NYM cable is a European standard, PVC-sheathed installation cable designed for fixed wiring in buildings and industrial applications . Often referred to as NYM sheathed cable, building wire, or installation cable, it is the most widely used power cable for domestic, commercial, and light industrial electrical installations . The acronym "NYM" itself describes its construction: N for standardised cable (Normleitung), Y for PVC insulation, and M for sheathed cable (Mantelleitung)
Standards
DIN VDE 0250-204
NYM cable is manufactured to meet stringent German and European standards, ensuring safety and reliability. It complies with DIN VDE 0250-204 and is CE certified, conforming to the Low Voltage Directive . The cable is also flame retardant according to IEC 60332-1-2 and is available in CPR-compliant variants for construction products regulation . It is offered in two main types: NYM-J, which includes a green-yellow earth conductor, and NYM-O, which does not contain an earth core.
Construction
The construction of NYM power cable is specifically designed for fixed installation in harsh building conditions:
Conductor: Class 1 solid or Class 2 stranded bare copper conductors according to IEC 60228, ensuring secure terminations in junction boxes and panels .
Core Insulation: Each core is insulated with PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) compound, with core identification according to VDE 0293-308 .
Inner Filler: An unique feature is the unvulcanised rubber filler or filler sheath surrounding the stranded cores, providing mechanical protection and circularity .
Outer Sheath: A tough PVC outer sheath (typically grey) provides protection against mechanical impact and moisture
Characteristics
Voltage Rated U0/ U: and 300/500V.
Note:
U0: Rated power-frequency voltage between conductor and earth for which the cable is suitable.
U: Rated power-frequency voltage between phase conductors for which the cable is suitable.
Maximum conductor operating temperature: +70℃
Maximum short circuit conductor temperature: +160℃
Test voltage: 2000V
Application
NYM applications are extensive in building installation. It is the standard choice for:
Fixed Wiring in Buildings: Installed in dry, damp, and wet premises, including under plaster, within brickwork, on cable trays, and in conduits .
Concrete Installation: It can be installed directly into concrete, but not in compacted, vibrated, or rammed concrete .
Domestic and Commercial Use: Power supply for lighting circuits, socket outlets, and fixed appliances in homes, offices, and industrial facilities .
Limitations: NYM is not suitable for outdoor use without additional UV protection, nor for direct burial in the ground
Specification
|
No. Of cores x Nom.cross section No.x mm2
|
Min. No. Of wires
|
Approx. Overall diameter mm
|
Approx. Net weight of cables kg/km
|
Max. DC resistance of conductor at 20℃Ω/km
|
Min. insulation resistance at 70℃ MΩ.km
|
|
1x1.5
|
1
|
5.2
|
43
|
12.1
|
0.01
|
|
1x2.5
|
1
|
5.7
|
57
|
7.41
|
0.0094
|
|
1x4
|
1
|
6.4
|
77
|
4.61
|
0.0087
|
|
1x6
|
1
|
6.9
|
99
|
3.08
|
0.0074
|
|
1x10
|
1
|
8.1
|
148
|
1.83
|
0.0072
|
|
1x16
|
6
|
9.2
|
212
|
1.15
|
0.0053
|
|
1x25
|
6
|
10.7
|
312
|
0.727
|
0.0051
|
|
2x1.5
|
1
|
7.9
|
103
|
12.1
|
0.01
|
|
2x2.5
|
1
|
9.1
|
142
|
7.41
|
0.0094
|
|
2x4
|
1
|
10.2
|
191
|
4.61
|
0.0087
|
|
2x6
|
1
|
11.2
|
247
|
3.08
|
0.0074
|
|
2x10
|
1
|
14
|
395
|
1.83
|
0.0072
|
|
2x16
|
6
|
16.6
|
584
|
1.15
|
0.0053
|
|
2x25
|
6
|
20
|
877
|
0.73
|
0.0051
|
|
2x35
|
6
|
22.5
|
1152
|
0.524
|
0.0045
|
|
3x1.5
|
1
|
8.3
|
120
|
12.1
|
0.01
|
|
3x2.5
|
1
|
9.5
|
169
|
7.41
|
0.0094
|
|
3x4
|
1
|
11
|
238
|
4.61
|
0.0087
|
|
3x6
|
1
|
12.2
|
315
|
3.08
|
0.0074
|
|
3x10
|
1
|
14.8
|
489
|
1.83
|
0.0072
|
|
3x16
|
6
|
17.6
|
730
|
1.15
|
0.0053
|
|
3x25
|
6
|
21.7
|
1123
|
0.73
|
0.0051
|
|
3x35
|
6
|
23.9
|
1461
|
0.524
|
0.0045
|
|
4x1.5
|
1
|
8.9
|
142
|
12.1
|
0.01
|
|
4x2.5
|
1
|
10.3
|
203
|
7.41
|
0.0094
|
|
4x4
|
1
|
12.3
|
300
|
4.61
|
0.0087
|
|
4x6
|
1
|
13.5
|
393
|
3.08
|
0.0074
|
|
4x10
|
1
|
16.2
|
604
|
1.83
|
0.0072
|
|
4x16
|
6
|
19.3
|
907
|
1.15
|
0.0053
|
|
4x25
|
6
|
23.8
|
1398
|
0.73
|
0.0051
|
|
4x35
|
6
|
26.4
|
1828
|
0.524
|
0.0045
|
|
5x1.5
|
1
|
9.6
|
169
|
12.1
|
0.01
|
|
5x2.5
|
1
|
11.1
|
244
|
7.41
|
0.0094
|
|
5x4
|
1
|
13.3
|
362
|
4.61
|
0.0087
|
|
5x6
|
1
|
14.6
|
478
|
3.08
|
0.0074
|
|
5x10
|
1
|
17.9
|
751
|
1.83
|
0.0072
|
|
5x16
|
6
|
21.6
|
1138
|
1.15
|
0.0053
|
|
5x25
|
6
|
26.2
|
1727
|
0.73
|
0.0051
|
|
5x35
|
6
|
29.1
|
2263
|
0.524
|
0.0045
|
|
7x1.5
|
1
|
10.7
|
219
|
12.1
|
0.01
|
|
7x2.5
|
1
|
12.6
|
322
|
7.41
|
0.0094
|
|
10x1.5
|
1
|
12.4
|
282
|
12.1
|
0.01
|
|
10x2.5
|
1
|
15.2
|
433
|
7.41
|
0.0094
|
|
12x1.5
|
1
|
12.8
|
317
|
12.1
|
0.01
|
|
12x2.5
|
1
|
15.6
|
489
|
7.41
|
0.0094
|