EN 50288-6-1:2013

Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control - Part 6-1: Sectional specification for unscreened cables characterised up to 250 MHz - Horizontal and building backbone cables

EN 50288-6-1 is a sectional specification for unscreened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 250 MHz, to be used in horizontal and building backbone wiring as defined in EN 50173. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1 which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in this sectional specification are intended to operate with voltages and currents normally encountered in communication systems. These cables are not intended to be used in conjunction with low impedance sources, for example, the electric power supplies of public utility mains.

Mehradrige metallische Daten- und Kontrollkabel für analoge und digitale Übertragung - Teil 6-1: Rahmenspezifikation für ungeschirmte Kabel bis 250 MHz - Kabel für den Horizontal- und Steigbereich

Câbles métalliques à éléments multiples utilisés pour les transmissions et les commandes analogiques et numériques - Partie 6-1: Spécification intermédiaire pour les câbles non écrantés pour applications jusqu'à 250 MHz - Câbles horizontaux et verticaux de bâtiment

L’EN 50288-6-1 est une spécification intermédiaire relative aux câbles non écrantés caractérisés de 1 MHz jusqu'à 250 MHz, destinés à être utilisés dans le câblage horizontal et vertical de bâtiment comme défini dans l’EN 50173. La présente spécification intermédiaire contient les caractéristiques de performances électriques, mécaniques, de transmission et d'environnement des câbles, lorsqu’ils sont soumis aux essais selon les méthodes d'essai référencées. La présente spécification intermédiaire doit être utilisée conjointement avec l’EN 50288-1, qui contient les dispositions essentielles pour son application. Les câbles couverts par la présente spécification intermédiaire sont destinés à fonctionner avec des tensions et des courants rencontrés normalement dans les systèmes de communication. Ces câbles ne sont pas destinés à être utilisés conjointement avec des sources de faible impédance, par exemple, les alimentations électriques du réseau public.

Večelementni kovinski kabli za analogne in digitalne komunikacije in krmiljenje - 6-1. del: Področna specifikacija za nezaslonjene kable z lastnostmi do 250 MHz - Hrbtenični kabli za vodoravno montažo in montažo v stavbah

Standard EN 50288-6-1 je področna specifikacija za nezaslonjene kable, ki se lahko uporabljajo za pasovne širine od 1 MHz do 250 MHz v vodoravnem (etažnem) in stavbnem hrbteničnem (medetažnem) ožičenju, kot je določeno v standardu EN 50173. Ta področna specifikacija vsebuje električne, mehanske, prenosne in okoljske karakteristike delovanja kablov pri preskušanju v skladu z navedenimi preskusnimi metodami. Ta področna specifikacija se uporablja skupaj s standardom EN 50288-1, ki vsebuje bistvene določbe za njeno uporabo. Kabli, zajeti v tej področni specifikaciji, so namenjeni za delovanje pri napetostih in tokovih, ki so običajni v komunikacijskih sistemih. Ti kabli niso namenjeni za uporabo z viri z nizko impedanco, na primer z električnim napajanjem javnih omrežij.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 23-May-2013
• Withdrawal Date: 17-Mar-2016
• ICS: 33.120.20 - Wires and symmetrical cables
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 46X - Communication cables
• Drafting Committee: CLC/SC 46XC - Multicore, Multipair and Quad Data communication cables
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 24-May-2013
• Completion Date: 24-May-2013
• Directive: 2006/95/EC - Directive 2006/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (codified version)
• Directive: 2014/35/EU - Directive 2014/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits
• Directive: 2014/53/EU - Directive 2014/53/EU of The European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment and repealing Directive 1999/5/EC
• Mandate: M/212 - ICT - metallic and optical cables and cabling systems
• Ref Project: SIST EN 50288-6-1:2013 - Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control - Part 6-1: Sectional specification for unscreened cables characterised up to 250 MHz - Horizontal and building backbone cables

Relations

• Replaces: EN 50288-6-1:2003 - Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control - Part 6-1: Sectional specification for unscreened cables characterised up to 250 MHz - Horizontal and building backbone cables
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 50288-6-1:2013 is a CLC sectional specification for unscreened multi‑element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control. It covers cables characterised from 1 MHz up to 250 MHz intended for horizontal and building backbone cabling (as defined in EN 50173). The document defines construction principles, electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance requirements and the relevant test methods. EN 50288-6-1 is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1 (generic specification).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & usage: Unscreened pairs or quads for communication systems; not intended for connection to low‑impedance mains or utility power.
• Conductor & insulation: Solid copper conductors (plain or metal‑coated), nominal diameter 0.5–0.8 mm; insulation per EN 50290‑2.
• Cable construction: Elements laid up in concentric layers; no screening, no filling compound or moisture barriers unless specified.
• Electrical tests & limits:
  • Conductor loop resistance ≤ 19.0 Ω/100 m; resistance unbalance ≤ 2.0%.
  • Insulation resistance ≥ 5 000 MΩ·km.
  • Characterisation across 1–250 MHz: attenuation, phase delay, velocity of propagation, skew, NEXT, ACR‑F (formerly ELFEXT), PSNEXT, PSACR‑F.
  • Characteristic impedance: 100 Ω ±5 Ω or 120 Ω ±5 Ω at 100 MHz.
  • Return loss and coupling attenuation limits defined up to 250 MHz.
• Mechanical & environmental tests: Conductor elongation, insulation shrinkage, crush and impact resistance, abrasion, simulated installation bends, tensile loading, cold bend, temperature cycling.
• Fire performance: As specified in EN 50288‑1.
• POE guidance (Annex A): Recommended maximums for PoE applications - communication voltage up to 100 V (some telephone voltages up to 300 V), maximum conductor surface temperature 60 °C, current density recommendations; warning against mains connection.

Applications and who uses this standard

• Specifying and certifying horizontal cabling and building backbone cable products for offices, data centers and commercial buildings.
• Used by cable manufacturers, test laboratories, network designers, installers, procurement and compliance engineers to ensure performance for Ethernet and other balanced digital/analogue services up to 250 MHz.
• Useful when selecting unscreened twisted‑pair cables for structured cabling systems and for validating PoE thermal/current limits.

Related standards

• EN 50288‑1 (generic specification)
• EN 50173 (generic cabling system definitions)
• EN 50289 series (test methods)
• EN 50290 series (materials)
• IEC/EN 60811, IEC 60189‑2

Keywords: EN 50288-6-1, unscreened cables, 250 MHz, horizontal cabling, building backbone, twisted pair, NEXT, ACR‑F, PSNEXT, PoE, structured cabling.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2013
9HþHOHPHQWQLNRYLQVNLNDEOL]DDQDORJQHLQGLJLWDOQHNRPXQLNDFLMHLQNUPLOMHQMH
GHO3RGURþQDVSHFLILNDFLMD]DQH]DVORQMHQHNDEOH]ODVWQRVWPLGR0+]
+UEWHQLþQLNDEOL]DYRGRUDYQRPRQWDåRLQPRQWDåRYVWDYEDK
Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control -
Part 6-1: Sectional specification for unscreened cables characterised up to 250 MHz -
Horizontal and building backbone cables
Mehradrige metallische Daten- und Kontrollkabel für analoge und digitale Übertragung -
Teil 6-1: Rahmenspezifikation für ungeschirmte Kabel bis 250 MHz - Kabel für den
Horizontal- und Steigbereich
Câbles métalliques à éléments multiples utilisés pour les transmissions et les
commandes analogiques et numériques - Partie 6-1: Spécification intermédiaire pour les
câbles non blindés pour applications jusqu'à 250 MHz - Câbles horizontaux et verticaux
de bâtiment
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50288-6-1:2013
ICS:
33.120.20 äLFHLQVLPHWULþQLNDEOL Wires and symmetrical
cables
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 50288-6-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
May 2013
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 33.120.20 Supersedes EN 50288-6-1:2003

English version
Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication
and control -
Part 6-1: Sectional specification for unscreened cables characterised up
to 250 MHz -
Horizontal and building backbone cables

Câbles métalliques à éléments multiples Mehradrige metallische Daten- und
utilisés pour les transmissions et les Kontrollkabel für analoge und digitale
commandes analogiques et numériques - Übertragung -
Partie 6-1: Spécification intermédiaire Teil 6-1: Rahmenspezifikation für
pour les câbles non blindés pour ungeschirmte Kabel bis 250 MHz -
applications jusqu'à 250 MHz - Kabel für den Horizontal- und
Câbles horizontaux et verticaux de Steigbereich
bâtiment
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2013-03-18. CENELEC 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.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.

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

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels

© 2013 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 50288-6-1:2013 E
Contents
Page
Foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 4
3.1 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Cable construction . 5
4.1 Conductor . 5
4.2 Insulation . 5
4.3 Cabling elements . 5
4.4 Identification of cabling elements . 5
4.5 Screening of cabling elements . 5
4.6 Cable make-up. 5
4.7 Filling compound . 5
4.8 Interstitial fillers . 5
4.9 Screening of the cable core . 5
4.10 Moisture barriers . 5
4.11 Wrapping layers . 5
4.12 Sheath . 5
5 Tests and requirements for completed cables. 6
5.1 Electrical tests . 6
5.2 Mechanical tests requirements . 8
5.3 Environmental tests . 9
5.4 Fire performance tests . 9
Annex A (Informative) Maximum voltage, current and temperature rating
for cables used for POE applications . 10
Annex B (Informative) Blank Detail Specification . 11

- 3 - EN 50288-6-1:2013
Foreword
This document EN 50288-6-1:2013 has been prepared by CLC/SC 46XC "Multicore, Multipair and
Quad Data communication cables," of CLC/TC 46X, "Communication cables".
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which this document has to be
(dop) 2014-03-18
implemented at national level by publication
of an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards
(dow) 2016-03-18
conflicting with this document have to
be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 50288-6-1:2003.
EN 50288-6-1:2003:
- the addition of the Blank Detail Specification Annex;
- a number minor corrections and updating of references;
- the re-classification of ‘ELFEXT’ to ‘ACR-F’.
This Part 6-1 is to be read in conjunction to EN 50288-1.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the
subject of patent rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying
any or all such patent rights.
This standard covers the Principle Elements of the Safety Objectives for Electrical Equipment
Designed for Use within Certain Voltage Limits (LVD - 2006/95/EC).
_____________
1 Scope
EN 50288-6-1 is a sectional specification for unscreened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to
250 MHz, to be used in horizontal and building backbone wiring as defined in EN 50173.
This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental
performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test
methods.
This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1 that contains the essential
provisions for its application.
The cables covered in this sectional specification are intended to operate with voltages and currents
normally encountered in communication systems. These cables are not intended to be used in
conjunction with low impedance sources, for example, the electric power supplies of public utility
mains.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and
are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
EN 50173 series Information technology — Generic cabling systems
EN 50288-1 Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital
communication and control — Part 1: Generic specification
EN 50289 series Communication cables — Specifications for test methods
EN 50290 series Communication cables
EN 60811 series Electric and optical fibre cables - Test methods for non-metallic
materials (IEC 60811 series)
IEC 60189-2 Low-frequency cables and wires with PVC insulation and PVC sheath
— Part 2: Cables in pairs, triples, quads and quintuples for inside
installations
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document the terms and definitions given in EN 50288-1 apply.
3.2 Symbols and abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the following abbreviations apply.
EX Exogenous (derived or originating externally)
POE Power Over Ethernet
- 5 - EN 50288-6-1:2013
4 Cable construction
4.1 Conductor
The conductor shall be solid copper and meet the requirements of EN 50288-1, 4.1
The conductor shall be plain or metal coated.
The nominal conductor diameter shall be ≥ 0,5 mm and ≤ 0,8 mm.
NOTE  Constructions with ‘copper clad’ conductors do not meet the requirements
4.2 Insulation
The insulation shall be of a suitable material according to the relevant part of EN 50290-2.
4.3 Cabling elements
The cable element shall be a pair or a quad.
4.4 Identification of cabling elements
Unless otherwise specified, the colour coding for identification is given in IEC 60189-2. The colours
shall meet the requirements of EN 50288-1, 4.4
4.5 Screening of cabling elements
Not applicable.
4.6 Cable make-up
The cable elements shall be laid up in concentric layer(s) or units to form the cable core.
4.7 Filling compound
Not applicable.
4.8 Interstitial fillers
Where fillers are used they shall meet the requirements of EN 50288-1, 4.8
4.9 Screening of the cable core
Not applicable.
4.10 Moisture barriers
Not applicable.
4.11 Wrapping layers
Where wrapping layers are used they shall be in accordance with EN 50288-1, 4.11.
4.12 Sheath
The sheath shall be of a suitable material according to the relevant part of EN 50290-2.

5 Tests and requirements for completed cables
The following tables give the tests to be applied, together with the respective limits, in order to
demonstrate compliance with this specification.
5.1 Electrical tests
5.1.1 Low-frequency and d.c. electrical measurements
Table 1 - Low-frequency and d.c. electrical measurements
EN 50288-1 Parameter Requirement
sub-clause
5.1.1.1 Conductor loop resistance
≤ 19,0 Ω/100 m
5.1.1.2 Conductor resistance unbalance
≤ 2,0 %
5.1.1.3 Dielectric strength 1,0 kV d.c. or 0,7 kV a.c. for 1 min
conductor/conductor or
2,5 kV d.c. or 1,7 kV a.c. for 2 s
5.1.1.4 Insulation resistance
≥ 5 ,000 MΩ km when tested in accordance with
EN 50289-1-4
5.1.1.5 Mutual capacitance No requirement specified
5.1.1.6 Capacitance unbalance to earth ≤ 1 200 pF/km

5.1.2 High-frequency electrical and transmission measurements
Table 2 - High-frequency electrical and transmission requirements
EN 50288-1 Parameter Requirement
sub-clause
5.1.2.1 Velocity of
Phase delay ≤ 534+36/√f ns/100 m,  1 MHz ≤ f ≤ 25
...