| Full title | Method of test for resistance to fire of unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits |
| Publisher | CENELEC (CLC/TC 20, Electric cables); published in the UK by BSI |
| Current edition | BS EN 50200:2015, published 31 December 2015, identical to EN 50200:2015 |
| Status | Current. Confirmed after CENELEC systematic review (review enquiry from 1 October 2025; stage: decision to confirm) |
| Supersedes | EN 50200:2006 |
| Related standards | EN 13501-3, BS 8434-2, BS 8491, IEC 60331 series |
What it covers
EN 50200 specifies a test method for cables designed to have intrinsic resistance to fire, for use as emergency circuits for alarm, lighting and communication purposes.
It applies to cables of rated voltage up to 600 V/1 000 V, including cables rated below 80 V and optical fibre cables. The method is limited to cables with an overall diameter not exceeding 20 mm.
Detailed procedures are given for electric power and control cables. Details for copper data and telecom cables and for optical cables are given in the relevant standards of CLC/TC 46X and CLC/TC 86A, which refer back to EN 50200 for the basic test method.
When the test is used in support of EN 13501-3, it only applies to cables of less than 20 mm diameter and, for metallic conductor cables, to conductor sizes up to and including 2.5 mm².
The test set-up
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Sample | At least 1 200 mm of cable, bent into an approximate U shape at the manufacturer’s declared minimum bending radius |
| Mounting | Fixed with earthed copper P clips to a non-combustible board (900 ± 100) mm long, (300 ± 50) mm high, (10 ± 2) mm thick; wall mass (10 ± 0.5) kg on rubber bushes |
| Burner | Horizontal ribbon propane burner, nominal face 500 mm long and 10 mm wide, (40 ± 2) mm from the wall |
| Fuel | Propane (160 ± 6) mg/s, controlled by mass flow meters or controllers |
| Verification | Mean thermocouple reading over 10 min within 830 °C +40/0 °C; the two thermocouples within 40 °C of each other |
| Shock | Mild steel bar 25 mm diameter, 600 mm long, pivoted and dropped from 60° to strike the top support of the wall |
| Circuit | Conductors energised through 2 A fuses (IEC 60269-3, type DII) or an equivalent circuit breaker; load and indicator (for example a lamp) on each conductor or group of conductors |
| Environment | Draught-free chamber of at least 20 m³, at (25 ± 15) °C at the start |
The scope describes the flame as a constant temperature attack of a notional 842 °C. The European foreword describes it as a minimum test temperature of 830 °C, with the cable tested in a representative installed condition at minimum bending radius.
Classification
EN 50200 records how long the cable keeps its circuit working. Classification using these results is made under EN 13501-3, and Annex D of EN 50200 gives information on it. The table of classes for construction products in the services category lists:
| Product | Standards | Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Small diameter power or signal cables (< 20 mm, conductors ≤ 2.5 mm²) | EN 13501-3, EN 50200 | PH 15, PH 30, PH 60, PH 90, PH 120 |
| Electrical and fibre-optic cables and accessories, conduits and fire protective systems for cables | EN 13501-3 | P 15, P 30, P 60, P 90, P 120 |
The number is the classification period in minutes, as defined in EN 13501-3. The test meets Mandate M/117 for the PH classification. Annex B sets the field of direct application and rules for extended application of test results (EXAP).
Annex E water spray and BS 8434-2
Annex E is informative. It gives a means of applying a water spray to the cable during the test. It is not required for PH classification under Mandate M/117. The standard notes that such a requirement may be a feature of particular product standards.
BS 8434-2:2003+A2:2009 modifies the BS EN 50200 test to use a flame temperature of 930 °C (+40/0 °C) and to apply a water spray. Its scope states that compliance with BS 5839-1:2002, 26.2e) may be demonstrated using this method.
How it relates to other standards
| Standard | Relationship |
|---|---|
| BS 8491:2008 | UK method for large power cables, overall diameter above 20 mm, for smoke and heat control and certain other active fire safety systems |
| IEC 60331-2 | IEC flame and shock test (at least 830 °C) for cables up to 20 mm. A separate test with its own apparatus and procedure |
| EN 13501-6 | Reaction to fire classes (Aca to Fca). EN 50200 is about resistance to fire, which is a separate property |
The 2015 edition removed the detailed procedures for metallic data and optical fibre cables, which moved to the CLC/TC 46X and CLC/TC 86A standards. It also replaced the old Annex D with the new Annex B (field of application and EXAP) and Annex D (classification).
What it means in practice
- A PH class only applies to cables up to 20 mm diameter. Larger power cables are assessed differently, for example to BS 8491.
- Where a specification calls for a water spray test, check whether it means BS EN 50200 Annex E or BS 8434-2.
- The result is valid for the clips used in the test. If alternative clips were agreed for multicore cable, the result only applies when the cable is installed with those clips.
- A PH class is about resistance to fire only. Check the CPR reaction to fire class separately.
Related reading: What is LSZH cable and when do you need it?.