Shanghai,China.-September 20, 2026
People always ask: “What are the standard requirements for instrumentation cable?”
The simple answer: EN 50288-7 is the European standard that specifies the electrical, mechanical, flame retardancy, and temperature requirements for instrumentation and control cables used in industrial process control systems.
What EN 50288-7 Covers
What It Does NOT Cover
Electrical parameters (impedance, capacitance, attenuation, resistance)
Specific insulation materials (calls out performance, not recipes)
Shielding effectiveness (screening requirements)
Installation methods (see EN 60079-14 for hazardous areas)
Mechanical properties (bend radius, tensile, impact)
Cable routing or tray fill calculations
Flame retardancy (IEC 60332-1, optionally IEC 60332-3)
Conductor material (copper assumed, but gauge not fixed)
Temperature rating
Voltage rating (covered by other standards)
CE marking compliance (harmonized standard)
Hazardous area (Ex) certification (see IEC 60079-11/14)
Why EN 50288-7 Matters to Buyers:
At Dingzun Cable, all our instrumentation cables are manufactured to EN 50288-7 requirements – with documented test reports for impedance, capacitance, attenuation, and flame retardancy. We support your CE marking and project compliance needs.
EN 50288-7 specifies three critical electrical parameters that directly impact signal integrity.
Table 1: EN 50288-7 – Mandatory Electrical Specifications
Parameter
Symbol
EN 50288-7 Requirement
Why It Matters
Characteristic Impedance
Z₀
100Ω, 120Ω, or 150Ω ±5Ω (tight tolerance)
Mismatch causes signal reflection and data errors. 120Ω for RS485; 100-150Ω for analog
Capacitance (unbalance, pair-to-pair)
Cu
≤200 pF/100m
High capacitance distorts analog signals and limits cable length
Attenuation (at 1 MHz)
α
≤20 dB/km (typical requirement)
Higher attenuation = shorter maximum distance. Critical for digital communication
Conductor resistance
R
Depends on gauge (e.g., ≤73 Ω/km for 24 AWG)
Affects voltage drop in 4-20mA loops. Thicker gauge = longer loops
Insulation resistance
IR
≥5,000 MΩ·km (typically ≥10,000 MΩ·km)
Low IR causes signal leakage and crosstalk
Inductance
L
Typically ≤0.8 mH/km (implied by impedance formula)
Affects high-frequency performance and signal rise time
What ±5Ω Impedance Tolerance Means for Your System:
Impedance Tolerance
Reflection Coefficient
Signal Quality
EN 50288-7 Compliance
±5Ω (±4.2%)
<2% reflection
Excellent – full performance
√ Compliant (premium)
±10Ω (±8.3%)
~4% reflection
Acceptable for short runs
X Not compliant
±15Ω (±12.5%)
~6% reflection
Marginal – errors likely
Unspecified
Unknown
Risky – cannot guarantee
X Not suitable
(instrumentation cable for RS485: 120Ω±5Ω)
At Dingzun Cable, our EN 50288-7 compliant cables achieve 120Ω ±5Ω (≤4.2% tolerance) verified by 100% electrical testing – ensuring signal integrity for long-distance RS485 and analog loops.
EN 50288-7 also specifies mechanical robustness and environmental suitability.
Table 2: EN 50288-7 – Mechanical & Environmental Specifications
Typical Test Method
Minimum bend radius (fixed installation)
7.5× outer diameter
EN 60811-506
Prevents conductor fatigue and insulation damage during installation
Minimum bend radius (flexing)
12-15× outer diameter (varies by design)
Critical for cable tracks, robotics, moving machinery
Temperature rating (fixed)
-30°C to +70°C (minimum) – higher optional
EN 60811-501
Must survive plant ambient conditions
Temperature rating (flexing)
-5°C to +50°C (minimum) – higher optional
Cold flexibility for outdoor or refrigerated areas
Flame retardancy (single cable)
IEC 60332-1-2 (mandatory)
EN 60332-1-2
Prevents fire spread from a single cable fault
Flame retardancy (bundled cables)
Optional – IEC 60332-3-24/25 (Cat C/B/A)
EN 60332-3-24/25
Required for cable trays, tunnels, high-density installations
Oil resistance
Optional – specified by customer (e.g., EN 60811-404)
EN 60811-404
For machinery, automotive, or chemical plants
UV resistance
Optional – specified for outdoor use
ISO 4892-2
Prevents jacket cracking in sunlight
Temperature Rating Upgrade Options (above EN 50288-7 minimum):
Material Upgrade
Temperature Range
Application
PVC (standard)
-30°C to +70°C
General indoor, dry areas
XLPE
-40°C to +90°C
High temperature, wet locations
LSZH
-30°C to +90°C
Fire safety, enclosed spaces
PUR jacket
Oil, abrasion, outdoor
Silicone
-60°C to +180°C
High flexibility, extreme cold/heat
FEP/PFA
-65°C to +200/260°C
Extreme heat, chemical plants
At Dingzun Cable, we manufacture EN 50288-7 compliant cables with upgraded temperature ratings, enhanced flame retardancy (IEC 60332-3 Cat C/B/A), and custom jacket materials (LSZH, PUR, FEP) to match your actual environment – not just the minimum standard.
(EN 50288-7 buyer’s compliance checklist)
EN 50288-7 does not mandate a specific shield type (foil vs braid), but it does require documented shielding effectiveness.
Table 3: EN 50288-7 – Shielding & Screening Specifications
Typical Implementation
When to Use
Individual pair screening (optional)
Not mandatory, but if present, must meet transfer impedance limits
Foil (100% coverage) + drain wire
Critical analog signals (thermocouple, 4-20mA, RTD) to prevent crosstalk
Overall screening (recommended for multi-pair)
Transfer impedance and coupling attenuation specified
Braid (70-95%) or composite (foil + braid)
Most industrial installations – reduces external EMI
Screening effectiveness (not numerically specified in basic standard)
Must be declared by manufacturer
Typically >70 dB (composite >90 dB)
High-EMI environments (VFDs, motors, welders, power plants)
Drain wire
Required for foil shields (to enable termination)
Tinned copper, same gauge as conductor
Simplifies grounding; essential for foil shields
EN 50288-7 Shielding Guidance by Application:
Application Environment
Recommended Shielding
Why
Low EMI (control room, office)
Overall foil (minimal)
Cost-effective, adequate
Moderate EMI (general factory)
Overall braid (≥85% coverage)
Durable, good low-frequency protection
High EMI (VFDs, motors, power lines)
Composite (foil + braid)
Broad-spectrum protection (>90 dB)
Critical analog signals (same cable with digital)
Individual foil per pair + overall braid
Prevents crosstalk between pairs
Flexible / dynamic applications (cable track)
Overall braid only (more flexible than foil)
Braid withstands repeated flexing
At Dingzun Cable, all our EN 50288-7 multi-pair instrumentation cables include individual foil screening on each pair plus an overall tinned copper braid (≥85%) as standard – delivering superior crosstalk prevention and EMI protection. For extreme EMI, we offer composite (foil + braid) overall shields with documented >90 dB effectiveness.
Use this checklist when procuring instrumentation cables to ensure EN 50288-7 compliance.
Table 4: EN 50288-7 Buyer’s Compliance Checklist
Requirement
What to Verify
Typical Documentation
Dingzun Cable Compliance
Characteristic impedance
100Ω, 120Ω, or 150Ω ±5Ω
Test report (impedance vs frequency)
√ 120Ω ±5Ω (≤4.2% tolerance)
Capacitance unbalance
Test report
√ ≤150 pF/100m
Attenuation
≤20 dB/km @ 1 MHz
√ ≤18 dB/km @ 1 MHz
Per gauge (e.g., ≤73 Ω/km for 24 AWG)
√ Verified per gauge
≥5,000 MΩ·km
√ ≥10,000 MΩ·km
Flame retardancy (single)
IEC 60332-1-2
Test certificate
√ Compliant
Flame retardancy (bundled)
IEC 60332-3-24/25 (Cat C/B/A) – if specified
√ Optional (Cat C, B, A available)
As specified (-30°C to +70°C minimum)
Datasheet
√ -40°C to +90°C (enhanced)
Bend radius
7.5× OD (fixed)
CE marking
Declared by manufacturer
Declaration of Conformity
√ Provided
EN 50288-7 declared
Manufacturer states compliance on datasheet
Datasheet, quote
√ Explicitly stated
Red Flags (Non-Compliance Indicators):
Red Flag
Why It’s a Problem
Supplier cannot provide impedance or capacitance test reports
Cannot verify EN 50288-7 compliance
Impedance tolerance stated as ±10Ω or ±15%
Does not meet ±5Ω requirement; reflections likely
No capacitance unbalance value provided
Cannot calculate safe distance for IS circuits
“Complies with EN 50288-7” but no test evidence
Unsubstantiated claim – demand test reports
Only single-cable flame test, but installation is bundled
May not meet fire safety code for cable trays
At Dingzun Cable, we provide full EN 50288-7 test documentation with every shipment – including impedance, capacitance, attenuation, resistance, and flame test reports. Our datasheets explicitly state EN 50288-7 compliance. No claims without evidence.
Buyers often encounter multiple standards. Understanding the differences helps avoid confusion.
Table 5: EN 50288-7 vs Other Instrumentation Standards
Standard
Region
Focus
Key Differences from EN 50288-7
EN 50288-7
Europe (CENELEC)
Electrical + mechanical + flame for industrial control
Baseline – harmonized for CE marking
IEC 60092-502
International
Marine and offshore instrumentation
Adds marine-specific requirements: salt spray, vibration, water resistance
BS5308
UK (legacy, still used)
Oil & gas instrumentation
Adds mechanical toughness (SWA armor), often requires hazardous area (blue) sheath
IEEE 1580
Marine and offshore cables
Similar to IEC 60092-502; North American focus
UL 13 / UL 2250
North America
Power-limited circuit cables, instrumentation
Different flame test hierarchy (VW-1, CMR, CMP); impedance not always specified
NEC / CEC
Installation codes (not product standards)
References UL standards for cable construction
Which Standard Should You Specify?
Project Location / Industry
Primary Standard
Secondary / Additional
Europe (general industrial)
CE marking required
UK Oil & Gas
BS5308 (often with EN 50288-7 electrical requirements)
Hazardous area (ATEX/IECEx)
Offshore / Marine
IEC 60092-502 or IEEE 1580
EN 50288-7 may be referenced for electricals
North America (general industrial)
May also request EN 50288-7 for electrical parameters
International (EPC project – e.g., Shell, Total)
EN 50288-7 or IEC 60092-502 (depending on sector)
Often combined with project-specific requirements
At Dingzun Cable, we manufacture instrumentation cables to EN 50288-7, BS5308, and IEC 60092-502 standards – with all test documentation. Our engineering team helps you interpret which standard your project actually requires.
EN 50288-7 is a harmonized standard under the EU Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU.
What Harmonized Means:
CE Marking Requirements for Instrumentation Cables:
How EN 50288-7 Helps
Electrical safety (insulation, voltage withstand)
EN 50288-7 includes insulation resistance and dielectric tests
Flame retardancy
EN 50288-7 mandates IEC 60332-1-2 (single cable)
Manufacturer’s declaration
EN 50288-7 compliance supports Technical File
Notified body involvement (not typically required for cables unless special construction)
Not required – self-declaration based on EN 50288-7
For Buyers:
At Dingzun Cable, all our EN 50288-7 compliant cables include CE marking and a Declaration of Conformity – supporting your regulatory compliance for European projects.
About Dingzun Cable: Your EN 50288-7 Instrumentation Cable Partner
With 20+ years of specialized manufacturing experience, Dingzun Cable is a trusted partner for global engineering firms, EPCs, and industrial end-users requiring EN 50288-7 compliant instrumentation cables with full test documentation. We combine deep standard expertise with extreme customizability to deliver cables that meet your project specification – not just the minimum.
(Dingzun Cable EN 50288-7 instrumentation cable)
Our EN 50288-7 Instrumentation Cable Capabilities:
Capability
Dingzun Specification
Electrical compliance
120Ω ±5Ω (≤4.2% tolerance), ≤150 pF/100m (capacitance unbalance), ≤18 dB/km attenuation
Impedance options
100Ω, 120Ω, 150Ω – all ±5Ω
Pair count
1 to 100+ pairs
Conductor gauge
18 AWG to 24 AWG
Insulation
PE (low capacitance, standard), XLPE (upgraded temp), PVC
Shielding
Individual foil (per pair) + overall tinned copper braid (≥85%) – standard; composite optional
IEC 60332-1-2 (standard); IEC 60332-3-24/25 Cat C/B/A (optional)
Jacket materials
PVC, LSZH, PUR, (halogen-free, oil-resistant, UV-stabilized as required)
-40°C to +90°C (standard, enhanced over EN 50288-7 minimum)
Mechanical
Bend radius 7.5× OD (fixed), tensile strength per EN 60811
Provided with Declaration of Conformity
Test documentation
Full test reports (impedance, capacitance, attenuation, resistance, flame) with every shipment
Certifications
ISO 9001:2015, CE, RoHS, REACH
Why Dingzun Cable for Your EN 50288-7 Instrumentation Cable Needs:
About US
We are a national-level high-tech enterprise with 20 years of experience in manufacturing electrical wires and cables, focusing on innovation and technological advancement. Throughout two decades, we have gained extensive expertise and knowledge, dedicating ourselves to delivering high-quality products and services to our esteemed customers.
Media ContactCompany Name: Shanghai Dingzun Electric & Cable Co., Ltd.Contact Person: Media RelationsEmail: Send EmailCountry: ChinaWebsite: https://www.dingzuncable.com/
