DIN EN 50288-1:2014-03

Within the framework of periodic review of safety standards as well as generic, sectional and detail standards in the field of communication cables, the previous 2003 edition of standard EN 50288-1 has been revised. This sectional specification covers cables for instrumentation, device infrastructure and information-technical applications as defined in EN 50290 and 50289. All clauses and table contents of the standard have been completely revised and updated. Major chapters deal with the topics cable construction, tests and requirements for cables. The requirements differentiate between electric tests, mechanical tests, environmental tests and fire performance tests. Annex A of the standard deals with the ELFEXT re-classification to ACR-F. For telephone cables and the type of measuring instruments known at that time, Equal Level Far End Crosstalk (ELFEXT) measurement was very useful and necessary for construction of long conductors. Since data cables are used with tightly twisted pairs which shall transfer much higher frequencies, and since the introduction of test analysers for determination of the S parameters, ELFEXT has actually no longer been measured in the same manner. Due to technical modifications and simultaneous use of all four pairs, a better method for the gathering of data information whereby the limit values are obtained. The term "Equal Level Far End Crosstalk" (ELFEXT) is replaced by the term "Attenuation to Crosstalk Ratio - Far end" (ACR-F). While the first one refers the Far End Crosstalk to the propagation coefficient of the disturbing pair, the term ACR-F links the Far End Crosstalk to the propagation coefficient of the disturbed pair and thus indicates the signal-to noise ratio as the result of the Far End Crosstalk. Annex B of the standard contains a MICE Table which is subdivided into classification and characteristics. MICE represents mechanical requirements, particulate ingress, climatic requirements and electromagnetic requirements. The following modifications have been made with DIN EN 50288-1 (VDE 0819-1):2004-08: a) All clauses have been revised, taking into account the entire content of the previous edition in accordance with the current structure and design requirements. b) The definition MICE has been added in clause 3. c) Informative Annex A - ELFEXT re-classification to ACR-F has been added. c) Informative Annex B has been added. It contains the MICE Table, with classification and characteristics. The responsible committee is Subcommittee DKE/UK 412.1 "Symmetrische Kabel und Leitungen, Drähte" ("Symmetric cables and conductors, wires") of the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies) at DIN and VDE.