EN 2714-004:2006

Overview

EN 2714-004:2006 is a European standard developed by CEN that defines the product requirements for electrical cables used in aerospace applications. This standard specifically addresses screened (braided) and jacketed single and multicore cables designed for general-purpose on-board electrical systems in aircraft. It covers cables intended to operate reliably across a broad temperature range from -55 °C to 260 °C. These cables are distinguished by their ability to be marked with ink jet printing and hot stamp printing techniques, with marking compliance ensured via the EN 3838 standard.

The standard is crucial for manufacturers and users to ensure consistency, quality, and reliability in aerospace electrical cabling - vital for safety and performance in harsh aerospace environments.

Key Topics

• Cable Construction:

  • Single and multicore cables (1 to 4 cores) twisted according to EN 2235.
  • Screen: nickel-plated copper stranded braid per EN 2083.
  • Outer jacket: multi-layer construction featuring polyimide and fluorocarbon coatings for durability and ink jet printability.

• Operating Temperature Range:

  • Designed to perform continuously between -55 °C and 260 °C, suitable for extreme aerospace conditions.

• Marking and Identification:

  • Cables are ink jet printable and support hot stamp marking, ensuring traceability and compliance with EN 3838 for user-applied markings.

• Material and Mechanical Requirements:

  • Compliance with various EN test methods (e.g., EN 3475-100) covering visual inspection, electrical resistance, thermal shock, bending, abrasion, and ageing.
  • Flame retardancy and smoke density tests ensure safety in critical aerospace applications.

• Quality Assurance:

  • Production and quality management processes align with aerospace quality standards such as EN 9133.

• Designation and Labelling:

  • Clear coding systems for cable identification including number of cores, cross-sectional area, and colour coding as per EN 2714-002.
  • Packaging and delivery follow EN 2235 provisions.

Applications

EN 2714-004 compliant cables are essential for reliable electrical interconnections within aircraft. Typical aerospace applications include:

• On-board Electrical Systems: Power and signal distribution networks throughout commercial, military, and civilian aircraft.
• Avionics Systems: Providing screened cable solutions that minimize electromagnetic interference critical for sensitive avionics equipment.
• High-Temperature Zones: Areas exposed to elevated temperatures up to 260 °C, such as near engines or environmental control systems.
• Maintenance and Traceability: Ink jet and hot stamp marking options facilitate maintenance operations and ensure cable authentication over aircraft lifecycle.

Using these cables ensures durability, safety, and compliance with aerospace industry regulations - contributing to aircraft operational reliability and passenger safety.

Related Standards

EN 2714-004 is part of a series of aerospace cable standards and cross-referenced documents, including:

• EN 2714-002: General provisions for screened and jacketed aerospace cables.
• EN 2267-003: Specifications for ink jet printable cables used in aerospace.
• EN 2083: Copper or copper alloy conductors for aerospace cables.
• EN 3475-100: Test methods for electrical cables in aircraft applications.
• EN 3838: Requirements for user-applied cable markings.
• EN 2235: Technical specifications for screened and jacketed aerospace cables.
• EN 9133: Quality management system requirements for aerospace standard parts.

Together, these standards form a comprehensive framework ensuring the performance, safety, and traceability of electrical cabling used in aerospace environments.

Keywords: aerospace electrical cables, screened braided cables, jacketed cables, ink jet printable cables, high-temperature cables, aircraft wiring, EN 2714-004, aerospace standards, avionics cabling, cable marking aerospace