Product Overview

The SY control cable — also referred to as YSLYSY for PVC versions or HSLHSH for LSZH versions — is a flexible multi‑core control cable distinguished by its galvanised steel wire braid armour. This steel braid provides a level of mechanical protection that standard unscreened control cables like YY cannot offer, making SY the preferred choice for installations where cables are exposed to vibration, tension, or physical stress.

TEBAOFLEX CABLE offers this SY cable in both PVC and Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) versions. The LSZH variant is particularly important for applications where fire safety is critical. In the event of a fire, LSZH cables emit limited smoke and no toxic halogen gases, giving people more time to evacuate and reducing damage to sensitive equipment.

Understanding the SY Designation

The “S” in SY stands for steel wire braid — galvanised steel wire braid to be precise. This is the key feature that sets SY apart from other control cables. YY has no braid and no mechanical protection. CY has a copper wire braid that provides electromagnetic interference shielding but limited mechanical protection. SY has a steel wire braid that provides strong mechanical protection against impact, abrasion, and crushing, but it does not provide electrical interference protection.

If your application involves both mechanical stress and EMI concerns, you may need to consider a CY cable or additional shielding measures. But for most industrial environments where physical damage is the main risk, SY does the job effectively.

Where It’s Used

SY control cables are widely used as interconnecting cables in control equipment or machinery where they are subjected to medium mechanical stresses. Typical applications include assembly and production lines — connecting control units, sensors, and actuators; conveyor systems for power and control on material handling equipment; machine tools and CNC machining centres; computer units and automation systems; rail and transportation infrastructure for signalling and equipment control; and power transmission and distribution for control and monitoring circuits.

The cable is suitable for internal dry, damp, or wet environments, including oil‑water mixtures, and can be used outdoors when protected against direct sunlight.

Construction Details

For the PVC version (YSLYSY), the construction uses Class 5 flexible stranded copper conductors, PVC insulation, a PVC bedding, galvanised steel wire braid armour, and a PVC outer sheath, which is often clear to allow visual inspection of the braid. The LSZH version (HSLHSH) follows the same construction but uses LSZH materials for insulation, bedding, and outer sheath, with the sheath colour typically grey.

The clear oversheath on the PVC version is a practical feature — maintenance teams can easily spot signs of deterioration, damage, or corrosion without stripping the cable.

Technical Specifications

Rated voltage is 300/500V with a test voltage of 2500V to 4000V. Conductors are Class 5 flexible stranded copper. Insulation and sheath are either PVC or LSZH depending on the variant. The armour is galvanised steel wire braid. Temperature range for fixed installation is -40°C to +80°C, and for flexing applications it is -5°C to +70°C. Minimum bending radius is 4 × overall diameter for fixed use and 10D to 12.5 × overall diameter for flexing.

Flame retardancy meets IEC/EN 60332‑1‑2, while the LSZH version also meets IEC/EN 60332‑3‑24 for flame retardancy, IEC/EN 60754‑1/2 for zero halogen, and IEC 61034‑1/2 for low smoke emission. The cable is designed to VDE 0250 standards.

Core Identification Options

SY cables are available with different core identification schemes. The -OZ option uses black numbered cores with no earth core. -JZ uses black numbered cores with a green/yellow earth core. -OB uses coloured cores with no earth, and -JB uses coloured cores with a green/yellow earth core. Two‑core cables come with black numbered cores as standard. For three cores and above, the standard is black numbered cores with a green/yellow earth core. Coloured cores with or without green/yellow are available on request.

PVC vs LSZH – Which One to Choose?

The choice between PVC and LSZH comes down to fire safety requirements and budget. PVC is lower in cost and suitable for general industrial use where fire safety regulations are less stringent. LSZH costs more but offers low smoke, zero halogen, and reduced toxic emissions in a fire. This makes LSZH the right choice for confined spaces, public buildings, tunnels, underground sites, and any area where life safety is a priority.

Both versions share the same steel wire braid for mechanical protection.

Installation Notes

SY cables are designed for free movement without tensile stress and without forced guidance systems. During installation and operation, avoid exceeding the recommended tensile load on the conductor. For cable chain or reeling applications, check bending radius and travel speed limits against your specific setup. A 0.6/1kV version of SY cable is also available for applications requiring both power and control in a single cable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between SY, CY, and YY control cables?

The difference is the braid. YY has no braid — it’s the basic unscreened cable for standard applications. CY has a copper wire braid — this provides electromagnetic interference shielding but limited mechanical protection. SY has a galvanised steel wire braid — this provides strong mechanical protection against impact and abrasion, but does not provide EMI shielding. If you need both mechanical protection and EMI shielding, you may need additional measures or a different cable type.

What does LSZH mean and why would I need it?

LSZH stands for Low Smoke Zero Halogen. In a fire, LSZH cables emit very limited smoke and no toxic halogen gases like chlorine or fluorine. This is critical in confined spaces, public buildings, tunnels, underground mines, and anywhere that people need time to evacuate safely. The LSZH version meets IEC/EN 60332‑3‑24 for flame retardancy, IEC/EN 60754‑1/2 for zero halogen, and IEC 61034‑1/2 for low smoke emission.

Can SY cable be used outdoors?

Yes, but with protection. SY cable can be used outdoors when protected against direct sunlight. The black sheathed variant is better suited for outdoor use than the clear version. For permanent outdoor exposure without UV protection, consider a cable specifically designed for outdoor use.

What core identification options are available?

SY cables are available with black numbered cores or coloured cores, with or without a green/yellow earth core. Two‑core cables come with black numbered cores as standard. Three cores and above are black numbered cores with a green/yellow earth core. Coloured cores are available on request.