A signal cable may run through a building, continue along an outdoor tray and then pass underground. Each part of that route affects the choice of cable. When selecting installation cables for industrial electronics, consider the full route before deciding on a type.
The cables covered here carry communications and signals in fixed installations. They are not intended for power installation. The choice depends on the location, electrical requirements and specified fire performance.
Indoor installation cables: comparing JE types
JE-Y(St)Y Bd Si Eca and JE-LIYCY Bd Si Eca are suitable for dry and damp premises, including installation in and under plaster. The first uses solid copper conductors; the second uses stranded conductors.
Stranded conductors make the cable easier to handle during installation. This does not make the JE-LIYCY version suitable for continuous movement: it is intended for fixed installation.
The PVC indoor range contains six versions:
| Cable type | Construction for initial selection |
|---|---|
| JE-Y(St)Y Bd Si Eca | Solid conductors, PVC version |
| JE-LIYCY Bd Si Eca | Stranded conductors, PVC version |
| JE-Y(St)Y-FR Bd Si Dca | FR version with solid conductors |
| JE-LIYCY-FR Bd Si Dca | FR version with stranded conductors |
| JE-LIYCYSY-FR Bd Si Fca | Armoured FR version |
| JE-LIY(St)YSY-FR PimF Bd Si Fca | FR version with individual pair screens, an overall screen and armour |
Use the table to narrow the options, then check the data sheet for construction, dimensions and operating conditions. These details are available on the JE-Y(St)Y Bd Si Eca page.
Halogen-free indoor cables
We also offer four halogen-free indoor cable types for fixed signal wiring. They differ in conductor construction, screening and armour.
| Cable type | Construction for initial selection |
|---|---|
| JE-H(St)H Bd Si mtp B2ca/Cca/Dca | Solid conductors, foil screen |
| JE-HCH Bd Si mtp B2ca/Cca/Dca | Solid conductors, copper braid screen |
| JE-LIHCH Bd Si mtp Eca/Dca | Stranded conductors, copper braid screen |
| JE-LIHCHSH Bd Si mtp Fca | Stranded conductors, copper braid screen and steel braid armour |
The listed fire classes refer to the respective versions. Specify the required version when ordering. Installation in soil or water requires additional checks, as described below.
Outdoor installation and direct burial
The six PVC indoor cable types listed above are also suitable for fixed installation outdoors. They are not approved for direct burial. The indoor category alone therefore does not describe every permitted installation condition.
For a route through soil, other constructions are available. A-Y(St)Y Bd Si Fca and A-LIYCY Bd Si Fca, for example, are suitable for direct burial. They remain communications cables and are not intended for power installation.
PVC outdoor cables: foil, braid and copper wire screens
A-Y(St)YCY Bd Si Fca has a copper braid in addition to its foil screen. A-Y(St)YCY-FR Bd Si Fca uses the same screening arrangement with a PVC-FR outer sheath. Both are suitable for fixed outdoor installation and direct burial.
The following table groups the PVC outdoor versions by their basic type codes. Their full designations also include Bd Si Fca and, where applicable, the Cu value for the copper wire screen.
| Basic type and variants | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|
| A-Y(St)Y and A-Y(St)Y-FR | Solid conductors and foil screen; also available with PVC-FR outer sheath |
| A-Y(St)YCY and A-Y(St)YCY-FR | Solid conductors, foil screen and additional copper braid screen |
| AJ-Y(St)YDY and AJ-Y(St)YDY-FR, each in Cu3,5 or Cu16 | Solid conductors, foil screen and copper wire screen of 3.5 or 16 mm² |
| AJ-Y(St)YCYDY-FR, Cu16 | Solid conductors, foil screen, copper braid and additional 16 mm² copper wire screen |
| A-Y(St)YSY and A-Y(St)YSY-FR | Solid conductors, foil screen and steel braid armour |
| A-Y(St)YSYö-FR | Armoured version with oil-resistant PVC-FR outer sheath |
| A-LIYCY and A-LIYCY-FR | Stranded conductors and copper braid screen |
| A-LIYCYSY-FR | Stranded conductors, copper braid screen and steel braid armour |
| AJ-LIYCYDY-FR, Cu3,5 | Stranded conductors, copper braid and additional 3.5 mm² copper wire screen |
| A-LIY(St)YSY-FR PimF | Stranded conductors, individual pair screens, overall screen and steel braid armour |
Together, these make up 17 PVC outdoor cable versions. The FR versions use a flame-retardant PVC-FR outer sheath. Check screening, armour and fire properties separately when choosing a construction.
For an outdoor tray, consider direct sunlight, moisture, possible oil exposure and mechanical loads. A black or blue sheath alone does not establish resistance to those conditions. Check the properties of the exact version.
The A-Y(St)Y Bd Si Fca data sheet is a starting point for selecting a PVC outdoor cable. Additional screening or mechanical protection requirements may call for a different construction.
Halogen-free outdoor installation cables
The halogen-free outdoor range also offers several conductor and screen arrangements. These nine versions complement the halogen-free indoor cables. Full designations include Bd Si mtp Fca and, where applicable, the Cu value.
| Basic type | Distinguishing feature |
|---|---|
| A-H(St)HCH | Solid conductors, foil screen and copper braid screen |
| AJ-H(St)HDH, Cu3,5 | Solid conductors, foil screen and 3.5 mm² copper wire screen |
| A-H(St)HSH | Solid conductors, foil screen and steel braid armour |
| AJ-HCHDH, Cu16 | Solid conductors, copper braid and 16 mm² copper wire screen |
| AJ-HCHD2Y, Cu16 | Solid conductors, copper braid and 16 mm² copper wire screen; PE outer sheath |
| A-LIH(St)HCH | Stranded conductors, foil screen and copper braid screen |
| A-LIHCH | Stranded conductors and copper braid screen |
| A-LIHCHCH | Stranded conductors and two copper braid screens |
| A-LIHCHCH PimF | Stranded conductors, additional individual pair screens and two copper braid screens |
AJ-HCHD2Y has a PE outer sheath. The other halogen-free outdoor types in this table use a halogen-free compound for the outer sheath. Check that the fire properties of the selected version meet the project specification.
Moisture protection and special constructions
Suitability for soil or water depends on the cable construction. A-H(St)HCH Bd Si mtp Fca requires protection from moisture by a pipe when installed in soil or water. This restriction does not establish a general ban on burying all halogen-free cables.
For underground use and installation in water, we also offer the special cable A-H(St)HSO Bd Si mtp Fca. Compare the full designation and application details of the selected type. A protective pipe must actually provide the required moisture protection.
Read the standards wording carefully too. Depending on the type, the specification states either “according to DIN VDE 0815” or “based on DIN VDE 0815”. Include the wording for the particular cable in your enquiry.
What to include in a cable enquiry
A description of the route helps us identify a suitable version. Please include:
- The specified cable type or intended application
- Number of pairs or cores and conductor diameter or cross-section
- Required length and any division into separate lengths
- Installation indoors, outdoors, in a pipe, directly in soil or in water
- Requirements for screening, armour and fire performance
- Particular environmental conditions and the required delivery date
Our installation cable range includes the corresponding data sheets. Send your requirements through our contact page. If you are replacing an existing type, include its data sheet and the planned installation conditions.