
BS EN 50288 Cable
Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control, manufactured in accordance with British Standard BS EN 50288 and European Standard EN 50288.
BS EN 50288 covers the following range of cables:
RE-2X(st)H cable | XLPE insulated and LSZH sheathed |
RE-2X(st)Y cable | XLPE insulated and PVC sheathed |
RE-2Y(st)Y cable | PE insulated and PVC sheathed |
Part 1 of BS EN 50288 covers the generic specification of multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control. These cables are generally used for instrumentation, inter-connection of equipment and information technology cabling applications. Part 7 of this same standard sets out the sectional specification for instrumentation and control cables.
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) and its members are bound by agreement to give it the status of national standard.
BS EN 50288 Part 1 - cable construction
Conductor | Solid or stranded copper |
Insulation | Various - to meet the electrical and environmental requirements of the application |
Screen (cabling elements + cable core) |
When required, one of any combination of: - Metal tape - Metal tape laminated to a plastic tape - Plain or coated metal braid - Helical wrap or parallel copper wires - Semi-conducting layer |
Filling compounds | Water swellable tape, water swellable non-toxic powder or combination of materials are allowed |
Interstitial fillers | Non-hygroscopic material |
Moisture barrier | Metallic foil allowed |
Inner sheath | Materials to meet requirements of EN 50290-2 |
Metallic protection | One or more of the following: - Galvanised steel wires - Steel or brass tapes - Galvanised steel or tinned copper wire braid |
Outersheath | As per insulation |
BS EN 50288 Part 7 - cable construction
Conductor | Solid, stranded or flexible plain or metal coated copper (Class 1, 2 or 5)* |
Insulation | PVC, PE or XLPE |
Cores | Pair (twisted) triple (twisted) quad (twisted) |
Twisting | Lay length clearly defined; depending on conductor size and element; between 100 and 150mm |
Individual pair screens | Laminated tape aluminium/PET total thickness 24µm |
Drain wire | Solid tinned copper drain wire 0.6mm Ø, under individual screen |
Collective screen | Collective screen (24µm aluminium/PET) tape + 7 stranded tinned copper drain wire (0.5mm2); overlap of foil min 20%; drain wire in direct contact with metallic side of the foil wrapping layer of tape under collective screen |
Inner Sheath | PVC, PE or LSZH |
Metal braid | tinned copper wires (C) wire diameter ≥0.3mm filling factor ≥0.57mm |
Armouring | SWA, Flat steel wires with counter helix, Steel or Brass Tape |
OuterSheath | PVC, PE or LSZH |
Part 7 covers the specification for multi-element cables suitable for connecting instruments and control systems for analogue or digital signal transmission. These instrumentation cables are available in different variants including screen and armour to offer electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics relevant to the specific application.
We offer a wide range of instrumentation cables manufactured in accordance with British Standard BS EN 50288, including armoured and Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) sheathing variants. We can also support installations requiring instrumentation cables to other national standards such as SANS APL cables. Please refer to our team for more information.
BS EN 50288 Cable
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