SIST EN 50290-4-1:2015

Communication cables - Part 4-1: General considerations for the use of cables - Environmental conditions and safety aspects

This European Standard gives the environmental conditions and safety aspects of symmetrical, coaxial and optical cables used for the infrastructure of communication and control networks.

Kommunikationskabel - Teil 4-1: Allgemeine Betrachtungen für die Anwendung der Kabel - Bedingung der Umgebung und Sicherheitsaspekte

Câbles de communication - Partie 4-1 : Considérations générales pour l'utilisation des câbles - Conditions d'environnement et aspects d'installation

Komunikacijski kabli - 4-1. del: Splošno o uporabi kablov - Okoljski pogoji in varnostni vidiki

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 18-May-2015
• ICS: 33.120.10 - Coaxial cables. Waveguides
• Technical Committee: iTEL - Communication cables
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 11-Feb-2015
• Due Date: 18-Apr-2015
• Completion Date: 19-May-2015
• 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
• Mandate: M/117 - Horizontal complement to the mandates to CEN/CENELEC concerning the execution of standardization work for the valuation of construction products and elements in respect of their resistance to fire
• Mandate: M/212 - ICT - metallic and optical cables and cabling systems
• Mandate: M/443 - Mandate to CEN and CENELEC concerning the execution of standardisation work for harmonized standards on power, control and communication cables related to the following end uses: 24/33: Supply of electricity, 26/33: Communications, 28/33: Fire detection and alarm
• Ref Project: EN 50290-4-1:2014 - Communication cables - Part 4-1: General considerations for the use of cables - Environmental conditions and safety aspects

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 50290-4-1:2002 - Communication cables -- Part 4-1: General considerations for the use of cables - Environmental conditions and safety aspects
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015

Overview

The SIST EN 50290-4-1:2015 standard, developed by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CLC), provides crucial guidelines on the environmental conditions and safety aspects for communication cables. This standard applies to symmetrical, coaxial, and optical cables used in communication and control network infrastructures. It focuses on ensuring cable reliability and safety throughout their lifecycle, including storage, installation, and operation.

Key Topics

Environmental Conditions

• Defines environmental factors impacting cable performance, such as temperature extremes, humidity, moisture, nuclear radiation, and chemical exposure.
• Establishes severities for environmental tests including:
  • Climatic tests: Testing cable endurance against low/high temperatures and rapid temperature changes.
  • Damp heat steady state: Ensures cable stability under prolonged humidity.
  • Salt mist and sulphur dioxide tests: Simulate corrosive environments affecting cable materials.
• Emphasizes designing cables to withstand environmental stresses relevant to their application.

Safety Aspects

• Aligns with relevant European Community (EC) directives:
  • EMC Directive: Guides on electromagnetic compatibility by describing cable screening performance.
  • Low Voltage Directive (LVD): Applies when cables carry signals exceeding DC 100 V or AC 75 V, ensuring cable design and testing meet safety requirements.
  • Construction Products Regulation (CPR): Applies to cables used in construction works with requirements for fire resistance, reaction to fire, durability, and restriction of hazardous substances.
• Fire safety requirements are addressed via coordination with EN 50575 and EN 13501 series standards.
• Ensures no harmful substances are released during normal use, supporting sustainable and safe installations.

Installation and Testing

• Details the importance of considering the installation environment to enhance cable longevity and reliability.
• Provides test guidelines for mechanical stresses, including vibration and shock impacts relevant to aerial and other specific cable use cases.
• Outlines environmental test planning, emphasizing proper selection of test severities based on actual field conditions and usage scenarios.

Applications

SIST EN 50290-4-1:2015 is applicable to a broad range of communication cable installations, including:

• Telecom networks using symmetrical, coaxial, and optical cables.
• Control systems requiring reliable monitoring and signal transmission in diverse environments.
• Construction projects where cables must comply with fire safety and environmental regulations.
• Industrial and outdoor installations exposed to harsh chemical, climatic, or mechanical conditions.

This standard supports engineers, manufacturers, installers, and regulatory bodies in assessing cable suitability for various environments and ensuring compliance with European safety regulations and quality benchmarks.

Related Standards

To fully implement the guidance of SIST EN 50290-4-1:2015, consider these related standards:

• EN 50290-1-2: Definitions for communication cables.
• EN 50575: Power, control, and communication cables for construction works with fire reaction requirements.
• EN 13501-3 / EN 13501-6: Fire classification for cables and construction products.
• EN 60068 series: Environmental testing methods including climate, shock, vibration, and corrosive atmosphere testing.
• EN 50289-3 and EN 50289-4: Specifications for test methods and environmental requirements.
• EN 61169-1: Radio-frequency connector specifications linked to communication cables.

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Implementing SIST EN 50290-4-1:2015 ensures communication cables meet rigorous environmental resilience and safety standards, facilitating reliable network infrastructure and compliance with European regulations. This standard is essential for professionals focused on quality, durability, and safety in communication cable systems design and deployment.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2015
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 50290-4-1:2002
Komunikacijski kabli - 4-1. del: Splošno o uporabi kablov - Okoljski pogoji in
varnostni vidiki
Communication cables - Part 4-1: General considerations for the use of cables -
Environmental conditions and safety aspects
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50290-4-1:2014
ICS:
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 50290-4-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
December 2014
ICS 33.120.10 Supersedes EN 50290-4-1:2001
English Version
Communication cables - Part 4-1: General considerations for the
use of cables - Environmental conditions and safety aspects
Kommunikationskabel - Teil 4-1: Allgemeine Betrachtungen
für die Anwendung der Kabel - Bedingung der Umgebung
und Sicherheitsaspekte
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.

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
© 2014 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN 50290-4-1:2014 E
Contents
Foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Environmental conditions and installation aspects . 4
4.1 General . 4
4.2 Relationship with EC directives . 5
4.2.1 EMC Directive . 5
4.2.2 Low voltage directive . 5
4.2.3 Construction product directive/ Construction Product regulation . 6
4.3 Environmental conditions . 6
4.3.1 Relationship between environmental conditions and severities of testing . 6
4.3.2 Climatic environment and severities for environmental tests . 7
4.3.3 Mechanical environment and severities for environmental tests . 9
4.3.4 Chemical environment . 10
4.3.5 Moisture, water and humidity . 10
4.3.6 Nuclear radiation . 10
Bibliography . 11

- 3 - EN 50290-4-1:2014
Foreword
This document (EN 50290-4-1:2014) has been prepared by CLC/TC 46X "Communication cables".
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which this document has
(dop) 2015-06-05
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 50290-4-1:2001.
EN 50290-4-1:2001:
− Clauses related to fire reaction and fire resistance have been updated to take into account the recent
development of supporting standards for the CPR.
This standard should be read in conjunction with EN 50290-1-1 and is completed by generic, sectional,
family and detail specifications, as appropriate, to describe in a detailed manner each type of cable with
its specific characteristics.
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.
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 50290-4, Communication cables — General considerations for the use of cables, is divided into the
following sub-parts:
− Part 4-1: Environmental conditions and safety aspects [the present document];
− Part 4-2: Guide to use.
1 Scope
This European Standard gives the environmental conditions and safety aspects of symmetrical, coaxial
and optical cables used for the infrastructure of communication and control networks.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 13501-3, Fire classification of construction products and building elements  Part 3: Classification
using data from fire resistance tests on products and elements used in building service installations: fire
resisting ducts and fire dampers
EN 13501-6, Fire classification of construction products and building elements  Part 6: Classification
using data from reaction to fire tests on electric cables
EN 50289-3 (all parts), Communication cables  Specifications for test methods
 Specifications for test methods
EN 50289-4 (all parts), Communication cables
EN 50290-1-2, Communication cables  Part 1-2: Definitions
EN 50290-2-2X (all parts), Communication cables
 Cables for general applications in
EN 50575:2014, Power, control and communication cables
construction works subject to reaction to fire requirements
EN 60068-2-11, Environmental testing  Part 2: Tests  Test Ka: Salt mist (IEC 60068-2-11)
EN 60068-2-14, Environmental testing  Part 2-14: Tests  Test N: Change of temperature (IEC 60068-
2-14)
EN 60068-2-27, Environmental testing  Part 2-27: Tests  Test Ea and guidance: Shock (IEC 60068-
2-27)
EN 60068-2-42, Environmental testing  Part 2-42: Tests  Test Kc: Sulphur dioxide test for contacts
and connections (IEC 60068-2-42)
EN 60068-2-53, Environmental testing  Part 2-53: Tests and guidance: Combined climatic
(temperature/humidity) and dynamic (vibration/shock) tests (IEC 60068-2-53)
1)
FprEN 60794-1-21 , Optical fibre cables  Part 1-21: Generic specification  Basic optical cable test
procedures - Mechanical tests methods (IEC 60794-1-21)
EN 61169-1:2013, Radio-frequency connectors  Part 1: Generic specification  General requirements
and measuring methods (IEC 61169-1:2013)
IEC 62012-1:2002, Multicore and symmetrical pair/quad cables for digital communications to be used in
 Part 1: Generic specification
harsh environments
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 50290-1-2 apply.
4 Environmental conditions and installation aspects
4.1 General
The reliability of the cables and their expected lifetime depend upon how the environmental conditions
(during storage, installation and operation) are taken into account in their design.

1) By the time of publication of the present document, this reference is at Committee Draft stage in the IEC under the reference
"6A/1582/CDV".
- 5 - EN 50290-4-1:2014
The following subclauses address environmental aspects that can impact the reliability of the
communication cables.
4.2 Relationship with EC directives
4.2.1 EMC Directive
Though cables as products are not under the scope of the EMC directive, they are used to interconnect
apparatus as described in the directive.
The equipment supplier, system designer and operators shall be aware that the interconnection of cables
may affect the overall system EMC performance.
Mitigation practices as developed in some installation guides can decrease the level of electromagnetic
influence.
To help the systems users and the designers to fulfil the EMC directive requirements by an adequate
choice of cables, the electromagnetic behaviour of each cable shall be given in the relevant specification
and described by screening performance and balanced properties.
4.2.2 Low voltage directive
Depending upon the actual application for which they are used, communication and control cables may
have to carry signals, the voltage of which can exceed DC 100 V or AC 75 V.
These cables fall under the low voltage directive and have to be designed, tested and marked
accordingly.
The relevant cable specification shall take into account the requirements of the low voltage directive.
Demonstration of compliance with the essential requirements of the LVD is done either through a
technical file or when the cable fulfils the following diagram.

Figure 1
4.2.3 Construction product directive/ Construction Product regulation
4.2.3.1 General
Communication and control cables fall under the scope of the construction product regulation, when
inst
...