YY Control Cable Unscreened Precision.
YY control cable — unscreened, PVC insulated, PVC sheathed, Class 5 fine-stranded copper. The standard export specification for industrial automation, machine tooling, and panel wiring per VDE 0250-405 / EN 50525-2-11.
VDE 0250-405 Equivalence
The YY designation identifies an unarmoured, unscreened control cable with PVC insulation and PVC outer sheath. National Cables export builds meet the conductor class, sheath system, and electrical limits of VDE 0250-405 and EN 50525-2-11 for industrial control circuits.
Construction Architecture
| Parameter | YY Export Standard |
|---|---|
| Conductor material | 99.97% electrolytic copper (conductivity ≥ 101% IACS) |
| Conductor class | Class 5 fine stranded (IEC 60228) |
| Core identification | White cores with black numbering (JZ/OZ coding available) |
| Sheath color | Grey (RAL 7001) standard, black on request |
| Temperature range | −5°C to +70°C (occasional flex) · −40°C to +70°C (fixed service) |
| Voltage rating | 300/500V (U₀/U) |
| Min bending radius | 4 × OD (fixed installation) · 15 × OD (occasional flex) |
| Test voltage | 2.5kV AC per VDE 0250-405 |
Standard core counts and conductor sizes.
| Core count | Sizes available (mm²) | Typical application |
|---|---|---|
| 2-core | 0.75 · 1.0 · 1.5 · 2.5 · 4.0 · 6.0 | Signal pairs, 2-wire control loops |
| 3-core | 0.75 · 1.0 · 1.5 · 2.5 · 4.0 · 6.0 | 3-wire control with earth, single-phase motor feeds |
| 4-core | 0.75 · 1.0 · 1.5 · 2.5 · 4.0 · 6.0 | 3-phase + earth, 4-wire process signal |
| 5-core | 0.75 · 1.0 · 1.5 · 2.5 · 4.0 | 3-phase + neutral + earth, multi-signal with earth |
| 7-core | 0.75 · 1.0 · 1.5 · 2.5 | Multi-signal bundles, PLC I/O wiring |
| 10-core | 0.75 · 1.0 · 1.5 | DCS/PLC multi-channel control runs |
| 12 · 14 · 16 · 18-core | 0.75 · 1.0 · 1.5 | High-channel-count automation harnesses |
| 19 · 24 · 27 · 30-core | 0.75 · 1.0 | Dense I/O distribution, marshalling cabinets |
Current Carrying Capacity
Values shown for 30°C ambient, free air. For dense panel trunking and grouped installation, apply derating factors per VDE 0298-4 or project authority.
| Size (mm²) | Max resistance (Ohm/km) | Current rating (A) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.75 | 26.0 | 12 |
| 1.0 | 19.5 | 15 |
| 1.5 | 13.3 | 18 |
| 2.5 | 7.98 | 26 |
| 4.0 | 4.95 | 34 |
| 6.0 | 3.30 | 44 |
Where YY control cable is specified.
Packing and documentation.
- Drums: Non-returnable wooden drums, ISPM-15 heat-treated.
- Marking: Sequential metre marking, UV-printed.
- Documentation: ISO 9001:2015 quality records, RoHS/REACH declarations, BIS test certificates — supplied with every consignment.
IS 694:2010 Source Product
YY control cable — technical questions answered.
Common questions from European panel builders, GCC industrial automation integrators, African EPC contractors, and machine tool OEMs specifying unscreened flexible control cable to VDE 0250-405 / EN 50525-2-11.
What is the difference between YY, CY, and SY control cable?
All three are flexible PVC-insulated control cables differing in outer construction.
YY is unscreened with PVC outer sheath — basic construction for internal machine, panel, and control wiring in low-interference environments.
CY adds a tinned copper wire braid under the outer sheath for electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection — used for signal integrity near variable frequency drives (VFDs).
SY adds a galvanised steel wire braid for mechanical crush and abrasion protection.
Note: National Cables manufactures YY control cable only — CY and SY variants are not in our product range. For shielded or armoured control cable requirements, please consult a specialist supplier.
What is the voltage rating of YY control cable?
YY control cable per VDE 0250-405 / EN 50525-2-11 is rated 300/500V (U₀/U).
However, National Cables YY export builds are manufactured on the same BIS-certified production line as our IS 694:2010 multicore control cable — using identical PVC insulation, Class 5 conductor, and 2.5kV proof test.
IS 694:2010 classifies the same physical cable at 650/1100V, providing genuine voltage headroom above the 300/500V YY specification. Panel builders sourcing from India benefit from the more conservative Indian voltage classification.
Is YY cable suitable for VFD motor connections?
Standard unscreened YY cable is generally not suitable for VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) motor output cables. VFDs generate high-frequency electrical noise that requires screened (CY) or purpose-designed VFD cable for EMC compliance and to prevent interference with nearby control signals.
YY cable lacks the copper braid screening needed to contain this interference. For VFD motor connections, specify a dedicated shielded VFD cable from a specialist supplier — National Cables' YY product line is not designed for this application.
Is YY cable suitable for BS 7671 fixed wiring?
YY cable is rated 300/500V per VDE 0250-405 / EN 50525-2-11 and is designed for flexible control applications in panels, machinery, and conveyors. Its suitability for fixed wiring under BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) depends on specific installation context, circuit requirements, and environmental conditions — YY cable is not a standardised BS fixed-wiring cable in the UK.
For fixed building wiring intended to comply with BS 7671, a purpose-rated fixed-installation cable should generally be used. Consult BS 7671 and your project's electrical engineer for definitive compliance requirements.
Is YY cable UV resistant for outdoor installation?
No. Standard grey PVC YY cable is designed for indoor installation and is not UV resistant. Prolonged outdoor sunlight exposure will cause the PVC sheath to crack and embrittle over time.
If routing YY cable outdoors is unavoidable, install within UV-resistant conduit, trunking, or enclosed cable tray. For permanent outdoor applications, specify a cable with a UV-stabilised sheath compound — National Cables' standard YY product is an indoor-rated control cable.
Request YY export pricing.
Standard core counts and sizes available. Custom configurations and sheath colours on request.