Power Cable Standards | Cable Accessories Standards | LV MV HV

Cable Standards | Power Cable Standards Cross Section

Cable Standards | Power Cable Standards Cross Section


Cable Standards | British, European & International

Thorne & Derrick’s extensive range of high-quality Power Cables & Cable Accessories, operating at LV MV HV rated voltages of 6.6kV, 11kV, 33kV, 66kV, are in accordance with a range of varied Power Cable Standards on an international scale, including British Standards, IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) Standards, DIN VDE (Verband der Elektrotechnik) Standards & more.

Power Cable Standards are commonly used across many of our product ranges, such HV Cable Joints, Terminations & Connectors, Electrical Safety Equipment, Cable Cleats, Clamps & Hangers, Arc Flash Clothing, Cable Cutting & Cable Crimping Tools and Cable Lugs & Connectors.


Power Cable Standards Selection Guide

The following table includes an extensive list, with a complete selection of Power Cable Standards and a brief overview for each standard, ultimately aiding selection of power cable and cable accessories in accordance with ideal standards:

Power Cable Standards Selection Guide
BS (British Standards) BS4737 Cable Standards Specifies the requirements for cables used in security and alarm systems (burglar alarms, intercoms & detectors).
BS5266 Cable Standards Guidelines for emergency lighting systems in the UK. A legal standard to be followed by workplaces, schools & public buildings.
BS5308 Cable Standards Covers the requirements for PE insulated & PVC insulated instrumentation cables, used in applications such as, oil & gas or water treatment.
BS5467 Cable Standards Specifies the requirements for low voltage XLPE thermosetting insulated armoured cables.
BS5839-1 Cable Standards Guidelines for design, installation, and maintenance of fire alarm systems, emergency lighting & smoke control in non-domestic buildings.
BS6004 Cable Standards Specifies the requirements for insulated and sheathed with PVC, LV electrical cables up to 300V/500V, used for lighting and power.
BS6195 Cable Standards Covering the requirements for insulated flexible cables and cords, which are typically referred to as coil end leads.
BS6231 Cable Standards Standards for single-core Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) insulated flexible cables 600V/1000V, designed for use in switchgear and panel building.
BS638 Part 4 Cable Standards Covers single-core flexible cables which carry the welding current in metal air welding circuits, from the welding power source to the electrode holder.
BS6387 Cable Standards Specifies how cables should perform when exposed to fire, water, and mechanical shock, aiding selection for specific applications.
BS6500 Cable Standards Standards for flexible cords with rated operating voltages up to 300V/500V for domestic and office appliances & equipment.
BS6622 Cable Standards Specifications and test requirements for armour cables, designed for use in fixed installations, such as networks and industrial installations.
BS6708 Cable Standards Requirements for flexible trailing cables (or quarry/auxiliary cables) to be used in mining operations and quarries.
BS6724 Cable Standards Specifies requirements for the construction and performance of thermosetting insulated, armour cables 600V/1000V and 1900V/3300V.
BS6883 Cable Standards Covers the specifications for the shipboard fixed wiring of lighting, power, control, instrumentation and propulsion circuits 8.7kV/15kV.
BS7211 Cable Standards Standards for British power and lighting cables which have a low emission of smoke and corrosive gas properties.
BS7629-1 Cable Standards Specifies the requirements for fire-resistance cables used in fire alarm and emergency lighting systems.
BS7835 Cable Standards Requirements for single-core and and three-core armoured cables with thermosetting insulation, rated voltages of 3.8kV/6.6kV to 19kV/33kV
BS7846 Cable Standards Requirements for thermosetting insulated, armoured, fire-resistance cables between 600V/1000V with low emission of smoke and corrosive gases.
BS7870 Part 3 Cable Standards Covers low voltage polymeric insulated cables used for the provision of an electricity supply from a distribution main.
BS7870-4.10 Cable Standards Covers copper and aluminium medium voltage cables for the foundation of electricity supply from a distribution main.
BS7917 Cable Standards Specifies a range of cable types used in fixed wiring applications offshore and on ships where additional fire resistance properties are required.
BS7919 Cable Standards Standards designed for ordinary duty applications with voltages of 300V/500V and heavy duty installations with voltages of 450V/750V.
BS8436 Cable Standards Standards for screened electrical cables that used in walls, partitions and building voids. Designed to emit low levels of smoke and corrosive gases.
BS8519 Cable Standards Guidelines on the selection and installation of fire-resistant power and control cables, used for life safety, fire-fighting and other critical applications.
EN Standards (European Standards) EN 50288-7 Cable Standards Standards for metallic cables used in communication and control systems. Creating cable connection to electrical instruments and control systems.
EN 50525 Cable Standards Specifies the general requirements for low voltage energy cables used in domestic and industrial power installations.
DIN VDE Standards (Verband der Elektrotechnik) DIN VDE 0250 Cable Standards Standards for cables, wires, and flexible cords used in power installations, used for flexible reeling cables with tough rubber sheathing.
DIN VDE 0266 Cable Standards Standards for halogen-free power cables that have improved fire performance, used in fixed installations, such as fire alarms and lighting escape routes.
DIN VDE 0274 Cable Standards Requirements for cables used in overhead transmission lines, covering XLPE insulated conductors with a rated voltage of 0.6kV/1kV.
DIN VDE 0276 Cable Standards Standards for power cables with extruded insulation, covering cable construction, test methods and safety.
DIN VDE 0472 Cable Standards  Covers the testing of cables, wires and flexible cords for fire-resistance, traction relief, shore hardness and outer dimensions.
DIN VDE 0812 Cable Standards Specifications for equipment wires and cables used in data processing telecommunications systems.
DIN VDE 0815 Cable Standards Specifies wiring cables for data processing and telecommunications systems in residential settings.
IEC Standards (International Electrotechnical Commission) IEC 60228 Cable Standards Requirements for conductors in insulated electric cables and cords. Covering cross-sectional areas, wire sizes, and resistance values for conductors.
IEC 60502 Cable Standards Specifies the construction, dimensions, and testing requirements for power cables. Covers extruded solid insulation cables 1kV and 3kV.
IEC 60092 Cable Standards Covers insulating and sheathing materials used in shipboard, fixed and mobile offshore unit power, control, instrumentation and telecommunication cables.
IEC 60840 Cable Standards Specifies cables used for fixed installations and primary power distribution with rated voltages of 30kV – 150kV.
IEC 61158 Cable Standards Standards for digital data communications in industrial computer networks, used for connection automation and process control systems.
IEC 62026-3 Cable Standards Standards covering low voltage switchgear and control gear and control-device interfaces for DeviceNet and Fieldbus cables.

BS Standards | British Standard Cable

BS Standards (British Power Cable Standards) for LV MV HV power cables and cable accessories are technical specifications developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) to ensure the safety, reliability, and performance of electrical cables in the UK. These standards cover critical factors such as fire performance, mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and energy efficiency, providing a comprehensive framework for cable design, construction, and use.

Manufacturers demonstrate compliance with BS Standards by marking their cables with the BS symbol, indicating that the cables meet the required specifications. While adherence to these standards is often voluntary, it is highly recommended to minimize risks and ensure cables perform as expected. For example, BS 7671, the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, offers detailed guidelines for the safe design and installation of low-voltage electrical systems.

BS Standards also include specific naming and coding systems for cables, allowing clear identification and categorization based on their properties. Notable examples include BS 6883 for cables used in ships and offshore units, BS 7629 for fire-resistant cables, and BS 7846 for cables with special fire resistance characteristics.


DIN VDE Standards | DIN VDE Standard Cable

DIN VDE Standards (Power Cable Standards) are technical guidelines established for the design, construction, and safety of LV MV HV power cables, cable accessories and wiring systems, developed jointly by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) and the Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE). These standards ensure that electrical components meet strict safety, performance, and quality criteria, facilitating reliable and efficient use in various applications.

The DIN VDE Standards are created through collaboration between industry experts and are published under the German Commission for Electrical, Electronic, and Information Technologies (DKE). DIN VDE Standards cover a wide range of areas, including electrical safety, mechanical strength, and environmental factors, aiming to ensure that electrical systems operate safely and effectively across diverse industries. Examples of DIN VDE Standards include, DIN VDE 0250 requirements for flexible cords used in power installations, such as flexible reeling cables and tough rubber sheathing, and DIN VDE 0472, which covers the testing of cables wires and flexible cords for fire-resistance, traction relief, shore hardness and outer dimensions.

DIN VDE Standards provide essential guidelines for the safe and reliable design and use of electrical cables and systems, promoting consistency, innovation, and safety within the electrical sector in Germany and internationally.


IEC Standards | IEC Standard Cable

IEC Standards (Power Cable Standards) are internationally recognized technical guidelines established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to ensure the safety, reliability, and interoperability of electrical LV MV HV power cables, accessories and electronic devices and systems. These standards play a crucial role for technical requirements across borders, making sure that products meet high-quality benchmarks, are compatible with one another, and adhere to regulatory requirements. The scope of IEC Standards is broad, including a wide variety of technologies, from power generation, transmission, and distribution, to semiconductors, fibre optics, and renewable energy sources like solar and marine energy.

The development of IEC standards involves a collaborative process where experts from various countries contribute to creating universally applicable guidelines. Some standards are developed jointly with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to further ensure consistency across industries and regions. These standards are adopted by countries around the world and often become national or regional benchmarks. In many cases, compliance with IEC Standards is used to certify that equipment, systems, or components meet internationally recognized safety and performance criteria.

Examples of IEC Standards include widely known ratings like IP (Ingress Protection) ratings for dust and water resistance, as well as electrical ratings for voltage and current. Ultimately, IEC Standards foster global consistency, enabling safe, efficient, and interoperable technologies in a wide range of industries.