24/02/2021

Abbreviations and designation of electrical cables

How to read the abbreviations of electrical cables and fields of application.

The abbreviations of electrical cables provide a lot of information on the construction and on some of the main characteristics of the component, such as, the insulation voltage, flexibility, the type of sheath, shielding and many other useful recognition elements. The abbreviations and designation of the harmonized power cords up to 450 / 750V are defined by the CEI 20-27 standard.

Types of electrical cables

The world of electrical cables is more complex and varied than one might think.

Esistono moltissime tipologie di cavo , ognuno particolarmente adatto ad un utilizzo o ambiente. Di seguito trovate una tabella con i gruppi di designazione e il relativo simbolo. Più avanti vedremo invece l’applicazione in pratica delle tipologie di cavo più utilizzate in commercio.

There are many types of cable, each one particularly suitable for a use or environment. Below you will find a table with the designation groups and their symbol. Later we will see the practical application of the most commonly used types of cable on the market.

	Designazione	Denominazione	Simbolo
1.	Specification reference	Cable according to harmonized specification. Recognized national type of cable	H A
2.	Rated voltage	Uo/U = 300/300V Uo/U = 300/500V Uo/U = 450/750V	03 05 07
3.	Insulation materials	Ordinary polyvinyl-chloride Natural rubber	V R
4.	Sheath materials	Ordinary polyvinyl-chloride Natural rubber Polychloroprene (neoprene) Textile braid	V R N T
5.	Special constructions and shapes	Flat construction of divisible cables Flat construction of non divisible cables	H H2
6.	Type of conductor	Flexible conductor High flexible conductor Tinsel conductor	F H Y
7.	number of cores
8.	Multiplying symbol	With green/yellow wire Without green/yellow wire	G X
9.	Nominal cross section conductor

Instead, here is the designation of the UL cables

sigle cavi elettrici ul designazione

Fields of use of the various types of electrical cables

Once we have seen the various elements and acronyms that identify a cable, let’s see some examples of use.

Type of cable: H03VV-F / H05VV-F / H05VV5-F / H03VVH2-F / H05VVH2-F

Conditions of use: Installation in domestic rooms, kitchens, offices and powering light portable appliances. Not suitable for outdoor use, in industrial or agricultural workshops and for non-domestic portable tools. The H05VV-F cables are suitable for domestic appliances even in humid environments and for cooking and heating appliances as long as they are not in contact with hot parts or subject to thermal radiation.Once we have seen the various elements and acronyms that identify a cable, let’s see some examples of use.

Type of cable: H03V2V2-F / H05V2V2-F / H03V2V2H2-F / H05V2V2H2-F

Conditions of use: For the connection of devices in which the cable is operated at high temperatures; not suitable for use outdoors, in industrial or agricultural workshops and for non-domestic portable tools.