1. Introduction to DIN VDE 0250 Cable Standard

German national standard DIN VDE 0250 covers cables, wires, and flexible cords for power installations. This DIN VDE standard provides for a large variety of cable construction and characteristics, effectively covering an extensive range of cables used across Europe and by engineers worldwide on international projects requiring reliable performance under demanding conditions.

As Germany is the only country to have issued special design regulations for flexible electrical cables covering cranes and material handling equipment, DIN VDE 0250 has found global recognition and is generally accepted or specified as the ultimate standard for tough rubber-sheathed flexible reeling cables. This includes NSHTÖU drum reeling cables, YSLTÖE cables, and specialized mining and tunnelling cables designed to face the challenges presented by demanding industrial environments.

2. DIN VDE 0250 Standard Parts Overview

The DIN VDE 0250 standard encompasses multiple parts, each addressing specific cable types and applications. Understanding this structure is essential for proper cable specification in mining, industrial, and material handling applications.

Source: Tratos Group – DIN VDE 0250 Part 812

3. Low Voltage Mining & Heavy-Duty Cables (0.6/1kV)

3.1 NSSHÖU O/J, NSSHÖU 3E, NSSHÖU 3E+ST Cables

NSSHÖU cables are heavy-duty tough rubber-sheathed flexible cables manufactured according to VDE 0250 Part 812. These cables are commonly used in the mining industry as tough flexible rubber power connections for drilling and tunnelling equipment. The flame retardant, UV resistant outer sheath is designed to withstand abrasions, cuts, tears and oils & greases. NSSHÖU cables can be submerged in fresh water, salt water, oily water, and sewage-contaminated water up to a depth of 100 meters.

NSSHÖU Variants

3.2 (N)SHÖU O/J Cable

(N)SHÖU cables are heavy-duty 0.6/1kV equipment power cables suitable for permanent submersion to 100m. They provide reliable power supply in dynamic or static applications exposed to extreme mechanical stress, including mining, tunnelling, and heavy industrial environments.

4. Medium Voltage Reeling Cables (3.6/6kV to 18/30kV)

4.1 (N)TSCGEWÖU MV Reeling Cable

The (N)TSCGEWÖU cables are used for power distribution to heavy-duty equipment and are available in voltages of 3.6/6kV, 6/10kV, 8.7/15kV, 12/20kV, and 18/30kV. These cables are configured as 3+3 (3 power cores and 3 earth cores). Depending on the application, (N)TSCGEWÖU cables are available with anti-torsion braid, fibre optic cores, and with sheathing that allows for permanent submersion in water or halogen-free for underground/tunnel use.

(N)TSCGEWÖU Variants

4.2 (N)TSCGECEWÖU Cable (With Ground Check Conductor)

The (N)TSCGECEWÖU cables are flexible medium voltage cables designed for reeling and trailing systems of tunnel boring machines. They feature additional control conductors and monitoring conductors for enhanced safety and operational control in demanding mining and tunnelling environments.

4.3 (N)TSCGECECWÖU Cable (For Tunnel Boring Machines)

(N)TSCGECECWÖU is a specialist range of mining cables suitable for reeling drums of tunnel boring machines and general tunnel applications. These flexible power supply cables have 3 phase conductors each wrapped with copper wire screen acting as earth conductors, plus 3 smaller control conductors, a control conductor, and a monitoring conductor to support working operations.

5. (N)TMCGEWÖU Flexible MV Power Cable

The (N)TMCGEWÖU cables are flexible medium voltage power cables with rubber sheathing, suitable for indoor and outdoor applications including opencast mining operations. They are manufactured to operate within an ambient temperature range of -40°C to +80°C with a maximum short circuit temperature of +250°C. Available in sizes from 25mm² to 240mm² and voltage ratings from 3.6/6kV to 18/30kV.

6. (N)3GHSSHCH & (N)3GHSSYCY MV Mining Cables

6.1 (N)3GHSSHCH LSZH Mining Cable

Specifically designed for use in the mining industry for tunnelling and underground applications, the (N)3GHSSHCH features Steel Wire Braid (SWB) over the second inner sheath, meaning these MV cables are designed to withstand chemical and climate stresses. The LSZH outer sheathing reduces toxic fumes in the event of fire, making them suitable for tunnels and internal operations.

6.2 (N)3GHSSYCY PVC Mining Cable

The (N)3GHSSYCY is a flexible energy supply cable designed to supply power to medium voltage equipment. Manufactured in accordance with VDE 0250 standard, it is designed to operate effectively in tunnelling and underground mining applications with optimised insulation wall thickness and outer diameter for effective monitoring of outer damage.

Source: Eland Cables – (N)3GHSSYCY Cable

7. Fixed Installation & Building Cables

7.1 NHXMH-J & NHXMH-O Cable

NHXMH cables are 300/500V fixed wiring cables manufactured to VDE 0250-214 with improved fire behavior. These cables are designed for building installations where enhanced fire safety is required, featuring halogen-free construction that reduces toxic fume emission during fire.

7.2 NSGAFÖU Flexible Rubber Cable

NSGAFÖU cables are flexible rubber cables for general wiring applications, manufactured to VDE 0250-602. They provide reliable performance in industrial environments where flexibility and durability are essential.

7.3 NSHXAFO Ground Fault-Proof Cable

NSHXAFO cables are highly flexible ‘ground fault-proof’ cables available in voltage ratings from 0.6/1kV to 3.6/6kV. These cables provide enhanced protection against ground faults, making them suitable for applications requiring additional safety measures.

8. Complete DIN VDE 0250 Cable Model Comparison

9. Key Technical Parameters