SIST EN 3838:2022

Aerospace series - Requirements and tests on user-applied markings on aircraft electrical cables

This document specifies tests that are to be performed on markings applied by the user to ensure that their durability is satisfactory and that, after application of markings directly to the cable insulation, jacket or sheath, the cable will meet the performance requirements laid down.

Luft- und Raumfahrt - Anforderungen und Prüfungen der Anwenderkennzeichnung auf elektrischen Luftfahrzeugleitungen

Dieses Dokument legt für vom Anwender aufgebrachte Kennzeichnungen durchzuführende Prüfungen fest, um sicherzustellen, dass ihre Dauerhaftigkeit ausreicht und dass die Leitung nach dem direkten Aufbringen der Kennzeichnung auf der Isolierung, der Ummantelung oder Hülle der Leitung den festgelegten Leistungsanforderungen genügt.

Série aérospatiale - Exigences et essais sur les marquages utilisateurs de câbles électriques aéronautiques

Le présent document spécifie les essais à effectuer sur les marquages appliqués par l'utilisateur afin de s'assurer que leur durabilité est satisfaisante et que, après application des marquages directement sur l'isolant, la gaine ou le revêtement du câble, ce dernier satisfait aux exigences de performances définies.

Aeronavtika - Zahteve in preskusi pri označevanju električnih kablov v zračnih plovilih za uporabnike

Ta dokument določa preskuse, ki jih je treba opraviti na oznakah, ki jih namesti uporabnik, da se zagotovi
ustrezna obstojnost oznak ter da bo kabel z oznakami, nameščenimi neposredno na izolacijo, plašč ali oklop, izpolnjeval določene zahteve glede zmogljivosti.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 09-Sep-2020
• Publication Date: 19-Jun-2022
• ICS: 29.060.20 - Cables
• ICS: 49.060 - Aerospace electric equipment and systems
• Technical Committee: I13 - Imaginarni 13
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 25-May-2022
• Due Date: 30-Jul-2022
• Completion Date: 20-Jun-2022
• Ref Project: EN 3838:2022 - Aerospace series - Requirements and tests on user-applied markings on aircraft electrical cables

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 3838:2010 - Aerospace series - Requirements and tests on user-applied markings on aircraft electrical cables
• Effective Date: 08-Jun-2022

Overview

EN 3838:2022 - "Aerospace series - Requirements and tests on user-applied markings on aircraft electrical cables" is a CEN/ASD-STAN European standard that defines qualification and acceptance testing for user-applied markings on aircraft cable insulation, jackets and sheaths. Approved in May 2022 (superseding EN 3838:2010), the standard ensures marking durability and that marking processes do not degrade cable performance throughout manufacturing, assembly, operation and maintenance.

Key topics and requirements

The standard focuses on verifying the durability, legibility and non‑destructive nature of marking methods. Major technical topics include:

• Scope and definitions - what constitutes a marking and an “aggressive marking system” (e.g., processes that can deform or damage insulation).
• Qualification tests (Clause 4) - required when introducing or changing a marking process; tests are performed per cable size, colour, material and construction.
• Test sequence and specimen requirements - defined sequences and numbers of specimens (different sequences for general marking vs. UV laser marking).
• Acceptance tests (Clause 5) - ongoing checks to confirm production markings meet requirements.
• Detailed test methods (Clause 6):
  • Visual examination of markings (6.1) - legibility and placement.
  • Permanence of markings (6.2) - adhesion and durability after curing.
  • Resistance to fluids (6.3) - exposure to service fluids.
  • Heat ageing (6.4) and exposure to light (6.5) - long‑term stability and UV resistance.
  • Marking contrast (6.6) - measured contrast for readability.
  • Bending at ambient temperature (6.7) - marking behaviour under mechanical flexing.
  • Voltage proof test (6.8) - applied for aggressive marking systems that may affect insulation.
• Reference test standards - many tests use aerospace cable test methods (EN 3475 series) and EN ISO 4892-3 for light exposure.

Note: EN 3838:2022 specifies test methods and sequences but does not publish numerical acceptance limits within the extract; those are determined per cable specification and design authority requirements.

Practical applications

• Qualifying and approving marking processes (pad printing, hot‑stamp, inkjet, UV laser) before production on aircraft electrical cables.
• Verifying that user-applied markings remain legible and do not compromise cable electrical/mechanical performance during service life.
• Supporting maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) procedures to ensure field-applied markings comply with design authority and regulatory expectations.
• Guiding procurement, quality and certification activities for aerospace cable assemblies.

Who should use this standard

• Aerospace cable manufacturers and suppliers
• Design authorities and system engineers
• Quality assurance and test laboratories
• MRO technicians and engineering maintenance organizations
• Regulatory bodies and certification agencies

Related standards

Key normative references cited by EN 3838:2022:

• EN 3475 series (aircraft cable test methods: visual, voltage proof, ageing, bending, resistance to fluids, marking permanence, contrast)
• EN ISO 4892-3 (exposure to fluorescent UV lamps)

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2022
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 3838:2010
Aeronavtika - Zahteve in preskusi pri označevanju električnih kablov v zračnih
plovilih za uporabnike
Aerospace series - Requirements and tests on user-applied markings on aircraft
electrical cables
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Anforderungen und Prüfungen der Anwenderkennzeichnung auf
elektrischen Luftfahrzeugleitungen
Série aérospatiale - Exigences et essais sur les marquages utilisateurs de câbles
électriques aéronautiques
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 3838:2022
ICS:
29.060.20 Kabli Cables
49.060 Letalska in vesoljska Aerospace electric
električna oprema in sistemi equipment and systems
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 3838
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
May 2022
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 49.060 Supersedes EN 3838:2010
English Version
Aerospace series - Requirements and tests on user-applied
markings on aircraft electrical cables
Série aérospatiale - Exigences et essais sur les Luft- und Raumfahrt - Anforderungen und Prüfungen
marquages utilisateurs de câbles électriques der Anwenderkennzeichnung auf elektrischen
aéronautiques Luftfahrzeugleitungen
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 13 March 2022.

CEN 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 CEN
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 CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2022 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 3838:2022 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Qualification tests . 7
4.1 Tests . 7
4.2 Test sequence . 7
5 Acceptance tests . 9
6 Test methods . 9
6.1 Visual examination of markings . 9
6.1.1 Object . 9
6.1.2 Apparatus . 9
6.1.3 Test specimen . 9
6.1.4 Procedure . 9
6.1.5 Requirements . 9
6.2 Permanence of markings . 9
6.2.1 Object . 9
6.2.2 Apparatus . 10
6.2.3 Test specimen . 10
6.2.4 Procedure . 10
6.2.5 Requirements . 10
6.3 Resistance to fluids . 10
6.3.1 Object . 10
6.3.2 Apparatus . 10
6.3.3 Specimen . 10
6.3.4 Procedure . 10
6.3.5 Requirements . 10
6.4 Heat ageing . 10
6.4.1 Object . 10
6.4.2 Apparatus . 10
6.4.3 Specimen . 10
6.4.4 Procedure . 11
6.4.5 Requirements . 11
6.5 Exposure to light . 11
6.5.1 Object . 11
6.5.2 Apparatus . 11
6.5.3 Specimen . 11
6.5.4 Procedure . 11
6.5.5 Requirements . 11
6.6 Marking contrast . 12
6.6.1 Object . 12
6.6.2 Apparatus . 12
6.6.3 Test specimen . 12
6.6.4 Procedure . 12
6.6.5 Requirements . 12
6.7 Bending at ambient temperature . 12
6.7.1 Object . 12
6.7.2 Apparatus . 12
6.7.3 Test specimen . 12
6.7.4 Procedure . 12
6.7.5 Requirements . 12
6.8 Voltage test. 13
6.8.1 Object . 13
6.8.2 Apparatus . 13
6.8.3 Test specimen . 13
6.8.4 Procedure . 13
6.8.5 Requirements . 13
Bibliography . 14

European foreword
This document (EN 3838:2022) has been prepared by the Aerospace and Defence Industries
Association of Europe — Standardization (ASD-STAN).
After enquiries and votes carried out in accordance with the rules of this Association, this document has
received the approval of the National Associations and the Official Services of
...