen

SiAFF - Silicone (Besilen®) insulated strands, highly flexible

SiHF-J - Silicone (Besilen®) insulated strands with Silicone (Besilen®) outer sheath

H07V-K - PVC insulated single conductor acc. to NFPA 79 for industrial machinery

 

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