How to read a cable code: guides per coding system
How to read a Open Designation (BS/IEC) cable code
A Open Designation (BS/IEC) designation (UK / International) 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 90 symbols for this system. Below: real designations read step by step, then every symbol grouped by the part of the cable it describes.
Real designations, read step by step
CU/XLPE/DSTA
Designation people searched for on this site.
CU/XLPE/SWA/PVC
| CU | Copper Conductor |
| XLPE | Cross Linked Polyethelene (XLPE) |
| SWA | Round Steel Wire |
| PVC | Polyvynil Chloride (PVC) |
Designation people searched for on this site.
CU/XLPE/CBPT/PVC
| CU | Copper Conductor |
| XLPE | Cross Linked Polyethelene (XLPE) |
| CBPT | Copper Backed Polyester Tape |
| PVC | Polyvynil Chloride (PVC) |
Designation people searched for on this site.
CU/XLPE/SWB/PVC
| CU | Copper Conductor |
| XLPE | Cross Linked Polyethelene (XLPE) |
| SWB | Braiding Of Steel Wires |
| PVC | Polyvynil Chloride (PVC) |
Designation people searched for on this site.
AL/XLPE/PVC
Designation people searched for on this site.
Every symbol, by part of the cable
Conductor
Insulation compound
| PVC | Polyvynil Chloride (PVC) |
| NC | Polyvynil Chloride (PVC) / Nylon |
| XLPVC | Cross Linked PVC |
| PE | Polyethelene (PE) |
| HDPE | Polyethelene, High Density (HDPE) |
| XLPE | Cross Linked Polyethelene (XLPE) |
| XLPO | Cross Linked Polyolefin (XLPO) |
| LS | Low Smoke |
| XLHFFR | Low Smoke Cross Linked Compound |
| XLSZH | Low Smoke Cross Linked Compound |
| HFFR | Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compound |
| LSZH | Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compound |
| LS0H | Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compound |
| LSOH | Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compound |
| LSHF | Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compound |
| LSF | Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compound |
| SHF1 | Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compound (Thermoplastic) |
| SHF2 | Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compound (Elastomeric Or Thermosetting) |
| LSFR | Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compound |
| FRZH | Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compound |
| FRNC | Low Smoke Zero Halogen Compound |
| EPR | Ethylene-Propylene Rubber (EPR) |
| HEPR | Hard Grade Ethylene-Propylene Rubber (HEPR) |
| CR | Chloroprene Rubber |
| CSM | Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene (CSM) |
| CPE | Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) |
| PA | Polyamide (PA) |
| PVDF | Polyvinylidene Fluoride |
| NR | Natural Rubber |
| SIR | Silicone Rubber |
| FPE | Foam-Skin Polyethylene |
| PI | Paper Insulation |
| mXLPE | Fire Resistant Tape + Insulation (Halogen-Free) |
| LSLH | Low Smoke Low Halogen Compound |
| HIPK | Hi-Pack Protection (PE/AL-HDPE-PA) |
| TPE | Thermoplastic Rubber (TPE) |
Screen and braid
Tapes and water blocking
Armour (wire and tape)
| SWA | Round Steel Wire |
| GSWA | Round Steel Galvanized Wire |
| AWA | Round Aluminium Galvanized Wire |
| GSFA | Flat Galvanized Steel Wire |
| GSTA | Galvanizedsteel Tape Armour |
| STA | Steel Tape Armour |
| GSWB | Braiding Of Galvanised Steel Wires |
| SWB | Braiding Of Steel Wires |
| DSTA | Double Steel Tape Armour |
| CST | Corrugated Steel Tape |
| SFA | Flat Steel Wire Armour |
| SSWB | Braiding Of Stainless Steel Wires |
Metal sheath
| LC | Lead Sheath |
Sheath compound
| NYL | Nylon Jacket |
Other
| PTFE | Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE - Teflon) |
| PFA | Perfluoralkoxy (PFA) |
| FEP | Perfluor (Ethylene Propylene - FEP - Teflon) |
| ETFE | Ethylene-Tetrafluorethylene (ETFE) |
| PP | Polypropylene (PP) |
| EVA | Ethylene Vinylacetate (EVA) |
| PUR | Polyurethane (PUR) |
| PS | Polystyrene (PS) |
| TR | Tree Retardant |
| TCU | Tinned Copper |
| PSA | Polymeric Shock Absorbtion (PSA) - Air Bag |
| MDPE | Polyethelene, Medium Density (Mdpe) |
| LDPE | Polyethelene, Low Density (Ldpe) |
| HTE | Heat Resistant Elastomer |
| THPE | Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine |
Common questions
What does XLPE mean in a Open Designation (BS/IEC) cable code?
XLPE means Cross Linked Polyethelene (XLPE).
What does PVC mean in a Open Designation (BS/IEC) cable code?
PVC means Polyvynil Chloride (PVC).
What does CU mean in a Open Designation (BS/IEC) cable code?
CU means Copper Conductor.
What does AL mean in a Open Designation (BS/IEC) cable code?
AL means Aluminium Conductor.
What does CWS mean in a Open Designation (BS/IEC) cable code?
CWS means Concentric Copper Conductor.
What does SWA mean in a Open Designation (BS/IEC) cable code?
SWA means Round Steel Wire.
Read by the deterministic decoder of this site from its symbol tables. Check the manufacturer's datasheet before you specify a cable.
All Open Designation (BS/IEC) symbols · Decode your own designation