| Full title | Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control (all parts) |
| Publisher | CENELEC, CLC/TC 46X (Communication cables), SC 46XC. Published in the UK by BSI as BS EN 50288 |
| Current edition | Part 1 (generic specification): EN 50288-1:2013, published as BS EN 50288-1:2013 on 28 February 2014. Other parts have their own dates |
| Status | BS EN 50288-1:2013 current. BS EN 50288-7:2005 under review |
| Related standards | EN 50289 series (test methods); EN 50290 series (design and construction); EN 50173 series; IEC 61156 series |
What it covers
EN 50288 is the CENELEC series for multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control. It covers twisted-pair and quad data cables for generic cabling, and instrumentation and control cables.
Part 1 is the generic specification. The other parts are sectional specifications, each read with Part 1. Test methods are in the EN 50289 series. Common design rules and materials are in the EN 50290 series.
Parts of the series
Part titles describe cables by screening, characterised frequency and use. They do not use category names. Parts ending -1 are for horizontal and building backbone cables. Parts ending -2 are for work area and patch cord cables.
| Part | Cable | Characterised up to | Use | BS EN edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-1 | Screened | 100 MHz | Horizontal and building backbone | 2013 |
| 2-2 | Screened | 100 MHz | Work area and patch cord | 2013 |
| 3-1 | Unscreened | 100 MHz | Horizontal and building backbone | 2013 |
| 3-2 | Unscreened | 100 MHz | Work area and patch cord | 2013 |
| 4-1 | Screened | 600 MHz | Horizontal and building backbone | 2013 |
| 4-2 | Screened | 600 MHz | Work area and patch cord | 2013 |
| 5-1 | Screened | 250 MHz | Horizontal and building backbone | 2013 |
| 5-2 | Screened | 250 MHz | Work area and patch cord | 2013 |
| 6-1 | Unscreened | 250 MHz | Horizontal and building backbone | 2013 |
| 6-2 | Unscreened | 250 MHz | Work area and patch cord | 2013 |
| 7 | Instrumentation and control cables | Not stated in title | Instrumentation and control | 2005 |
| 8 | Type 1 cables | 2 MHz | Not stated in title | EN 50288-8:2012 |
| 9-1 | Screened | 1 000 MHz | Horizontal and building backbone | 2012 |
| 9-2 | Screened | 1 to 1 000 MHz | Work area, patch cord and data centre | 2015 |
| 10-1 | Screened | 500 MHz | Horizontal floor and building backbone | 2012 |
| 10-2 | Screened | 1 to 500 MHz | Work area, patch cord and data centre | 2015 |
| 11-1 | Unscreened | 500 MHz | Horizontal and building backbone | 2012 |
| 11-2 | Unscreened | 1 to 500 MHz | Work area, patch cord and data centre | 2015 |
| 12-1 | Screened | 1 to 2 000 MHz | Horizontal and building backbone | 2017 |
The edition year is the year in the BS EN designation. For example, BS EN 50288-6-1:2013 was published by BSI on 28 February 2014.
Example requirements: Part 9-2 cords
EN 50288-9-2:2015 covers screened cables characterised from 1 MHz to 1 000 MHz for making cords for cabling to the EN 50173 series. It has two sets of requirements. The premises standards in the EN 50173 series reference the D1 requirements for cords in their reference implementations. The alternative D2 requirements may be used for other implementations, including direct connection of equipment in data centres.
| Requirement | EN 50288-9-2:2015 |
|---|---|
| Conductor | Solid or stranded annealed copper |
| Solid conductor nominal diameter | 0.40 mm to 0.80 mm |
| Stranded conductor | 7 wires, each 0.10 mm to 0.21 mm nominal |
| Conductor loop resistance | D1 ≤ 28.0 Ω/100 m; D2 ≤ 34.0 Ω/100 m |
| Resistance unbalance | Conductor ≤ 2 %; pair ≤ 4 % |
| Insulation resistance | ≥ 5 000 MΩ·km |
| Capacitance unbalance to earth | ≤ 1 200 pF/km |
| Delay skew | ≤ 25 ns/100 m, 4 MHz to 1 000 MHz |
| Attenuation at 100 MHz | D1 27.8 dB/100 m; D2 35.6 dB/100 m |
| Attenuation at 1 000 MHz | D1 98.0 dB/100 m; D2 135.3 dB/100 m |
| Braid coverage (mechanical) | ≥ 60 % braid alone; ≥ 30 % with foil |
Part 9-2 has an informative Annex A on maximum voltage, current and temperature for cables used for PoE. Its foreword says it covers the principal elements of the safety objectives of the Low Voltage Directive.
Example requirements: Part 12-1 at 2 000 MHz
| Requirement | EN 50288-12-1:2017 |
|---|---|
| Conductor | Solid plain copper, with or without metal coating |
| Nominal conductor diameter | 0.50 mm to 0.80 mm |
| Conductor loop resistance | ≤ 17 Ω/100 m (expected 13.4 Ω for 0.6 mm, 7.7 Ω for 0.8 mm) |
| Delay skew | ≤ 25 ns/100 m at 100 MHz |
| Attenuation | 18.5 dB/100 m at 100 MHz; 61.9 at 1 GHz; 90.5 at 2 GHz |
| High-frequency test length | 30 m where 100 m cannot be tested |
In Part 12-1, Annex A on PoE voltage, current and temperature ratings is normative but marked ‘for further study’.
Relationship to IEC 61156
IEC 61156 is the IEC series for symmetrical pair and quad cables for digital communications, prepared by IEC SC 46C. EN 50288 is prepared separately by CENELEC SC 46XC. EN 50288 parts are read with EN 50288-1 and the EN 50289 test methods. IEC 61156 parts are read with IEC 61156-1.
In the UK, some IEC 61156 parts are published as BS IEC documents, for example BS IEC 61156-9:2016 and BS IEC 61156-10:2016, rather than as BS EN standards. See the IEC 61156-5/-6 and IEC 61156-9/-10 pages.
What it means in practice
- A European cable datasheet may cite an EN 50288 part, an IEC 61156 part, or both. Check which part, and for cords whether D1 or D2 applies.
- Parts 9-2 and 12-1 state that copper clad conductors do not meet the requirements.
- Choose the part by screening, frequency and use (fixed cable or cord), as shown in the part title.
- Fire performance for the installation is chosen separately, for example a CPR class declared to EN 50575.
Related reading: Why CCA data cable fails · Solid vs stranded copper data cable.