M/212 - Optical Cables

This European Standard covers coaxial cables for use in analogue and digital systems. This standard should be used in conjunction with EN 50290 1 1.
Coaxial cables covered by this standard operate in transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) and are suitable for use in a wide range of digital and analogue applications including CATV, radio frequency systems, instrumentation, broadcasting, telecommunications and data network systems. Various constructions and materials provide for indoor and outdoor applications, including underground and overhead installations, and other environmental protection characteristics.
Generally, cables are designed for use in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm characteristic impedance systems, although other types (e.g. 93/95 Ohm) are also covered.
Coaxial cables defined by this standard may be incorporated into hybrid cable constructions with optical fibre or multi-element cable components.
All cables covered by this standard may be subjected to voltages greater than 50 V AC or 75 V DC according to the relevant sectional or detail specification. However, these cables are not intended for direct connection to the mains electricity supply or other low impedance sources.

This document covers coaxial cables for use in analogue and digital systems. This document should be used in conjunction with EN 50290-1-1. Coaxial cables covered by this document operate in transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) and are suitable for use in a wide range of digital and analogue applications including CATV, radio frequency systems, instrumentation, broadcasting, telecommunications and data network systems. Various constructions and materials provide for indoor and outdoor applications, including underground and overhead installations, and other environmental protection characteristics. Generally, cables are designed for use in 50 Ohm and 75 Ohm characteristic impedance systems, although other types (e.g. 93/95 Ohm) are also covered. Coaxial cables defined by this document may be incorporated into hybrid cable constructions with optical fibre or multi-element cable components. All cables covered by this document may be subjected to voltages greater than 50 V AC or 75 V DC according to the relevant sectional or detail specification. However, these cables are not intended for direct connection to the mains electricity supply or other low impedance sources.

This sectional specification relates to EN 50288 1, Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control.
It covers screened cables, characterized up to 2 000 MHz, to be used in data centres, horizontal 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.
NOTE   With backwards compatibility.
This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288 1, which contains the essential provisions for its application.

EN 50288 12-1 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised up to 2 000 MHz, to be used in horizontal and building backbone wiring for information technology, generic-cabling systems. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics and requirements of the cables when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288 1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in this sectional specification are intended to operate with voltages and currents normally encountered in communications systems. These cables are not intended to be used in conjunction with low impedance sources, for example the electrical power supplies of public utility mains.

EN 50290-2-NN contains, in its various parts, the requirements for polymeric insulating, sheathing and covering materials that are used for metallic and optical fibre cables (Table 1).
The materials to be used for EN standardised communication cables are not, and will not be, restricted only to those defined (Table 1). New materials for cables will be described in further parts of the series. The current structure of the EN 50290-2-NN series is outlined in Annex A.
Furthermore, the use of materials described in the EN 50290-2-NN series for other cable applications outside those defined (Table 1) is not prohibited, but it is strongly recommended that expert advice be taken before such use, or before any proposal for incorporation into another standard.

EN 50290-2-NN contains, in its various parts, the requirements for polymeric insulating, sheathing and covering materials that are used for metallic and optical fibre cables (Table 1). The materials to be used for EN standardised communication cables are not, and will not be, restricted only to those defined (Table 1). New materials for cables will be described in further parts of the series. The current structure of the EN 50290-2-NN series is outlined in Annex A. Furthermore, the use of materials described in the EN 50290-2-NN series for other cable applications outside those defined (Table 1) is not prohibited, but it is strongly recommended that expert advice be taken before such use, or before any proposal for incorporation into another standard.

This Part 2-29 of EN 50290 gives specific requirements for Crosslinked Polyethylene (XLPE) compounds to be used for the insulation of instrumentation, control and field bus cables. There are several routes used for manufacture of XLPE insulated cables and as a consequence a number of different types of polyethylene compound may be specified. The compounds required for the different manufacturing processes are described (Table 1). The unstabilised materials require antioxidant to be added during the cable extrusion process.

This Part 2-29 of EN 50290 gives specific requirements for Crosslinked Polyethylene (XLPE) compounds to be used for the insulation of instrumentation, control and field bus cables. There are several routes used for manufacture of XLPE insulated cables and as a consequence a number of different types of polyethylene compound may be specified. The compounds required for the different manufacturing processes are described (Table 1). The unstabilised materials require antioxidant to be added during the cable extrusion process.

This Part 2-37 of EN 50290 gives specific requirements for PE compounds to be used for the insulation of coaxial cables.
It is to be read in conjunction with EN 50290-2-20, EN 50117 and other applicable product standards.
Using raw material and type test data as outlined in this standard, the raw material supplier will have sufficient data to demonstrate compliance and warrant that the material is suitable for the specified application.

This Part 2-38 of EN 50290 gives specific requirements for PP compounds to be used for the insulation of coaxial cables. It is to be read in conjunction with EN 50290-2-20, EN 50117 and other applicable product standards.
Grades PP-S1 and PP-F1 correspond to materials specified in the previous version 50290 2-25. These relatively soft Polypropylene compounds have good low temperature properties and are highly stabilised.
Grades PP-S2 and PP-F2 exhibit properties more typical of Polypropylene and are designed for general Coax applications where high crush resistance and superior dielectric properties are needed.
Using raw material and type test data as outlined in this standard, the raw material supplier will have sufficient data to demonstrate compliance and warrant that the material is suitable for the specified application.

This Part 2-33 of EN 50290 gives specific requirements for PE compounds to be used for multi element metallic data cables for indoor application.
It is to be read in conjunction with EN 50290-2-20, the product standard EN 50288 and other applicable product standards.
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.

This Part 2-37 of EN 50290 gives specific requirements for PE compounds to be used for the insulation of coaxial cables. It is to be read in conjunction with EN 50290-2-20, EN 50117 and other applicable product standards. Using raw material and type test data as outlined in this standard, the raw material supplier will have sufficient data to demonstrate compliance and warrant that the material is suitable for the specified application.

This Part 2-33 of EN 50290 gives specific requirements for PE compounds to be used for multi element metallic data cables for indoor application. It is to be read in conjunction with EN 50290-2-20, the product standard EN 50288 and other applicable product standards. 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.

This Part 2-38 of EN 50290 gives specific requirements for PP compounds to be used for the insulation of coaxial cables. It is to be read in conjunction with EN 50290-2-20, EN 50117 and other applicable product standards. Grades PP-S1 and PP-F1 correspond to materials specified in the previous version 50290 2-25. These relatively soft Polypropylene compounds have good low temperature properties and are highly stabilised. Grades PP-S2 and PP-F2 exhibit properties more typical of Polypropylene and are designed for general Coax applications where high crush resistance and superior dielectric properties are needed. Using raw material and type test data as outlined in this standard, the raw material supplier will have sufficient data to demonstrate compliance and warrant that the material is suitable for the specified application.

This sectional specification covers screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 1 000 MHz, to be used as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems.
This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics and requirement of the cables when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods.
This sectional specification should be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application.
The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-11-2 is a sectional specification for un-screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 500 MHz, to be used in work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems.
This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics and requirements of the cables when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods.
This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application.
The cables covered in this sectional specification are intended to operate with voltages and currents normally encountered in communications systems. These cables are not intended to be used in conjunction with low impedance sources, for example the electrical power supplies of public utility mains.

EN 50288-10-1 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 500 MHz, to be as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems.
This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics and requirements of the cables when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods.
This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application.
The cables covered in this sectional specification are intended to operate with voltages and currents normally encountered in communications systems. These cables are not intended to be used in conjunction with low impedance sources, for example the electrical power supplies of public utility mains.

This Part 1-17 of EN 50289 details the test methods used to determine the cable to cable (exogenous) crosstalk between 4 pair cables used in analogue and digital communication systems. These exogenous Crosstalk effects are near end crosstalk (ExNEXT), far end crosstalk (ExFEXT), equal level far end crosstalk (ExELFEXT).

Part 1-17 of EN 50289 details the test methods used to determine the cable to cable (exogenous) crosstalk between 4 pair cables used in analogue and digital communication systems. These exogenous Crosstalk effects are near end crosstalk (ExNEXT), far end crosstalk (ExFEXT), equal level far end crosstalk (ExELFEXT). This document should be read in conjunction with EN 50289-1-1, which contains essential provisions for its application. Reference is made also to EN 50289-1-10 in which the definitions and test methods for crosstalk is given. The exogenous crosstalk test method is described, as well as the treatment of the results to simulate the installation condition of a disturbed cable in contact with six disturbing cables.

EN 50288-10-1 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 500 MHz, to be as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics and requirements of the cables when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in this sectional specification are intended to operate with voltages and currents normally encountered in communications systems. These cables are not intended to be used in conjunction with low impedance sources, for example the electrical power supplies of public utility mains.

EN 50288-11-2 is a sectional specification for un-screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 500 MHz, to be used in work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics and requirements of the cables when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in this sectional specification are intended to operate with voltages and currents normally encountered in communications systems. These cables are not intended to be used in conjunction with low impedance sources, for example the electrical power supplies of public utility mains.

This sectional specification covers screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 1 000 MHz, to be used as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics and requirement of the cables when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification should be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

The scope of this European Standard is to help installers and cabling designers to understand the range of communication metallic cables available. To help this choice the fundamental and practical rules on how to use these cables are established.
The related cables are specified in the documents issued by CLC/TC 46X and its sub-committees.
These cables are:
   telecom cables used in access network,
   data communication twisted pairs cables,
   coaxial cables used in CATV.

This Part 4-1 of EN 50290 gives the environmental conditions and safety aspects of symmetrical, coaxial and optical cables used for the infrastructure of communication and control networks.
It will 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.

The scope of this European Standard is to help installers and cabling designers to understand the range of communication metallic cables available. To help this choice the fundamental and practical rules on how to use these cables are established. The related cables are specified in the documents issued by CLC/TC 46X and its sub-committees. These cables are: - telecom cables used in access network, - data communication twisted pairs cables, - coaxial cables used in CATV.

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.

EN 50599 describes screened patch cords and application-specific cords enabling the construction of Class D channels as defined in the EN 50173 series of standards. This detail specification describes cords of which the transmission characteristics are up to 100 MHz for digital communication. The test configuration is detailed in EN 61935-2.

EN 50602 describes straight unscreened patch cords and patch cords and application-specific cords enabling the construction of Class E channels as defined in the EN 50173 series of standards. This detail specification describes cords of which the transmission characteristics are up to 250 MHz for digital communication. The test configuration is detailed in EN 61935-2.

EN 50601 describes patch cords and application-specific cords enabling the construction of Class D channels as defined in the EN 50173 series of standards. This detail specification describes cords of which the transmission characteristics are up to 100 MHz for digital communication. The test configuration is detailed in EN 61935-2.

EN 50603 describes straight screened patch cords and patch cords and application-specific cords enabling the construction of Class E channels as defined in the EN 50173 series of standards. This detail specification describes cords of which the transmission characteristics are up to 250 MHz for digital communication. The test configuration is detailed in EN 61935-2.

This European Standard details the method of test to determine the ability of the sheath markings of a finished cable used in analogue and digital communication systems to withstand abrasion. It will be read in conjunction with EN 50289-3-1, which contains essential provisions for its application. Depending on the kind of marking and as indicated in the relevant cable specification, one of the following two methods will be used: - Method 1: is suitable for rigid marking types like embossing, indenting and sintering; - Method 2: is applicable to marking types other than embossing, indenting and sintering.

This European Standard details the method of test to determine the ability of the sheath markings of a finished cable used in analogue and digital communication systems to withstand abrasion. It will be read in conjunction with EN 50289-3-1, which contains essential provisions for its application. Depending on the kind of marking and as indicated in the relevant cable specification, one of the following two methods will be used: - Method 1: is suitable for rigid marking types like embossing, indenting and sintering; - Method 2: is applicable to marking types other than embossing, indenting and sintering.

EN 50288-2-1 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 100 MHz, to be used in horizontal and building backbone wiring as defined in EN 50173. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-2-2 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 100 MHz, to be used as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1 which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

When used together with EN 50290 and EN 50289, this European Standard covers cables for instrumentation, inter-connection of equipment and information technology cabling applications. Cables for information technology cabling systems, covered by this and the sectional specification standards in the EN 50288 series are suitable for use in digital and analogue data systems meeting the requirements, for example, of EN 50090-2-1, EN 50090-3-1, EN 50098-1, EN 50098-2 and EN 50173. Unless otherwise specified, all cables covered by this European Standard may be subjected to voltages greater than 50 V a.c or 75 V d.c. but not more than 300 V a.c. or 450 V d.c. and shall meet the essential requirements of the low voltage directive. Due to current limitation related to the conductor cross sectional area, they are not intended for direct connection to mains electricity supply. The maximum current rating per conductor is as stipulated in Table B.1 unless otherwise specified in the relevant sectional specification. IDCs are only designed for copper or metal coated copper. Cabling elements as defined in 4.3 of this European Standard may be incorporated in hybrid construction cables together with coaxial or optical fibre cabling elements.

EN 50288-5-2 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 250 MHz, to be used as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-3-2 is a sectional specification for unscreened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 100 MHz, to be used as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centre cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1 which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-5-1 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 250 MHz, to be used in horizontal and building backbone wiring as defined in EN 50173. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1 that contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-4-2 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 600 MHz, to be used as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1 that contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-6-2 is a sectional specification for unscreened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 250 MHz, to be used as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-3-1 is a sectional specification for unscreened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 100 MHz, to be used in horizontal and building backbone wiring as defined in EN 50173. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-4-1 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 600 MHz, to be used in horizontal and building backbone wiring as defined in EN 50173. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-6-1 is a sectional specification for unscreened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 250 MHz, to be used in horizontal and building backbone wiring as defined in EN 50173. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1 that contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-4-2 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 600 MHz, to be used as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1 which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-2-1 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 100 MHz, to be used in horizontal and building backbone wiring as defined in EN 50173. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-5-1 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 250 MHz, to be used in horizontal and building backbone wiring as defined in EN 50173. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1 that contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-6-2 is a sectional specification for unscreened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 250 MHz, to be used as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

When used together with EN 50290 and EN 50289, this European Standard covers cables for instrumentation, inter-connection of equipment and information technology cabling applications. Cables for information technology cabling systems, covered by this and the sectional specification standards in the EN 50288 series are suitable for use in digital and analogue data systems meeting the requirements, for example, of EN 50090-2-1, EN 50090-3-1, EN 50098-1, EN 50098-2 and EN 50173. Unless otherwise specified, all cables covered by this standard may be subjected to voltages greater than 50 V a.c or 75 V d.c. but not more than 300 V a.c. or 450 V d.c. and shall meet the essential requirements of the low voltage directive. Due to current limitation related to the conductor cross sectional area, they are not intended for direct connection to mains electricity supply. The maximum current rating per conductor is as stipulated in Table B.1 unless otherwise specified in the relevant sectional specification. IDCs are only designed for copper or metal coated copper. Cabling elements as defined in 4.3 of this standard may be incorporated in hybrid construction cables together with coaxial or optical fibre cabling elements.

EN 50288-3-1 is a sectional specification for unscreened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 100 MHz, to be used in horizontal and building backbone wiring as defined in EN 50173. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1 which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.

EN 50288-5-2 is a sectional specification for screened cables, characterised from 1 MHz up to 250 MHz, to be used as work area cables to connect a telecommunications outlet to the terminal equipment and for patch cord cables to establish connections on a patch panel as defined in EN 50173. Work area and data centres cables may also be used as patch cord cables in any distributor of a generic building wiring system to interconnect with equipment or to cross-connect between cabling systems. This sectional specification contains the electrical, mechanical, transmission and environmental performance characteristics of the cables, when tested in accordance with the referenced test methods. This sectional specification is to be read in conjunction with EN 50288-1, which contains the essential provisions for its application. The cables covered in 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.