LSZH Braid Screened Signal Control Cables | LIHCH & LI2YCH

Braid screened signal cable constructions from ETK Kablo use an overall tinned copper braid to provide electromagnetic screening for low-voltage signal and control circuits. This LSZH category includes LIHCH and LI2YCH cable families in standard and TP/TT constructions.

All four products use IEC 60228 Class 5 stranded electrolytic copper conductors and an overall tinned copper braid screen. LIHCH cables use halogen-free conductor insulation, while LI2YCH cables use solid polyethylene insulation. Both families use a UV-resistant halogen-free outer jacket.

Standard LIHCH and LI2YCH cables arrange the insulated conductors in layers. TP/TT versions organize the conductors into twisted pairs or triads before the groups are stranded together. In all four products, the copper braid is an overall electrical screen rather than mechanical armor.

What Is a Braid Screened Signal Cable?

A braid screened signal cable uses a conductive metallic braid around the cable core to provide electromagnetic screening. In the ETK Kablo products in this category, the screen consists of tinned copper braiding.

The braid helps reduce electromagnetic interference affecting low-voltage signal and control circuits. Screening performance also depends on cable routing, screen termination, bonding and the electrical environment of the installation.

The braid should not be confused with steel wire armor or steel wire braid used for mechanical protection. The tinned copper braid in LIHCH and LI2YCH serves an electrical screening function.

ETK Kablo LSZH Braid Screened Signal Cable Range

Product	Conductor Insulation	Conductor Arrangement	Electrical Screen
LIHCH Signal Control Cable	Halogen-free	Conductors stranded in layers	Overall tinned copper braid
LIHCH-TP/TT Signal Control Cable	Halogen-free	Twisted pairs or triads	Overall tinned copper braid
LI2YCH Signal Control Cable	Solid polyethylene	Conductors stranded in layers	Overall tinned copper braid
LI2YCH-TP/TT Signal Control Cable	Solid polyethylene	Twisted pairs or triads	Overall tinned copper braid

LIHCH Braid Screened Signal Control Cable

LIHCH is the halogen-free conductor-insulation family within this category. It uses IEC 60228 Class 5 stranded copper conductors with halogen-free insulation.

In the standard LIHCH construction, the insulated conductors are stranded together in layers. Polyester tape surrounds the cable core, followed by an overall tinned copper braid. A UV-resistant halogen-free outer jacket completes the cable.

This construction is intended for signal and control applications where the project requires both a halogen-free material system and an overall copper braid for electromagnetic screening.

LI2YCH Braid Screened Signal Control Cable

LI2YCH uses the same overall tinned copper braid concept but differs from LIHCH in conductor insulation.

Its IEC 60228 Class 5 stranded copper conductors use solid polyethylene insulation. The insulated conductors are stranded together, wrapped with polyester tape and surrounded by an overall tinned copper braid. The outer jacket is halogen-free.

Therefore, LI2YCH should not be described as having halogen-free conductor insulation. Its conductor insulation is solid polyethylene, while the outer jacket is halogen-free.

LIHCH vs LI2YCH

Feature	LIHCH	LI2YCH
Conductor	IEC 60228 Class 5 stranded copper	IEC 60228 Class 5 stranded copper
Conductor Insulation	Halogen-free	Solid polyethylene
Overall Electrical Screen	Tinned copper braid	Tinned copper braid
Outer Jacket	Halogen-free	Halogen-free
Standard Conductor Arrangement	Stranded in layers	Stranded in layers

The main technical difference between LIHCH and LI2YCH is the conductor-insulation material. Their overall copper-braid screening principle remains the same.

This insulation difference also affects the published insulation-resistance values. ETK Kablo publishes higher insulation resistance for the polyethylene-insulated LI2YCH family.

What Do TP and TT Mean?

TP refers to conductors arranged as twisted pairs, while TT refers to conductors arranged as twisted triads.

In LIHCH-TP/TT and LI2YCH-TP/TT, the insulated conductors are first organized into pairs or triads. The groups are then stranded together before polyester wrapping and the overall tinned copper braid are applied.

TP/TT therefore describes conductor grouping. It does not mean that every pair or triad has its own metallic screen.

Standard vs TP/TT Construction

Construction	Conductor Arrangement	Individual Pair/Triad Screen	Overall Copper Braid
Standard	Conductors stranded in layers	No	Yes
TP/TT	Twisted pairs or triads	No	Yes

Standard construction suits conventional multicore signal circuits. TP/TT construction can be selected when conductors belonging to the same circuit need to remain organized as pairs or triads.

If a project requires a separate metallic screen around each pair or triad, TP/TT alone does not provide that feature. A construction specifically designed with individual group screens should be selected instead.

How Does a Tinned Copper Braid Screen Work?

The copper braid forms a conductive layer around the cable core. This layer can help reduce electromagnetic coupling between sensitive signal circuits and nearby electrical equipment or cables.

Tinning provides a protective surface on the copper braid and supports practical termination in many signal and control installations.

However, the cable alone does not determine the electromagnetic performance of the complete installation. Screen continuity, termination method, bonding, cable routing and separation from interference sources should also be considered.

Braid Screened vs Foil Screened Signal Cable

ETK Kablo also manufactures LSZH foil screened signal control cables.

Foil-screened constructions use an overall Al/PET foil with a tinned copper earthing wire. LIHCH and LI2YCH instead use an overall tinned copper braid.

Screening Type	Primary Electrical Screen	Typical Selection Consideration
Foil Screened	Al/PET foil	Overall electromagnetic screening with a foil-based construction
Braid Screened	Tinned copper braid	Overall electromagnetic screening with a conductive copper braid

The correct choice should follow the electrical environment, termination method, flexibility requirements and project specification rather than assuming that one screening method is universally better.

Braid Screened vs Foil and Braid Screened Cable

For projects requiring both screening methods, ETK Kablo also offers LSZH foil and braid screened signal control cables.

These cables combine an Al/PET foil with a tinned copper braid. By comparison, the LIHCH and LI2YCH products on this page use the copper braid as the overall electrical screen without an additional overall Al/PET foil.

Additional screening layers can change cable diameter, material content, termination requirements and price. Therefore, the screening configuration should match the actual project requirement.

Braid Screened vs Unscreened Signal Cable

LSZH unscreened signal control cables such as LIHH do not contain a dedicated metallic electromagnetic screen.

LIHCH and LI2YCH add an overall tinned copper braid. This makes them suitable for projects where the signal or control circuits require an additional electromagnetic-screening layer.

An unscreened construction can remain appropriate in environments with limited electromagnetic interference. The project designer should evaluate the route and surrounding equipment before selecting the screening system.

Copper Braid Screening Is Not Mechanical Armor

The tinned copper braid in LIHCH and LI2YCH is an electrical screen. It should not be confused with galvanized steel wire braid or steel wire armor.

A copper braid used for electromagnetic screening does not provide the same mechanical protection as SWB or SWA constructions.

Projects that require both electrical screening and additional mechanical protection should specify an appropriate armored signal-control cable separately.

LSZH vs PVC Braid Screened Signal Cable

The main distinction between LSZH and PVC braid-screened products is the material system.

ETK Kablo's PVC braid screened signal control cables include PVC-jacketed alternatives, while LIHCH and LI2YCH in this category use halogen-free outer jackets.

The required smoke, halogen, fire and installation requirements should determine which jacket system is appropriate for the project.

Electrical Characteristics

Electrical values vary with conductor cross-section and conductor-insulation material. Therefore, the complete LIHCH or LI2YCH range should not be represented by one single voltage or insulation-resistance value.

Conductor Cross-Section	Operating Voltage	Test Voltage	LIHCH Insulation Resistance	LI2YCH Insulation Resistance
0.22–0.34 mm²	250 V DC	1200 V DC / 1 min	200 MΩ/km	5000 MΩ/km
0.50–2.50 mm²	300/500 V	2000 V DC / 1 min	20 MΩ/km	5000 MΩ/km

ETK Kablo publishes maximum conductor resistance values ranging from 85.0 Ω/km at 0.22 mm² to 7.98 Ω/km at 2.50 mm².

Operating Temperature and Bending Radius

The current ETK Kablo technical data specifies an operating temperature range of -30°C to +70°C for these constructions.

The published minimum bending radius is 7.5 × D, where D represents the actual outer diameter of the selected cable.

The use of IEC 60228 Class 5 stranded conductors provides installation flexibility. However, Class 5 construction alone does not qualify LIHCH or LI2YCH for drag chains, robotics or continuously repeated flexing.

LSZH Fire Behavior

ETK Kablo's current documentation for these products lists IEC 61034-2 for smoke density, IEC 60754-1 and IEC 60754-2 for halogen and corrosive gas behavior, IEC 60332-3-24 for flame propagation and IEC 60332-1-2 for flame retardancy.

These characteristics should not be confused with circuit integrity during fire. Standard LIHCH and LI2YCH cables should not be described as FE180, PH120, E30, E60 or E90 cables unless a separate tested construction specifically provides the required performance.

Is LSZH the Same as CPR?

No. LSZH and CPR describe different fire-related characteristics.

LSZH relates to smoke, halogen and material behavior. CPR concerns reaction-to-fire classification under the applicable European framework.

An LSZH cable does not automatically have a particular B2ca, Cca, Dca or Eca classification. Where a project requires a specific Euroclass, the applicable Declaration of Performance should be checked for the selected product.

Where Are Braid Screened Signal Cables Used?

Braid-screened LSZH signal control cables can be considered for low-voltage automation, monitoring, measurement and control circuits where an overall copper-braid electromagnetic screen forms part of the project specification.

Typical applications can include industrial automation systems, control panels, building-management systems, HVAC controls, sensors, actuators, process monitoring and electronic control equipment.

The final cable selection should consider signal type, circuit voltage, electromagnetic environment, conductor grouping, installation conditions and fire-related requirements.

How to Select a Braid Screened Signal Cable

First, select the conductor-insulation system. LIHCH uses halogen-free conductor insulation, while LI2YCH uses solid polyethylene insulation.

Next, define the conductor arrangement. Standard versions use conductors stranded in layers. TP/TT versions organize conductors into twisted pairs or triads.

Then select conductor cross-section and conductor, pair or triad count. Confirm the applicable voltage, temperature range and bending radius for the selected size.

Finally, verify the required LSZH tests, CPR classification where applicable, screen termination and any project-specific documentation.

What Should an RFQ Include?

A clear RFQ should identify LIHCH or LI2YCH, conductor cross-section, conductor or pair/triad count, standard or TP/TT construction and total required cable length.

Where relevant, also specify CPR classification, test documentation, cable marking, packing length and other project-specific requirements.

ETK Kablo as a Braid Screened Signal Cable Manufacturer

ETK Kablo manufactures braid-screened signal and control cables at its production facility in Istanbul, Türkiye.

The LSZH range includes LIHCH and LI2YCH in standard and TP/TT constructions for distributors, automation contractors, system integrators, OEMs and industrial projects.

Alternative screening configurations are available within the wider LSZH signal control cable range.

What Determines Braid Screened Signal Cable Price?

Braid screened signal cable price depends on conductor cross-section, conductor or pair count, copper content, conductor-insulation system, copper-braid coverage and material content, halogen-free jacket material, cable diameter, order quantity and required documentation.

Because the braid itself contains copper, changes in cable diameter and screening requirements can materially affect total copper content and cable cost.

Commercial comparisons should therefore use the same conductor size, conductor arrangement, screening configuration, fire requirements and documentation scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a braid screened signal cable?

It is a signal or control cable that uses a conductive metallic braid around the cable core for electromagnetic screening. ETK Kablo uses tinned copper braiding in the LIHCH and LI2YCH products in this category.

What is LIHCH cable?

LIHCH is an LSZH braid-screened signal control cable using Class 5 stranded copper conductors, halogen-free conductor insulation, an overall tinned copper braid and a halogen-free outer jacket.

What is LI2YCH cable?

LI2YCH uses Class 5 stranded copper conductors with solid polyethylene insulation, an overall tinned copper braid and a halogen-free outer jacket.

What is the difference between LIHCH and LI2YCH?

The primary difference is conductor insulation. LIHCH uses halogen-free insulation, while LI2YCH uses solid polyethylene insulation.

What do TP and TT mean?

TP refers to twisted pairs and TT refers to twisted triads. These terms describe conductor grouping. The cable still uses one overall tinned copper braid around the complete cable core.

Is copper braid screening the same as steel wire braid armor?

No. The tinned copper braid in LIHCH and LI2YCH provides electromagnetic screening. Steel wire braid is used for additional mechanical protection and serves a different purpose.

Is LIHCH fire resistant?

LSZH and flame-retardant properties do not automatically provide FE180, PH120 or another circuit-integrity rating. Fire-resistant performance requires a cable specifically designed and tested for that requirement.

Is LSZH the same as CPR?

No. LSZH describes smoke and halogen-related material characteristics, while CPR defines reaction-to-fire classification. A specific Euroclass should be verified through the relevant product documentation and Declaration of Performance.

What is the operating temperature?

ETK Kablo currently publishes an operating temperature range of -30°C to +70°C for the products in this category.

What is the minimum bending radius?

The current technical data specifies 7.5 × D, where D is the actual outer diameter of the selected cable.

What determines braid screened signal cable price?

Key factors include conductor cross-section, conductor or pair count, copper content, braid construction, insulation system, jacket material, order quantity and required technical documentation.