Complete Technical Guide to German Telecommunications Cable Standard — J-Y(St)Y Twisted Pair Indoor Installation Cable for Data & Signal Transmission
Anhui Feichun Special Cable Co., Ltd.
安徽飞纯特种电缆有限公司
What is DIN VDE 0815 Cable?
Complete Technical Guide to German Telecommunications Cable Standard — J-Y(St)Y Twisted Pair Indoor Installation Cable for Data & Signal Transmission
1. Introduction to DIN VDE 0815 Standard
Germany’s DIN VDE 0815 standard contains specifications for wiring cables designed for telecommunications and data processing systems in indoor residential and commercial telecommunications installations. It is issued by the certification bodies VDE and DIN under the banner of the DKE (Deutsche Kommission Elektrotechnik), the German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies.
DIN VDE 0815 was developed for internal telecommunications installations for commercial applications in offices and factories, and is widely referred to throughout Europe. The transmission of analogue and digital signals using cables manufactured to DIN VDE 0815 specifications results in lower losses (also known as lower attenuation levels) than equivalent British Standard telecommunications cables such as CW1308 when travelling over distances. This is a result of the larger conductor sizes specified by DIN VDE 0815.
| Standard Authority | VDE (Verband der Elektrotechnik) + DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) |
| Regulatory Body | DKE — German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies |
| Part 1 | Unscreened cables (UTP) |
| Part 2 | Screened cables (STP/FTP) |
| Primary Application | Indoor telephone and data transmission cables |
| Signal Types | Analogue and digital signal transmission |
Source: Eland Cables – DIN VDE 0815 Standard Cable
EspañolIntroducción al Estándar DIN VDE 0815
La norma alemana DIN VDE 0815 contiene especificaciones para cables de cableado diseñados para sistemas de telecomunicaciones y procesamiento de datos en instalaciones de telecomunicaciones residenciales y comerciales interiores. Es emitida por los organismos de certificación VDE y DIN bajo el estandarte de la DKE (Comisión Alemana para Tecnologías Eléctricas, Electrónicas e Informáticas). La Parte 1 cubre cables sin pantalla y la Parte 2 cubre cables con pantalla. La transmisión de señales analógicas y digitales utilizando cables fabricados según las especificaciones DIN VDE 0815 resulta en menores pérdidas que los cables de telecomunicaciones de norma británica equivalentes como CW1308.
繁體中文DIN VDE 0815 標準簡介
德國DIN VDE 0815標準包含室內住宅和商業電信安裝中電信和數據處理系統佈線電纜的規格。該標準由VDE和DIN認證機構在DKE（德國電氣、電子和信息技術委員會）的旗幟下發布。第1部分涵蓋無屏蔽電纜（UTP），第2部分涵蓋屏蔽電纜（STP/FTP）。DIN VDE 0815是為辦公室和工廠的內部電信安裝而開發的商業應用標準，在整個歐洲被廣泛引用。使用按DIN VDE 0815規格製造的電纜傳輸模擬和數字信號時，其損耗低於同等英國標準電信電纜（如CW1308），這是由於DIN VDE 0815規定的導體尺寸較大。
2. DIN VDE 0815 Cable Models
DIN VDE 0815 defines several cable models for different applications, with the most widely used being the J-Y(St)Y screened twisted pair cable. The cable designation follows the German DIN coding system which indicates the cable construction and materials.
📝 J-Y(St)Y Cable Nomenclature Decoder
| J | Installation Cable (Installationskabel) |
| Y | PVC Insulation (Polyvinyl Chloride) |
| (St) | Static Screen — Aluminium-laminated plastic foil with drain wire |
| Y | PVC Outer Sheath |
| Lg | Layered Stranding (pairs twisted in concentric layers) |
| Bd | Bundle Stranding (star-quad units) |
2.1 Cable Model Comparison
| Cable Model | Screen | Insulation | Sheath | Stranding | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J-Y(St)Y…Lg | Foil Screen | PVC | PVC | Layered | Standard telecom |
| J-Y(St)Y…Bd | Foil Screen | PVC | PVC | Unit/Bundle | Switchboard |
| JE-Y(St)Y…Bd | Foil Screen | PVC | PVC | Unit/Bundle | Industrial electronics |
| J-H(St)H…Bd | Foil Screen | FRNC | FRNC | Unit/Bundle | Halogen-free |
| J-YY…Bd | Unscreened | PVC | PVC | Unit/Bundle | Basic installation |
| J-2Y(St)Y…Bd | Foil Screen | PE | PVC | Unit/Bundle | Enhanced performance |
Source: LAPP Group – J-Y(ST)Y…LG Cable
3. Cable Construction
| Standard | DIN VDE 0815 DIN 57815 |
| Conductor | Solid annealed bare copper, Class 1 per VDE 0295/IEC 60228 |
| Conductor Diameter | 0.6mm (0.28mm²) or 0.8mm (0.50mm²) |
| Insulation | PVC Type YI1 per DIN VDE 0207-2 |
| Pair Stranding | Cores twisted in pairs, pairs twisted together (TP design) |
| Core Wrapping | Non-hygroscopic polyester tape over cable core |
| Static Screen | Aluminium-laminated plastic foil with tin-plated copper drain wire |
| Drain Wire Diameter | 0.4mm (≤10 pairs) or 0.6mm (>10 pairs) |
| Outer Sheath | PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) |
| Sheath Colour | Grey (Pebble Grey, RAL 7032) |
3.1 Twisted Pair Technology
The twisted-pair (TP) design is fundamental to DIN VDE 0815 cables. Twisting the two conductors of each circuit together reduces electromagnetic radiation and crosstalk between neighboring pairs. The twisting ensures that both wires are on average the same distance from any interfering source, producing a common-mode signal that can be cancelled at the receiver. This technology was invented by Alexander Graham Bell for telephone transmission and remains essential for modern telecommunications.
| Crosstalk Reduction | Twisted pairs minimize inductive crosstalk by reducing current loop area |
| EMI Rejection | Common-mode interference rejection through balanced line operation |
| Noise Immunity | Equal coupling to noise sources on both conductors |
| Signal Quality | Improved signal-to-noise ratio over long distances |
3.2 Foil Screening Benefits
The aluminium-laminated plastic foil static screen with tin-plated drain wire provides additional protection against high-frequency electromagnetic field interference. The foil screen greatly reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI), making VDE 0815 cables suitable for applications in electrically noisy environments such as industrial settings, security systems, and locations near power cables or equipment.
Source: LAPP Group – JE-Y(ST)Y…BD Cable
4. J-Y(St)Y Cable Dimensional Data
4.1 0.6mm Conductor Cables
| No. of Pairs | Conductor Ø (mm) | Overall Ø (mm) | Weight (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6mm Conductor Series | |||
| 1 | 0.6 | 5.0 | 30 |
| 2 | 0.6 | 5.5 | 40 |
| 3 | 0.6 | 6.3 | 50 |
| 4 | 0.6 | 6.8 | 60 |
| 5 | 0.6 | 7.2 | 70 |
| 6 | 0.6 | 7.5 | 80 |
| 8 | 0.6 | 8.0 | 90 |
| 10 | 0.6 | 9.0 | 110 |
| 12 | 0.6 | 9.5 | 130 |
| 16 | 0.6 | 10.5 | 160 |
| 20 | 0.6 | 11.0 | 190 |
| 50 | 0.6 | 16.0 | 390 |
| 100 | 0.6 | 21.0 | 780 |
4.2 0.8mm Conductor Cables
| No. of Pairs | Conductor Ø (mm) | Overall Ø (mm) | Weight (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8mm Conductor Series | |||
| 1 | 0.8 | 6.0 | 40 |
| 2 | 0.8 | 7.0 | 60 |
| 3 | 0.8 | 8.5 | 80 |
| 4 | 0.8 | 9.0 | 100 |
| 5 | 0.8 | 9.5 | 120 |
| 6 | 0.8 | 10.5 | 140 |
| 8 | 0.8 | 11.5 | 170 |
| 10 | 0.8 | 13.0 | 220 |
| 12 | 0.8 | 14.0 | 250 |
| 16 | 0.8 | 15.5 | 320 |
| 20 | 0.8 | 16.5 | 380 |
| 50 | 0.8 | 23.0 | 800 |
| 100 | 0.8 | 32.0 | 1600 |
5. Electrical Characteristics
| Parameter | 0.6mm Conductor | 0.8mm Conductor | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loop Resistance (max) | 130 Ω/km | 73.2 Ω/km | VDE 0815 |
| Capacitance at 800Hz (max) | 100 nF/km | 100 nF/km | VDE 0815 |
| Mutual Capacitance | ~200 pF/100m | ~200 pF/100m | VDE 0815 |
| Inductance | ~0.65 mH/km | ~0.65 mH/km | VDE 0815 |
| Insulation Resistance (min) | 100 MΩ·km | 100 MΩ·km | VDE 0815 |
| Test Voltage Core/Core | 500V AC | 500V AC | VDE 0815 |
| Test Voltage Core/Screen | 2000V AC | 2000V AC | VDE 0815 |
| Rated Voltage | 300V | 300V | VDE 0815 |
5.1 Conductor Resistance Comparison
The 0.8mm conductor cables offer significantly lower loop resistance (73.2 Ω/km vs 130 Ω/km), resulting in lower signal attenuation over long cable runs. This makes 0.8mm conductor cables preferable for longer distance installations where signal quality is critical.
6. Key Technical Parameters
Rated Voltage
Test Voltage
Fixed Temp Range
Flexing Temp Range
Min Bending Radius
Capacitance
Insulation Resistance
Sheath Colour
7. VDE 0815 Colour Coding System
The colour identification of wires in DIN VDE 0815 cables follows specific coding systems depending on the stranding type. For layered stranding (Lg) and unit stranding (Bd), different colour schemes are used to identify pairs and circuits.
7.1 Layered Stranding Colour Code (J-Y(St)Y…Lg)
| Configuration | a-Core | b-Core |
|---|---|---|
| 2-pair (star quad circuit 1) | Red | Black |
| 2-pair (star quad circuit 2) | White | Yellow |
| 4+ pairs (1st pair each layer) | Red | Blue |
| 4+ pairs (other pairs) | White | Blue |
7.2 Unit/Bundle Stranding Colour Code (Star-Quad)
| Quad Number | Basic Colour | Marking |
|---|---|---|
| Quad 1 | Red | All cores red base |
| Quad 2 | Green | All cores green base |
| Quad 3 | Grey | All cores grey base |
| Quad 4 | Yellow | All cores yellow base |
| Quad 5 | White | All cores white base |
Individual cores within star-quads are marked with black rings. Marker units are identified with red helix, others with white or uncoloured.
8. Applications
DIN VDE 0815 cables are designed for fixed installation in dry and damp interiors, on or under plaster, and on external walls in commercial and residential properties. Despite not having low smoke zero halogen properties, VDE 0815 specifies these cables as suitable for use in commercial properties for a wide range of telecommunications applications.
📞 Telephone Systems
Analogue/digital telephony
Telefax, telex systems
🔐 Security Systems
Burglar alarm systems
Access control
🔊 Intercom Systems
Communication systems
Paging systems
🔥 Fire Alarm
Fire detection circuits
Alarm transmission
⏱️ Time & Data Control
Time recording systems
Data control networks
🚌 BUS Systems
Building automation
Control networks
🌾 Agriculture
Farm control systems
Environmental monitoring
📡 Modems
Standard postal modems
Data transmission
8.1 Industrial Electronics Applications (JE-Y(St)Y)
The JE-Y(St)Y…BD variant is specifically designed for industrial electronics applications including measurement, control, signalling, and data applications. It can also be used for intrinsically safe circuits (type of protection i – intrinsic safety) according to IEC 60079-14 / EN 60079-14 / VDE 0165-1 section 16.2.2.
9. Installation Guidelines
| Installation Method | Suitable | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dry interiors | ✅ Yes | Fixed installation |
| Damp interiors | ✅ Yes | Fixed installation |
| On plaster | ✅ Yes | Surface mounting |
| Under plaster | ✅ Yes | Concealed installation |
| External walls | ✅ Yes | Protected from direct weather |
| Direct burial | ❌ No | Use external grade cables |
| Outdoor exposed | ❌ No | Indoor cable only |
9.1 Insulation Displacement Connection (IDC)
VDE 0815 cables are perfect for cost-effective installation using insulation displacement technology (IDC). This allows rapid termination without stripping insulation, making installation faster and more reliable in telecommunications distribution frames and patch panels.
10. Comparison with British Standard CW1308
DIN VDE 0815 cables offer performance advantages over equivalent British Standard telecommunications cables such as CW1308. The larger conductor sizes specified by VDE 0815 result in lower attenuation levels when transmitting signals over distances.
| Parameter | DIN VDE 0815 (0.8mm) | BS CW1308 (0.5mm) | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conductor Diameter | 0.8mm | 0.5mm | VDE 0815 (larger) |
| Conductor Area | 0.50mm² | 0.20mm² | VDE 0815 (2.5× larger) |
| Loop Resistance | 73.2 Ω/km | ~188 Ω/km | VDE 0815 (lower) |
| Signal Attenuation | Lower | Higher | VDE 0815 (better) |
| Long Distance Performance | Superior | Standard | VDE 0815 |
| EMI Protection | Foil screen standard | Optional | VDE 0815 |
Authoritative External References
https://www.elandcables.com/…/vde0815-cable
https://products.lappgroup.com/…/j-ystylg
https://products.lappgroup.com/…/je-ystybd
https://onetech-group.com/…/j-ysty-lg-vde-0815
https://onetech-group.com/…/j-h-st-h-bd-vde-0815
https://www.caledonian-cables.net/…/VDE0815
https://www.caledonian-cables.com/…/colour-codes
https://www.techtarget.com/…/shielded-twisted-pair
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twisted_pair
https://www.sciencedirect.com/…/twisted-pair-cable
Contact Feichun Cable
For technical support with DIN VDE 0815 telecommunications cables, J-Y(St)Y twisted pair cables, or indoor telephone installation applications, please contact our engineering team.
