How to read a cable code: guides per coding system · BIS type names (India) · India
BIS type names (India): how to read the cable type names
Each name in BIS type names (India) stands for a whole cable type: A2XY, for example, comes with its own construction, standard and rating. The decoder knows 18 types of this system. Below: how the names are built, every type with its rating, and the sources the table names.
How a name is built
The type table splits each name into parts and records what each part means. A few names taken apart:
A2XY
| A | Aluminium conductor |
| 2X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| Y | PVC outer sheath |
A2XY: aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V)
2XY
| 2X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| Y | PVC outer sheath |
2XY: copper conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V)
A2XFY
| A | Aluminium conductor |
| 2X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| F | Flat Galvanized Steel Wire (Strip) Armour |
| Y | PVC outer sheath |
A2XFY: aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, galvanised steel strip (formed wire) armour, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V)
2XWY
| 2X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| W | Round steel wire armour |
| Y | PVC outer sheath |
2XWY: copper conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V)
Every part used in the names
| Part | Meaning | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| Y | PVC outer sheath | AYFY AYWY YFY YWY A2XFY A2XWY 2XFY 2XWY A2XY 2XY |
| 2X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation | A2XFY A2XWY 2XFY 2XWY A2XY 2XY |
| A | Aluminium conductor | AYFY AYWY A2XFY A2XWY A2XY |
| Y | PVC insulation | AYFY AYWY YFY YWY |
| F | Flat Galvanized Steel Wire (Strip) Armour | AYFY YFY A2XFY 2XFY |
| W | Round steel wire armour | AYWY YWY A2XWY 2XWY |
| FR | Flame Retardant | FRLS FR WIRE |
| PVC | PVC insulation | FR WIRE IS 1554-2 |
| SC | Semiconducting Layer And Screen Over Each Core | HT XLPE IS 1554-2 |
| CU | Copper Tape Screen | HT XLPE IS 1554-2 |
| ARM | Armour | HT XLPE IS 1554-2 |
| PVC | PVC outer sheath | HT XLPE IS 1554-2 |
| LS | Low Smoke Low Halogen Pvc | FRLS |
| HFFR | Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant Compound | HFFR WIRE |
| FLEXIBLE | Flexible conductor (class 5) | MULTICORE FLEXIBLE |
| HT | High tension (HT) XLPE cable of IS 7098-2, for 3.3 kV up to 33 kV, each core screened | HT XLPE |
| XLPE | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation | HT XLPE |
Every type in BIS type names (India)
| Type | Description | Rating |
|---|---|---|
FRLS | FRLS / FR-LSH house wire: one copper conductor, flame-retardant PVC insulation with reduced smoke and acid gas emission | Up to and including 1100 V; -15 to +70 C (RR Kabel, Polycab) |
FR WIRE | FR house wire: one copper conductor, flame-retardant PVC insulation | 1100 V AC (Polycab ETIRA FR) |
HFFR WIRE | HFFR house wire: one flexible copper conductor, halogen-free flame-retardant insulation | Up to and including 1100 V; -15 to +70 C, 160 C short circuit (RR Kabel LS0H-FR) |
MULTICORE FLEXIBLE | Multicore flexible cable: class 5 copper cores in PVC under a PVC sheath, in the general purpose, FR or FR-LSH grade (IS 694 Tables 6, 7 and 9) | 1100 V (IS 694 Amendment No. 3, 2015) |
AYFY | AYFY: aluminium conductors, PVC insulation, inner sheath, galvanised steel strip (formed wire) armour, PVC outer sheath (IS 1554-1, up to 1100 V) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V to earth; 70 C (Type A PVC) or 85 C (Type C, marked HR 85), 160 C short circuit |
AYWY | AYWY: aluminium conductors, PVC insulation, inner sheath, galvanised round steel wire armour, PVC outer sheath (IS 1554-1, up to 1100 V) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V to earth; 70 C (Type A PVC) or 85 C (Type C, marked HR 85), 160 C short circuit |
YFY | YFY: copper conductors, PVC insulation, inner sheath, galvanised steel strip (formed wire) armour, PVC outer sheath (IS 1554-1, up to 1100 V) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V to earth; 70 C (Type A PVC) or 85 C (Type C, marked HR 85), 160 C short circuit |
YWY | YWY: copper conductors, PVC insulation, inner sheath, galvanised round steel wire armour, PVC outer sheath (IS 1554-1, up to 1100 V) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V to earth; 70 C (Type A PVC) or 85 C (Type C, marked HR 85), 160 C short circuit |
A2XFY | A2XFY: aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, galvanised steel strip (formed wire) armour, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit |
A2XWY | A2XWY: aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, galvanised round steel wire armour, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit |
2XFY | 2XFY: copper conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit |
2XWY | 2XWY: copper conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit |
A2XY | A2XY: aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit |
2XY | 2XY: copper conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit |
IS 1554-1 | IS 1554-1: PVC-insulated, PVC-sheathed power cable up to and including 1.1 kV (the letter name, AYFY or AYWY, says the metal and the armour) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V to earth; 70 C (Type A PVC) or 85 C (Type C, marked HR 85), 160 C short circuit |
IS 7098-1 | IS 7098-1: XLPE-insulated, PVC-sheathed power cable up to and including 1.1 kV (the letter name, A2XFY or A2XWY, says the metal and the armour) | Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit |
HT XLPE | HT XLPE: XLPE-insulated cable for 3.3 kV up to 33 kV, each core with a conductor screen, XLPE insulation, an insulation screen and copper tape; PVC fillers and inner sheath, steel round wire or flat strip armour, PVC outer sheath | Earthed 1.9/3.3, 3.8/6.6, 6.35/11, 12.7/22, 19/33 kV, unearthed 3.3/3.3 and 11/11 kV; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit (BIS catalogue); RR Kabel sells 6.35/11 kV (E) |
IS 1554-2 | HT PVC: PVC-insulated heavy duty cable for 3.3 kV up to 11 kV; at 6.35/11 kV each core with a conductor screen, PVC insulation, an insulation screen and a metallic screen; PVC fillers and inner sheath, steel round wire or formed wire (strip) armour, PVC outer sheath | 1.9/3.3, 3.3/3.3, 3.8/6.6 and 6.35/11 kV; 70 C normal, 160 C short circuit |
Common questions
What is A2XY cable?
A2XY: aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V). Rating: Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit. Standard: IS 7098 (Part 1):2025, cable code cl. 18.3. The name reads: A (Aluminium conductor) + 2X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + Y (PVC outer sheath).
What is 2XY cable?
2XY: copper conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V). Rating: Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit. Standard: IS 7098 (Part 1):2025, cable code cl. 18.3. The name reads: 2X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + Y (PVC outer sheath).
What is the difference between A2XY and 2XY?
A2XY: aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V), Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit. 2XY: copper conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V), Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit. The names differ in: A2XY: A (Aluminium conductor).
BIS type names (India): what does Y mean in a cable name?
Y has more than one meaning, depending on the type: PVC outer sheath (AYFY, AYWY, YFY, YWY +6); PVC insulation (AYFY, AYWY, YFY, YWY).
What is A2XFY cable?
A2XFY: aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, galvanised steel strip (formed wire) armour, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V). Rating: Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit. Standard: IS 7098 (Part 1):2025, cable code cl. 18.3. The name reads: A (Aluminium conductor) + 2X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + F (Flat Galvanized Steel Wire (Strip) Armour) + Y (PVC outer sheath).
What is 2XWY cable?
2XWY: copper conductors, XLPE insulation, inner sheath, unarmoured, PVC outer sheath (IS 7098-1, up to 1100 V). Rating: Up to and including 1100 V a.c.; d.c. up to and including 1500 V; 90 C normal, 250 C short circuit. Standard: IS 7098 (Part 1):2025, cable code cl. 18.3. The name reads: 2X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + W (Round steel wire armour) + Y (PVC outer sheath).
Sources the type table names
Standards named in the table
- IS 694:2010 (cable code cl. 13)
- insulation IS 5831
- conductor IS 8130
- flammability IEC 60332-1 (Polycab)
- IS 17048:2018 (cable code cl. 7)
- IS 694:2010 + Amd 3:2015, Tables 6, 7 and 9
- insulation and sheath IS 5831
- IS 1554 (Part 1):1988 (reaffirmed 2020), cable code cl. 17.3
- IS 7098 (Part 1):2025, cable code cl. 18.3
- IS 1554 (Part 1):1988 (reaffirmed 2020)
- IS 7098 (Part 1):2025
- IS 7098-2:2011
- IS 1554 (Part 2):1988 (reaffirmed 2020)
Documents and pages the readings were taken from
- rrkabel.com/products/rr-kabel-fr-lsh
- cms.polycab.com/media/l4roi0wr/ishw00110_ds_01.pdf
- IS 694:2010 (reaffirmed 2020) with Amendments 2 and 3, owner's BIS copy from https://www.standardsbis.in/ (docs/Standartlar & Hesaplamalar/IS India/694_2010_reff2020.pdf): cl. 13, 15.2(d), p. 6
- cms.polycab.com/media/cu3ane3m/isrl00483_ds_01.pdf
- rrkabel.com/products/ls0h-fr
- IS 17048:2018, owner's BIS copy from https://www.standardsbis.in/ (docs/Standartlar & Hesaplamalar/IS India/17048.pdf): cl. 1.1, 1.2, 7 (p. 5)
- kei-ind.com/cables-and-wires/single-and-multicore-flexibles
- IS 1554 (Part 1):1988 (reaffirmed 2020) with Amendments 1 to 5, owner's BIS copy from https://www.standardsbis.in/ (docs/Standartlar & Hesaplamalar/IS India/1554_1_1988_reff2020.pdf): cl. 1.1 to 1.3, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 10.1, 10.2, 12.3, 13.2, 17.2, 17.3 (p. 10); Amendment 1 cl. 17.2.2; Amendment 3 cl. 6.1(b)
- rrkabel.com
- rrkabel.com
- IS 7098 (Part 1):2025, owner's BIS copy from https://www.standardsbis.in/ (docs/Standartlar & Hesaplamalar/IS India/7098_1_2025.pdf): cl. 1.2, 1.4, 6.1, 8.1, 8.2, 11.1, 11.2, 13.3, 14.2, 18.2.1, 18.3 (p. 18)
- rrkabel.com/products/a2xfy-2xfy-a2xwy-2xwy-3-core
- rrkabel.com
- rrkabel.com/products/a2xy-2xy-3-5-core
- rrkabel.com/products/high-tension-power-cable-3-core
- services.bis.gov.in/php/BIS_2.0/bisconnect/knowyourstandards/Indian_sta…
- IS 1554 (Part 2):1988 (reaffirmed 2020) with Amendments 1 to 4, owner's BIS copy (docs/Standartlar & Hesaplamalar/IS India/1554_2_1988_reff2020.pdf): cl. 1.1, 1.2, 4.1, 7, 8.1, 10.1, 12, Table 1 p. 3
Taken from the type table of this site, with the sources named above. Check the manufacturer's datasheet before you specify a cable.
Every type in BIS type names (India) · Decode your own designation