Cable Type Code and Letter Symbols Decoder
Look up the conductor, core insulation, screen, outer sheath and rated voltage meaning of VDE and harmonized HD 361 cable type designations.
Formula used
VDE: [N/NA][Y/2X][C][Y/H] [-J/-O] · HD 361: [H05/H07][V/R/N]-[U/R/K/F]
VDE and CENELEC HD 361 cable letter symbols table
Standard letter symbols used in German VDE (0250 / 0276 / 0812) and harmonized CENELEC HD 361 cable designations.
| Symbol | Standard family | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| N | VDE 0250 / 0276 | Standard cable according to VDE (copper conductor unless marked with A). |
| A | VDE 0276 | Aluminum conductor (when placed after N, e.g. NA2XH). |
| Y | VDE 0250 / 0276 | Thermoplastic PVC (polyvinyl chloride) core insulation or outer sheath. |
| 2X | VDE 0276 | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) core insulation (90 °C operating temperature). |
| H | VDE 0250 / 0276 | Halogen-free (LSZH / HFFR), low-smoke, zero-halogen compound. |
| C | VDE 0812 / 0250 | Copper screen against electromagnetic interference (tinned copper braid on control cables). |
| LI | VDE 0812 | Flexible stranded fine-wire copper conductor for electronics and control cables. |
| -J / -O | VDE / HD 308 | -J: with green-yellow protective conductor · -O: without green-yellow conductor. |
| H05 / H07 | CENELEC HD 361 | Harmonized (HAR) cable · H05: 300/500 V rated voltage · H07: 450/750 V rated voltage. |
| V / R / N | CENELEC HD 361 | V: PVC insulation/sheath · R: EPR rubber insulation · N: polychloroprene (neoprene) sheath. |
| -U / -R / -K / -F | CENELEC HD 361 | -U: solid (class 1) · -R: stranded (class 2) · -K: flexible fixed installation (class 5) · -F: flexible cord (class 5). |
| FE180 | IEC 60331 | Circuit integrity insulation maintaining insulation for 180 minutes under direct flame. |
Common power, installation and control cable types comparison
Decoded structure and typical field of use for widely specified low-voltage power, installation and control cables.
| Cable code | Rated voltage | Conductor | Insulation and sheath | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYY-J | 0.6/1 kV | Copper (class 1 or 2) | PVC core insulation, black PVC outer sheath | Underground, cable duct, outdoor and indoor power distribution. |
| NYY-O | 0.6/1 kV | Copper (class 1 or 2) | PVC core insulation, black PVC outer sheath | 0.6/1 kV power lines where a separate PE conductor is used or not required. |
| N2XH-J | 0.6/1 kV | Copper (class 1 or 2) | XLPE (2X) core insulation, halogen-free (H) outer sheath | Public buildings, hospitals, malls and industrial fixed power installations. |
| N2XH-O | 0.6/1 kV | Copper (class 1 or 2) | XLPE (2X) core insulation, halogen-free (H) outer sheath | Halogen-free 0.6/1 kV fixed power feeders without a green-yellow core. |
| N2XH FE180 | 0.6/1 kV | Copper (class 1 or 2) | Mica tape + XLPE insulation, halogen-free outer sheath (IEC 60331 FE180) | Emergency lighting, smoke extraction and fire alarm circuits requiring insulation integrity. |
| NA2XH-J | 0.6/1 kV | Aluminum (A, class 1 or 2) | XLPE (2X) core insulation, halogen-free (H) outer sheath | Large cross-section halogen-free main risers and distribution feeders. |
| NYM-J | 300/500 V | Copper (class 1 or 2) | PVC core insulation, filled grey PVC outer sheath | Flush, surface, dry or damp indoor fixed building installations (not for direct burial). |
| H07V-U (NYA) | 450/750 V | Solid copper conductor (class 1, -U) | PVC core insulation, unsheathed single core | Inside conduits in dry indoor locations and fixed internal wiring of distribution panels. |
| H07V-K (NYAF) | 450/750 V | Fine-wire flexible copper (class 5, -K) | PVC core insulation, unsheathed single core | Control and distribution panel internal wiring, ferruled terminal connections and trunking. |
| H05VV-F (TTR) | 300/500 V | Fine-wire flexible copper (class 5, -F) | PVC core insulation (V), flexible PVC outer sheath (V) | Household/office appliances, extension leads and flexible connections under light mechanical stress. |
| H07RN-F | 450/750 V | Fine-wire flexible copper (class 5, -F) | EPR rubber insulation (R), polychloroprene heavy-duty outer sheath (N) | Construction sites, workshops, mobile machines and heavy-duty oily or wet environments. |
| LIYY | 300/500 V | Stranded fine-wire flexible copper (LI) | PVC core insulation (Y), PVC outer sheath (Y), unscreened | Automation, signaling, data and control circuits without heavy electromagnetic interference. |
| LIYCY | 300/500 V | Stranded fine-wire flexible copper (LI) | PVC insulation (Y), tinned copper braided screen (C), PVC outer sheath (Y) | Drives, sensors, PLCs, encoders and analog/digital signals requiring EMI screening. |
Example: what does the cable code N2XH-J mean?
- N + 2X + H (0.6/1 kV): Copper (class 1 or 2), xlpe (2x) core insulation, halogen-free (h) outer sheath.
- Protective conductor: With green-yellow PE conductor (-J).
- Application: Public buildings, hospitals, malls and industrial fixed power installations.
What do -J and -O mean at the end of a cable code?
In VDE and HD 308 cable designations, -J indicates that the cable includes a green-yellow protective earth (PE) core, whereas -O indicates that the cable has no green-yellow core.
How are VDE and HD 361 cable codes read?
The letters in a cable designation specify in order the standard series, conductor material, core insulation, screen (if present), outer sheath and protective conductor.
Is the cable type code enough for final selection?
Once the cable family is chosen, the number of cores, cross-section (mm²), current capacity, voltage drop and fire performance (CPR / FE180) must be verified separately.