EN 50288-7 Instrumentation Cables Explained

EN 50288-7 cable specifications are widely used for instrumentation and control systems that transmit analogue or digital signals between field devices, junction boxes, control panels and automation systems. However, EN 50288-7 should not be interpreted as describing one fixed cable construction.

Instead, the standard provides a framework for multi-element metallic instrumentation and control cables with different electrical, mechanical and environmental characteristics. Depending on the project, an EN 50288-7 instrumentation cable can be screened or unscreened, arranged in pairs or triads, individually screened, armored, halogen-free or provided with additional environmental protection.

Therefore, specifying only “EN 50288-7 instrumentation cable” leaves several important engineering decisions unresolved. The project must still define conductor size, signal-element arrangement, screening, capacitance, armour, insulation, sheath materials, fire performance and installation environment.

Quick answer: EN 50288-7 covers multi-element metallic cables used to connect instrumentation and control systems for analogue and digital signal transmission. The standard provides requirements for electrical transmission, mechanical construction and environmental performance, while allowing several cable architectures. It does not mean that every compliant cable has the same screen, insulation, armour or outer sheath.

EN 50288-7 Cable at a Glance

Topic	What EN 50288-7 Addresses
Main application	Instrumentation and control signal transmission
Signal type	Analogue and digital
Cable architecture	Multi-element metallic cable
Screening	Screened or unscreened constructions possible
Element screening	Individual screening can be incorporated
Armour	Optional according to application
Environmental protection	Additional moisture or protective layers can be incorporated
Mechanical performance	Defined through construction and applicable tests
Electrical performance	Transmission characteristics and electrical parameters
Power-cable use	Not intended as a general mains power cable standard

Consequently, the standard should be viewed as a technical framework rather than a single product recipe.

What Is EN 50288-7?

EN 50288-7 forms part of the EN 50288 series for multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control.

Part 7 specifically addresses instrumentation and control cables.

These cables can connect equipment such as:

• Process transmitters
• Temperature instruments
• Pressure instruments
• Flow instruments
• Level instruments
• Control valves
• PLC systems
• DCS systems
• Remote I/O
• Marshalling cabinets
• Monitoring systems

In practice, the standard is particularly relevant to industrial process environments where reliable low-level signal transmission matters.

What Does “Multi-Element” Mean?

The term multi-element is important because EN 50288-7 is not limited to one simple multicore architecture.

A cable can contain several electrical signal elements.

For example, those elements can include:

• Individual cores
• Twisted pairs
• Twisted triads
• Individually screened pairs
• Individually screened triads

Therefore, one outer cable can carry several independent instrumentation circuits while maintaining the required electrical organization.

EN 50288-7 Cable Does Not Mean One Construction

This is one of the most common misunderstandings.

Two cables can both be manufactured according to EN 50288-7 while having substantially different internal constructions.

For example, one cable may use:

• XLPE insulation
• Overall foil screening
• PVC outer sheath

Meanwhile, another EN 50288-7 cable may use:

• PE insulation
• Individually screened pairs
• Overall screen
• Halogen-free inner sheath
• SWA
• Halogen-free outer sheath

Both can belong to the same instrumentation standard family while solving completely different project requirements.

What Does EN 50288-7 Actually Specify?

The standard addresses several groups of performance requirements.

Broadly, these include:

• Construction requirements
• Electrical characteristics
• Transmission characteristics
• Mechanical performance
• Environmental performance
• Applicable test methods

However, project engineers still need to select the actual cable architecture within that framework.

EN 50288-7 and EN 50288-1

EN 50288-7 does not operate completely independently.

It is intended to be used together with EN 50288-1, which contains general requirements applying across the broader EN 50288 cable family.

Therefore, Part 7 provides the instrumentation-specific sectional requirements while Part 1 supplies common provisions.

This relationship is important when purchasing teams refer to the standard because quoting only one isolated clause may not represent the full requirement.

Is EN 50288-7 an Instrumentation Cable Standard?

Yes.

Its scope specifically covers cables used to connect instruments and control systems for analogue or digital signal transmission.

As a result, it is particularly relevant to:

• Process instrumentation
• Industrial automation
• Oil and gas plants
• Petrochemical facilities
• Power generation
• Mining
• Tunnels
• Manufacturing facilities
• Infrastructure projects

Nevertheless, the correct cable still depends on the actual field circuit and installation environment.

Analogue Signals Under EN 50288-7

Analogue instrumentation remains one of the major applications for these cables.

Typical signals can include:

• 4–20 mA
• 0–10 V
• Temperature measurements
• Pressure measurements
• Flow measurements
• Level measurements

For example, a conventional two-wire 4–20 mA transmitter can use a twisted pair within a multipair instrumentation cable.

Therefore, pair-based EN 50288-7 constructions are common in process plants.

Digital Signals Under EN 50288-7

The standard also includes digital signal transmission within its general scope.

However, this does not mean that every EN 50288-7 cable automatically suits every industrial communication protocol.

A particular digital network can require:

• Defined characteristic impedance
• Specific capacitance
• Attenuation limits
• Defined twist geometry
• Maximum route length
• Special termination

Consequently, protocol-specific requirements should override a generic assumption based solely on the instrumentation standard.

Pairs Under EN 50288-7

Pairs group two conductors into one electrical element.

This construction suits many two-wire circuits, including numerous process transmitters.

Twisting the conductors also helps expose both wires to similar electromagnetic conditions along the route.

As a result, suitable balanced circuits can achieve useful rejection of common-mode interference.

Triads Under EN 50288-7

Triads group three associated conductors into one cable element.

They can be useful for:

• Three-wire RTDs
• Three-wire transmitters
• Other three-conductor measurement circuits

Therefore, pair versus triad selection should follow the field-device wiring architecture rather than the standard name.

Pair vs Triad Instrumentation Cable

Characteristic	Pair	Triad
Conductors per element	2	3
Typical circuit	Two-wire signal loop	Three-wire measurement circuit
Example	4–20 mA transmitter	3-wire RTD
Individual screening option	PiMF	TiMF
Selection basis	Instrument requires two conductors	Instrument requires three conductors

Therefore, neither arrangement should be treated as inherently superior.

Screened vs Unscreened Instrumentation Cable

EN 50288-7 can cover screened and unscreened cable constructions.

This flexibility is important because different installations face very different electromagnetic environments.

An unscreened cable can be suitable where electrical noise remains low.

By contrast, a screened instrumentation cable becomes valuable near:

• Motors
• Variable-frequency drives
• Transformers
• Switchgear
• Power cables
• Industrial drives

Consequently, screening should follow the EMC environment rather than being assumed from the standard itself.

Overall Screening in EN 50288-7 Instrumentation Cable

One common architecture places a metallic screen around the complete assembled cable core.

A typical construction can use:

• Aluminium/polyester foil
• Tinned-copper drain wire
• Additional braid where specified

The overall screen primarily protects the cable core against electromagnetic influence from the surrounding environment.

Therefore, it can provide an efficient solution where individual circuit isolation is not required.

Individual Screening Under EN 50288-7

More demanding instrumentation systems can use separately screened cable elements.

For example:

• PiMF = individually screened pair
• TiMF = individually screened triad

Each pair or triad receives its own metallic screen before the complete cable is assembled.

As a result, individual screening can reduce unwanted coupling between neighboring instrumentation circuits.

PiMF vs TiMF in EN 50288-7 Cable

PiMF and TiMF should not be interpreted as different quality levels.

Instead:

PiMF applies individual screening to a pair.

TiMF applies individual screening to a triad.

Therefore, engineers should first determine whether the instrument requires two or three conductors and then decide whether that cable element requires individual screening.

Individual Screen Plus Overall Screen

A cable can use both screening levels.

For example, individually screened pairs can be assembled together and then surrounded by another overall screen.

This architecture can provide:

• Pair-to-pair isolation
• Protection from external EMI
• Improved control of signal interaction

However, additional screens increase material, cable diameter and termination complexity.

Therefore, the more complex design should solve a defined EMC requirement.

EN 50288-7 Cable and Drain Wires

Foil screens commonly use a drain wire to provide a practical electrical termination point.

Depending on construction, a cable can contain:

• Individual pair drain wires
• Individual triad drain wires
• Overall-screen drain wire

Consequently, screen architecture can materially affect junction-box and panel termination requirements.

Does EN 50288-7 Require Armour?

No.

Armour is not mandatory for every EN 50288-7 instrumentation cable.

Instead, mechanical reinforcement can be incorporated when the route requires it.

This is important because a cable installed in a protected control room faces very different risks from a cable installed through a refinery pipe rack or underground industrial route.

EN 50288-7 Cable with SWA

Steel Wire Armour can be added where the route requires stronger mechanical protection.

SWA can help protect against:

• Impact
• Crushing
• Rodents
• Installation damage
• External mechanical stress

Meanwhile, the instrumentation screen remains responsible for electromagnetic signal protection.

Therefore, SWA and electrical shielding solve separate problems.

EN 50288-7 Cable with SWB

Steel Wire Braid provides another mechanical reinforcement option in suitable instrumentation constructions.

Compared with heavy SWA designs, SWB can offer a different balance between:

• Flexibility
• Mechanical protection
• Diameter
• Installation handling

Consequently, SWA versus SWB should follow the physical route rather than the instrumentation standard alone.

Screening Is Not the Same as Armour

Feature	Instrumentation Screen	Mechanical Armour
Main purpose	EMI control	Mechanical protection
Typical material	Al/PET foil, copper braid	Steel wire, steel braid
Protects signal integrity	Directly	Indirectly through physical protection
Protects against crushing	Limited	Yes when designed accordingly
Mandatory under EN 50288-7	No universal requirement	No universal requirement

This distinction should remain clear in every project specification.

Insulation Materials in EN 50288-7 Cable

Instrumentation cables can use different insulation materials according to electrical, thermal and project requirements.

Common examples include:

• PE
• XLPE
• PVC
• Other approved project-specific compounds

Therefore, EN 50288-7 should not be interpreted as requiring one universal insulation material.

PE-Insulated Instrumentation Cable

Polyethylene provides strong electrical insulation properties and can support low-capacitance instrumentation constructions.

For this reason, PE is widely used in conventional instrumentation families.

However, temperature capability and fire-material behaviour still depend on the complete cable design.

XLPE-Insulated Instrumentation Cable

XLPE provides strong electrical characteristics together with useful thermal and mechanical performance.

Consequently, XLPE appears frequently in demanding industrial instrumentation constructions.

For example, ETK uses XLPE insulation in several RE-2X cable families manufactured with EN 50288-7 as a production reference.

PVC and Halogen-Free Outer Sheaths

The outer sheath represents another independent specification decision.

PVC can provide practical industrial durability and cost efficiency.

Meanwhile, halogen-free constructions become important where a project places greater emphasis on:

• Smoke
• Corrosive combustion gases
• Public occupancy
• Evacuation routes
• Equipment protection

Therefore, the same general EN 50288-7 instrumentation architecture can exist with PVC or halogen-free sheath systems.

Does EN 50288-7 Mean LSZH?

No.

EN 50288-7 does not automatically mean that the finished cable is low-smoke halogen-free.

LSZH performance depends on the materials selected for insulation, bedding and outer sheath together with the applicable fire and material tests.

Consequently, an RFQ should explicitly state the halogen-free requirement.

Does EN 50288-7 Mean Flame Retardant?

Not by the designation alone.

Flame propagation is a separate cable-performance characteristic.

For example, manufacturers can combine EN 50288-7 instrumentation constructions with IEC 60332 flame-retardancy requirements.

Therefore, purchasing teams should specify both the instrumentation standard and required fire test where appropriate.

Does EN 50288-7 Mean Fire Resistant?

No.

Fire resistance refers to maintaining required circuit integrity during fire for a defined test period.

That is different from:

• Instrumentation performance
• Flame retardancy
• Halogen-free materials
• Low-smoke performance

Therefore, projects requiring circuit survival during fire should specify the dedicated fire-resistant cable construction and applicable circuit-integrity standard separately.

Voltage Ratings Under EN 50288-7

The published standard framework includes instrumentation/control cables at defined maximum voltage classes rather than treating them as general power cables.

Commonly referenced ratings within the published scope include:

• 90 V
• 300 V
• 500 V

However, manufacturers can express product operating ratings using the conventions applicable to the specific cable design.

Therefore, buyers should confirm the exact rated or operating voltage from the product datasheet rather than assuming it from the standard name.

Is EN 50288-7 a Power Cable Standard?

No.

This is another important distinction.

The cable family is designed for analogue, digital and instrumentation/control signal transmission rather than general mains power distribution.

Therefore, an EN 50288-7 cable should not automatically replace a low-voltage power cable simply because its voltage rating appears sufficient.

The circuit function and applicable power-cable standard remain essential.

EN 50288-7 vs IEC 60502-1

These standards serve different primary purposes.

EN 50288-7 focuses on multi-element instrumentation and control cables.

IEC 60502-1 primarily addresses power cables with extruded insulation and their accessories for specified voltage ranges.

However, some manufacturers can reference both frameworks for certain hybrid industrial constructions where relevant requirements overlap.

Therefore, the applicable production reference should be confirmed from the specific product datasheet and project specification.

Conductor Requirements

Instrumentation cable conductors must provide predictable resistance and reliable long-term electrical performance.

Relevant constructions can use copper conductors with classes defined through applicable conductor standards such as IEC 60228 / EN 60228.

Depending on the product, these can include:

• Solid conductors
• Stranded conductors
• Flexible conductors

Nevertheless, ETK’s industrial RE-series instrumentation products commonly use stranded Class 2 copper conductors.

Conductor Size in EN 50288-7 Instrumentation Cable

Conductor cross-section depends on electrical loop requirements.

Common industrial instrumentation sizes include:

• 0.50 mm²
• 0.75 mm²
• 1.00 mm²
• 1.50 mm²
• 2.50 mm²

However, larger is not automatically better.

The correct size should consider:

• Conductor resistance
• Loop length
• Voltage drop
• Signal requirements
• Terminal capacity
• Cable diameter

Consequently, cross-section remains an engineering choice within the broader standard framework.

Why Conductor Resistance Matters

Conductor resistance can affect loop performance, particularly over long routes.

For example, resistance becomes relevant to:

• 4–20 mA loops
• Voltage-drop calculations
• RTD circuits
• Intrinsically safe systems

Therefore, conductor size should follow the complete electrical calculation rather than a generic instrumentation-cable preference.

Why Mutual Capacitance Matters

Mutual capacitance is another important parameter in instrumentation cable design.

High capacitance can influence:

• Signal behaviour
• Long analogue circuits
• Digital transmission
• Intrinsic-safety calculations
• Transient response

Consequently, engineers should review the actual cable capacitance where the control system imposes a limit.

EN 50288-7 Cable and Intrinsic Safety

An EN 50288-7 instrumentation cable can form part of an intrinsically safe circuit.

However, compliance with the cable standard alone does not make the complete loop intrinsically safe.

The circuit assessment can also require:

• Cable capacitance
• Cable inductance
• Conductor resistance
• Total route length
• Barrier parameters
• Isolator parameters
• Field-device parameters

Therefore, intrinsic-safety compliance belongs to the complete system design.

Does Blue Sheath Mean EN 50288-7 Intrinsic Safety?

No.

Some industrial projects use blue cable jackets to identify intrinsically safe circuits.

However, colour serves as an identification method rather than proof of intrinsic-safety compliance.

Consequently, the electrical calculation and hazardous-area design remain necessary.

EN 50288-7 Cable for Oil and Gas

Oil and gas projects represent one of the most important markets for instrumentation cable.

Typical applications include:

• Refineries
• Gas processing plants
• Tank farms
• Compressor stations
• Pipeline facilities
• Terminals
• Offshore facilities

These environments can require combinations of:

• Pair or triad construction
• Individual screening
• Overall screening
• SWA
• Halogen-free sheaths
• UV resistance
• Oil or chemical resistance

Therefore, EN 50288-7 provides the instrumentation framework while the project adds the required environmental characteristics.

EN 50288-7 Cable for Petrochemical Plants

Petrochemical plants combine high instrumentation density with powerful sources of electromagnetic noise.

For this reason, screened or individually screened constructions can become particularly important.

Meanwhile, exposed routes can justify mechanical armour.

Consequently, a petrochemical project may use several different EN 50288-7 cable constructions within the same facility.

EN 50288-7 Cable for Power Plants

Power plants contain extensive measurement and control networks around:

• Turbines
• Generators
• Transformers
• Boilers
• Switchgear
• Pumps
• Motors

Therefore, screening and cable routing can become particularly important.

However, the instrumentation cable remains responsible for signal transmission rather than power delivery.

EN 50288-7 Cable for Industrial Automation

Manufacturing facilities also use instrumentation cables between field sensors, actuators and control systems.

For example, applications can include:

• PLC inputs
• Remote I/O
• Process sensors
• Monitoring equipment
• Industrial measurement systems

As a result, EN 50288-7 can provide a useful specification framework beyond traditional oil and gas installations.

EN 50288-7 Cable for Mining and Tunnels

Mining and tunnel environments can add demanding mechanical and fire requirements.

Therefore, the instrumentation construction can require:

• Armour
• Halogen-free sheaths
• Flame-retardant materials
• Low-smoke performance
• Additional environmental resistance

However, those characteristics should be explicitly specified rather than inferred from EN 50288-7 alone.

How to Read an RE-2X Cable Designation

Many European instrumentation cables use construction codes that describe material and screening layers.

For example:

RE-2X(St)Y

can indicate a cable family using XLPE insulation, an overall metallic screen and a PVC outer sheath.

Meanwhile:

RE-2X(St)YSWAY

adds additional layers including an inner sheath and Steel Wire Armour before the outer jacket.

Therefore, the product code describes construction details that EN 50288-7 itself does not reduce to one mandatory design.

EN 50288-7 and RE-2X(St)Y

RE-2X(St)Y provides a useful example of a relatively straightforward screened instrumentation construction.

ETK’s design includes:

• Class 2 stranded copper conductor
• XLPE insulation
• Polyester wrapping
• Al/PET overall screen
• Tinned-copper earthing wire
• UV-resistant PVC outer jacket

Therefore, the cable provides instrumentation screening without adding mechanical armour.

EN 50288-7 and RE-2X(St)YSWAY

RE-2X(St)YSWAY demonstrates how the same instrumentation framework can be extended for mechanically demanding environments.

The construction can combine:

• XLPE-insulated conductors
• Pairs or triads
• Overall screen
• PVC inner sheath
• SWA
• UV-resistant PVC outer sheath

As a result, it combines signal transmission, EMI screening and mechanical protection in one cable.

EN 50288-7 and RE-2X(St)HSWAH

A halogen-free armored construction demonstrates another possible variation.

For example, ETK’s RE-2X(St)HSWAH family combines:

• XLPE insulation
• Instrumentation screening
• Halogen-free inner sheath
• SWA
• Halogen-free outer sheath

Consequently, mechanical protection and fire-material requirements can be added without changing the basic instrumentation function.

EN 50288-7 and PiMF/TiMF Cable

Individually screened variants provide another layer of design flexibility.

For high-density sensitive circuits, manufacturers can screen each pair or triad separately before applying the overall cable screen.

Therefore, the same project can combine:

• PiMF or TiMF
• Overall screening
• SWA
• PVC or halogen-free materials

This demonstrates why EN 50288-7 should be treated as a framework rather than a single cable code.

EN 50288-7 vs BS 5308

BS 5308 terminology remains familiar in many international oil, gas and industrial specifications.

Meanwhile, EN 50288-7 represents the European multi-element instrumentation and control cable framework.

The two references should not simply be assumed identical.

Legacy specifications can use BS 5308-style construction and identification terminology while newer project requirements reference EN 50288-7.

Therefore, procurement teams should review the actual requested construction rather than substituting standards solely because the cables appear similar.

A Note on Legacy PAS 5308 Specifications

Older engineering documents may still reference PAS 5308 instrumentation cable specifications.

However, purchasing teams should verify the current status of legacy references when preparing new projects.

Consequently, copying an old cable schedule without reviewing the current project standard can create unnecessary ambiguity.

Does EN 50288-7 Define Cable Colour?

Not in the sense of requiring one universal outer-jacket colour for every instrumentation cable.

Projects can specify colours according to:

• Plant standards
• Intrinsic-safety identification
• Application type
• Customer requirements

Therefore, outer-sheath colour should appear separately in the procurement specification.

Does EN 50288-7 Define Core Identification?

Core identification also depends on the cable architecture and project requirements.

Options can include:

• Number coding
• Colour coding
• Pair identification
• Triad identification

Consequently, engineers should define the required identification scheme rather than relying only on the standard designation.

Does EN 50288-7 Define Outdoor Suitability?

The standard framework includes environmental performance, but actual outdoor suitability still depends on the finished cable construction.

For example, an outdoor project can require:

• UV resistance
• Water resistance
• Temperature performance
• Chemical resistance
• Mechanical reinforcement

Therefore, buyers should confirm these characteristics in the actual datasheet.

Can EN 50288-7 Cable Be Directly Buried?

Some constructions can be designed for underground or direct-burial environments.

However, EN 50288-7 compliance alone does not mean every instrumentation cable is suitable for direct burial.

A buried route can additionally require:

• Water protection
• Crush resistance
• Impact resistance
• Rodent resistance
• Appropriate armour
• Suitable outer sheath

Consequently, burial suitability should be explicitly confirmed.

Which EN 50288-7 Cable Should You Choose?

Project Requirement	Construction to Consider
Basic two-wire instrumentation	Pair-based cable
Three-wire measurement	Triad-based cable
Moderate external EMI	Overall-screened cable
High circuit density / crosstalk concern	PiMF or TiMF
Heavy mechanical exposure	SWA or suitable reinforced construction
Halogen-free requirement	Halogen-free instrumentation construction
Outdoor route	UV-resistant environmental construction
Direct burial	Project-specific underground armored construction
Intrinsic-safety loop	Cable with suitable capacitance/inductance verified in loop calculation
Fire circuit integrity	Dedicated fire-resistant instrumentation cable

Common Mistakes When Specifying EN 50288-7 Cable

1. Assuming EN 50288-7 Defines One Cable

The standard permits multiple instrumentation constructions.

2. Assuming Every EN 50288-7 Cable Is Screened

Screened and unscreened architectures are possible.

3. Assuming Armour Is Mandatory

Mechanical reinforcement should follow route conditions.

4. Assuming EN 50288-7 Means PiMF

Individual screening is one possible construction, not a universal requirement.

5. Assuming Every Instrumentation Circuit Uses Pairs

Triads and other multi-element arrangements can also be used.

6. Assuming Compliance Means LSZH

Halogen-free construction must be specified separately.

7. Assuming Compliance Means Fire Resistant

Circuit integrity during fire requires dedicated performance requirements.

8. Assuming Flame Retardancy Comes Automatically

The applicable fire-propagation test should be specified separately.

9. Using EN 50288-7 Cable for Mains Power

Instrumentation/control cables should not be treated as general power cables.

10. Ignoring Mutual Capacitance

Capacitance can materially affect long or sensitive signal circuits.

11. Ignoring Intrinsic-Safety Parameters

The complete loop calculation still determines intrinsic safety.

12. Assuming SWA Is an EMI Screen

SWA primarily provides mechanical protection.

13. Assuming the Standard Defines Outdoor Performance Automatically

The actual jacket and environmental design must meet the route requirements.

14. Assuming Every Product with the Same Standard Has the Same Temperature Range

Temperature performance depends on the materials and specific construction.

15. Ignoring the Product Datasheet

The datasheet remains essential for conductor resistance, capacitance, voltage, temperature, bending radius and dimensional data.

What Should Buyers Include in an EN 50288-7 Cable RFQ?

An RFQ stating only “EN 50288-7 instrumentation cable” remains incomplete.

A strong specification should include:

• EN 50288-7 requirement
• Number of cores, pairs or triads
• Pair or triad architecture
• Conductor material
• Conductor class
• Conductor cross-section
• Insulation material
• Operating voltage
• Overall-screen requirement
• PiMF or TiMF requirement
• Drain-wire construction
• Mutual capacitance limit
• Conductor-to-screen capacitance where relevant
• Inductance where relevant
• Conductor resistance
• Intrinsic-safety parameters where relevant
• Inner sheath
• SWA or SWB requirement
• PVC or halogen-free outer sheath
• UV resistance
• Oil resistance
• Chemical resistance
• Outdoor use
• Direct-burial requirement
• Operating temperature
• Installation temperature
• Minimum bending radius
• Flame-retardancy requirement
• Smoke-density requirement
• Halogen-content requirement
• Fire-resistance requirement where applicable
• Core identification
• Outer-sheath colour
• Cable marking
• Drum length
• Certificates
• Electrical test reports
• Mechanical and environmental test documentation

Therefore, the manufacturer can quote a cable that actually matches the instrumentation system rather than simply supplying any construction associated with the standard.

ETK Kablo EN 50288-7 Instrumentation Cable Solutions

ETK Kablo manufactures a wide range of EN 50288-7 cable constructions for oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, industrial automation, mining, tunnels and infrastructure projects.

The portfolio includes basic overall-screened instrumentation cables as well as pair and triad constructions for different field-circuit requirements.

For additional signal isolation, ETK manufactures PiMF and TiMF versions with individual screens around each pair or triad together with suitable overall screening.

Meanwhile, mechanically demanding installations can use SWA or SWB reinforcement depending on project requirements.

ETK also manufactures PVC and halogen-free instrumentation constructions so that screening, mechanical protection and fire-material requirements can be selected independently.

For example, RE-2X(St)Y provides a screened XLPE-insulated instrumentation construction without heavy armour. By contrast, RE-2X(St)YSWAY adds an inner sheath and galvanized Steel Wire Armour for mechanically demanding routes.

Halogen-free RE-2X(St)H and RE-2X(St)HSWAH families provide alternative material architectures where smoke and halogen performance are important.

Therefore, ETK’s EN 50288-7 portfolio should be selected according to the circuit architecture, electromagnetic environment, mechanical conditions, fire requirements and installation environment rather than by standard number alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EN 50288-7?

EN 50288-7 is a sectional specification for multi-element metallic instrumentation and control cables used for analogue and digital signal transmission.

What does EN 50288-7 cover?

It covers construction and performance requirements for instrumentation and control cables, including electrical, transmission, mechanical and environmental characteristics.

Is EN 50288-7 for instrumentation cables?

Yes. Part 7 specifically addresses instrumentation and control cables.

Can EN 50288-7 cables be screened?

Yes. Screened constructions are widely used, although screening is not mandatory for every cable covered by the framework.

Can EN 50288-7 cables be unscreened?

Yes. The standard also accommodates unscreened constructions where appropriate.

Can EN 50288-7 cable use pairs?

Yes. Pair-based constructions are common for two-wire instrumentation circuits.

Can EN 50288-7 cable use triads?

Yes. Triads can be used for three-conductor instrumentation circuits.

Does EN 50288-7 include PiMF and TiMF?

The standard framework can accommodate individually screened cable elements. PiMF applies individual screening to pairs, while TiMF applies it to triads.

Can EN 50288-7 cable use SWA?

Yes. Armour can be incorporated where the installation requires additional mechanical protection.

Does EN 50288-7 require SWA?

No. Armour is application-dependent rather than mandatory for every instrumentation cable.

Is EN 50288-7 cable LSZH?

Not automatically. Halogen-free materials must form part of the specified cable construction.

Is EN 50288-7 cable flame retardant?

It can be when the complete construction meets the required flame-propagation standard. Flame performance should be specified separately.

Is EN 50288-7 cable fire resistant?

Not automatically. Fire-resistant circuit integrity requires dedicated cable construction and testing.

Can EN 50288-7 cable be used for 4–20 mA?

Yes. Pair-based instrumentation cables are widely used for conventional 4–20 mA circuits when their electrical characteristics meet the loop requirements.

Can EN 50288-7 cable be used for 3-wire RTDs?

Yes. A suitable triad construction can provide the required three associated conductors.

Can EN 50288-7 cable be used in hazardous areas?

It can form part of a hazardous-area installation, but the complete protection concept, cable glands, equipment and circuit requirements must also comply with the project design.

Can EN 50288-7 cable be intrinsically safe?

An EN 50288-7 cable can form part of an intrinsically safe loop, but cable capacitance, inductance and resistance must be included in the complete circuit assessment.

Can EN 50288-7 cable be installed outdoors?

Yes, when the selected product has the necessary UV, temperature, moisture and environmental performance.

Can EN 50288-7 cable be directly buried?

Some specifically designed constructions can be suitable, but direct-burial capability should not be assumed solely from EN 50288-7 compliance.

Is EN 50288-7 a power-cable standard?

No. It primarily addresses instrumentation and control signal cables rather than general mains power distribution.

What is the difference between EN 50288-7 and EN 50288-1?

EN 50288-1 contains general requirements for the broader cable series, while Part 7 provides the sectional requirements specifically for instrumentation and control cables.

Which EN 50288-7 cable should I choose?

Choose according to circuit architecture, EMI exposure, conductor size, capacitance, mechanical risk, armour requirement, fire strategy and environmental conditions rather than selecting by standard number alone.

Conclusion

An EN 50288-7 cable should be understood as part of a flexible instrumentation and control cable framework rather than one standardized physical construction.

The standard addresses multi-element metallic cables used between instruments and control systems for analogue and digital signal transmission.

However, the final cable can still vary substantially.

Pairs can serve two-wire signal circuits, while triads can support three-wire measurement circuits. Meanwhile, individual PiMF or TiMF screens can provide greater circuit isolation where the electromagnetic environment demands it.

Overall screening can protect the complete cable core from external EMI, while SWA or SWB can provide additional mechanical protection. These functions remain separate and should be specified independently.

Similarly, PE, XLPE, PVC and halogen-free materials address different electrical, environmental and fire requirements. Compliance with EN 50288-7 alone does not automatically mean that a cable is LSZH, flame retardant, fire resistant, armored or suitable for direct burial.

Electrical parameters also matter. Conductor resistance, mutual capacitance, inductance and operating voltage can affect analogue circuits, digital signals and intrinsically safe systems.

For engineers and purchasing teams, the most effective approach is therefore to use EN 50288-7 as the instrumentation performance framework and then define the precise conductor arrangement, screening, armour, electrical parameters, materials and environmental protection required by the project.