EN 50288-13-1:2026

• Abstract:

  This document relates to EN 50288 1, Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control. It covers overall screened horizontal cables, characterized up to 2GHz, backward compatible to cables specified up to 500MHz, used in data centre and horizontal floor and building backbone 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 50288-13-1:2026 - Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control - Part 13-1: Sectional specification for outer screened cables characterised up to 2000 MHz - Horizontal and building backbone cables

Overview

EN 50288-13-1:2026 is a European standard developed by the CLC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) for multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control networks. Specifically, this sectional specification details requirements for outer screened cables characterized up to 2000 MHz (2 GHz), intended for use as horizontal and building backbone cables in data centres and other structured cabling systems. The standard ensures high levels of electrical, mechanical, transmission, and environmental performance for cables supporting advanced IT infrastructure, while maintaining compatibility with installations designed for frequencies up to 500 MHz.

This document should be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which provides generic requirements for multi-element metallic cables. EN 50288-13-1 is not intended for cables used in conjunction with low impedance sources such as public utility mains.

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Key Topics

EN 50288-13-1:2026 covers essential topics for selecting and specifying screened communication cables for building infrastructure:

• Scope and Application: Defines applicability to screened horizontal and backbone cables up to 2 GHz for data transmission and control functions.
• Cable Construction: Specifies conductor materials, insulation, pair-formation, screening (braid and/or foil), sheath, and layering requirements.
• Electrical Performance: Details parameters such as conductor resistance, impedance, insulation resistance, crosstalk (NEXT, PSNEXT), attenuation, propagation delay, and return loss.
• Mechanical Properties: Outlines mechanical requirements including tensile strength, impact and crush resistance, abrasion, and installation-induced bending radius.
• Environmental and Fire Performance: Stipulates cold bend tests, temperature cycling, and relevant fire performance testing.
• Reference Test Methods: Aligns all tested parameters with referenced European test methods (EN 50289 and EN 50290 series).
• Voltage and Current Ratings: Specifies permitted current, voltage, and temperature limits for safe operation in ICT environments.

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Applications

Properly installed outer screened cables in compliance with EN 50288-13-1 are critical for high-performance communication networks where electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), installation robustness, and high-speed data integrity are paramount. Typical applications include:

• Data Centre Backbone Wiring: Ensures reliable high-frequency data transmission and minimal interference over long runs between network cabinets.
• Horizontal Cabling in Offices and Commercial Buildings: Supports floor-to-floor and room-to-telecommunications room links for voice, data, and control applications.
• IT and Generic Structured Cabling Systems: Facilitates network infrastructure in various environments where standard-compliant, screened cables are essential.
• Industrial Communication Networks: Used in process control, building automation, and systems requiring consistent performance despite electrical noise or harsh installation conditions.
• Future-Proofed Installations: Compatibility with existing systems up to 500 MHz ensures smooth upgrades and coexistence with legacy infrastructure.

Key benefits include minimized crosstalk and signal attenuation, superior shielding effectiveness, and compliance with rigorous European standards for installation and operation.

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Related Standards

EN 50288-13-1:2026 is part of a family of standards for data and control cables. Related and referenced documents include:

• EN 50288-1: Generic specification for multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control.
• EN 50289 Series: Communication cables - Specifications for test methods covering electrical, mechanical, and environmental parameters.
• EN 50290 Series: Communication cables - General specifications and materials guidance.
• IEC 60189-2 / IEC 60708: Colour codes for cabling identification.
• Fire and Safety Standards: Depending on installation, additional national or European fire performance regulations may apply.

Selecting cables in line with EN 50288-13-1 ensures electrical system safety, interoperability, and long-term performance in modern communication networks. For complete system compatibility and testing, consult all referenced standards, particularly EN 50288-1.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 50288-13-1:2020
01-julij-2020
Večelementni kovinski kabli za analogne in digitalne komunikacije in krmiljenje -
13-1. del: Področna specifikacija za zaslonjene kable z lastnostmi od 1 MHz do
2000 MHz - Vodoravni (etažni) in stavbni hrbtenični (medetažni) kabli
Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control -
Part 13-1: Sectional specification for outer screened cables characterised up to 2000
MHz - Horizontal and building backbone cables
Câbles métalliques à éléments multiples utilisés pour les transmissions et les
commandes analogiques et numériques - Partie 13-1: Spécification intermédiaire pour
les câbles écrantés extérieurs caractérisés jusqu’à 2 000 MHz - Câbles horizontaux et
d’épine dorsale des bâtiments
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 50288-13-1
ICS:
33.120.20 Žice in simetrični kabli Wires and symmetrical
cables
oSIST prEN 50288-13-1:2020 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 50288-13-1:2020
oSIST prEN 50288-13-1:2020
EUROPEAN STANDARD DRAFT
prEN 50288-13-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2020
ICS
English Version
Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital
communication and control - Part 13-1: Sectional specification
for outer screened cables characterised up to 2000 MHz -
Horizontal and building backbone cables
Câbles métalliques à éléments multiples utilisés pour les To be completed
transmissions et les commandes analogiques et
numériques - Partie 13-1: Spécification intermédiaire pour
les câbles écrantés extérieurs caractérisés jusqu'à 2 000
MHz - Câbles horizontaux et d'épine dorsale des bâtiments
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: 65674 Ref. No. prEN 50288-13-1 E

oSIST prEN 50288-13-1:2020
prEN 50288-13-1:2020 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 5
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. 6
4.11 Wrapping layers . 6
4.12 Sheath . 6
5 Test methods and requirements for completed cables . 6
5.1 General . 6
5.2 Electrical tests . 6
5.2.1 Low-frequency and d.c. electrical measurements . 6
5.2.2 High-frequency electrical and transmission measurements . 6
5.3 Mechanical tests . 8
5.4 Environmental tests . 9
5.5 Fire performance test methods . 9
Annex A (normative) Table for data cable current, voltage and power ratings . 10
Bibliography . 11

oSIST prEN 50288-13-1:2020
prEN 50288-13-1:2020 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 50288-13-1:2020) 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 13-1 is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1:2013.
oSIST prEN 50288-13-1:2020
prEN 50288-13-1:2020 (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 data centre and horizontal floor and building
backbone 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: M
...