Cable terms in plain language

The words on datasheets and in tenders, explained in two sentences. Binding values are in the standard and the datasheet.

Armour

Mechanical protection of steel wire or tape under the outer sheath, for example against pressure, tension or rodents.

AWG

American Wire Gauge, the US scale for conductor sizes. A higher number means a thinner conductor. Open tool →

Bending radius

The smallest permitted radius during installation, usually given as a multiple of the outer diameter. Fixed and moving cables often have different values.

Braided screen

A screen of braided copper wires. It stays flexible and is easy to terminate. Optical coverage states how dense it is.

Bundle stranding

Several pairs are grouped into bundles, and the bundles are stranded together. This is common for higher pair counts.

Circuit integrity (E30, E90)

The complete cable system including its supports keeps working in a fire for the stated time, 30 or 90 minutes. The system is tested, not just the cable.

Compensating cable

Connects a thermocouple to the instrument. Its conductors behave thermoelectrically like the thermocouple within a limited temperature range, but use a different, usually cheaper material.

Conductor class

Grouping under IEC 60228: class 1 solid, class 2 stranded, class 5 fine-stranded, class 6 extra fine-stranded. The higher the class, the more flexible the conductor.

Copper surcharge

A price addition that reflects the current copper quotation against an agreed base. The supplier sets the base and calculation. Open tool →

CPR

The EU Construction Products Regulation. Cables permanently installed in buildings carry a class for their reaction to fire, from Aca to Fca. Open tool →

ETFE

A fluoropolymer for insulation and sheath. Resistant to heat and chemicals, mechanically tough. Limits are in the relevant datasheet.

FEP

A fluoropolymer for insulation and sheath, resistant to high temperatures and many chemicals. Limits are in the relevant datasheet.

Flame-retardant

The material does not keep a flame going once the ignition source is gone. This does not mean the cable keeps working in a fire.

FRNC, LSZH

Flame Retardant Non Corrosive and Low Smoke Zero Halogen: flame-retardant and halogen-free, with little smoke and no corrosive fire gases.

Halogen-free

The material contains no chlorine, fluorine or bromine. A fire produces far fewer corrosive and toxic gases. This matters in tunnels, buildings and plants.

Insulation integrity (FE180)

The cable itself keeps its insulation under flame for the test duration. Unlike circuit integrity, this says nothing about the whole system.

Optical coverage

The share of the surface a braided screen covers, in per cent. It indicates how dense the screen is but does not replace a measured screening value.

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride, a versatile standard material for insulation and sheath. It contains chlorine, so it is not halogen-free. PVC-FR is the flame-retardant version.

Rated voltage U0/U

U0 is the voltage between conductor and earth, U the voltage between two line conductors, for example 0.6/1 kV. It states what the cable is designed for.

Screen, shield

A conductive layer around cores or pairs, usually foil, braid or both. It protects signals from outside interference and limits emissions.

Silicone

An insulation and sheath material that stays flexible at high and low temperatures. Mechanically more delicate than many other materials.

Stranded conductor

A conductor made of many thin wires. More flexible than a solid conductor, so it is common where cables move.

Thermocouple, thermocouple cable

Two different metals produce a temperature-dependent voltage at their junction. Thermocouple cables use the same materials as the thermocouple.

Twisted pairs

Two cores are twisted together. This reduces interference and crosstalk between signals.

Voltage drop

Voltage lost along the cable. It rises with current and length and falls with a larger cross-section.

XLPE

Cross-linked polyethylene, common in power cables. It tolerates higher conductor temperatures than PVC.

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