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 | |
| B | = Ethylene propylene rubber |
| E | = PE Polyethylene |
| J | = fibre-glass braiding |
| N | = Chloroprene rubber |
| Q | = Polyurethane |
| R | = Rubber |
| S | = Silicone rubber |
| T | = Textile braiding |
| V | = PVC |
| V2 | = PVC + 90°C |
| V3 | = PVC flexible at low temperatures |
| V5 | = PVC increased oil resistant |
| X | = XPE, cross linked PE |
Additions | |
| C4 | = copper wire braiding |
| H | = 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 |
| K | = fine strands (fixed laying) |
| F | = fine strands (flexible use) |
| H | = extra fine strands (flexible use) |
| D | = fine strands for welding cable |
| E | = fine strands for welding cable |
Earth wire | |
| X | = without green-yellow earth wire |
| G | = 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 | |
| N | = National standard |
| Bi | = Besilen® (silicone) |
| Ö | = PVC control cable |
| S | = Cable track cable |
| SL | = Servo cable |
| SABIX® | = Halogen-free material on a Polyolefin base |
| Li | = strands (data cable) |
| AGL | = Compensating cable |
| ThL | = Extension Cable |
Insulation | |
| Y | = PVC |
| YK | = cold resistant PVC |
| 2G (Bi) | = Besilen® (silicone) |
| 12Y | = mod. TPE |
| G | = rubber |
| 2Y | = PE (Polyethylene) |
| GL | = fibre-glass |
| SABIX® | = halogen-free material |
Screening/Armouring | |
| P | = steel wire protection |
| S | = steel wire braiding |
| C | = copper braiding |
| V | = stainless steel braiding |
| D | = copper wrapping |
| ST | = static screen |
Specials | |
| Z | = numbered control cable |
| A | = single core |
| F | = flexible |
| (E) | = intrinsically safe (blue) |
| (TR) | = transparent outer sheath |
| (B) | = drain wire |
| PU | = Polyurethane |
Außenmantel | |
| YOE | = oil resistant PVC |
| YW | = heat resistant PVC |
| 11Y | = PUR (Polyurethane) |
| HM4 | = halogen-free thermoplast (Begum) |
| SABIX® | = halogen-free material |
| Other materials as mentioned under insulation | |
Sheath material | |
| J | = with green-yellow earth wire |
| 0 | = without green-yellow earth wire |
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
Do you have any questions about our products? Your direct line to our experts! Contact