How to read a cable code: guides per coding system · NBN type names (Belgium) · Belgium
NBN type names (Belgium): how to read the cable type names
Each name in NBN type names (Belgium) stands for a whole cable type: XFVB, for example, comes with its own construction, standard and rating. The decoder knows 6 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:
XFVB
| X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| F | Steel Tape Armour |
| V | PVC outer sheath |
| B | Belgium Type |
XFVB: Belgian 0,6/1 kV installation cable with steel tape armour, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a common covering, bare copper earthing wires under the steel tapes and a grey PVC outer sheath
XGB
| X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| G | LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compund) Outersheath |
| B | Belgium Type |
XGB: Belgian halogen-free 0,6/1 kV installation cable, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a halogen-free common covering and a green halogen-free outer sheath
XVB
| X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| V | PVC outer sheath |
| B | Belgium Type |
XVB: Belgian 0,6/1 kV installation cable for indoors and outdoors, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a common covering and a grey PVC outer sheath
EXVB
| E | Energy Cable |
| X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation |
| V | PVC outer sheath |
| B | Belgium Type |
EXVB: Belgian unarmoured 0,6/1 kV power cable for outdoor and underground use, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a PVC inner covering and a reinforced black PVC outer sheath
Every part used in the names
| Part | Meaning | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| B | Belgium Type | EXVB XVB XGB XFVB VTMB VTLB |
| X | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation | EXVB XVB XGB XFVB |
| V | PVC outer sheath | EXVB XVB XFVB |
| V | PVC insulation | VTMB VTLB |
| T | Transportable (Moving Installation, For Mobile Appliances) | VTMB VTLB |
| E | Energy Cable | EXVB |
| G | LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compund) Outersheath | XGB |
| F | Steel Tape Armour | XFVB |
| M | Medium Load / Insulation (500 V; 450/750 V In The 2011 Catalogue) | VTMB |
| L | Light Load / Insulation (300 V; 300/500 V In The 2011 Catalogue) | VTLB |
Every type in NBN type names (Belgium)
| Type | Description | Rating |
|---|---|---|
EXVB | EXVB: Belgian unarmoured 0,6/1 kV power cable for outdoor and underground use, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a PVC inner covering and a reinforced black PVC outer sheath | 0,6/1 kV, 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit 5 s |
XVB | XVB: Belgian 0,6/1 kV installation cable for indoors and outdoors, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a common covering and a grey PVC outer sheath | 0,6/1 kV, 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit 5 s |
XGB | XGB: Belgian halogen-free 0,6/1 kV installation cable, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a halogen-free common covering and a green halogen-free outer sheath | 0,6/1 kV, 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit 5 s |
XFVB | XFVB: Belgian 0,6/1 kV installation cable with steel tape armour, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a common covering, bare copper earthing wires under the steel tapes and a grey PVC outer sheath | 0,6/1 kV, 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit 5 s |
VTMB | VTMB: Belgian name of the flexible PVC cord H05VV-F, 300/500 V: fine-stranded copper cores in PVC insulation under a PVC sheath | 300/500 V |
VTLB | VTLB: Belgian name of the light flexible PVC cord H03VV-F, 300/300 V: fine-stranded copper cores in PVC insulation under a PVC sheath | 300/300 V |
Common questions
What is XFVB cable?
XFVB: Belgian 0,6/1 kV installation cable with steel tape armour, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a common covering, bare copper earthing wires under the steel tapes and a grey PVC outer sheath. Rating: 0,6/1 kV, 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit 5 s. Standard: NBN HD 604 Part 4 Section G (Standaardbestek 270), CEBEC. The name reads: X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + F (Steel Tape Armour) + V (PVC outer sheath) + B (Belgium Type).
What is XGB cable?
XGB: Belgian halogen-free 0,6/1 kV installation cable, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a halogen-free common covering and a green halogen-free outer sheath. Rating: 0,6/1 kV, 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit 5 s. Standard: NBN HD 604 Part 5 Section L (Standaardbestek 270; Nexans Belgium), CEBEC. The name reads: X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + G (LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compund) Outersheath) + B (Belgium Type).
What is the difference between XFVB and XVB?
XFVB: Belgian 0,6/1 kV installation cable with steel tape armour, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a common covering, bare copper earthing wires under the steel tapes and a grey PVC outer sheath, 0,6/1 kV, 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit 5 s. XVB: Belgian 0,6/1 kV installation cable for indoors and outdoors, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a common covering and a grey PVC outer sheath, 0,6/1 kV, 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit 5 s. The names differ in: XFVB: F (Steel Tape Armour).
NBN type names (Belgium): what does B mean in a cable name?
B means: Belgium Type. Used in EXVB, XVB, XGB, XFVB, VTMB, VTLB.
What is XVB cable?
XVB: Belgian 0,6/1 kV installation cable for indoors and outdoors, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a common covering and a grey PVC outer sheath. Rating: 0,6/1 kV, 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit 5 s. Standard: NBN HD 604 Part 4 Section G (Standaardbestek 270; Nexans Belgium; Kabelwerk Eupen), CEBEC. The name reads: X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + V (PVC outer sheath) + B (Belgium Type).
What is EXVB cable?
EXVB: Belgian unarmoured 0,6/1 kV power cable for outdoor and underground use, copper conductors in XLPE insulation, a PVC inner covering and a reinforced black PVC outer sheath. Rating: 0,6/1 kV, 90 C conductor, 250 C short circuit 5 s. Standard: NBN HD 603:2007 Part 5 Section A (Standaardbestek 270; Nexans Belgium), CEBEC. The name reads: E (Energy Cable) + X (Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation) + V (PVC outer sheath) + B (Belgium Type).
Sources the type table names
Standards named in the table
- NBN HD 603:2007 Part 5 Section A (Standaardbestek 270
- Nexans Belgium), CEBEC
- NBN HD 604 Part 4 Section G (Standaardbestek 270
- Nexans Belgium
- Kabelwerk Eupen), CEBEC
- NBN HD 604 Part 5 Section L (Standaardbestek 270
- NBN HD 604 Part 4 Section G (Standaardbestek 270), CEBEC
- HD 21.5 / NBN C 32-123 (H05VV-F, now EN 50525-2-11)
- HD 21.5 / NBN C 32-123 (H03VV-F, now EN 50525-2-11)
Documents and pages the readings were taken from
- wegenenverkeer.be/sites/default/files/uploads/documenten/Hoofdstuk46_Le…
- nexans.be/en/products/Energy-up-to-1kV/PVC/PVC-unarmoured-cables/EXVB-E…
- nexans.be/en/products/Energy-up-to-1kV/PVC/PVC-unarmoured-cables/EXVB-E…
- w3.cebeo.eu/images/kabelcatalogus/4_Cable_dinstallation.pdf
- nexans.be/en/products/Energy-up-to-1kV/PVC/PVC-unarmoured-cables/XVB-Cc…
- eupen.com/cable/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/EUPEN_XVB_Cca-s3d2a3_06-1kV_…
- nexans.be/en/products/Energy-up-to-1kV/Halogen-Free/Halogen-Free-unarmo…
- netstore.rexel.be/IBSSharedResources/PDF/CAB/VTLB VTLBp VTLmB VTMB.pdf
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 NBN type names (Belgium) · Decode your own designation