Decoding the YJV cable model: meanings of the XLPE insulation (YJ) and PVC sheath (V) codes, flame-retardant/fire-resistant/halogen-free low-smoke prefixes, armored outer-sheath suffixes (22/23/32/33), and voltage rating — the complete reading method

Topic Positioning

This card decodes the letter codes of YJV and its variant cable models: basic material codes (YJ/V/Y), burning-performance and flame-retardant/fire-resistant prefixes (ZA/ZB/ZC, N, WDZ, WDUZ, B1), armored outer-sheath suffixes (22/23/32/33), voltage rating, and the composition order of the full model — for quick reading in electrical design, selection, and inquiry.

Core Conclusions

1. Basic letter meanings: YJV = copper-conductor XLPE-insulated (YJ) PVC-sheathed (V) power cable; the copper-conductor code is omitted; for aluminum conductors an "L" is inserted after the insulation code (e.g., YJLV), and for aluminum-alloy conductors LH. Standard examples: DB37 5056-2016 Appendix A.0.4 "the model of Category-A flame-retardant XLPE-insulated PVC-sheathed power cable is ZA-YJV"; T/ASC 23-2021 Appendix A.1.7 "copper-conductor, XLPE-insulated PVC-sheathed power cable, flame-retardant Category A, rated voltage 0.6/1 kV, expressed as: ZA-YJV-0.6/1". T/ASC 23-2021 Appendix A.1.4: "wire and cable models generally consist of usage, material, and structural-feature codes".

2. Full model composition: DBJ/T 15-226-2021 Appendix A.0.1, verbatim — "models of wires and cables with burning performance such as halogen-free, low-smoke, flame-retardant, and fire-resistant consist of four parts: the product's flame-retardant/fire-resistant characteristic code, the cable model, the burning-performance grade, and the voltage rating", i.e., flame-retardant/fire-resistant characteristic code - cable model - burning-performance grade - voltage rating (example: WDZA-YJY-B1-0.6/1).

3. Prefixes: flame-retardant/fire-resistant characteristic codes

• ZA/ZB/ZC = flame-retardant Categories A/B/C; N (in combinations such as ZBN, WDZAN) = fire-resistant; WDZ = halogen-free low-smoke; WDUZ = halogen-free low-smoke low-toxicity; H6 = Category-6 fire-resistance for fire service.
• Typical combinations (T/ASC 23-2021 Appendix A.1.7, verbatim): WDZA-YJY-0.6/1 = copper-conductor, XLPE-insulated polyolefin-sheathed power cable, halogen-free low-smoke, flame-retardant Category A; where a B1 burning-performance requirement applies it is written WDZA-YJY-B1-0.6/1; WDUZB-YJY-0.6/1 = halogen-free low-smoke low-toxicity, flame-retardant Category B; WDZAN-YJY-0.6/1 = halogen free low-smoke, flame-retardant Category A, fire-resistant under flame alone; WDZANH6-YJY-0.6/1 = halogen-free low-smoke, flame-retardant Category A, Category-6 fire resistance for fire service.
• Fire-resistance duration examples (DBJ/T 15-226-2021 Appendix A.0.1): WDZBN-YJY-B1-0.6/1 (halogen-free low-smoke flame-retardant Category B, fire resistance 90 min); WDZANS-YJY-B1-0.6/1 (fire resistance with flame plus mechanical shock and water spray, 120 min); NW-BTLY-B1-0.6/1 (180 min); NW-BTTZ-A-0.75 (non-combustible fire-resistant, burning performance Class A, 0.75 kV).

4. Common model correspondence (examples verbatim from DB37 5056-2016 Appendix A.0.4): ZA-VV = Category-A flame-retardant PVC-insulated PVC-sheathed power cable; ZA-YJV; ZA-YJLHV = aluminum-alloy conductor; ZBN-YJV = flame-retardant Category B fire-resistant; WDZA-YJY; WDZA-YJLHY = aluminum-alloy conductor, halogen-free low-smoke flame-retardant Category A; WDZBN-YJY = halogen-free low-smoke flame-retardant Category B fire-resistant; WDZC-KYJY = halogen-free low-smoke flame-retardant Category C control cable; WDZC-BYJ = halogen-free low-smoke flame-retardant Category C wiring cable; BTTZ = heavy copper-conductor copper-sheathed mineral-insulated cable.

5. Suffixes: armor and outer-sheath codes. The last two digits of the model denote the armor + outer-sheath combination: first digit 2 = double-steel-tape armor, 3 = fine-round-steel-wire armor (DB37/T 5054-2016 Appendix F.0.2: "the code for double-steel-tape armor is 2", "fine round steel wire armor is 3"); last digit 3 = polyethylene (polyolefin) outer sheath — TB/T 2476.1-2017 Table 1, verbatim: "23 = double-steel-tape armor with polyethylene or polyolefin outer sheath"; last digit 2, by the same series' rules, corresponds to a PVC outer sheath. Common combinations: YJV, YJY, YJV22, YJV23, YJV32, YJV33, etc. (DL/T 5450-2012 Table 4.2.2 power-cable model series). Laying conditions: for direct burial, "where cables bear heavy pressure or risk mechanical damage, there shall be a reinforcement layer or steel-tape armor"; "in soil that may displace, such as flowing-sand and backfill layers, there shall be wire armor"; "in regions with a high groundwater table, a polyethylene outer sheath should be selected" (CJJ/T 120-2018 Clause 4.9.9); for fixed installation in air, in underground passenger and commercial facilities and other high-safety places with severe rodent damage, plastic-insulated cables shall have metal banding or steel-tape armor, cables laid on densely supported racks such as cable trays need no armor, and PVC outer sheaths shall not be used where environmental protection so requires (GB 50217-2018 Clause 3.4.4).

6. Voltage rating: the suffix 0.6/1 = rated voltage U0/U (kV). U0 is "the rated power-frequency voltage between each conductor of the cable and the shield or metal sheath", and U is "the rated power-frequency voltage between any two conductors of the cable" (DL/T 5450-2012 Table 4.2.2, note 2). The rated voltage (U0/U) of low-voltage cables should be 0.6 kV/1 kV (GB 50613-2010 Clause 8.1.3).

7. Other supplementary codes (examples from DB37/T 5054-2016 Appendix F.0.2): 70-year service-life code G; radiation cross-linking code (F); temperature class 90 C (omitted)/105/125; double-layer insulation S; flexible stranding R.

8. Cross-industry correspondence: railway signaling cables form their own system — PT = railway signal cable, Y = polyethylene insulation, A = composite sheath, L = aluminum sheath, 23 = double-steel-tape armor with polyethylene or polyolefin outer sheath, WDZC = halogen-free low-smoke flame-retardant Category C, FBY = anti-termite; product designation includes model, specification, and standard number (example: WDZC-PTYL23 48x1.0, TB/T 2476.1-2017 Chapter 4).

Applicable Boundaries

• This card resolves "how to read the model letters", not "which burning performance/flame-retardant class to choose" — the latter is determined by the design per building occupancy and fire-protection requirements.
• Copper-conductor omission and aluminum "L" are the prevailing rules for low-voltage power cables (DL/T 5450-2012 table note 1); aerial insulated cables insert differently — L/LH/TR after the series code.
• Codes for the same subject differ across industry/regional standards (civil buildings, railway signaling, etc.); reading follows the standard applicable to the project; the material correspondence of the two-digit suffix (last digit 2/3) is not given verbatim in full by the cited standards, and combinations such as 42/43 coarse-round-wire armor should be confirmed against cable product standards or manufacturer samples.
• Burning-performance grade (B1, etc.) and flame-retardant Categories A/B/C are two parallel requirements that can appear in the same model (e.g., WDZA-YJY-B1-0.6/1); inquiries/orders must carry the full designation to avoid wrong grades.

Further Reading

• T/ASC 23-2021 Standard for Fire Protection Design of Electrical Circuits in Civil Buildings, Appendix A (A.1.4 material code table, A.1.7 cable model marking examples)
• DBJ/T 15-226-2021 Technical Specification for Fire Protection of Wires and Cables in Civil Buildings, Appendix A.0.1 (model composition and flame-retardant/fire-resistant examples)
• DB37 5056-2016 Code for Fire Protection Design of Wires and Cables in Civil Buildings, Appendix A.0.4
• DB37/T 5054-2016 Technical Specification for Application of Double-Layer Co-Extruded Insulation Radiation-Cross-Linked Wires and Cables for Buildings, Appendix F.0.2
• DL/T 5450-2012 Technical Rules for Selection of 20 kV Distribution Equipment, Table 4.2.2 and its notes
• GB 50217-2018 Standard for Design of Electric Power Cable Works, Clause 3.4.4; CJJ/T 120-2018 Technical Standard for Electrical and Automation Works of Urban Drainage Systems, Clause 4.9.9; GB 50613-2010 Code for Planning and Design of Urban Distribution Networks, Clause 8.1.3
• TB/T 2476.1-2017 Railway Signal Cables, Part 1: General Provisions, Chapter 4 (signal-cable model system comparison)