SIST EN 50520:2020/A1:2021

Cover plates and cover tapes for the protection and location warning of buried cables or buried conduits in underground installations

2021-04-20: amdt to allow citation of main standard - when pos assessed to request BT approval

Abdeckplatten und –bänder zum Schutz und zur Warnkennzeichnung der Lage von Kabeln oder erdverlegten Elektroinstallationsrohren in Unterbodeninstallationen

Plaques et bandes de protection pour la protection et le signalement des câbles enterrés ou des conduits enterrés dans les installations sous terre

Prekrivne plošče in folije za zaščito in opozarjanje na položaj kablov ali zasutih kanalov v podzemnih napeljavah - Dopolnilo A1

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 22-Sep-2021
• ICS: 29.060.01 - Electrical wires and cables in general
• ICS: 29.120.10 - Conduits for electrical purposes
• Technical Committee: I11 - Imaginarni 11
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 23-Sep-2021
• Due Date: 28-Nov-2021
• Completion Date: 23-Sep-2021
• 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
• Mandate: M/511 - Mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI relating to harmonised standards in the field of the Low Voltage Directive
• Ref Project: EN 50520:2020/A1:2021 - Cover plates and cover tapes for the protection and location warning of buried cables or buried conduits in underground installations

Relations

• Amends: SIST EN 50520:2020 - Cover plates and cover tapes for the protection and location warning of buried cables or buried conduits in underground installations
• Effective Date: 27-Apr-2021

Overview

SIST EN 50520:2020/A1:2021 is a European standard developed by the CLC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) focusing on cover plates and cover tapes for the protection and location warning of buried cables or buried conduits in underground installations. This amendment to the original EN 50520:2020 standard introduces updates related to marking, documentation, and normative references to ensure better compliance and clarity in the use of these protective materials.

The standard addresses safety, identification, and warning requirements associated with cover plates and tapes used to protect underground electrical cables and conduits, including those for information and communication technology (ICT). It supports adherence to EU regulations, specifically the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU.

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Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  EN 50520:2020/A1 defines requirements for cover plates and tapes used to protect and provide warning signals for buried electric cables or conduits, including ICT cables, in underground installations.

• Marking and Documentation
  Updated marking requirements (Clause 7.1) specify that cover plates and tapes must be clearly marked with:

  • Manufacturer’s name, trademark, or sign
  • Product identification (catalogue number, symbol, etc.)
  • Reference to the SIST EN 50520:2020/A1:2021 standard
  • Warning labels such as “ATTENTION” or “PRECAUTION”
  • Specific warning signs for dangerous voltages (according to IEC 60417) or identification labels such as “ELECTRIC CABLES” or “CABLES” for ICT installations
  • Optional markings can include supplier trademarks or recycling information

• Normative References
  The amendment revises references to graphical symbols and safety color standards, updating to the latest IEC and ISO standards for graphical symbols and safety signs (IEC 60417:2002 DB and ISO 3864 series).

• Safety and Compliance
  The standard aligns with essential safety objectives of the EU’s Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, ensuring the protective materials do not pose electrical risks and provide clear warning communications to enhance underground cable management safety.

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Applications

SIST EN 50520:2020/A1:2021 plays a critical role in underground electrical and communication infrastructure by specifying materials designed to:

• Protect buried cables and conduits from physical damage during excavation or construction
• Provide visible warnings to prevent accidental cable damage and enhance worker safety
• Facilitate the accurate location of underground cable routes for maintenance and repair works

Industries and sectors that benefit from this standard include:

• Utility companies managing electricity distribution networks
• Telecommunications providers overseeing underground ICT cabling
• Construction and civil engineering firms involved in underground infrastructure installations
• Municipalities and public works using safety-compliant paving and cable protection materials

Using compliant cover plates and tapes ensures longer cable life, reduces service interruptions, and supports regulatory compliance in underground cable management.

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Related Standards

SIST EN 50520:2020/A1:2021 works in conjunction with several relevant standards and directives to ensure comprehensive safety and performance:

• Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) - Establishes safety requirements for electrical equipment within certain voltage limits throughout the EU
• IEC 60417:2002 DB - Graphical symbols for equipment marking, particularly for electrical hazard warnings
• ISO 3864 Series (Parts 1 to 4) - Standards covering safety colors, signs, and graphical symbol design principles used on safety labels and signs
• RoHS Directive - Though not directly covered in EN 50520, restrictions on hazardous substances are relevant for materials used in cover plates and tapes

By adhering to SIST EN 50520:2020/A1:2021, manufacturers and contractors ensure alignment with essential European safety and environmental regulations for electrotechnical infrastructure components.

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Keywords: EN 50520 amendment, cover plates protection, cover tapes for buried cables, underground cable safety, electrical conduit warning, IEC graphical symbols, Low Voltage Directive compliance, cable location warning tapes, ICT underground cable protection, European electrotechnical standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2021
Prekrivne plošče in folije za zaščito in opozarjanje na položaj kablov ali zasutih
kanalov v podzemnih napeljavah - Dopolnilo A1
Cover plates and cover tapes for the protection and location warning of buried cables or
buried conduits in underground installations
Abdeckplatten und –bänder zum Schutz und zur Warnkennzeichnung der Lage von
Kabeln oder erdverlegten Elektroinstallationsrohren in Unterbodeninstallationen
Plaques et bandes de protection pour la protection et le signalement des câbles enterrés
ou des conduits enterrés dans les installations sous terre
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50520:2020/A1:2021
ICS:
29.060.01 Električne žice in kabli na Electrical wires and cables in
splošno general
29.120.10 Inštalacijske cevi za Conduits for electrical
električne namene purposes
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50520:2020/A1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2021
ICS 29.120.10
English Version
Cover plates and cover tapes for the protection and location
warning of buried cables or buried conduits in underground
installations
Plaques de protection et bandes de protection utilisées pour Abdeckplatten und -bänder zum Schutz und zur
protéger et avertir de la présence des câbles enterrés ou Warnkennzeichnung der Lage von Kabeln oder
des conduits enterrés dans les installations souterraines erdverlegten Elektroinstallationsrohren in
Unterbodeninstallationen
This amendment A1 modifies the European Standard EN 50520:2020; it was approved by CENELEC on 2021-06-09. CENELEC members
are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this amendment 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 amendment 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, 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.

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
© 2021 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN 50520:2020/A1:2021 E

European foreword
This document (EN 50520:2020/A1:2021) has been prepared by CLC/TC 213, “Cable management
systems”.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which this document has to be (dop) 2022-06-09
implemented at national level by publication of
an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards (dow) 2023-09-14
conflicting with this document have to be
withdrawn
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC 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).
For the relationship with EU Directive(s) see informative Annex ZZ, which is an integral part of this
document.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A

complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
1 Modification to Clause 2, “Normative references”
Replace the normative references IEC 60417 and ISO 3864 (series) with the following:
“
IEC 60417:2002 DB, Graphical symbols for use on equipment
ISO 3864-1:2011, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Part 1: Design principles
for safety signs and safety markings
ISO 3864-2:2016, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Par
...