Control Cables

Control Cables

Control cables are essential components in industrial and commercial automation systems, designed to transmit control signals and low-voltage electrical energy between equipment. These cables play a fundamental role in enabling reliable communication between sensors, actuators, machinery, and centralized control panels. ETK Kablo’s control cable portfolio meets a wide range of industrial needs by offering flexible, durable, and standardized cables suitable for fixed or dynamic applications where mechanical stress, electromagnetic interference, or chemical exposure are common.

Cable Construction and Material Composition

ETK Kablo manufactures its control cables with a focus on mechanical robustness, electrical stability, and compliance with international norms. Standard conductor types are plain annealed copper wires, available as class 5 flexible strands to facilitate movement in automated machinery. Depending on the application, conductor cross-sections range from 0.5 mm² to 16 mm² and higher, in configurations from 2 to 50 cores or more.

Insulation materials include PVC (polyvinyl chloride) for general-purpose environments and halogen-free thermoplastic compounds (HFFR/LSZH) for areas requiring reduced smoke and toxicity. Each conductor is color-coded in accordance with DIN 47100 or number-coded with a green-yellow protective earth (if applicable).

The sheath material is critical for protection. ETK Kablo provides outer jackets made from:

• PVC (YSLY, YSLYCY): Suitable for dry and damp indoor environments, providing flexibility and flame retardance.
• Halogen-Free (HSLH, HSLH-JZ): Recommended for public buildings, data centers, or locations where toxic smoke and corrosive gases must be avoided.

The outer sheath is extruded to resist mechanical abrasion, oil, and some industrial chemicals, depending on variant. ETK Kablo also offers polyurethane-sheathed custom control cables upon request for more demanding mechanical applications.

Shielding Variants and Signal Integrity

For environments with high levels of electromagnetic noise—such as control cabinets near power circuits or variable speed drives—shielded control cables are essential. ETK Kablo’s portfolio includes:

• Unscreened Control Cables (YSLY, HSLH): For general signal control where EMI is minimal.
• Collectively Screened Control Cables (YSLYCY, HSLHCY): These use aluminum-polyester tapes with tinned copper drain wires to reduce external interference.
• Individually Shielded Pairs (on request): For high-precision signal transmission or analog control circuits.

Shielded control cables are used extensively in automation systems where feedback signals, encoder data, or analog sensors require uninterrupted transmission. The shielding enhances performance by minimizing voltage loss, signal distortion, and transient interference.

Flame Retardant and Halogen-Free Properties

Control cables often operate in industrial environments where fire safety is a priority. ETK Kablo manufactures both standard flame-retardant and halogen-free options:

• PVC variants (YSLY, YSLYCY) meet EN 60332-1 standards for flame retardance.
• LSZH variants (HSLH, HSLHCY) comply with IEC 60332-3, IEC 61034, and IEC 60754-2, ensuring low smoke and non-corrosive gas emission during combustion.

LSZH control cables are ideal for use in enclosed public spaces, airports, tunnels, rail systems, or factories with sensitive electronics. These cables help limit secondary damage caused by fire, such as corrosion of metal structures and visibility reduction due to smoke.

International Standards and Certifications

ETK Kablo’s control cables are produced in accordance with the following technical standards:

• DIN VDE 0281 / 0282 – German standard for flexible PVC control cables
• EN 50525 – Harmonized standard for low-voltage energy and control cables
• IEC 60227 / IEC 60332-1/3 – International standards for insulation and flame performance
• TSE K 315 – Turkish national standards compliance for flexible signal and control cables
• ISO 9001 – Full quality control traceability in production and testing processes
• Optional CPR classification – For construction projects requiring Euroclass fire ratings (B2ca, Cca, etc.)

Project Use Cases and Cable Selection

In real-world projects, control cables are tailored to the functional demands of the application:

• YSLY and YSLY-JZ cables are widely used for wiring industrial machinery where flexibility, quick termination, and economic value are essential.
• YSLYCY-JZ screened versions are applied in electrical panels with compact layouts to avoid signal noise from adjacent power cables.
• HSLH-JZ halogen-free models are preferred for office buildings, hospitals, or public infrastructure where human safety and system durability are vital.
• Multicore cables with numbered or color-coded cores help reduce wiring errors in high-density cabinets.

ETK Kablo assists project planners, OEMs, and distributors in choosing optimal configurations based on mechanical stress level, EMI environment, fire safety needs, and space constraints.

ETK Kablo’s Control Cable Portfolio

The ETK Kablo control cable product line includes standard and customizable variants tailored for industry-specific needs:

• YSLY-JZ / YSLY-OZ – Unscreened, PVC insulated, flexible, for general signal control
• YSLYCY-JZ / YSLYCY-OZ – Collectively shielded, for improved EMI protection
• HSLH-JZ / HSLHCY-JZ – Halogen-free, flame-retardant variants for fire-safe environments
• Core Range: From 2 to 50+ cores
• Cross-Sections: 0.5 mm² to 16 mm² standard, other sizes on request
• Conductor Classes: Class 5 stranded copper (flexible)
• Sheath Colors: Standard grey (RAL 7001), black, orange, or per customer specification
• Core Identification: Number-coded or DIN color-coded with optional yellow-green PE conductor

Custom sheath markings, conductor combinations, and packaging formats (coils, reels, drums) are also available upon request to support large-scale industrial integration and export documentation.

Advanced test equipment ensures compliance with technical datasheets and industry specifications. ETK Kablo provides test reports, datasheets, and CE/DoP documentation with each shipment for maximum transparency.

ETK Kablo’s control cables are engineered to meet the demanding requirements of automation, manufacturing, and industrial environments where signal integrity, mechanical endurance, and fire safety are essential. From unscreened flexible wiring to halogen-free shielded variants, the product range supports applications in nearly every industrial sector—from OEM machine builders and BMS integrators to energy, infrastructure, and automation contractors.

With internationally certified quality, diverse configuration options, and proven durability in field applications, ETK Kablo’s control cables provide a reliable backbone for dynamic industrial systems around the world.