Project requirements · Environment
UV and sunlight resistance
The outer sheath keeps its mechanical properties after long exposure to sunlight outdoors.
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Constructions that meet it
- UV-stable (carbon black): changes no layer: a property of the sheath compound. Black sheath with dispersed carbon black (PE: about 2.5 %) (black PE (or PVC) with carbon black). Drawbacks: Cheapest; forces black colour.
- UV-stable (UV stabiliser in the compound): changes no layer: a property of the sheath compound. UV stabiliser package in a coloured or halogen-free sheath compound (sheath compound + UV stabiliser). Drawbacks: Needs a test to prove it; some colours fade (Lapp allows colour change).
- Hard polyamide (nylon) jacket over the sheath: changes the cable's layers. UV-stabilised nylon jacket over the sheath (PA, UV stabilised). Drawbacks: When a nylon jacket is there anyway (termite).
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Tests
- EN 50289-4-17:2015: UV resistance of sheaths: xenon arc, fluorescent lamp or mercury vapour lamp. Pass: set by the product standard; exempt when UV resistance comes from 2.5 % carbon black dispersed per EN 50290-2-24
- EN 50618 Annex E (PV cables): 720 h (360 cycles), UV light per EN 50289-4-17 method A. Pass: tensile strength and elongation at break after ageing (limits not found in the maker sheet)
- UL 1581 section 1200: 720 h carbon-arc or xenon-arc exposure. Pass: 80 % retention of tensile strength and elongation
- EN ISO 4892-2 method A: xenon arc weathering. Pass: maker's ('change of colour allowed', Lapp)
- HD 605 S2 / VDE 0276-605: weathering test cited by Lapp ÖLFLEX ROBUST 200. Pass: not found
- IEC 60502-2:2014 clause 19.17: carbon black content of black PE oversheaths (IEC 60811-605). Pass: not read (clause listed in the contents)
- ISO 4892-3: fluorescent UV, cited for UV and ozone by Draka NEK 606 cables. Pass: not found
In the base standard for some designs: IEC 60502-2:2014 clause 19.17, carbon black content of black PE oversheaths (IEC 60811-605).
How specifications state it
Usually 'UV resistant' or 'sunlight resistant' with one of the tests above; black PE with carbon black is often accepted without a test.
Where it is asked for
- PV plants
- cable trays outdoors
- aerial and facade runs
- offshore topsides
- North American tray cable marked 'Sunlight Resistant'
Sources
- DIN EN 50289-4-17:2016-05 listing (methods; carbon black exemption) (quoted by others)
- Lapp H1Z2Z2-K datasheet (EN 50618 Annex E; 720 h, 360 cycles, EN 50289-4-17 method A in the German sheet) (maker's catalogue)
- Intertek UL Subject 1680 programme; IAEI Magazine 'Sunlight resistant requirement' (720 h, 80 % retention) (quoted by others)
- Lapp ÖLFLEX ROBUST FD datasheet DB0026501EN (EN ISO 4892-2 method A) (maker's catalogue)
- Lapp ÖLFLEX ROBUST 200 datasheet DB0021800 (HD 605 S2), as quoted in search results (quoted by others)
- IEC 60502-2:2014 Ed.3 preview, contents (19.17 carbon black content of black PE oversheaths) (read in the standard)
- Draka (Prysmian) BFOU M / RFOU M datasheets in Semco Maritime 'Power Cables 2026', p.3 (ISO 4892 part 3 UV and ozone) (maker's catalogue)
- Helukabel HY-CARBO LEAD GSTA datasheet (UV and sunlight resistant acc. to UL 1581 sect. 1200) (maker's catalogue)