EN 50288-13-2:2026

• Abstract:

  This document relates to EN 50288 1, Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control. It covers overall screened work area cables, characterized up to 2GHz, backward compatible to cables specified up to 500MHz, used in work area wiring for information technology, generic-cabling systems. The electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, related to their reference test methods, are detailed. This sectional specification is expected to be read in conjunction with EN 50288 1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered by 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.

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 17-Sep-2026
• Withdrawal Date: 19-Jan-2023
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 46X - Communication cables
• Drafting Committee: CLC/SC 46XC - Multicore, Multipair and Quad Data communication cables
• Current Stage: 5060 - Voting results sent to TC, SR - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 03-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 26-Aug-2021
• Completion Date: 03-Jul-2026
• Directive: Harmonized Standard2014/35/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
• Mandate: M/511 - Mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI relating to harmonised standards in the field of the Low Voltage Directive
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN 50288-13-2:2026 - Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control - Part 13-2: Sectional specification for outer screened cables characterised from 1 MHz up to 2000 MHz - Work Area cables

Overview

EN 50288-13-2:2026 is a crucial standard developed by CLC for multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control. This part, identified as a sectional specification, covers outer screened cables characterized from 1 MHz up to 2000 MHz-specifically those designated as work area cables. These cables are designed for use in work area wiring within information technology environments, forming a vital part of generic-cabling systems.

This standard is intended to be read and implemented alongside EN 50288-1, which provides the essential foundation for multi-element cable specifications. The document details electrical, mechanical, transmission, and environmental performance characteristics, along with related test methods, ensuring consistency and reliability in communication infrastructure.

Key Topics

• Cable Construction:

  • Specifies requirements for solid or stranded copper conductors, insulation, cable make-up, and screening.
  • Focuses on concentric layering of cable elements and proper identification of cabling elements according to industry standards.

• Screening and Shielding:

  • Details methods for screening cabling elements and the cable core to reduce electromagnetic interference.
  • Minimum braid coverage values are defined for mechanical performance validity.

• Performance Characteristics:

  • Addresses both low-frequency and high-frequency electrical parameters including conductor resistance, insulation resistance, crosstalk, attenuation, and impedance.
  • Outlines mechanical test criteria: elongation, crush and impact resistance, abrasion, tensile strength, and simulated installation scenarios.
  • Specifies environmental testing protocols, such as cold bend performance and temperature cycling.

• Test Methods:

  • Identifies reference test procedures for each parameter, aligned with EN 50288-1 and associated communication cable test method standards (EN 50289 and EN 50290 series).

• Safety and Compatibility:

  • Clearly states maximum operating voltages and currents tailored for communication technology, excluding use with low impedance power sources such as utility mains.
  • Provides data on current, voltage, and temperature ratings relevant to safe cable operation.

Applications

EN 50288-13-2:2026 applies to a range of professional and industrial environments where robust transmission and protection against interference are essential:

• Information Technology Work Areas:
  Used for wiring workstations, server rooms, and office floors requiring high-frequency performance up to 2 GHz and backward compatibility with lower frequency cables.

• Data Centers and Structured Cabling:
  Integrates seamlessly into generic-cabling systems supporting both legacy and next-generation network equipment.

• Industrial Control & Building Automation:
  Ensures reliable analogue and digital signal transmission for monitoring, automation, and control systems.

• Telecommunications Infrastructure:
  Forms part of cabling solutions for voice, data, and video communications within commercial and institutional buildings.

These cables provide excellent shielding, delivering enhanced signal integrity and protecting against electromagnetic interference in dense or critical networking environments.

Related Standards

Organizations seeking to implement EN 50288-13-2:2026 may also reference the following standards for comprehensive coverage:

• EN 50288-1: Generic specification for multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control.
• EN 50289 Series: Specifications for test methods covering mechanical, electrical, and fire performance of communication cables.
• EN 50290 Series: Communication cables guidance including construction, materials, and terminology.
• IEC 60189-2 / IEC 60708: Standards for identification and color coding of cabling elements.

Adhering to EN 50288-13-2:2026 ensures cable infrastructure meets stringent standards for performance, reliability, and safety in advanced communication and control systems.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 50288-13-2:2020
01-julij-2020
Večelementni kovinski kabli za analogne in digitalne komunikacije in krmiljenje -
13-2. del: Področna specifikacija za zaslonjene kable z lastnostmi od 1 MHz do
2000 MHz - Kabli na delovnih območjih
Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control -
Part 13-2: Sectional specification for outer screened cables characterised from 1 MHz up
to 2000 MHz - Work Area cables
Câbles métalliques à éléments multiples utilisés pour les transmissions et les
commandes analogiques et numériques - Partie 13-2: Spécification intermédiaire pour
les câbles écrantés extérieurs caractérisés de 1 MHz à 2 000 MHz - Câbles de zone de
travail
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 50288-13-2
ICS:
33.120.20 Žice in simetrični kabli Wires and symmetrical
cables
oSIST prEN 50288-13-2:2020 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 50288-13-2:2020
oSIST prEN 50288-13-2:2020
EUROPEAN STANDARD DRAFT
prEN 50288-13-2
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2020
ICS
English Version
Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital
communication and control - Part 13-2: Sectional specification
for outer screened cables characterised from 1 MHz up to 2000
MHz - Work Area cables
Câbles métalliques à éléments multiples utilisés pour les To be completed
transmissions et les commandes analogiques et
numériques - Partie 13-2: Spécification intermédiaire pour
les câbles écrantés extérieurs caractérisés de 1 MHz à 2
000 MHz - Câbles de zone de travail
This draft European Standard is submitted to CENELEC members for enquiry.
Deadline for CENELEC: 2020-07-31.

It has been drawn up by CLC/SC 46XC.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.

This draft European Standard was established by CENELEC 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, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the 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 Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Project: 65675 Ref. No. prEN 50288-13-2 E

oSIST prEN 50288-13-2:2020
prEN 50288-13-2:2020 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 2
1 Scope . 3
2 Normative references . 3
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 4
4 Cable construction . 4
4.1 Conductor . 4
4.2 Insulation . 4
4.3 Cabling elements . 4
4.4 Identification of cabling elements . 4
4.5 Screening of cabling elements . 4
4.6 Cable make-up . 4
4.7 Filling compound . 4
4.8 Interstitial fillers . 4
4.9 Screening of the cable core . 4
4.10 Moisture barriers . 5
4.11 Wrapping layers . 5
4.12 Sheath . 5
5 Test methods and requirements for completed cables. 5
5.1 General . 5
5.2 Electrical tests . 5
5.2.1 Low-frequency and d.c. electrical measurements . 5
5.2.2 High-frequency electrical and transmission measurements . 5
5.3 Mechanical tests . 7
5.4 Environmental tests . 8
5.5 Fire performance test methods . 8
Annex A (normative) Table for data cable current, voltage and power ratings . 9
Bibliography . 10

oSIST prEN 50288-13-2:2020
prEN 50288-13-2:2020 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 50288-13-2:2020) has been prepared by SC 46XC, “Multicore, multipair and quad data
communication cables”, of TC 46X, “Communication cables”.
This document is currently submitted to the Enquiry.
The following dates are proposed:
• latest date by which the existence of this (doa) dor + 6 months
document has to be announced at national
level
• latest date by which this document has to be (dop) dor + 12 months
implemented at national level by publication of
an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards (dow) dor + 36 months
conflicting with this document have to be (to be confirmed or
withdrawn modified when voting)
This Part 13-2 is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1:2013.
oSIST prEN 50288-13-2:2020
prEN 50288-13-2:2020 (E)
1 Scope
This document relates to EN 50288-1, Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital
communication and control.
It covers screened cables, characterized up to 2GHz, used in work area wiring for information technology,
generic-cabling systems.
The electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, related
to their reference test methods, are detailed.
This sectional specification is expected to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the
essential provisions for its application.
The cables covered by 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 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 50288-1:2013, Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control -
Part 1: Generic specification
EN 50289-3-2, Communication cables - Specifications for test methods - Part 3-2: Mechanical test methods -
Tensile strength and elongation for conductor
EN 50289-3-4, Communication cables - Specifications for test methods - Part 3-4: Mechanical test methods -
Tensile strength, elongation and shrinkage of insulation and sheath
EN 50289-3-5, Communication cables - Specifications for test methods - Part 3-5: Mechanical test methods -
Crush resistance of the cable
EN 50289-3-6, Communication cables - Specifications for test methods - Part 3-6: Mechanical test methods -
Impact resistance of the cable
EN 50289-3-8, Communication cables - Specifications for test methods - Part 3-8: Mechanical test methods -
Abrasion resistance of cable sheath markings
EN 50289-3-9:2
...