CENELEC Cable codes (and UK codes)

[Lister1987]

Further to me earlier post on cable codes, I emailed BCA's Technical Secretary to see if I could get something put of them that would help dechyper the codes both in the UK and the EU Harmonised system, below are excerpts from our email exchange;
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The cable coding systems are set out in various cable standards. Both certain UK cable codes and the CENELEC codes are in active use. The UK cable codes used to be clled the ‘CMA Codes’, and are nowadays quoted in applicable cable standards, alongside each cable type where assigned, for example 6242Y for flat twin and earth PVC in BS 6004. The CENELEC cable code is set out in one of the Harmonisation documents, but only applies to harmonised cable types. Here is a summary of the CENELEC coding:



Starting from the left hand side, the codes mean as follows:

H – Harmonised Cable
A – National approved cable
N – National cable

Rated Voltage
01 – from 100 / 100 V to 300 / 300 V
03 – 300 / 300 V
05 – 300 / 500 V
07 – 450 / 750 V
1 – 600 / 1000 V

Insulation and Sheath
B – EPR rubber T. 90°C
E – Polyethylene (PE)
G – EVA Rubber T. 110°C
M – Mineral
N – Polychloroprene or equivalent
N2 – Polychloroprene or equivalent for welding cable
N4 – Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene (CSP) or equivalent
Q – PUR
R – Standard EPR rubber T.60°C
S – Silicone Rubber
T – Textile yarn braid
J – Glass yarn braid
V – Polyvinylchloride (PVC) T.70°C
V2 – Polyvinylchloride (PVC) T.90°C
V3 – Low temperature Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
V4 – Cross-linked Polyvinylchloride (XLPE)
V5 – Oil resisting PVC compound
X – Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE)
Z – Low smoke and zero halogen elastomeric compound
Z1 – Low smoke and zero halogen thermoplastic compound

Metal Covering
A7 – Aluminium screen
C – Concentric copper conductors
C4 – Multi core copper braid screen
C5 – Single core copper screen
C7 – Tape, wire or flat wire (copper) screen


Special Constructions
H – Divisible flat cables
H2 – Not divisible flat cables
H6 – 3 or more flat cables
H7 – Not divisible double insulated cable
H8 – Spiral cables

Conductor Flexibility
D – Welding cable flexible conductor
E – Very flexible conductor for welding cable
F – Flexible conductor for mobile applications class 5
H – Very flexible conductor class 6
K – Flexible conductor for fixed applications class 5
R – Solid stranded conductor class 2
U – Solid single conductor class 1

Please also see attached a summary of the cross-references between the UK Cable Codes and the CENELEC codes for the main cables in the EN 50525 series.