Types and types of markings of cables and electric wires

You can find a huge number of different types of electrical cables and wires on the market. Each of them is characterized by different parameters and is intended for specific tasks. Correct selection of the cable guarantees that the installation will be safe and will not fail or wear out too quickly.

An electric wire - no surprise here - is used to conduct electricity. Although this term is often used interchangeably with the term cable, from a technical point of view they are not exactly the same. A given cable may consist of several conductors , i.e. metal conductors in sheaths that ensure insulation, flexibility and durability. Later in the text, we explain the intricacies of nomenclature even more thoroughly - please read on!

Marking electrical cables and wires facilitates their classification, but also identification by installers. Thanks to this, you can precisely select a specific cable or wire to meet the requirements of a given device or installation. The markings were introduced in accordance with the PN-EN 60445:2010P and PN-EN 60446:2010P standards.

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Classification and markings of electric cables

The marking of a cable most often characterizes many of its parameters. Thanks to this, an experienced installer immediately knows what cable he is dealing with and where he can use it. Lowercase and uppercase letters of the alphabet are used for markings. First, the designation of the wire structure is given:

• D – wire;
• L – line;
• L…g – flexible line.

If the cable is made of a material other than copper, the following information may appear before the conductor construction marking:

• A – aluminum;
• F – steel.

Before the above marking, the cable sheath marking may appear - Y (PVC coating).

The next letter after the core structure indicates the material from which the insulation was made:

• Y – PVC;
• G – rubber;
• X – polyethylene.

The next letter refers to the structure of the cable:

• a – cotton yarn coating;
• b – insulation withstands high temperature;
• c – non-flammable material;
• d – increased insulation thickness;
• p – flat cable;
• u – armed cable;
• n – cable equipped with a supporting rope.

The letter designation also helps determine the purpose of a given cable:

• ak – battery cable;
• t – flush-mounted;
• w – high voltage cable;
• jo – round contact wire;
• jp – profile contact wire.

These are the most important features determined by letter markings. And what does it look like in practice?

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Types of electric cables

• DY – is a copper cable, composed of one wire and with PVC insulation. If the marking Yc appeared here instead of Y, it would mean heat-resistant insulation. These types of cables work well in dry rooms. DY cables can be laid in pipes both on and under the plaster. They can be used to connect lighting, control devices, etc.
• LgY installation cable - multi-wire, flexible copper cable with ordinary PVC insulation. It can be used in installation pipes, in closed systems and to make connections in power equipment.
• YDY installation cable – single-wire copper cable with plain PVC insulation and a coating of the same material. This cable will work well in both dry and humid rooms. It can be laid on and under plaster.
• YDYp (ŻO) installation cable – a single-wire copper cable with a sheath and insulation made of ordinary polyvinyl chloride. It is a flat cable which is additionally equipped with a yellow-green protective conductor (ŻO). Such a cable can be easily used in both dry and wet rooms and can be laid under or on plaster.
• YDYt installation cable - single-wire copper cable with polyvinyl sheath and insulation, plug-in type. Cable for use inside dry and wet rooms, on and under plaster. Nails can be used to attach this cable.
• OMY and OMYp installation cable - copper tire cable, residential cable with insulation and PVC tire. The first one is a round version, the second one is a flat one. Such cables can be laid in homes and offices, also in humid rooms. It can be used to connect household appliances (e.g. washing machine, refrigerator, etc.). It is used wherever there is no risk of contact with hot elements. It cannot be used outdoors.
• OWY installation cable - again a tire cable, but this time a workshop cable, made of copper, with a tire and polyvinyl insulation, round. It can be used to power portable devices, including heating ones. However, be careful not to let the cable come into contact with hot elements.
• YKY installation cable and YAKY installation cable – both versions are power cables. The first one is a copper cable with a PVC sheath and insulation. The second one differs in that it is an aluminum cable. These types of cables are laid directly in the ground, e.g. when connecting a house to the power grid.
• AsXSn installation cable – self-supporting power cable. The veins are made of aluminum, while the installation is made of cross-linked polyethylene. It is worth paying attention to the letter "n", which means that this cable is fire-resistant. These types of cables are used to power various electrical devices through the air.

Rated voltage marking

In addition to the above-mentioned symbols, the rated voltage is also marked on the cables. It informs what maximum voltage level a given cable can withstand. The value of the effective voltage between the cable core and its protective conductor (U0) and the value of the effective voltage between the two phase conductors of the cable (U) are given there. This takes the following scheme: U0/U (e.g. 100/100 V). As a result, the symbols mentioned above regarding the structure of the cable are also accompanied by markings regarding the rated voltage.

Cable marking according to harmonized standards

Currently, new cable markings are also used according to harmonized standards, which results from the LVD 73/23 EEC Directive of the European Union. It includes wires and cables with rated voltages from 50 to 1000 V (alternating current) and from 75 to 1500 V (direct current).

Below we present the EU equivalents of the Polish markings of the most popular cables.

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