Electric cable standards
THE electrical cable standards guarantee safety, Performance and compliance with international regulations. They define the essential criteria that allow you to choose the cable suitable for each application.
Chez ZMS CABLE, we offer a wide choice of cables classified by standards — whether French standards NF, of the European standards EN, of the IEC international standards, or even BS standards, VDE, UL and CSA. All our products are tested to the strictest requirements to ensure consistent quality and full compliance with regulations.
Our mission is not limited to providing cables : we develop with you tailor -made solutions, adapted to your technical needs and the most demanding environments. Our engineers support you in the design and choice of cables certified according to national standards, European and international.
Discover now our catalog of classified cables by standard and easily find the cable that meets your needs.
Catalog of ZMS cables classified by standards
At ZMS Cable, we offer a complete catalog of electrical cables, organized according to the main international and national standards. This classification allows you to quickly find the cable that meets your technical and regulatory needs.
IEC standards for electrical cables
THE IEC standards are developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission and constitute the global standards for electrical cables. Created to unify technical criteria internationally, they define the rules relating to drivers, to insulation, electrical performance, fire safety and cable durability.
Adopted in many countries, IEC standards facilitate export, guarantee interoperability and ensure a high level of security for infrastructure projects, energy, industry and building. They serve as a basis for many other regional or national benchmarks, such as European standards EN or French standards NF.
Examples of common IEC standards :
- IEC 60228 : classification of electrical cable conductors.
- IEC 60502 : extruded insulation power cables up to 30 kV.
- IEC 60332 : cable fire resistance tests.
- IEC 60754 : behavior of halogen-free cables (low emission of smoke and corrosive gases).
At ZMS Cable, our products comply with the main IEC standards and are subject to strict testing to guarantee performance, international security and compliance.
Find out more about the most used IEC standards, like the IEC 60228 and the IEC 60502, in our dedicated pages.
NF standards for electrical cables
In France, THE NF standards define specific requirements for electrical cables used in domestic installations, tertiary and industrial. They are developed by AFNOR (French Standardization Association) and take into account national regulations, particularly in terms of fire safety and compliance with electrical installations (NF C 15-100).
Les normes NF sont largement alignées sur les normes EN et IEC, tout en intégrant des spécificités propres aux réglementations françaises. Dans la majorité des cas, un câble conforme à une norme NF garantit non seulement sa conformité en France, mais aussi une compatibilité technique avec les standards européens et internationaux.
Exemples de normes NF courantes :
NF C32-321 : câbles basse tension pour installations fixes.
NF C32-070 : câbles sans halogène, à faible émission de fumées.
NF C32-201 : câbles de commande et de signalisation.
Typical applications : logements collectifs, hospitals, ERP (établissements recevant du public), infrastructures publiques.
At ZMS Cable, nous proposons des câbles certifiés NF, testés selon les prescriptions IEC et EN, in order to guarantee both local security and international compatibility.
BS standards for electrical cables
THE BS electrical cables (British Standards) are developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and are the benchmark for cables used in the United Kingdom, but also in many Commonwealth countries, in Africa, in the Middle East and Asia. They set strict requirements for construction, electrical performance, fire safety and sustainability.
These standards are distinguished by their high level of reliability and are often required in infrastructure projects, industrial and residential buildings, as well as in energy networks.
Examples of Common BS Standards :
- BS 5467 : XLPE insulated power cables, armed and unarmed, for tension 600/1000 V.
- BS 6724 : câbles sans halogène, à faible émission de fumées, pour installations fixes.
- BS 7846 : fire resistant safety cables.
- BS 6387 : fire performance tests for electrical cables.
At ZMS Cable, we offer a full range of BS compliant cables, recognized for their safety, longevity and consistent quality.
Discover our dedicated pages to find out more about the flagship standards, like BS 5467 or the B.S. 6724, and find the cable that fits your projects.
EN standards for electrical cables
THE EN standards (European Standards) are developed by CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) and applied throughout the European Union. Their aim is to harmonize the technical requirements relating to electrical cables, in order to guarantee free movement of products and uniform safety in all member countries.
Unlike IEC standards, which constitute a world reference, EN standards translate and adapt these international requirements to the European market. What's more, each member country transposes EN standards into its own national system : For example, NF standards in France or DIN/VDE standards in Germany correspond directly to EN standards.
Examples of EN standards applicable to cables :
- IN 60228 (IEC equivalent 60228) : insulated cable conductors.
- IN 50525 : low voltage electrical cables up to 450/750 V.
- IN 60332 : fire resistance and flame propagation tests.
Applications and added value :
- Compliance required for placing on the European market (CE marking).
- Widespread adoption in infrastructure projects, construction and energy within the EU.
- Reduction of technical barriers to export thanks to European harmonization.
At ZMS Cable, we offer a wide range of cables that comply with EN standards, tested according to CENELEC requirements, to guarantee CE compatibility and reliability in all your European projects.
UL standards for electrical cables
THE UL standards (Underwriters Laboratories) are developed by the American organization Underwriters Laboratories, recognized worldwide for its strict requirements in terms of electrical safety and fire prevention. Unlike IEC or EN standards, which focus solely on defining technical requirements, UL combines two roles :
- the creation of standards techniques (par ex. UL 83 for thermoplastic insulated cables, UL 758 for internal device wires),
- and the delivery of a certification UL, essential to access the North American market.
A cable bearing the marking UL Listed or UL Recognized guarantees that it has been tested according to rigorous criteria, particularly with regard to :
- resistance to fire and flame propagation,
- dielectric and mechanical strength,
- and safety of use in industrial and residential environments.
Examples of UL standards applicable to cables :
- UL 83 : PVC insulated conductors for fixed installations.
- UL 758 : internal wiring wires for electrical equipment.
- UL 1581 : general test methods for electrical cables and wires.
At ZMS Cable, we offer cables that comply with UL standards, certified and adapted to the requirements of the American and international market, to ensure maximum security and immediate acceptance in the United States and Canada.
DIN standards / VDE for electrical cables
THE DIN standards (German Institute for Standardization) represent the official standardization system in Germany. They cover a wide range of industrial sectors, including electrical cables. However, in the field of electricity, these are mainly the VDE standards (Electrical Engineering Association, Electronics and information technology) which refer.
In practice, many cables are designated under the combination DIN VDE, which means that the standard is both recognized by the DIN as a national standard and developed by the VDE as an electrical technical specification.
Examples of DIN VDE standards applicable to cables :
- From vde 0281 : PVC insulated low voltage cables for fixed installations.
- From vde 0276 : buried medium voltage power cables.
- From vde 0812 : câbles de commande et de signalisation.
Specificities of DIN standards / VDE :
- Widely used in Germany and neighboring countries.
- Recognized for their technical rigor and high industrial quality.
- Often compatible with IEC and EN regulations, but incorporating specific German requirements.
At ZMS Cable, we offer a complete range of DIN VDE certified cables, adapted to the needs of German industry and projects requiring internationally recognized German quality.
CSA standards for electrical cables
THE CSA standards(Canadian Standards Association) are developed by the Canadian Standards Association, the official standards and certification body in Canada. In the field of electrical cables, they define the safety requirements, performance and resistance adapted to the specific needs of the Canadian market.
Just like UL standards in the United States, CSA standards play a dual role :
- the definition of technical standards for cables,
- the delivery of a certification CSA, necessary for marketing in Canada.
A cable bearing the CSA logo guarantees that it has been tested according to strict criteria : fire resistance, dielectric strength, mechanical properties and compliance with Canadian environmental requirements.
Examples of CSA standards for cables :
- CSA C22.2 n°38 : construction cables and low voltage power cables.
- CSA C22.2 n°239 : câbles de commande et de signalisation.
- CSA FT4/FT6 : fire resistance tests for cables installed in conduits or buildings.
Specificities of CSA standards :
- Official recognition across Canada, mandatory for electrical installations.
- Very often requested in association with UL standards, allowing the cables to be accepted throughout the North American market.
- Compatibility with numerous IEC and international regulations, facilitating export.
At ZMS Cable, we offer CSA and UL certified cables, ideally suited for projects requiring full compliance in North America.
Comparative table of electrical cable standards
| Function / Content | NORME IEC (Internationale) | Standard in (European) | Norms from VDE (Germany) | Norme BS (England) | NF standard (France) | Description |
| Drivers | IEC 60228 | IN 60228 | YOUR ONE 60228 / VDE 0295 | Bs one 60228 | NF EN 60228 | Driver classification (Class 1/2/5/6) |
| LV power cables (0,6/1 kV) | IEC 60502-1 | HD 603 / IN 50525 | From vde 0276-603 | BS 5467 / BS 6724 | NF C32-322 | Low voltage electrical cables with PVC insulation / XLPE |
| MV power cables (1–30 kV) | IEC 60502-2 | HD 620 | From vde 0276-620 | — (reference IEC/EN) | NF C33-226 | Standard for medium voltage cables (MT) |
| Fire resistance (single cable) | IEC 60332-1 | IN 60332-1 | YOUR ONE 60332-1-2 / VDE 0482-332-1-2 | Bs one 60332-1-2 | NF EN 60332-1-2 | Vertical combustion test on insulated cable |
| Fire resistance (bundled cables) | IEC 60332-3 | IN 60332-3 | YOUR ONE 60332-3-24 / VDE 0482-332-3-24 | Bs one 60332-3-24 | NF EN 60332-3-24 | Flame propagation test on grouped cables |
| Smoke density | IEC 61034 | IN 61034 | YOUR ONE 61034-2 / VDE 0482-1034-2 | Bs one 61034-2 | NF EN 61034-2 | Transmission of light through smoke |
| Halogen content | IEC 60754 | IN 60754 | YOUR ONE 60754 / VDE 0482-754 | Bs one 60754 | NF EN 60754 | Emission of corrosive halogenated gases in the event of fire |
| LV installation cables | — | IN 50525 | From vde 0281 / 0282 | BS 6004, BS 7211 | NF C32-201, NF C32-207 | Examples : H05VV-F, H07RN-F, etc. |
| Control cables | — | IN 50525-2-51 and similar | From vde 0250 | — (often based on EN) | — (often based on EN) | Examples : Smell, ÖLFLEX, etc. |
| Fire resistance (circuit integrity) | IEC 60331 | IN 60331 | YOUR ONE 60331 / VDE 0482-331 | BS 6387 | NF C32-070 | Maintaining circuit integrity in the event of a fire |
Services & Delivery at ZMS Cable
- Personalized manufacturing service (OEM / ODM) : Custom cable design and production according to your technical specifications, with customization of the marking, Colors and packaging.
- Rapid global logistics : Shipping shipping, terrestrial or air to more than 120 pays ; Flexible delivery according to your deadlines.
- Certified quality : All products are tested before shipping ; conformity this / IEC / ISO ; test reports provided on request.
- Neat and customizable packaging : ZMS cables are packaged on wooden coils, wavy boxes or drums, with hermetically sealed ends for moisture protection. Outdoor marking can be printed on request with waterproof materials.
- Dedicated technical support : Our engineers and advisers accompany you in the choice of the electric cable most suited to your installations, in accordance with local standards.
