The designation codes in different country for different type of cable are different in each country. Below are parts of the Designation Codes for cable designation in Germany.
Reference standards
DIN VDE 0292 Type Designation Codes for cable designation
DIN VDE 0293-308 Identification of the cores of cables / wires and flexible wires by colors
Standard series DIN VDE 0281 for PVC-insulated cables
Standard series DIN VDE 0282 for rubber insulated cables
Power cables with plastic insulation and plastic sheath according to DIN VDE 0262, DIN VDE 0263, DIN VDE 0265, DIN VDE 0266, DIN VDE 0267, DIN VDE 0271, DIN VDE 0273 and DIN VDE 0276 part 603, 604, 620, 622, 626
For cables with plastic insulation and plastic sheath the following designation codes are used (starting with the conductor):
| Code | Description |
| N | Cables acc. to standard |
| A | Aluminum conductor |
| Y | Insulation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) |
| 2Y | Insulation of thermoplastic polyethylene (PE) |
| X | Insulation of cross-linked polyvinyl chloride (XPVC) |
| 2X | Insulation of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) |
| H | Field limiting conductive layers over the conductor and over the Insulation |
| HX | Insulation of cross-linked halogen-free polymer blend |
| C | Concentric conductor of copper |
| CW | Concentric conductor of copper, waveform (ceander) |
| CE | Concentric conductor in multi-core cables on each individual core |
| S | Braided copper |
| SE | For multicore cables field limiting conductive layers over the conductor and the insulation and copper screen over each individual core (indicated by “H” is omitted here) |
| F | Overhead line cable (DIN VDE 0276) |
| F | Armouring of galvanized flat steel wire |
| FE | insulation sustaining |
| (F) | Longitudinally watertight cable (screen) |
| B | Steel tape armouring |
| R | Armouring of galvanized round steel wires |
| G | Helix of galvanized steel tape |
| HX | Sheath of cross-linked halogen-free polymer blend |
| Y | Inner sheath of polyvinylchloride (PVC) |
| Y | Outer sheath of polyvinylchloride (PVC) |
| 2Y | Outer sheath of polyethylene (PE) |
| 1Y | Outer sheath of polyurethane (PUR) |
Conductor cross-section, shape and structure
| Code | Description |
| R | Circular conductor |
| S | Sector shaped conductor |
| E | Solid conductor |
| M | Stranded conductor |
| RE | Circular conductor, solid |
| RM | Circular conductor, stranded |
| SE | Sector shaped conductor, solid |
| SM | Sector shaped conductor, stranded |
| OM | Oval shaped conductor, stranded |
| H | Waveguide |
| /V | Compacted conductor |
