In today's complex industrial and electrical fields, cables, as the key carriers for power and signal transmission, are of utmost importance in terms of performance and quality. The EN 50288 - 7 standard cables have emerged to play an indispensable role in numerous industries with their outstanding characteristics and wide - ranging applicability.
I. Standard Overview
EN 50288-7 is a European standard specifically formulated for instrumentation cables. In the UK, it is also known as BS EN 50288-7. This standard has replaced the once - commonly used BS 5308 standard. Although the latter is still mentioned and some enterprises still produce and maintain inventory according to it, especially the low - smoke zero - halogen (LSZH) variants, EN 50288-7 is gradually becoming the industry mainstream. Compared with the old standard, it has many differences in technical specifications, naming rules, and product characteristics, providing users with a more optimized choice.
II. Product Characteristics
- Diverse Structural Options: EN 50288 - 7 standard cables are available in various structures such as single - pair and multi - pair, three - core or four - core. The conductor materials are solid or stranded copper conductors, enabling it to meet the signal transmission requirements in different scenarios.
- Flexible Conductor Specifications: The conductor size (cross - sectional area) ranges from the standard 0.5 square millimeters to 2.5 square millimeters, and there are options for Class 1 solid, Class 2 stranded, and Class 5 flexible stranded conductors. This offers more flexibility compared to some old standards (such as BS 5308) with fewer restrictions.
- Broad Temperature Range: The operating temperature range of the cable varies according to its construction materials, ranging from 70°C to 105°C, adapting to the working requirements in different temperature environments.
- Rich Voltage Levels: In addition to the standard rated voltage of 300V, 90V and 500V cables are also available, capable of matching different power systems and equipment requirements.
- Customization Possibilities: These standard cables can be customized according to the installation environment. In the cable structure, braided layers, armored layers, fire - resistant layers, and chemical - resistant cushion layers can be added. Moreover, there are no restrictions on the materials used. For example, for the inner sheath material of armored cables, under the EN 50288 - 7 standard, it can be selected from the material list, unlike the old standard which only allows the use of specific materials. This makes it a highly customizable cable solution.
- Optimized Physical Properties: Compared with comparable BS 5308 cables, EN 50288 - 7 standard cables have a slightly smaller overall size and lighter weight due to the smaller nominal thickness of the insulation layer and outer sheath (although the weight difference may be less noticeable as the number of pairs increases). At the same time, its collective shielding and any individual (PIMF) shielding are slightly thicker, greatly improving the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) protection ability.
III. Typical Applications
- Industrial Automation Field: In the automated production lines of factories, it is used to connect various sensors, controllers, and actuators to ensure stable signal transmission and the efficient operation of the production line. For example, in an automobile manufacturing factory, from the automatic inspection equipment for parts to the control of robotic arms, the stable signal transmission of EN 50288 - 7 standard cables is essential.
- Measurement and Control Systems: In large - scale measurement and control systems in industries such as petrochemical and power, these cables are used to transmit various analog and digital signals to achieve precise monitoring and control of the production process. For example, in an oil refinery, it connects various sensors such as temperature, pressure, and flow rate to the control system in the central control room, providing real - time production data feedback.
- Electronic Equipment and Instrumentation: It is suitable for power supply and signal transmission of electronic equipment and instrumentation. For example, in a laboratory's precision testing instruments, its stable power transmission and anti - interference capabilities ensure the accuracy and reliability of instrument measurements.
IV. Technical Parameter Example
Take the common RE-2X(C)H90 - degree/300V shielded instrumentation cable as an example:
- Conductor: Class 2 stranded annealed copper conductors in accordance with EC 60228 standard, ensuring good electrical conductivity.
- Insulation: Extruded XLPE compound insulation in accordance with EN 50290 - 2 - 29 standard, with excellent insulation performance.
- Structure: 2 insulated cores are twisted into a pair. The paired cables are twisted into layers with the optimal lay - length. There is a polyester tape separator in the middle, and a tinned copper wire braided shield on the outside. The outer sheath is an LSZH compound in accordance with EN 50290-2-27 standard, with optional UV - resistant, hydrocarbon - resistant, oil - resistant, rodent - proof, and termite - proof characteristics.
- Temperature Range: For fixed laying, it is from - 30°C to + 70°C, and for mobile use, it is from - 5°C to + 50°C.
- Bending Radius: The minimum bending radius is 7.5 times the outer diameter, facilitating installation in different spatial environments.
V. Conclusion
EN 50288-7 standard cables have significant advantages in the modern industrial and electrical fields due to their flexible design, superior performance, and wide applicability. Whether for new projects or equipment upgrades and renovations, they can provide users with reliable signal and power transmission solutions. With the continuous development of technology and the increasing diversification of industry demands, it is believed that this standard cable will play a key role in more fields, promoting the development of various industries towards efficiency and intelligence.
