NYM Antigron Cables Selection Guide
NYM (antigron) cable is a 300/500 V installation cable with copper conductors, PVC insulation and PVC sheath (TSE designation NVV). Core colors, cross-section and selection.
What is NYM cable? NYM (antigron) cable is an installation cable with copper conductors, PVC insulation and PVC sheath, with a rated voltage of 300/500 V; its TSE designation is NVV. It is used in flush-mounted and surface-mounted fixed installations inside buildings, in lighting and socket circuits.
This guide explains what to look at when choosing products in the NYM Antigron Cables category.
How to read the NYM code
The code comes from the German standard system: N means a standard-type cable, Y means PVC insulation and M means a sheathed cable; its code in Turkey is NVV. The -J at the end of the code indicates a construction with a green-yellow protective core, and -O one without. In the HES Kablo datasheet, cross-sections up to 6 mm² have solid conductors, and cross-sections of 10 mm² and above have stranded conductors; the maximum operating temperature is 70 °C.
Number of cores and core colors
- 2 cores: Blue and brown cores; it contains no protective conductor.
- 3 cores: In the green-yellow construction the cores are blue, brown and green-yellow. It is the cable for single-phase lighting and socket circuits that need a phase, neutral and protective conductor.
- 4 cores: In the construction without green-yellow the cores are blue, brown, black and gray. In the green-yellow construction, check the product datasheet to see which cores are present.
- 5 cores: In the green-yellow construction the cores are blue, brown, black, gray and green-yellow. It is used in three-phase supplies that carry three phases, a neutral and a protective conductor.
The colors are the sequences given in the HES technical information. If -J or -O is not stated in the product name, confirm the core colors from the product datasheet.
Cross-section selection
The cross-section is determined by the load current, the line length and the installation method. A cable installed inside a thermally insulated wall, in a conduit or trunking, or side by side with other circuits carries less current than a cable installed alone in the open; the value also drops as the ambient temperature rises. The cable current carrying capacity calculation tool gives a preliminary value for installation on surfaces and in conduit or trunking; for long lines, make a second check with the voltage drop calculation tool. The minimum cross-sections for lighting and socket circuits and the exact values are determined according to the project and the installation regulations in force.
NYM, NYY, NHXMH and TTR: which one where
- NYM: The place of use in the manufacturer's datasheet is flush-mounted and surface-mounted installation in all kinds of buildings and workplaces, including damp locations where there is no mechanical stress.
- NYY: NYY cables are in the 0.6/1 kV class; this is the type defined in the datasheet for underground installation and cable trunking.
- NHXMH: NHXMH cables are the halogen-free counterpart for the same installation job.
- TTR (H05VV-F): TTR cables look similar from the outside, but the conductor is finely stranded and it is a flexible cable for connecting portable devices. For permanent lines fixed to a wall, ceiling or trunking, NYM with rigid conductors is chosen.
Outer diameter for gland and trunking selection
The outer diameter of the cable determines the gland at the enclosure and junction box entry and the trunking size in surface-mounted installations. In the HES datasheet the approximate outer diameter is 9.2 mm for 3x1.5 mm², 10.5 mm for 3x2.5 mm² and 12.5 mm for 5x2.5 mm²; the values vary slightly by brand, so check the datasheet of the brand you buy. Cable glands are chosen according to the clamping range, and plastic cable trunking according to the inner dimensions.
Brands in this category
HES Kablo, Koç Kablo, Nexans, Prysmian, Win Kablo, Öznur Kablo and Ünal Kablo list the same NYM (NVV) cable in this category, in similar core counts and cross-sections. Cables are sold by the meter; each core count and cross-section is a separate product.
Comparison and selection table
| Selection Criterion | NYM (NVV — Sheathed Installation Cable) | H05VV-F (TTR — Flexible Cord) | NYY (0.6/1 kV Underground Power Cable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conductor Class | Class 1 (solid) or Class 2 (stranded rigid) copper | Class 5 (fine-stranded flexible) copper | Class 1 or Class 2 copper with heavy outer sheath |
| Voltage Rating | 300/500 V (grey PVC jacket with inner filler) | 300/500 V (flexible PVC jacket) | 0.6/1 kV (UV-resistant black PVC jacket) |
| Installation Route | Flush/surface wall runs, cable trays, dry or damp indoor rooms | Movable appliances, extension leads, pendant drops | Direct burial underground, outdoor ducts & main feeders |
| Key Restriction | Not rated for direct underground burial or direct UV sunlight | Not intended for fixed concealed plaster installation | Stiffer bend radius than NYM in small indoor junction boxes |
Frequently asked questions
Is antigron cable the same as NYM cable?
Yes. Antigron is the established market name of this cable in Turkey; NYM is the German standard code and NVV is the code in Turkey. In the manufacturer's datasheet the code is written together as NYM, CU/PVC/PVC, NVV. In the product names in this category all three appear side by side; for example NYM 3x2.5 mm² Antigron NVV Cable.
What is the difference between NYM-J and NYM-O?
The -J at the end shows that the cable has a green-yellow protective core, and -O shows that it does not. In the HES technical information the colors of the 3-core J type are blue, brown and green-yellow; the colors of the O type are gray, brown and black. The J type is used in circuits that need a protective conductor. If this suffix is not written in the product name, check the core colors on the product page or in the manufacturer's datasheet.
How many amperes does a 3x2.5 mm² antigron cable carry?
There is no single value; the result depends on the installation method, the ambient temperature and the other circuits on the same route. The HES datasheet gives 26 A for 3x2.5 mm² NYM and 18 A for 3x1.5 mm², but it does not state which installation condition these values apply to. In a thermally insulated wall, inside a conduit or when installed together with other cables, the current that can be carried decreases. The fuse rated current is taken from the project calculation, not from this value in the datasheet.
Can antigron cable be used underground?
The manufacturer's datasheet defines the place of use of NYM as flush-mounted and surface-mounted installation in buildings and workplaces; underground is not part of this definition. The type defined in the datasheets for installation underground and in cable trunking is NYY in the 0.6/1 kV class. For lines that pass underground, such as garden lighting or the supply of outbuildings, the cable type is selected in the project accordingly.
What is the difference between antigron cable and TTR cable?
Both are multicore cables with PVC insulation and PVC sheath; the difference is in the conductor and the intended use. The conductor of NYM is rigid and it is meant for fixed installation. TTR (H05VV-F) is a flexible cable with finely stranded conductors; it is used for connecting portable devices and extension cords. For permanent lines fixed to a wall, ceiling or trunking, NYM is chosen.