EN 50288-12-2:2026

• Abstract:

  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.

• 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 50288-12-2:2026 - Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control - Part 12-2: Sectional specification for screened cables characterised from 1 MHz up to 2000 MHz - Work Area cables

Overview

EN 50288-12-2:2026 is a European standard developed by CENELEC (CLC) focused on multi-element metallic cables used for both analogue and digital communication and control. This sectional specification addresses screened cables characterized for frequencies from 1 MHz up to 2000 MHz, specifically intended as work area cables in information technology and generic-cabling systems. The standard outlines electrical, mechanical, transmission, and environmental performance characteristics, providing clear reference test methods for each aspect. EN 50288-12-2:2026 is meant to be used in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which details the essential overarching requirements for application.

This standard is tailored for cables typically operating at voltage and current levels common in telecommunication and control systems. Notably, these cables are not designed for use with low impedance power sources, such as those found in public utility mains supply.

Key Topics

• Scope
  Defines screened multi-element metallic cables for communication and control, characterized up to 2 GHz and used in work area cabling.

• Cable Construction

  • Solid or stranded copper conductors
  • Suitable insulation materials as specified by the EN 50290-2 series
  • Pairs as the basic cable element, with identification using standard color codes (IEC 60189-2 or IEC 60708)
  • Screening options include foil and/or braid, with specific minimum coverage based on design
  • Proper sheath materials to ensure protection in working environments

• Performance Requirements

  • Electrical Tests: Loop resistance, insulation resistance, dielectric strength, crosstalk (NEXT and PSNEXT), attenuation, return loss, characteristic impedance, and coupling attenuation for high-frequency performance.
  • Mechanical Tests: Conductor elongation, crush resistance, impact resistance, abrasion resistance of sheath markings, as well as tensile performance.
  • Environmental Tests: Cold bend, temperature cycling, installation simulation including single and "S" bend stresses.
  • Fire Performance: References to relevant test methods to ensure flame retardance and fire safety.

• Testing and Compliance

  • Reference to standardized test methodologies, primarily the EN 50289 and EN 50290 series.
  • Clear indication of where informative versus normative values are applied.

Applications

Work area cables complying with EN 50288-12-2:2026 offer significant benefits in various communication environments, including:

• Commercial Offices: Reliable and high-performance network connectivity in desk-to-main distribution frame cabling.
• Control Systems: Application in industrial automation, providing signal integrity in control panels or distributed I/O systems where electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is critical.
• Data Centers: Structured cabling supporting high-speed data transmission for server farms, storage, and switching equipment at frequencies up to 2 GHz.
• Institutional Facilities: Schools, hospitals, and research institutions requiring robust generic cabling infrastructures for both data and voice communication.

The focus on screened cable designs ensures superior protection against external electromagnetic interference (EMI), providing higher data integrity and system reliability in sensitive electronic environments.

Related Standards

• EN 50288-1: Generic specification for multi-element metallic cables used in communication and control - foundational for this sectional specification.
• EN 50289 Series: Specifications for test methods related to electrical, mechanical, and environmental performance of communication cables.
• EN 50290-2 Series: Details on materials, including insulation and sheath requirements, for communication cables.
• IEC 60189-2, IEC 60708: International standards for color coding and identification of cable elements, referenced for uniformity and compatibility.

Cable manufacturers, network designers, and installers benefit from following EN 50288-12-2:2026, ensuring best practices in cabling infrastructures for high-speed, reliable analogue and digital communication networks. By adhering to this standard, stakeholders help guarantee quality, safety, and interoperability in modern information technology environments.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 50288-12-2:2020
01-julij-2020
Večelementni kovinski kabli za analogne in digitalne komunikacije in krmiljenje -
12-2. 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 12-2: Sectional specification for 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 12-2: Spécification intermédiaire pour
les câbles écrantés caractérisés de 1 MHz à 2 000 MHz - Câbles de zone de travail
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 50288-12-2
ICS:
33.120.20 Žice in simetrični kabli Wires and symmetrical
cables
oSIST prEN 50288-12-2:2020 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 50288-12-2:2020
oSIST prEN 50288-12-2:2020
EUROPEAN STANDARD DRAFT
prEN 50288-12-2
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2020
ICS
English Version
Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital
communication and control - Part 12-2: Sectional specification
for 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 12-2: Spécification intermédiaire pour
les câbles écrantés 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: 65673 Ref. No. prEN 50288-12-2 E

oSIST prEN 50288-12-2:2020
prEN 50288-12-2:2020 (E)
Contents Page
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
oSIST prEN 50288-12-2:2020
prEN 50288-12-2:2020 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 50288-12-2:2020) 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 12-2 is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1:2013.
oSIST prEN 50288-12-2:2020
prEN 50288-12-2:2020 (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 50289-3-9:2001, Communication cables - Specifications for test methods - Part 3-9: Mechanical te
...