BRITISH STANDARD

Multi-element metallic
cables used in analogue
and digital
communication and
control
Part 1: Generic specification

The European Standard EN 50288-1:2003 has the status of a

British Standard

ICS 33.120.20

12&23<,1*:,7+287%6,3(50,66,21(;&(37$63(50,77('%<&23<5,*+7/$:

BS EN
50288-1:2003

BS EN 50288-1:2003

National foreword
This British Standard is the official English language version of
EN 50288-1:2003. It supersedes BS EN 50288-1:2001 which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted by Technical Committee
EPL/46, Cables, wires, waveguides, R.F. connectors, R.F. and microwave
passive components and accessories, to Subcommittee EPL/46/1,
Communication cables, which has the responsibility to:

aid enquirers to understand the text;

present to the responsible international/European committee any

enquiries on the interpretation, or proposals for change, and keep the
UK interests informed;

monitor related international and European developments and

promulgate them in the UK.

A list of organizations represented on this subcommittee can be obtained on

request to its secretary.
Cross-references
The British Standards which implement international or European
publications referred to in this document may be found in the BSI Catalogue
under the section entitled International Standards Correspondence Index, or
by using the Search facility of the BSI Electronic Catalogue or of British
Standards Online.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

This British Standard was

published under the authority
of the Standards Policy and
Strategy Committee on
14 January 2004

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, the EN title page,
pages 2 to 13 and a back cover.
The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the
document was last issued.

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No.
BSI 14 January 2004

ISBN 0 580 43243 2

Date

Comments

EN 50288-1

EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPENNE
EUROPISCHE NORM

December 2003

ICS 33.120.20

Supersedes EN 50288-1:2001

English version

Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue

and digital communication and control
Part 1: Generic specification
Cbles mtalliques lments multiples
utiliss pour les transmissions
et les commandes analogiques
et numriques
Partie 1: Spcification gnrique

Mehradrige metallische Datenund Kontrollkabel fr analoge

und digitale bertragung
Teil 1: Fachgrundspezifikation

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2003-10-01. CENELEC members are bound to
comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and
notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comit Europen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europisches Komitee fr Elektrotechnische Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels
2003 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 50288-1:2003 E

EN 50288-1:2003

Foreword
This European Standard was prepared by SC 46XC, Multicore, Multipair and Quad Data
communication cables, of Technical Committee CENELEC TC 46X, Communication cables.
The text of the draft was submitted to the Unique Acceptance Procedure and was
approved by CENELEC as EN 50288-1 on 2003-10-01.
This European Standard supersedes EN 50288-1:2001
The following dates were fixed:
- latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement

(dop)

2004-10-01

- latest date by which the national standards conflicting

with the EN have to be withdrawn

(dow)

2006-10-01

_________

EN 50288-1:2003

Contents
Page
1

Scope ......................................................................................................... 4

Normative references ................................................................................. 4

Definitions .................................................................................................. 5

Requirements for cable construction ........................................................ 6

4.1

Conductors .......................................................................................... 6

4.2

Insulation............................................................................................. 6

4.3

Cable elements .................................................................................... 7

4.4

Identification of cabling elements.......................................................... 7

4.5

Screening of cabling elements.............................................................. 7

4.6

Cable make-up .................................................................................... 8

4.7

Filling compounds ................................................................................ 8

4.8

Interstitial fillers ................................................................................... 8

4.9

Screening of the cable core .................................................................. 8

4.10 Moisture barriers ................................................................................ 8

4.11 Protective wrappings ............................................................................ 8
4.12 Sheath9
4.13 Bedding layers for metallic protection ................................................... 9
4.14 Metallic protection ................................................................................ 9
4.15 Integral suspension strand ................................................................... 9
4.16 Oversheath..9
4.17 Fauna protection ................................................................................ 9
4.18 Chemical and /or environmental protection ........................................... 9
5

Test methods for completed cables....10

5.1

Electrical test methods ......................................................................... 12

5.2

Mechanical test methods ...................................................................... 12

5.3

Environmental test methods ................................................................. 12

5.4

Fire performance test methods. ............................................................ 12

Bibliography..................................................................................................... 13

EN 50288-1:2003

1 Scope
When used together with EN 50290 and EN 50289, this European Standard covers
cables for instrumentation, inter-connection of equipment and information technology
cabling applications.
Cables for information technology cabling systems, covered by this standard are
suitable for use in digital and analogue data systems meeting the requirements, for
example, of EN 50090-2-1, EN 50090-3-1, EN 50098-1, EN 50098-2 and EN 50173.
Instrumentation cables covered by this standard are suitable for connecting
instruments and control systems for analogue or digital signal transmission.
Unless otherwise specified, all cables covered by this standard may be subjected to
voltages greater than 50 V a.c or 75 V d.c. but not more than 300 V a.c. or 450 V d.c.
and shall meet the essential requirements of the low voltage directive. Due to current
limitation related to the conductor cross sectional area, they are not intended for direct
connection to mains electricity supply. The maximum current rating per conductor is
less than or equal to 175 mA unless otherwise specified in the relevant sectional
specification.
Cabling elements as defined in 4.3 of this standard may be incorporated in hybrid
construction cables together with coaxial or optical fibre cabling elements.
2

Normative references

This European Standard incorporates, by dated or undated reference, provisions from

other publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in
the text and the cited publications are listed hereafter. For dated references,
subsequent amendments to or revisions of these publications apply to this European
Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated
references, the latest edition of the cited publication applies, together with any
amendments.
EN 10002-1

Tensile testing of metallic materials - Part 1: Method of test

at ambient temperature

EN 50173

Information technology - Generic cabling systems

EN 50289
EN 50290-1-2
EN 50290-2

EN 60811-1-1

1)

At draft stage.

Series
1)

Communication Cables - Specifications for tests methods

Communication cables - Part 1-2: Definitions

Series

Communication cables - Part 2: Common design rules and

construction
Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical
cables - Common test methods Part 1-1: General
application - Measurement of thickness and overall
dimensions - Tests for determining the mechanical properties
(IEC 60811-1-1)

EN 50288-1:2003

EN 60811-1-3

Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical

cables - Common test methods - Part 1-3: General
application - Methods for determining the density - Water
absorption tests - Shrinkage test (IEC 60811-1-3)

EN 60811-1-4

Insulating and sheathing materials of electric and optical

cables - Common test methods - Part 1-4: General
application - Tests at low temperature (IEC 60811-1-4)

HD 402 S2

Standard colours for insulation for low-frequency cables and

wires (IEC 60304)

IEC 60028

International standard of resistance for copper

IEC 60189-1

Low-frequency cables and wires with PVC insulation and

PVC sheath - Part 1: General test and measuring methods

3 Definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard, the definitions given in EN 50290-1-2
and EN 50173 apply in addition to the following:
3.1
horizontal cable
cable suitable for connecting a floor distributor to a telecommunications outlet. It is
suitable for horizontal installation in ducts, trunking, suspended floors and ceiling
cavities
3.2
building backbone cable
cable suitable for connecting a building distributor to a floor distributor and may also
connect floor distributors in the same building. It is suitable for horizontal installation
or vertical installation between floors provided the cable has adequate mechanical
strength
NOTE Horizontal cable as defined in 3.1 may also be used as building backbone cable provided that it
has adequate mechanical strength and fire performance characteristics.

3.3
work area cable
a cable connecting the telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment
3.4
patch cord cable
flexible cable unit or element with connector(s) used to establish connections on a
patch panel
NOTE Work area cables, as defined in 3.3, may be used as patch cord cable in any distributor of a
generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling
systems.

EN 50288-1:2003

3.5
campus backbone cable
cable suitable for connecting a campus distributor to a building distributor(s). If used
outdoors or for direct burial, it shall have adequate protection for its operational
environment
3.6
equipment cable
a cable connecting equipment to a distributor
3.7
instrumentation cable
a multi-element cable suitable for connecting instruments and control systems. It may
incorporate screening, armouring and/or moisture barriers or environmental protection
layers
4 Requirements for cable construction
4.1 Conductors
Conductors may be solid or stranded.
The conductivity of copper conductors shall be in accordance with IEC 60028.
Stranded conductors shall consist of wires circular in section and assembled, without
insulation between them, by concentric stranding or bunching. As most of these
cables are used together with insulation displacement connecting devices (IDC), a
maximum of seven strands should be used.
The solid conductors or the individual wires of stranded conductor may be plain or
metal-coated.
There shall be no joint in the wire made subsequent to the last wire drawing operation.
Joints in individual strands of a stranded copper inner conductor shall be cold pressure
welded, brazed or silver soldered using a non acid flux such that the strand diameter shall
not be increased.
No joint in an individual strand shall be within 0,3 m of a joint in any other individual
strand.
4.2 Insulation
The choice of the insulating material shall take into account electrical and
environmental requirements.
The insulation material(s) shall meet the requirements of the relevant part or parts of
EN 50290-2, or otherwise as detailed in the appropriate sectional specification.
Conductor insulation shall be composed of one or more suitable dielectric materials.
The insulation may be solid, cellular or composite (e.g. foam-skin).
The insulation shall be continuous, having a thickness as uniform as possible. When
required, the thickness of the insulation shall be measured in accordance with the
method specified in 8.1 of EN 60811-1-1.

EN 50288-1:2003

The insulation shall be applied to fit closely to the conductor. When required, the
stripping properties of the insulation shall be checked in accordance with the method
specified in EN 50289-3-17. When not used with IDC termination, it shall be possible
to strip the insulation from the conductor easily and without visible damage to the
conductor, its coating, or the insulation remaining on the conductor.
4.3 Cable elements
The cable element is
-

a single insulated wire, or

a pair consisting of two insulated conductors twisted together and designated wire
a and wire b, or

a triple consisting of three insulated conductors twisted together and designated

wire a, wire b and wire c in order of rotation, or

a quad consisting of four insulated conductors twisted together and designated

wire a, wire c, wire b and wire d in order of rotation. Wires a and b form
pair 1 and wires c and d form pair 2.

The choice of the lay length of the cable elements in the finished cable shall take into
account the transmission requirements, handling performance and identification.
4.4 Identification of cabling elements
When required, the insulated conductors shall be identified by colours and/or
additional ring markings and/or symbols achieved by the use of coloured insulation or
by a coloured surface using extrusion, printing or painting. Colours shall be clearly
identifiable and shall correspond reasonably with the standard colours shown in
HD 402.
The colour(s) or the symbol used for core identification shall be durable such that it
cannot be removed when tested to EN 50289-3-8.
4.5 Screening of cabling elements
When required by the relevant sectional specification the cabling elements shall be
screened by one or any combination of the following:
-

a metal tape;

a metal tape laminated to a plastic tape;

a plain or coated metal braid;

a helical wrap of parallel copper wires;

a semi-conducting layer.

If a drain wire is incorporated, it shall be in contact with the screen element. The drain
wire shall be either solid or stranded, made of plain or metal coated copper wire.
Care should be taken when placing dissimilar metals in contact with each other.
Coatings or other methods of protection may be necessary to prevent galvanic
interaction.
A protective wrapping may be applied under and/or over the screen.

EN 50288-1:2003

4.6 Cable make-up

The cable elements may be laid up in concentric layers or in unit construction. The
cable core assembly may be protected by wrappings of non-hygroscopic tape.
NOTE When required by the sectional specification, units shall be identified by the use of coloured or
numbered non-hygroscopic binders.

4.7 Filling compounds

When required by the relevant sectional specification, the interstices of the cable core
shall be filled continuously with a compound suitable to prevent water penetration
within the cable. The filling compound shall meet the requirements specified in
EN 50290-2-28 .
Alternatively, water swellable tapes,
combination of materials may be used.

water

swellable non-toxic powder

or

4.8 Interstitial fillers

In order to provide a compact and reasonably circular cable fillers may be used. The
filler material shall be non-hygroscopic.
4.9 Screening of the cable core
When required by the relevant sectional specification, the cable core assembly shall
be screened by one or any combination of the following:
-

a metal tape;

a metal tape laminated to a plastic tape;

a plain or coated metal braid;

a helical wrap of parallel copper wires;

a semi-conducting layer.

If a drain wire is incorporated, it shall be in contact with the main screen element. The
drain wire shall be either solid or stranded, made of plain or metal-coated copper.
Care should be taken when placing dissimilar metals in contact with each other.
Coatings or other methods of protection may be necessary to prevent galvanic
interaction.
A protective wrapping may be applied under and/or over the screen.
4.10 Moisture barriers
To minimise moisture permeation through the sheath, a longitudinal overlapped
metallic foil may be used which is bonded to the inner surface of an extruded plastic
sheath.
4.11 Protective wrappings
When required by the relevant sectional specification, a protective wrapping shall be
provided.

EN 50288-1:2003

4.12 Sheath
Sheath material(s) shall meet the requirements of the relevant part of EN 50290-2 or
otherwise as detailed in the appropriate sectional specification.
The sheath shall be continuous, having a thickness as uniform as possible. The
thickness of the sheath shall be determined according to the method specified in 8.2
of EN 60811-1-1.
4.13 Bedding layers for metallic protection
When metallic protection is required, the relevant sectional specification shall give
details of the bedding.
4.14 Metallic protection
When required by the relevant sectional specification, and according to 4.1.6 of
EN 50290-2-1, the armouring shall consist of one or more of the following:
-

a layer of round or flat galvanised steel wires (a counter helix of tape is permitted)

a single or a double layer of steel or brass tapes

a galvanised steel or tinned copper wire braid

4.15 Integral suspension strand

When required, the integral suspension strand shall be in accordance with 4.1.5 of
EN 50290-2-1 and shall meet the requirements of the relevant sectional specification.
4.16 Oversheath
The choice of the sheath material shall take into account electrical and environmental
requirements.
Sheath material(s) shall meet the requirements of the relevant part of 50290-2 or
otherwise as detailed in the appropriate sectional specification.
The sheath shall be continuous, having a thickness as uniform as possible. The
thickness of the sheath shall be determined according to the method specified in 8.2
of EN 60811-1-1.
4.17 Fauna protection
The relevant sectional specification shall indicate details of the protection required to
protect the cable against attack by fauna (such as rodents or insects). The protection
may be a choice of armouring (4.14), special wrapping tape (4.11), outer sheath
material (4.16) or any combination of these.
4.18 Chemical and /or environmental protection
When required, a protection against chemical hazards and/or environmental effects
shall be provided.

EN 50288-1:2003

10

It may consist of one or more of the following:

-

a metallic sheath of lead or suitable lead alloy;

a multi-layer sheath of an aluminium tape and polyolefin, e.g. high density

polyethelyne or polyamide.

The sheath shall be continuous, having a thickness as uniform as possible. The

thickness of the sheath shall be determined according to the method specified in 8.2
of EN 60811-1-1.
5 Test methods for completed cables
As required by the relevant sectional specification, test methods selected from those
listed below shall be applied.
5.1 Electrical test methods
5.1.1 Low-frequency and d.c. electrical measurements
Subclause
no.

Parameter

Test method

Standard

Part no.

5.1.1.1

Conductor resistance

EN 50289-1

5.1.1.2

Conductor resistance unbalance

EN 50289-1

5.1.1.3

Dielectric strength

EN 50289-1

5.1.1.4

Insulation resistance

EN 50289-1

5.1.1.5

Mutual capacitance

EN 50289-1

5.1.1.6

Capacitance unbalance

EN 50289-1

5.1.1.7

Inductance

EN 50289-1

12

5.1.1.8

Inductance to resistance ratio

EN 50289-1

12

 11

EN 50288-1:2003

5.1.2 High-frequency electrical and transmission measurements

Subclause
no.

Test method

Standard

Part no.

5.1.2.1

Velocity of propagation

EN 50289-1

7 or 11

5.1.2.2

Propagation delay difference (skew)

EN 50289-1

7 or 11

Longitudinal attenuation

EN 50289-1

5.1.2.4

Longitudinal conversion loss (LCL)

EN 50289-1

5.1.2.5

Near-end crosstalk (NEXT)

EN 50289-1

10

5.1.2.6

Far-end crosstalk (FEXT)

EN 50289-1

10

5.1.2.7

Power sum (PS) of crosstalk loss

EN 50289-1

10

5.1.2.8

Characteristic impedance

EN 50289-1

11

5.1.2.9

Return loss

EN 50289-1

11

5.1.2.10

Coupling attenuation

EN 50289-1

5.1.2.11

Transfer impedance

EN 50289-1

5.1.2.12

Screening attenuation

EN 50289-1

5.1.2.3

1)

Parameter

1)

Although values given in the sectional specification must be met to comply with the cable
standard, the system requirements always take precedence.
For example, EN 50288-2-1 gives an attenuation equation of 1,9108f + 0,0222f + 0,2/f, but
when it is known that the maximum length of the horizontal cable is less than 87 m or when the
flexible cables used in conjunction with the horizontal cable have an additional attenuation factor
not greater than 1,20, it is permissible to use cable constructions corresponding to the equation
1,967f + 0,0222f + 0,2/f to meet the cabling system requirement.

EN 50288-1:2003

12

5.2 Mechanical test methods

Subclause
no.

Parameter

Test method

Standard

Part no.

5.2.1

Conductor elongation at break

EN 10002-1

5.2.2

Shrinkage of insulation

EN 50289-3

5.2.3

Crush resistance of the cable

EN 50289-3

5.2.4

Impact resistance of the cable

EN 50289-3

5.2.5

Abrasion resistance of the sheath

marking

EN 50289-3

5.2.6

Simulated installation testing of the

cable

EN 50289-3

5.2.7

Tensile performance of the cable

EN 50289-3

16

5.2.8

Flexing performance of the cable

EN 50289-3

10

5.3 Environmental test methods

Subclause
no.

Parameter

Test method

Standard

Part no.

5.3.1

Cold bend performance of the cable

EN 60811-1

4,
subclause 8.2

5.3.2

Water penetration test

EN 50289-4

5.3.3

Moisture permeation test

EN 50289-4

5.3.4

Resistance to solvents and

contaminating fluids

EN 50289-4

5.3.5

Temperature cycling

EN 50289-4

5.4 Fire performance test methods

The choice of the tests to be performed shall be made according to EN 50290-4-1 and
any regulatory requirements, such as the construction products directive.

 13

EN 50288-1:2003

Bibliography
The following standards are referenced but do not constitute a normative part of the
standard:
EN 50090-2-1

Home and Building Electronic Systems (HBES) - Part 2-1: System

overview - Architecture

EN 50090-3-1

Home and Building Electronic Systems (HBES) - Part 3-1:

Aspects of application - Introduction to the application structure

EN 50098-1

Customer premises cabling for Information Technology - Part 1:

ISDN basic access

EN 50098-2

Customer premises cabling for Information Technology - Part 2:

2 048 kbit/s ISDN primary access and leased line network
interface

BS EN
50288-1:2003

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