Marking by inscription for the identification of cores of electric cables

This European Standard specifies the requirements to be met when the identification of individual cores in a cable is by inscription of numbers on to the extruded insulation of each core. The requirements apply only when called up by the particular cable standard.
NOTE   The requirement to use numbers for identification is often restricted by the particular cable standard to cable types having more than 5 cores.
The procedures laid down in this EN provide a means of achieving a unique identification of each core in a multicore cable.

Kennzeichnung der Adern von Kabeln und Leitungen durch Bedrucken

Repérage par inscription des conducteurs constitutifs des câbles électriques

Marking by inscription for the identification of cores of electric cables

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
31-Mar-2002
ICS
29.060.20 - Cables
Technical Committee
IEKA - Electric cables
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
01-Apr-2002
Due Date
01-Apr-2002
Completion Date
01-Apr-2002
Ref Project
EN 50334:2001 - Marking by inscription for the identification of cores of electric cables

Relations

Replaces
SIST HD 186 S2:1998 - Marking by inscription for the identification of cores of electric cables having more than 5 cores
Effective Date
06-May-2014
Replaces
SIST HD 186 S2:1998/A1:1998 - Marking by inscription for the identification of cores of electric cables having more than 5 cores
Effective Date
06-May-2014

Overview

SIST EN 50334:2002 is a European Standard developed by CLC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) that defines requirements for the marking of individual cores within electric cables by inscription. Specifically, this standard addresses the legible numbering of cores on the extruded insulation of each cable core for unique identification in multicore cables. The marking by inscription is essential for clear core identification, especially in cables with more than five cores, ensuring safe handling, installation, and maintenance.

The standard was approved in 2001 and supersedes earlier standards HD 186 S2:1989 and its amendment A1:1992. It extends marking requirements to cables with any number of cores, accommodating evolving cable technology and installation complexity.

Key Topics

  • Scope: EN 50334 applies when called up by particular cable standards and focuses on marking cores with numbers inscribed directly on their extruded insulation.
  • Inscription Composition: The marking consists of repeated marks along the core length, each containing a reference number (starting at 1) accompanied by an underline dash indicating reading direction.
  • Marking Arrangement: Two main types are specified:
    • Axial marks - numbers printed along the cable axis, alternating upside-down orientation.
    • Transverse marks - numbers printed across the core circumference.
  • Mark Dimensions & Spacing: Detailed minimum sizes and intervals for numbers and dashes based on core diameter ensure visibility and consistency. For example:
    • Axial marks have defined minimum widths, heights, and spacing with a maximum interval of 50 mm between marks.
    • Transverse marks have specified height, width, and spacing rules also maintaining a 50 mm max interval.
  • Appearance & Color Requirements:
    • All cores (except green/yellow protective cores) must be marked following the standard.
    • Inscription color must clearly contrast with the core base color.
    • Use of green or yellow base colors is prohibited.
    • For cables with up to 37 cores, sequential numbering 1 to 37 is used with uniform colors.
    • For cables exceeding 37 cores, numbering can go up to 99 in the same colors or be divided into sets with different color combinations for easier identification.

Applications

EN 50334 is mainly applied in the manufacturing, testing, and installation of multicore electric cables used in a wide range of industries, including:

  • Electrical distribution and control systems where precise core identification is critical.
  • Industrial machinery wiring requiring clear and lasting core marking.
  • Building installations where compliance with European cable marking regulations is mandatory.
  • Any technical environment demanding clear, durable, and standardized core marking for maintenance and troubleshooting.

This standard facilitates the identification process during cable installation, repair, and quality control, improving safety and reducing errors caused by misidentification of cable cores.

Related Standards

EN 50334 interacts with various other cable standards and regulations that specify when marking by inscription is mandatory or optional. Notably:

  • National standards harmonized with EN 50334, implemented by CENELEC members across Europe.
  • Cable-specific standards which reference or require marking in accordance with EN 50334.
  • Preceding standard HD 186 S2:1989 and amendment A1:1992, which EN 50334 supersedes with extended requirements.
  • Other CLC and CENELEC standards addressing testing, performance, and installation of electric cables.

For professionals involved in cable design, production, or installation, adherence to EN 50334 ensures compliance with European best practices for core identification by inscription, enhancing clarity, uniformity, and safety in multicore cable applications.

Keywords: EN 50334, multicore cable marking, core identification, electric cables, cable core numbering, cable insulation marking, European cable standards, CLC, cable marking by inscription, cable core identification standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

SIST EN 50334:2002 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Marking by inscription for the identification of cores of electric cables". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies the requirements to be met when the identification of individual cores in a cable is by inscription of numbers on to the extruded insulation of each core. The requirements apply only when called up by the particular cable standard. NOTE The requirement to use numbers for identification is often restricted by the particular cable standard to cable types having more than 5 cores. The procedures laid down in this EN provide a means of achieving a unique identification of each core in a multicore cable.

This European Standard specifies the requirements to be met when the identification of individual cores in a cable is by inscription of numbers on to the extruded insulation of each core. The requirements apply only when called up by the particular cable standard. NOTE The requirement to use numbers for identification is often restricted by the particular cable standard to cable types having more than 5 cores. The procedures laid down in this EN provide a means of achieving a unique identification of each core in a multicore cable.

SIST EN 50334:2002 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 29.060.20 - Cables. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

SIST EN 50334:2002 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST HD 186 S2:1998, SIST HD 186 S2:1998/A1:1998. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

SIST EN 50334:2002 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2002
1DGRPHãþD
SIST HD 186 S2:1998
SIST HD 186 S2:1998/A1:1998
Marking by inscription for the identification of cores of electric cables
Marking by inscription for the identification of cores of electric cables
Kennzeichnung der Adern von Kabeln und Leitungen durch Bedrucken
Repérage par inscription des conducteurs constitutifs des câbles électriques
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50334:2001
ICS:
29.060.20 Kabli Cables
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50334
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM April 2001
ICS 29.060.20 Supersedes HD 186 S2:1989 + A1:1992
English version
Marking by inscription for the identification of cores of electric cables
Repérage par inscription des conducteurs Kennzeichnung der Adern von Kabeln
constitutifs des câbles électriques und Leitungen durch Bedrucken
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2000-04-01. 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 Central Secretariat 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 Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels
© 2001 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 50334:2001 E
Foreword
This European Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee CENELEC TC 20, Electric
cables.
The text of the draft was submitted to the Unique Acceptance Procedure and was approved by
CENELEC as EN 50334 on 2000-04-01.
This European Standard supersedes HD 186 S2:1989 and its A1:1992.
By comparison with HD 186, the scope of the EN has been extended to cover marking by the
inscription of numbers for cables with any number of cores.
The following dates were fixed:
- latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2001-10-01
- latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2002-04-01

- 3 - EN 50334:2001
Contents
Page
1 Scope 4
2 Normative references 4
3 Definitions 4
4 Inscription 4
5 Spacing and dimensions of marks 5
6 Application and appearance 6

1 Scope
This European Standard specifies the requirements to be met when the identification of individual
cores in a cable is by inscription of numbers on to the extruded insulation of each core. The
requirements apply only when called up by the particular cable standard.
NOTE The requirement to use numbers for identification is often restricted by the particular cable standard to cable types having
more than 5 cores.
The procedures laid down in this EN provide a means of achieving a unique identification of each
core in a multicore cable.
2 Normative references
(Clause not used.)
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard, the following d
...

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