How to read a cable code: guides per coding system · HD 620 S3 section codes (CENELEC) · Europe (CENELEC HD 620 S3:2023, sections 10-A and 10-G)
HD 620 S3 section codes (CENELEC): how to read the cable type names
Each name in HD 620 S3 section codes (CENELEC) stands for a whole cable type: E-2XHC2Y, for example, comes with its own construction, standard and rating. The decoder knows 10 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:
E-2XHC2Y
| E- | E-: cable according to HD 620 S3 section 10-A (Table 5) |
| 2X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| H | H: semiconducting layer (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5) |
| C | C: copper screen (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5) |
| 2Y | Polyethylene (PE) Sheath |
E-2XHC2Y: medium-voltage cable, copper conductor, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, copper screen, PE sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A)
E-2XHCY
| E- | E-: cable according to HD 620 S3 section 10-A (Table 5) |
| 2X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| H | H: semiconducting layer (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5) |
| C | C: copper screen (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5) |
| Y | PVC sheath |
E-2XHCY: medium-voltage cable, copper conductor, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, copper screen, PVC sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A)
E-2XHCE2Y
| E- | E-: cable according to HD 620 S3 section 10-A (Table 5) |
| 2X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| H | H: semiconducting layer (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5) |
| CE | CE: copper screen on each core (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5) |
| 2Y | Polyethylene (PE) Sheath |
E-2XHCE2Y: medium-voltage cable, copper conductors, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, a copper screen on each core, PE sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A)
E-2XHCEY
| E- | E-: cable according to HD 620 S3 section 10-A (Table 5) |
| 2X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| H | H: semiconducting layer (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5) |
| CE | CE: copper screen on each core (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5) |
| Y | PVC sheath |
E-2XHCEY: medium-voltage cable, copper conductors, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, a copper screen on each core, PVC sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A)
Every part used in the names
| Part | Meaning | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| E- | E-: cable according to HD 620 S3 section 10-A (Table 5) | E-2XHC2Y E-2XHCY E-2XHCE2Y E-2XHCEY E-A2XHC2Y E-A2XHCY E-A2XHCE2Y E-A2XHCEY |
| 2X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation | E-2XHC2Y E-2XHCY E-2XHCE2Y E-2XHCEY E-A2XHC2Y E-A2XHCY E-A2XHCE2Y E-A2XHCEY |
| H | H: semiconducting layer (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5) | E-2XHC2Y E-2XHCY E-2XHCE2Y E-2XHCEY E-A2XHC2Y E-A2XHCY E-A2XHCE2Y E-A2XHCEY |
| C | C: copper screen (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5) | E-2XHC2Y E-2XHCY E-A2XHC2Y E-A2XHCY |
| 2Y | Polyethylene (PE) Sheath | E-2XHC2Y E-2XHCE2Y E-A2XHC2Y E-A2XHCE2Y |
| Y | PVC sheath | E-2XHCY E-2XHCEY E-A2XHCY E-A2XHCEY |
| CE | CE: copper screen on each core (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5) | E-2XHCE2Y E-2XHCEY E-A2XHCE2Y E-A2XHCEY |
| A | Aluminium conductor | E-A2XHC2Y E-A2XHCY E-A2XHCE2Y E-A2XHCEY |
| FR-N | French National Type In The HD 361 System (Not Harmonised) | FR-N20XA8V-AR FR-N20XA8E-AR |
| 20 | 20: the rated voltage U in kV; makers print FR-N20 on their 12/20 (24) kV cables and FR-N30 on the 18/30 (36) kV ones (HD 620 S3 10-G No. 12 does not explain it) | FR-N20XA8V-AR FR-N20XA8E-AR |
| X | Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) | FR-N20XA8V-AR FR-N20XA8E-AR |
| A8 | A8: metal foil screen on each core, applied lengthwise (HD 620 S3 10-G No. 6.1); in HD 361, A8 is an aluminium screen of each core | FR-N20XA8V-AR FR-N20XA8E-AR |
| -A | Aluminium Conductor | FR-N20XA8V-AR FR-N20XA8E-AR |
| R | Multi-Wire, Round-Section, Class 2 | FR-N20XA8V-AR FR-N20XA8E-AR |
| V | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) | FR-N20XA8V-AR |
| E | Polyethylene (PE) | FR-N20XA8E-AR |
Every type in HD 620 S3 section codes (CENELEC)
| Type | Description | Rating |
|---|---|---|
E-2XHC2Y | E-2XHC2Y: medium-voltage cable, copper conductor, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, copper screen, PE sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A) | 6/10, 12/20 and 18/30 kV single core, 6/10 kV three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s) |
E-2XHCY | E-2XHCY: medium-voltage cable, copper conductor, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, copper screen, PVC sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A) | 6/10, 12/20 and 18/30 kV single core, 6/10 kV three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s) |
E-2XHCE2Y | E-2XHCE2Y: medium-voltage cable, copper conductors, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, a copper screen on each core, PE sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A) | 6/10 kV, three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s) |
E-2XHCEY | E-2XHCEY: medium-voltage cable, copper conductors, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, a copper screen on each core, PVC sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A) | 6/10 kV, three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s) |
E-A2XHC2Y | E-A2XHC2Y: medium-voltage cable, aluminium conductor, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, copper screen, PE sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A) | 6/10, 12/20 and 18/30 kV single core, 6/10 kV three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s) |
E-A2XHCY | E-A2XHCY: medium-voltage cable, aluminium conductor, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, copper screen, PVC sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A) | 6/10, 12/20 and 18/30 kV single core, 6/10 kV three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s) |
E-A2XHCE2Y | E-A2XHCE2Y: medium-voltage cable, aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, a copper screen on each core, PE sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A) | 6/10 kV, three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s) |
E-A2XHCEY | E-A2XHCEY: medium-voltage cable, aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, a copper screen on each core, PVC sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A) | 6/10 kV, three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s) |
FR-N20XA8V-AR | FR-N20XA8V-AR: French medium-voltage cable of HD 620 S3 section 10-G, aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, a metal foil screen and a PVC sheath on each core, three cores laid up | 6/10 (12), 8,7/15 (17,5), 12/20 (24) and 18/30 (36) kV; 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s) (HD 620 S3 10-G 1) |
FR-N20XA8E-AR | FR-N20XA8E-AR: French medium-voltage cable of HD 620 S3 section 10-G, aluminium conductors, XLPE insulation, a metal foil screen and a PE sheath on each core, three cores laid up | 6/10 (12), 8,7/15 (17,5), 12/20 (24) and 18/30 (36) kV; 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s) (HD 620 S3 10-G 1) |
Common questions
What is E-2XHC2Y cable?
E-2XHC2Y: medium-voltage cable, copper conductor, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, copper screen, PE sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A). Rating: 6/10, 12/20 and 18/30 kV single core, 6/10 kV three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s). Standard: HD 620 S3:2023 section 10-A, Table 5 type designations (p. 10-A-31) and Tables 6 and 7 (pp. 10-A-32, 10-A-33); XLPE DIX 8, sheath PVC DMV 6 or PE DMP 2 (1, p. 10-A-3). seen: standard. The name reads: E- (E-: cable according to HD 620 S3 section 10-A (Table 5)) + 2X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + H (H: semiconducting layer (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5)) + C (C: copper screen (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5)) + 2Y (Polyethylene (PE) Sheath).
What is E-2XHCY cable?
E-2XHCY: medium-voltage cable, copper conductor, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, copper screen, PVC sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A). Rating: 6/10, 12/20 and 18/30 kV single core, 6/10 kV three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s). Standard: HD 620 S3:2023 section 10-A, Table 5 type designations (p. 10-A-31) and Tables 6 and 7 (pp. 10-A-32, 10-A-33); XLPE DIX 8, sheath PVC DMV 6 or PE DMP 2 (1, p. 10-A-3). seen: standard. The name reads: E- (E-: cable according to HD 620 S3 section 10-A (Table 5)) + 2X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + H (H: semiconducting layer (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5)) + C (C: copper screen (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5)) + Y (PVC sheath).
What is the difference between E-2XHC2Y and E-2XHCY?
E-2XHC2Y: medium-voltage cable, copper conductor, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, copper screen, PE sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A), 6/10, 12/20 and 18/30 kV single core, 6/10 kV three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s). E-2XHCY: medium-voltage cable, copper conductor, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, copper screen, PVC sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A), 6/10, 12/20 and 18/30 kV single core, 6/10 kV three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s). The names differ in: E-2XHC2Y: 2Y (Polyethylene (PE) Sheath); E-2XHCY: Y (PVC sheath).
HD 620 S3 section codes (CENELEC): what does E- mean in a cable name?
E- means: E-: cable according to HD 620 S3 section 10-A (Table 5). Used in E-2XHC2Y, E-2XHCY, E-2XHCE2Y, E-2XHCEY, E-A2XHC2Y, E-A2XHCY, E-A2XHCE2Y, E-A2XHCEY.
What is E-2XHCE2Y cable?
E-2XHCE2Y: medium-voltage cable, copper conductors, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, a copper screen on each core, PE sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A). Rating: 6/10 kV, three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s). Standard: HD 620 S3:2023 section 10-A, Table 5 type designations (p. 10-A-31) and Table 9, three-core 6/10 kV (p. 10-A-35); XLPE DIX 8, sheath PVC DMV 6 or PE DMP 2 (1, p. 10-A-3). seen: standard. The name reads: E- (E-: cable according to HD 620 S3 section 10-A (Table 5)) + 2X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + H (H: semiconducting layer (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5)) + CE (CE: copper screen on each core (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5)) + 2Y (Polyethylene (PE) Sheath).
What is E-2XHCEY cable?
E-2XHCEY: medium-voltage cable, copper conductors, XLPE insulation, semiconducting layers, a copper screen on each core, PVC sheath (HD 620 S3 10-A). Rating: 6/10 kV, three-core (HD 620 S3 10-A 1 (b)); 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit (5 s). Standard: HD 620 S3:2023 section 10-A, Table 5 type designations (p. 10-A-31) and Table 9, three-core 6/10 kV (p. 10-A-35); XLPE DIX 8, sheath PVC DMV 6 or PE DMP 2 (1, p. 10-A-3). seen: standard. The name reads: E- (E-: cable according to HD 620 S3 section 10-A (Table 5)) + 2X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + H (H: semiconducting layer (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5)) + CE (CE: copper screen on each core (HD 620 S3 10-A Table 5)) + Y (PVC sheath).
Sources the type table names
Standards named in the table
- HD 620 S3:2023 section 10-A, Table 5 type designations (p. 10-A-31) and Tables 6 and 7 (pp. 10-A-32, 10-A-33)
- XLPE DIX 8, sheath PVC DMV 6 or PE DMP 2 (1, p. 10-A-3). seen: standard
- HD 620 S3:2023 section 10-A, Table 5 type designations (p. 10-A-31) and Table 9, three-core 6/10 kV (p. 10-A-35)
- HD 620 S3:2023 section 10-G, No. 12 code designation (provisional, after HD 361), p. 10-G-8 (the pages print "HD 620 S2:2023", sic)
- XLPE DIX 10, sheath PVC DMV 27 (1, p. 10-G-4). HD 361 letters as the decoder's HAR table holds them (HD 361 not read)
- XLPE DIX 10, sheath PE DMP 18 (1, p. 10-G-4). HD 361 letters as the decoder's HAR table holds them (HD 361 not read)
Documents and pages the readings were taken from
- HD 620 S3:2023 10-A Table 5, p. 10-A-31; Tables 7 and 9, pp. 10-A-33, 10-A-35; scope 1, p. 10-A-3
- HD 620 S3:2023 10-G No. 1, 6, 12, pp. 10-G-4, 10-G-6, 10-G-8
- nexans.fr/en/products/Power-Infrastructure/Medium-Voltage-power-distrib…
- nexans.fr/en/products/Power-Infrastructure/Medium-Voltage-power-distrib…
- topcable.com/fr/cable/x-volt-fr-n20xa8e-ar-12-20-kv
- elandcables.com/cables/fr-n20xa8e-r-and-fr-n20xa8e-ar-nfc-33-226-cables
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 HD 620 S3 section codes (CENELEC) · Decode your own designation