How to read a cable code: guides per coding system

How to read a BS7655 cable code

A BS7655 designation (UK) is a row of letter groups, and each group stands for one part of the cable: conductor, insulation, screen, armour, sheath, or the standard it follows. The decoder knows 15 symbols for this system. Below: real designations read step by step, then every symbol grouped by the part of the cable it describes.

Every symbol, by part of the cable

Insulation compound

SW4Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cable
GP4Ethylene-Propylene Rubber (EPR)
GP8Ordinary-Duty Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) Insulation, GP 8

Screen and braid

OOverall Screen
IIndividual Screen
IOIndividual And Overall Overall Screen

Tapes and water blocking

FRFire Resistant (For Duration Stated Next To This Symbol If Present)
-FRFire Resistant

Armour (wire and tape)

GBraiding Of Galvanised Steel Wires
LTS1Low Smoke Thermoplastic Sheath For Armoured Cables, LTS 1
LTS4Low Smoke Thermoplastic Sheath For Unarmoured Cables, LTS 4

Sheath compound

LTS2Low Smoke Thermoplastic Sheath For Flat Wiring Cables, LTS 2
LTS3Low Smoke Thermoplastic Sheath, General Purpose, LTS 3

Other

TInstrumentation Cable
TCUTinned Copper

Common questions

What does T mean in a BS7655 cable code?

T means Instrumentation Cable.

What does G mean in a BS7655 cable code?

G means Braiding Of Galvanised Steel Wires.

What does FR mean in a BS7655 cable code?

FR means Fire Resistant (For Duration Stated Next To This Symbol If Present).

What does -FR mean in a BS7655 cable code?

-FR means Fire Resistant.

What does SW4 mean in a BS7655 cable code?

SW4 means Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cable.

What does GP4 mean in a BS7655 cable code?

GP4 means Ethylene-Propylene Rubber (EPR).

Read by the deterministic decoder of this site from its symbol tables. Check the manufacturer's datasheet before you specify a cable.

All BS7655 symbols · Decode your own designation