EN 50290-2-25:2013

Communication cables - Part 2-25: Common design rules and construction - Polypropylene insulation compounds

This European Standard gives specific requirements for PP compounds to be used for multi-element metallic data cables for indoor application. Type 1 is typically a copolymer with better low temperature properties. Type 2 is typically a homopolymer with superior hardness giving better crush resistance. Using compound and type test data as outlined in this standard, the compound supplier will have sufficient data to demonstrate compliance and warrant that the material is suitable for the specified application.

Kommunikationskabel - Teil 2-25: Gemeinsame Regeln für Entwicklung und Konstruktion - Polypropylen-Isoliermischungen

Câbles de communication - Partie 2-25: Règles de conception communes et construction - Polypropylène pour enveloppes isolantes

Komunikacijski kabli - 2-25. del: Skupna pravila načrtovanja in konstrukcija - Polipropilenske izolacijske zmesi

Ta evropski standard določa posebne zahteve za zmesi PP, ki se uporabljajo za večelementne kovinske podatkovne kable za notranjo uporabo. Tip 1 je običajno kopolimer z boljšimi lastnostmi pri nizkih temperaturah. Tip 2 je običajno homopolimer z boljšo trdoto, kar mu zagotavlja boljšo odpornost proti drobljenju. Z uporabo podatkov o zmesi in tipskem preskušanju, kot je opisano v tem standardu, bo imel dobavitelj zmesi dovolj podatkov, da dokaže skladnost in jamči, da je material ustrezen za opredeljeno uporabo.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2013
• Withdrawal Date: 15-Sep-2016
• ICS: 29.035.20 - Plastics and rubber insulating materials
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 46X - Communication cables
• Drafting Committee: CLC/TC 46X - Communication cables
• Parallel Committee: IEC/TC 46 - IEC_TC_46
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 26-May-2021
• Completion Date: 23-Sep-2025
• 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
• Ref Project: SIST EN 50290-2-25:2014 - Communication cables - Part 2-25: Common design rules and construction - Polypropylene insulation compounds

Relations

• Replaces: EN 50290-2-25:2002 - Communication cables - Part 2-25: Common design rules and construction - Polypropylene insulation compounds
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 50290-2-25:2013 is a European Standard developed by the CLC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) that specifies common design rules and construction requirements for polypropylene (PP) insulation compounds used in multi-element metallic data communication cables for indoor applications. This standard focuses on ensuring the suitability and compliance of PP compounds with physical, dielectric, mechanical, and combustion properties that contribute to cable performance and safety.

This standard supersedes the 2002 version and introduces updated compound test requirements and electrical insulation properties. It supports manufacturers, compound suppliers, and cable producers in meeting stringent quality standards for indoor communication cables.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  EN 50290-2-25 covers polypropylene compounds intended for indoor multi-element metallic data cables. Two primary types are defined:

  • Type 1 (Copolymer): Known for enhanced low-temperature flexibility.
  • Type 2 (Homopolymer): Offers superior hardness and crush resistance.

• Compound Test Requirements
  Suppliers must provide detailed test data for granules or molded plaques of insulation compounds. Tests evaluate:

  • Density and melt flow index
  • Shore D hardness and Charpy impact strength at low temperatures
  • Tensile strength and elongation
  • Oxidative induction time (thermal stability)
  • Dielectric properties (dielectric constant and dissipation factor)
  • Combustion properties including smoke opacity, corrosivity, acidity, and toxicity

• Cable Test Requirements
  Cables using compounds that comply with this standard should undergo tests for mechanical robustness, thermal aging, bending resistance at low temperatures, shrinkage, and adhesion strip force. Test methods include EN and IEC standards aligned with electrical insulation evaluation.

• Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance
  Compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations outlined in EN 50290-2-20 is mandatory. Any deviations must be reported by the compound supplier.

Applications

EN 50290-2-25:2013 is highly relevant for manufacturers and suppliers involved in the production of indoor communication cables, specifically:

• Data Transmission Cables: Multi-element metallic cables used in LAN, WAN, and other data networking systems inside buildings.
• Telecommunication Cables: Suitable for cables requiring dependable insulation with good electrical and mechanical characteristics.
• Control and Signal Cables: Indoor cables used in industrial, commercial, and residential settings for control and signaling applications.
• Low Temperature Environments: Enhanced polymer types (Type 1) provide flexibility and performance under cold conditions.
• Applications Requiring Durability: Type 2 compounds ensure crush resistance and mechanical integrity where physical stresses are common.

Related Standards

EN 50290-2-25 forms part of the broader EN 50290 series addressing communication cables and their material specifications. Key related standards include:

• EN 50290-2-20 – Common design rules and construction for communication cables (General).
• EN 50288 (all parts) – Specification for multi-element metallic cables used in analog and digital communication.
• EN 50290-2-21 & EN 50290-2-22 – PVC insulation and sheathing compounds.
• EN 50290-2-23 & EN 50290-2-24 – Polyethylene insulation and sheathing compounds.
• EN 60811 series – Test methods for non-metallic materials in electric and optical fiber cables.
• EN ISO 179-1 and EN ISO 527 – Plastics impact resistance and tensile property testing.
• EN 50267-2-2 – Testing gases evolved during combustion of cable materials to assess corrosivity.

Compliance with these interlinked standards ensures safety, reliability, and uniformity across electrical communication cable manufacturing in Europe.

---

Keywords: EN 50290-2-25, polypropylene insulation, communication cables, indoor data cables, cable standards, cable compound testing, copolymer, homopolymer, cable insulation requirements, polypropylene cable compounds, cable mechanical testing, cable dielectric properties, indoor communication cable standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2014
.RPXQLNDFLMVNLNDEOLGHO6NXSQDSUDYLODQDþUWRYDQMDLQNRQVWUXNFLMD
3ROLSURSLOHQVNHL]RODFLMVNH]PHVL
Communication cables - Part 2-25: Common design rules and construction -
Polypropylene insulation compounds
Kommunikationskabel -- Teil 2-25: Gemeinsame Regeln für Entwicklung und
Konstruktion - Polypropylen-Isoliermischungen
Câbles de communication - Partie 2-25: Règles de conception communes et construction
- Polypropylène pour enveloppes isolantes
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50290-2-25:2013
ICS:
29.035.20 3ODVWLþQLLQJXPHQLL]RODFLMVNL Plastics and rubber insulating
PDWHULDOL materials
33.120.10 Koaksialni kabli. Valovodi Coaxial cables. Waveguides
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 50290-2-25
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 2013
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 29.035.20; 33.120.10 Supersedes EN 50290-2-25:2002

English version
Communication cables -
Part 2-25: Common design rules and construction -
Polypropylene insulation compounds

Câbles de communication -  Kommunikationskabel -
Partie 2-25: Règles de conception Teil 2-25: Gemeinsame Regeln für
communes et construction - Entwicklung und Konstruktion -
Polypropylène pour enveloppes isolantes Polypropylen-Isoliermischungen

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2013-09-16. 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

CEN-CENELEC 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 50290-2-25:2013 E
Contents
Foreword . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Compound test requirements . 6
4 Cable test requirements . 6
5 Health, Safety and Environmental Regulations . 6
Bibliography . 9

- 3 - EN 50290-2-25:2013
Foreword
This document (EN 50290-2-25:2013) was prepared by CLC/TC 46X "Communication cables".
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which this document has
(dop) 2014-09-16
to be implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national
(dow) 2016-09-16
standards conflicting with this
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 50290-2-25:2002.
− The document has been entirely restructured.
− The main change is the introduction of the new Table 1 for the test to be performed on granules.
This document should be read in conjunction with EN 50290-2-20, the product standard EN 50288 (all parts) and
other applicable product standards.
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 document has been prepared under a mandate given to CENELEC by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
This standard covers the Principle Elements of the Safety Objectives for Electrical Equipment Designed for Use
within Certain Voltage Limits (LVD - 2006/95/EC).
EN 50290-2, Communication cables, is divided into the following sub-parts:
− Part 2-1: Common design rules and construction;
− Part 2-2: Common design rules and construction  Polyethylene insulation for multi element metallic data
cables for indoor application [currently at Enquiry stage];
− Part 2-3: Common design rules and construction  Polyethylene insulation for coaxial cables [currently at
Enquiry stage];
− Part 2-4: Common design rules and construction  Polypropylene insulation for coaxial cables [currently at
Enquiry stage];
− Part 2-20: Common design rules and construction  General;
− Part 2-21: Common design rules and construction  PVC insulation compounds;
− Part 2-22: Common design rules and construction  PVC sheathing compounds;
− Part 2-23: Common design rules and construction  PE insulation;
− Part 2-24: Common design rules and construction  PE sheathing;

− Part 2-25: Common design rules and construction  Polypropylene insulation for compounds [the present
document];
 Halogen free flame retardant insulation compounds;
− Part 2-26: Common design rules and construction
− Part 2-27: Common design rules and construction  Halogen free flame retardant thermoplastic sheathing
compounds;
 Filling compounds for filled cables;
− Part 2-28: Common design rules and construction
− Part 2-29: Common design rules and construction  Cross-linked PE insulation compounds;
− Part 2-30: Common design rules and construction  Poly(tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene) (FEP)
insulation and sheathing;
− Part 2-32: Common design rules and construction  Halogen free insulation compounds for flame retardant
and fire resistant cables [currently at Enquiry stage].
_________
- 5 - EN 50290-2-25:2013
1 Scope
This European Standard gives specific requirements for PP compounds to be used for multi-element metallic
data cables for indoor application. Type 1 is typically a copolymer with better low temperature properties. Type 2
is typically a homopolymer with superior hardness giving better crush resistance.
Using compound and type test data as outlined in this standard, the compound supplier will have sufficient data
to demonstrate compliance and warrant that the material is suitable for the specified application.
2 Normative references
The following doc
...