EN 6059-502:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies a method of assessing the behaviour of protection sleeves or conduits subject to an external electric arc at 115 VAC, 800 Hz.; This document is used in conjunction with EN 6059-100.; The primary aim of this test is to produce, in a controlled fashion, electric arcs at the immediate vicinity of a protection sleeve or conduit and to examine possible consequences on the protected cables bundle, which supposed to be maintained in a safe condition.; These electric arcs are representative of those which may occur in service when a typical adjacent cable bundle is severely damaged and leading to an electrical arc default.; In order to optimize thickness and mass of such protection, it is necessary to associate a nominal current limit In to each sleeves or conduits construction.; Two levels of prospective fault current are specified for all protection sizes.; NOTE This test requires specifics attentions and protections toward operator and personnel applying this test, refer to 6.2 for further details.

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 10-Nov-2026
• ICS: 49.060 - Aerospace electric equipment and systems
• Technical Committee: ASD-STAN - Aerospace
• Drafting Committee: ASD-STAN/D 2/S 8 - Installation Technologies
• Current Stage: 6055 - CEN Ratification completed (DOR) - Publishing
• Start Date: 04-Oct-2026
• Completion Date: 04-Oct-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN 6059-502:2026 - Aerospace series - Electrical cables, installation Protection sleeves - Test methods - Part 502: Resistance to electrical arcs

• Revises: EN 6059-502:2014 - Aerospace series - Electrical cables, installation - Protection sleeves - Test methods - Part 502: Resistance to electrical arcs
• Effective Date: 24-May-2023

EN 6059-502:2026 is a CEN aerospace test method for protection sleeves and conduits used on electrical cable installations. It specifies how to assess their behaviour when they are exposed to an external electric arc, so manufacturers, test laboratories and aerospace suppliers can compare sleeve constructions under the same test conditions.

This document is used with EN 6059-100 and focuses on whether the sleeve or conduit helps keep the adjacent cable bundle in a safe condition after an arc fault.

What does EN 6059-502:2026 specify?

EN 6059-502:2026 specifies a method for testing protection sleeves or conduits exposed to an external electric arc on a protected cable bundle. The test is intended to reproduce a severe adjacent cable fault in a controlled way, then check the effect on the protected cables.

The document is organized into scope, normative references, terms and definitions, specimen requirements, specimen preparation, apparatus, method, and requirements. In practice, that means the standard tells you what to test, how to build the specimen, how to set up the arc test, how to judge the result, and what to report.

What are the key requirements of EN 6059-502:2026?

Specimens and test articles

EN 6059-502:2026 requires traceable protection sleeves or conduits, and they normally need to have passed the voltage proof test from EN 6059-501 before arc testing. At least one size per sleeve thickness or construction type is assessed, and the preferred specimen is the minimum authorized thickness or mass when that can be selected. This matters because the test is meant to challenge the lightest or thinnest valid version of the design.

The method uses two bundle configurations:

• a target bundle (bundle T) without external protection
• a protected bundle (bundle P) fitted with the sleeve or conduit under test

This separation lets the test compare the damaged cable area with the protected cable area after the arc event.

Test set-up

EN 6059-502:2026 uses a worst-case arc containment configuration with bundle T fixed side by side with bundle P. The apparatus includes a transparent enclosure, electrical terminations, and an electrolyte delivery system that wets the damaged area during the test. In practice, the set-up is built to start and sustain an arc at the damaged point so the sleeve’s protective effect can be observed.

The electrical circuit is arranged for a three-phase 200/115 VAC supply, with adjustable prospective fault current levels. Circuit breakers are selected to match the cable size used in the test, and the circuit is adjusted so the required fault current can be set before the specimen test begins.

Test procedure and pass/fail logic

EN 6059-502:2026 requires three specimens at each of the two fault current levels, so six specimens are tested for each protection size. During the test, electrolyte is applied until a significant short-circuit event occurs, and the test is then stopped and the line protection status is recorded. If the arc does not develop as expected, the set-up is adjusted so the electrolyte reaches the damaged cables.

A short-circuit event is considered significant only when the arcing is supported by the expected evidence:

• debris or molten metal projection
• thermal damage to adjacent protected cables
• tripping of one or more line protections

The practical point is that the test is not judged by tripping alone; the damage pattern on the cables is part of the result.

Post-test examination

EN 6059-502:2026 requires photographs and visual examination of both bundles after the event. The impacted target cables are checked for external insulation marking, internal insulation visibility, and conductor damage. The protected bundle is examined before and after removal of the external protection, and the directly affected target cables are then subjected to a voltage proof test per EN 3475-302.

The product standard also has to define the protection sizes and pass/fail criteria. The sleeve must not ignite to the point that it fails the related flammability after-burn and char length requirements, and the target bundle must retain insulation integrity in the dielectric test after the short-circuit event.

What terms does EN 6059-502:2026 define?

EN 6059-502:2026 uses several working terms in the test setup and reporting.

• Target bundle (bundle T) - the seven-cable bundle without external protection that is used as the arc target.
• Protected bundle (bundle P) - the seven-cable bundle fitted with the sleeve or conduit being evaluated.
• Nominal current limit I_n - the current limit associated with a sleeve or conduit construction for sizing and comparison.
• Prospective fault current - the short-circuit current level set in the test circuit to represent a service fault.
• CB - circuit breaker, the line protection device used in the circuit.
• AWG - American wire gauge, used to select the cable size in the test arrangement.

Who uses EN 6059-502:2026?

EN 6059-502:2026 is used by aerospace cable and protection-sleeve manufacturers, test laboratories, qualification engineers, and quality teams. It is relevant when selecting a sleeve design, setting a test plan, or documenting arc-resistance performance for an aerospace electrical installation. Buyers and approvers can also use it to understand what a supplier’s test evidence actually covers.

What changed in EN 6059-502:2026 from the previous edition?

EN 6059-502:2026 supersedes EN 6059-502:2014. The foreword states these changes from the previous edition: editorial improvements, an updated test method that removes the 230 VAC arc element and keeps the 115 VAC element, a stronger check on the integrity of adjacent target harness cables after the short-circuit test, an update to the normative references, and the addition of terms and definitions.

Which standards are used with EN 6059-502:2026?

EN 6059-502:2026 cites these documents:

• EN 6059-100 - the general part used with this test method.
• EN 6059-501 - the voltage proof test used before the arc test where required.
• EN 3475-302 - the immersion voltage proof test used after the arc test on affected target cables.
• EN 2350 - the circuit breaker technical specification used for trip characteristics.
• EN 2267-010 - the cable product standard used for the arc-tracking resistant cables in the bundles.
• A-A-52083 - the tape lacing and tying specification used for bundle assembly.

What does the EN 6059-502:2026 document contain?

EN 6059-502:2026 contains specimen build instructions, electrical test arrangement details, electrolyte delivery requirements, a defined test procedure, pass/fail criteria, and reporting items. The figures show the bundle layouts, damaged-cable location, sleeve overlap position, and the circuit schematic used for testing.

Table 1 links prospective fault current levels to cable size and circuit breaker ratings, so the test can be set up consistently for the chosen protection size. The measurement list covers generator voltage, phase currents, cable currents, bonding-link currents, and target-element temperature, which gives the engineer the data needed to review how the arc developed and how the sleeve performed.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 6059-502:2024
01-maj-2024
Aeronavtika - Električni kabli, namestitev - Zaščitne obojke - Preskusne metode -
502. del: Odpornost proti električnim oblokom
Aerospace series - Electrical cables, installation Protection sleeves - Test methods - Part
502: Resistance to electrical arcs
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Elektrische Leitungen, Installation - Schutzschläuche -
Prüfverfahren - Teil 502: Lichtbogenfestigkeit
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 6059-502
ICS:
29.060.20 Kabli Cables
49.060 Letalska in vesoljska Aerospace electric
električna oprema in sistemi equipment and systems
oSIST prEN 6059-502:2024 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 6059-502:2024
oSIST prEN 6059-502:2024
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 6059-502
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
December 2023
ICS 49.060 Will supersede EN 6059-502:2014
English Version
Aerospace series - Electrical cables, installation Protection
sleeves - Test methods - Part 502: Resistance to electrical
arcs
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Elektrische Leitungen,
Installation - Schutzschläuche - Prüfverfahren - Teil
502: Lichtbogenfestigkeit
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee ASD-
STAN.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 6059-502:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 6059-502:2024
prEN 6059-502:2024 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Specimen requirements . 5
5 Definition and preparation of specimen . 5
5.1 Test configuration . 5
5.2 Target bundle (bundle T) . 6
5.2.1 Definition and constitution . 6
5.2.2 Preparation . 6
5.2.3 Lay up the seven cables as follows . 6
5.3 Protected bundle (bundle P) . 7
5.3.1 Definition and constitution . 7
5.3.2 Preparation . 7
5.3.3 Lay up the seven cables as follows . 7
6 Apparatus . 10
6.1 Electrical equipment - Test configurations (case of a three-phase 115 VAC network) . 10
6.2 Test equipment . 12
6.3 Test protocol . 12
6.4 Test rig set-up . 13
6.5 Description of the expected measurements. 13
7 Method . 13
7.1 Test procedure . 13
7.2 Short-circuit pass/fail criteria . 14
7.3 Examination . 15
7.4 Test report . 15
8 Requirements . 16

oSIST prEN 6059-502:2024
prEN 6059-502:2024 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 6059-509:2024) has been prepared by the Aerospace and Defence Industries
Association of Europe — Standardization (ASD-STAN).
After enquiries and votes carried out in accordance with the rules of this Association, this document has
received the approval of the National Associations and the Official Services of the member countries of
ASD-STAN, prior to its presentation to CEN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 6059-502:2014.
The main changes with respect to the previous edition are as follows:
— EN 6059-502 (P2), 12/2014 — Editorial improvements and update of test method to eliminate the
230 VAC electrical arc, retain only the 115 VAC element and to ensure integrity of adjacent target
harness cable after short circuit test. Update of Clause 2 “Normative references”. Addition of
Clause 3 “Terms and definitions”.
oSIST prEN 6059-502:2024
prEN 6059-502:2024 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies a method of assessing the behaviour of protection sleeves or conduits subject
to an external electric arc, at 115 VAC 400 Hz.
This document is expected to be used together with EN 6059-100.
The primary aim of this test is to produce, in a controlled fashion, electric arcs at the immediate vicinity
of a protection sleeve or conduit and to examine possible consequences on the surrounding external
cables bundle which are adjacent from this protection and are supposed to be maintained in a safe
condition. These electric arcs are representative of those, which can occur in service when a typical
cable bundle is severely damaged.
In order to optimize thickness and mass of such protection, it is necessary to associate a current limit I
n
to each sleeves or conduits construction.
Two levels of prospective fault current are specified for all protection sizes.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 2350, Aerospace series — Circuit breakers — Technical specification
EN 2267-010, Aerospace series — Cables, electrical, for general purpose — Operating temperatures
between -55 °C and 260 °C — Part 010: DR family, single UV laser printable — Product standard
EN 3475-302, Aerospace series — Cables, electrical, aircraft use — Test methods — Part 302: Voltage
proof test
EN 6059-100, Aerospace series — Electrical cables, installation — Protection sleeves — Test methods —
Part 100: General
EN 6059-501, Aerospace series — Electrical cables, installation — Protection sleeves — Test methods —
Part 501: Voltage proof test
A-A-52083, Specification for tape lacing and tying
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/

Published as ASD-STAN Standard at the date of publication of this document by AeroSpace and Defence
industries Association of Europe — Standardization (ASD-STAN), https://www.asd-stan.org/.
Published by Customer Service, Defense Printing Service Detachment Office, 700 Robbins Ave, Building 4D,
Philadelphia PA 19111-5094 USA.
oSIST prEN 6059-502:2024
prEN 6059-502:2024 (E)
4 Specimen requirements
Protection sleeves or conduits to be tested shall be of traceable origin and, unless otherwise specified,
shall have passed the voltage proof test (EN 6059-501) as defined in the concerned product standard.
Unless otherwise specified in the concerned technical product standard, at least one size of protection
sleeve per sleeve thickness or construction type (if different from one size to another) shall be assessed.
If possible, for each thickness or construction type, the test must be performed on a sample having the
minimum authorized thickness or minimum authorized mass.
5 Definition and preparation of specimen
5.1 Test configuration
Test set ups are made to reproduce arc containment configuration, which is the worst-case scenario to
demonstrate that sleeve/conduit protect against arc blast and act also as a physical protected barrier.
Current fault of short-circuit shall be max 15 A which represents sleeve installation and signal
segregation at aircraft integration.
The bundle T shall be attached side by side with bundle P by qualified cable ties, according to the
following Figure 1 and illustrated by Figure 2.

Key
1 Cable tie 6 PTFE pipe
2 Drop needle 7 Protection sleeve
3 Protection sleeve 8 Protected bundle
4 Camera 9 d = 0 mm
5 Support 10 Target bundle
Figure 1 — Test configuration
oSIST prEN 6059-502:2024
prEN 6059-502:2024 (E)
Key
1 Carrier harness + protective sleeve
2 Bundle P
3 Bundle A
4 Pipe from peristaltic pump
Figure 2 — Illustration test set up
5.2 Target bundle (bundle T)
5.2.1 Definition and constitution
Bundles T are made of seven arc-tracking resistant cables, typically from EN 2267-010 product
standard unless otherwise specified in the concerned protection sleeves product standard, without
bundle external protection.
5.2.2 Preparation
Cut seven separate lengths of approximately 1 m consecutively from one length of cable, and strip one
of the ends of insulation to permit electrical connection. Clean each length of cable with a clean cloth
moistened with propan-2-ol (isopropyl alcohol) fluid.
5.2.3 Lay up the seven cables as follows
a) Form the bundle of cables in a six around one configuration as shown in Figure 3.
b) Ensure that all cables are straight and geometrically parallel, and restrained by ties such that they
are in continuous contact at least within the test zone.
c) Position the ties at 50 mm spacing toward the end of the specimen as shown in Figure 4.
The tie material shall be PTFE glass lacing tape conforming to A-A-52083, finish D size 3.
oSIST prEN 6059-502:2024
prEN 6059-502:2024 (E)
Figure 3 — Cable specimen configuration
5.3 Protected bundle (bundle P)
5.3.1 Definition and constitution
Bundles P are made of arc-tracking resistant cables, typically from EN 2267-010 product standard
unless otherwise specified in the concerned protection sleeves product standard, with bundle external
protection to be tested.
5.3.2 Preparation
Cut seven separate lengths of approximately 1 m consecutively from one length of cable, and strip each
of the ends of cable insulation to permit electrical connection.
Clean each length of cable with a clean cloth moistened with propan-2-ol (isopropyl alcohol) fluid.
5.3.3 Lay up the seven cables as follows
a) Damage two cables by inflicting a cut around the total circumference of insulation at the mid-point
of the length:
— take care to ensure that the cut penetrates to the conductor around the full circumference and
has a width 5 mm ± 1 mm (refer to Figure 4). Precaution shall be taken not to cut through the
conductor;
— those two damaged cables shall be side by side and they are identified individually with labels
as A1 and C1 (refer to Figure 4).
b) The five other cables are identified individually with labels as B1, B2 A2, C2 and N.
c) Form the cables in a six-around-one configuration as shown in Figure 3. Ensure that
...