NYY-J / NYY-O
0.6/1kV unarmoured power cable for fixed installations.
NYY is the European standard for unarmoured PVC power cable at 0.6/1kV — the direct equivalent of multicore power cable for indoor fixed installation, cable tray, duct, and underground (direct burial permitted). Used across Europe, GCC, North Africa, and East Africa for power distribution and control circuits. The heavy-duty sheathed counterpart to the lighter NYM building cable.
NYY and NYM — different standard, different voltage class, different application.
NYM and NYY appear in the same procurement categories and are often interchanged by specifiers. The technical difference:
| Parameter | NYM | NYY |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | DIN VDE 0250-204 | IEC 60502-1 / VDE 0276-603 |
| Voltage rating | 300/500V | 0.6/1kV (600/1000V) |
| Insulation thickness | Thinner — 300/500V class | Thicker — 0.6/1kV class (0.8–1.0mm) |
| Sheath thickness | Thinner — indoor building | Thicker — 1.8mm nominal (outdoor capable) |
| Direct burial | Not suitable | Permitted per VDE 0276-603; conduit recommended for high-mechanical stress soil. |
| Test voltage | 2.0kV | 3.5kV (IEC 60502-1) |
| Application | Building internal wiring | Power distribution, outdoor, direct burial |
Construction and electrical characteristics — NYY to IEC 60502-1.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard | IEC 60502-1 Edition 3:2021 · VDE 0276-603 · HD 603 S1 |
| Rated voltage (U₀/U) | 0.6/1kV (600V conductor-to-earth / 1000V conductor-to-conductor) |
| Conductor | Plain annealed copper · Class 1 (≤10mm²) or Class 2 (≥16mm²) · IEC 60228 |
| Insulation compound | PVC/A (DIV 4 per HD 603) — 0.8mm (1.5–2.5mm²) · 1.0mm (4–16mm²) |
| Filler | PVC or non-hygroscopic extruded filler — round cross-section maintained |
| Inner bedding | Extruded PVC or tape — between cores and outer sheath |
| Outer sheath | PVC compound DMV5 · 1.8mm nominal (3–5 core standard sizes) |
| Sheath colour | Black (standard) |
| Max conductor temperature | 70°C continuous · 160°C short circuit (5s) |
| Test voltage | 3.5kV AC (1 min) per IEC 60502-1 |
| Flame retardant | IEC 60332-1-2:2004 / EN 60332-1 |
| Min bending radius | 12 × OD (multicore) · 15 × OD (single core) |
| Min installation temp | −5°C (flexing) · −40°C (static) |
| MTO builds include standard sequential meter marking and NC internal batch traceability inkjet strings. | |
Cross-section — NYY 3-core.
Full configuration table — cores, sizes, OD, and weight.
All values per VDE 0276-603 / IEC 60502-1:2021 nominal dimensions; cross-checked against IS 1554 (Part 1):1988 Annex tolerances. RE = Class 1 solid copper · RM = Class 2 stranded copper.
| Cores | Size (mm²) | Conductor | Insulation (mm) | Sheath (mm) | OD (mm) | Weight (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.5 | RE (Class 1 solid) | 0.8 | 1.4 | 6.15 | 62 |
| 1 | 4.0 | RE (Class 1 solid) | 1.0 | 1.4 | 7.5 | 85 |
| 1 | 6.0 | RE (Class 1 solid) | 1.0 | 1.4 | 7.5 | 108 |
| 1 | 10.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.0 | 1.4 | 8.6 | 155 |
| 1 | 16.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.0 | 1.4 | 9.6 | 218 |
| 1 | 25.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.2 | 1.4 | 11.1 | 318 |
| 1 | 35.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.2 | 1.4 | 12.1 | 414 |
| 1 | 50.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.4 | 1.4 | 13.7 | 552 |
| 1 | 70.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.4 | 1.4 | 15.5 | 750 |
| 1 | 95.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.6 | 1.5 | 17.6 | 1020 |
| 2 | 1.5 | RE (Class 1 solid) | 0.8 | 1.8 | 10.0 | 147 |
| 2 | 2.5 | RE (Class 1 solid) | 0.8 | 1.8 | 10.7 | 179 |
| 2 | 4.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 13.0 | 268 |
| 2 | 6.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 14.2 | 337 |
| 2 | 10.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 16.2 | 472 |
| 2 | 16.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 18.2 | 644 |
| 3 | 1.5 | RE (Class 1 solid) | 0.8 | 1.8 | 10.4 | 166 |
| 3 | 2.5 | RE (Class 1 solid) | 0.8 | 1.8 | 11.3 | 212 |
| 3 | 4.0 | RE (Class 1 solid) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 13.1 | 299 |
| 3 | 6.0 | RE (Class 1 solid) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 15.0 | 402 |
| 3 | 10.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 17.1 | 570 |
| 3 | 16.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 19.2 | 789 |
| 3 | 25.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.2 | 1.8 | 22.1 | 1141 |
| 3 | 35.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.2 | 1.8 | 24.1 | 1462 |
| 3 | 50.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.4 | 1.8 | 27.6 | 1964 |
| 4 | 1.5 | RE (Class 1 solid) | 0.8 | 1.8 | 11.6 | 198 |
| 4 | 2.5 | RE (Class 1 solid) | 0.8 | 1.8 | 12.1 | 252 |
| 4 | 4.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 15.1 | 391 |
| 4 | 6.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 16.5 | 465 |
| 4 | 10.0 | RM (Class 2 stranded) | 1.0 | 1.8 | 18.6 | 702 |
Configurations above 5-core, 7-core, 12-core, and up to 27-core available on enquiry.
3-core NYY — rated current, 70°C PVC, per IEC 60364-5-52.
Values per IEC 60364-5-52 Table B.52.4 for 3 loaded copper conductors, PVC insulation, 70°C conductor, 30°C ambient. Apply de-rating for higher ambient temperatures — see below.
| Size (mm²) | Method B (A) Conduit on wall/trunking | Method C (A) Clipped direct | Method E (A) Free air / cable tray | Max R Ω/km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 13.5 | 17.5 | 18.5 | 12.1 |
| 2.5 | 18 | 24 | 25 | 7.41 |
| 4.0 | 24 | 32 | 34 | 4.61 |
| 6.0 | 31 | 41 | 43 | 3.08 |
| 10.0 | 42 | 57 | 60 | 1.83 |
| 16.0 | 56 | 76 | 80 | 1.15 |
| 25.0 | 73 | 96 | 101 | 0.727 |
| 35.0 | 89 | 119 | 126 | 0.524 |
| 50.0 | 108 | 144 | 153 | 0.387 |
| 70.0 | 136 | 184 | 196 | 0.268 |
| 95.0 | 164 | 223 | 238 | 0.193 |
| 120.0 | 188 | 259 | 276 | 0.153 |
| 150.0 | 216 | 299 | 319 | 0.124 |
| 185.0 | 245 | 341 | 364 | 0.0991 |
| 240.0 | 286 | 403 | 430 | 0.0754 |
Method B: multicore cable enclosed in conduit on a wall or in trunking. Method C: multicore cable clipped direct to surface. Method E: multicore cable in free air or on perforated tray.
Ambient temperature correction — PVC 70°C.
Multiply the tabulated rating by the factor for your site ambient temperature. Critical for outdoor and buried installations in Africa and the Gulf.
| Size | IS 694:2010 wall | IEC 60502-1 wall | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5mm² | 0.8mm | 0.8mm | ✓ IS 694:2010 direct |
| 1.5, 4 & 6mm² | 0.7 / 0.8mm | 0.8 / 1.0mm | → IEC wall setting, IS 694:2010 copper |
| 10 & 16mm² | 1.0mm | 1.0mm | ✓ IS 694:2010 direct |
| 25mm²+ | 1.2mm | 1.2mm | ✓ IS 694:2010 direct |
Custom Project Engineering for GCC & Africa
National Cables provides specialized technical enhancements for large-scale power distribution.
UV-Stabilized Sheathing
For high-exposure desert or tropical environments, our DMV5 PVC sheath is enhanced with carbon-black additives to meet international UV resistance standards, preventing premature embrittlement in outdoor tray installations.
Custom Drum Management
To minimize site joints and cable wastage, we supply NYY on custom drum lengths tailored to your site-specific pull-schedules. Export drums are ISPM-15 fumigated and treated for termite protection as standard.
Where NYY is specified.
The Indian standard NYY corresponds to.
NYY multi-core power cable — technical questions answered.
Common questions from electrical engineers, utility companies, and importing partners specifying NYY cables for power distribution, grid interconnection, and industrial installations across Africa, Middle East, and Asia.
What is NYY cable and where is it used?
NYY cable is a multi-core power distribution cable with PVC insulation and PVC outer sheath, designed for fixed underground and above-ground applications. The designation follows German/European coding: N = Standard installation cable (Normleitung) · Y = PVC insulation · Y = PVC sheath.
Typical applications:
- Underground power distribution: Primary and secondary feeder cables in utility distribution networks, buried without additional protection.
- Industrial power circuits: Fixed factory wiring, large motor feeder cables, substation interconnects.
- Outdoor above-ground runs: Pole-mounted low-voltage distribution feeders.
- High-current fixed installations: Where flexibility is not required and voltage drop must be minimized.
NYY is dominant in African, Middle Eastern, and Asian markets where IEC 60502-1 adoption is widespread.
What is the difference between NYY and NYM cable?
NYY: Multi-core power cable with Class 1 (solid) or Class 2 (stranded) conductors. Larger cross-sections (1.5–240mm²+). 0.6/1kV (600/1000V). Designed for fixed, high-current power distribution. Not flexible — solid construction optimizes current density.
NYM: Multi-core sheathed building cable with Class 1/2 conductors. Smaller cross-sections (1.5–35mm²). 300/500V rated. Designed for general building power wiring and low-voltage circuits. Slightly more flexible than NYY but still not for repeated bending.
Key distinction: NYY = power distribution infrastructure (utilities, industrial). NYM = building installation wiring. NYY carries larger currents at higher voltages; NYM is general-duty building circuit.
Can NYY cable be buried directly in soil, or does it require conduit?
NYY per IEC 60502-1 is approved for direct burial in soil without additional conduit or protective duct. The PVC outer sheath is rated for soil contact and provides adequate moisture and mechanical protection for permanent underground installations.
Best practice for direct burial:
- Bury at minimum 0.7–1.0 metre depth to prevent accidental excavation damage.
- Use warning tape at 0.3 metres above cable to alert diggers.
- Keep cable away from sharp rocks and aggressive soil (highly acidic, caustic soda, lime-rich environments).
- In high-disturbance areas, install in conduit for added protection despite IEC approval for direct burial.
Above-ground installations typically use cable trays or clips to avoid UV damage; exposure to direct sunlight degrades the PVC sheath over time.
What are the current ratings and derating factors for NYY cable?
Current-carrying capacity depends on conductor cross-section, number of cores, and installation method (buried, above-ground, in conduit, etc.).
Example ratings (3-core cable, buried 0.5m, 25°C soil, 1.2 K·m/W soil thermal resistivity):
- 3×4mm²: approximately 42A
- 3×6mm²: approximately 53A
- 3×10mm²: approximately 70A
- 3×16mm²: approximately 91A
Derating: Above 25°C soil temperature, apply ground-temperature factors (approximately 0.94 at 30°C, 0.88 at 35°C, 0.82 at 40°C); air-ambient circuits use the air factors in the table above. Multiple-cable bunching also reduces capacity. Contact us for precise derating tables for your specific installation scenario and burial depth.
Enquire for NYY export supply.
Core counts, sizes, volume and delivery schedule — 24-hour response.