SIST EN 50290-2-30:2002

Overview

SIST EN 50290-2-30:2002 is a European standard that specifies common design rules and construction requirements for communication cables insulated and sheathed with poly(tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene) (FEP). This standard is developed by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) and is intended to be used alongside EN 50290-2-20, which covers general insulation and sheathing materials for communication cables.

FEP insulation and sheathing provide excellent electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties that ensure high performance and reliability of communication cables in demanding environments. This standard defines the necessary tests, performance criteria, and design guidelines to meet industry requirements.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  EN 50290-2-30 covers specific requirements for the FEP insulation and sheathing used in communication cables. It emphasizes compatibility with Part 2-20 of EN 50290 to provide comprehensive design and testing protocols.

• Material Characteristics
  The standard specifies key characteristics of FEP compounds, including:

  • Maximum rated temperature of usage: 200 °C
  • Density: approximately 2.15 g/cm³
  • Melting point: around 265 °C

• Mechanical and Thermal Properties
  FEP insulation and sheathing materials must meet rigorous mechanical and thermal performance criteria both in the delivered state and after aging:

  • Tensile strength minimum: 10 MPa
  • Elongation at break minimum: 200%
  • Heat shock resistance up to 250 °C with no cracking
  • Resistance to low temperature bending at -15 °C without damage

• Electrical Properties
  The standard defines minimum electrical requirements such as:

  • Volume resistivity at 20 °C and maximum rated temperature, ensuring excellent insulation quality
  • Low dielectric constant (max 2.1 at 50-100 kHz) for efficient signal transmission
  • Low dissipation factor (max 4 x 10⁻⁴ at 50 kHz), minimizing signal loss

• Test Methods
  Tests are standardized as per referenced IEC and EN standards, including thickness and dimension measurement, thermal aging, mechanical testing, and electrical resistivity measurement. Normative annexes provide detailed instructions, such as the volume resistivity test procedure using insulated conductor samples immersed in heated water.

Applications

SIST EN 50290-2-30:2002 is primarily used by communication cable manufacturers and engineers involved in the design and production of high-quality cables for telecommunications, data transmission, and networking infrastructures. The FEP insulation and sheathing conforming to this standard ensure cables can operate reliably under extreme thermal and mechanical stress conditions.

Typical applications include:

• High-performance coaxial and data communication cables
• Environments requiring fire resistance and chemical inertness
• Industrial and outdoor installations exposed to temperature variations and mechanical strain
• Optical fiber cables requiring reliable insulation materials

By adhering to this standard, manufacturers can guarantee consistent product quality, safety, and compliance with European regulations for communication technology components.

Related Standards

EN 50290-2-30 is designed to be used in conjunction with several related standards to form a complete framework for communication cable specification:

• EN 50290-2-20: General common design rules and construction for cable insulation and sheathing
• EN 60811 Series: Common test methods for insulating and sheathing materials, including mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties
• IEC 60093: Methods for volume and surface resistivity testing of insulating materials
• IEC 60250: Methods for determining dielectric constant and dissipation factor of electrical insulating materials
• ISO 11357-3: Differential scanning calorimetry for precise thermal property measurement of plastics

Integrating EN 50290-2-30 with these standards ensures a harmonized approach to cable design, testing, and quality assurance across the communications industry.

Keywords: EN 50290-2-30, FEP insulation, FEP sheathing, communication cables, cable design rules, poly(tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene), FEP properties, cable standards, CENELEC, electrical insulation, thermal resistance, mechanical testing, volume resistivity, dielectric constant, communication cable manufacturing.