What is the Y-CY-JB control cable? Construction & specifications
The Y-CY-JB cable is a shielded control cable featuring a transparent PVC jacket, a soft copper conductor (Class 5), and a tin-plated copper shield providing approximately 85% coverage, certified under VDE Reg-Nr. 7032. This cable series is used for signal transmission and machine control in industrial facilities where there is significant electromagnetic interference, with an operating temperature range from -15°C to +80°C.
Article content:
1. What do the designations Y-CY-JB and Y-CY-OB mean?
The designation Y-CY-JB describes the cable's basic construction according to German standards:
- Y – PVC-insulated core
- C – has a copper shield (copper screen)
- Y – PVC outer sheath
- JB – has a green-and-yellow grounding conductor (GN-YE). The OB version does not have a grounding conductor.
2. Construction of Y-CY-JB cable
From the inside out, the cable consists of 5 layers:
- Conductor: bare copper, fine strands conforming to DIN VDE 0295 Class 5 / IEC 60228 Class 5 – flexible, easy to bend, and highly vibration-resistant.
- Insulation: PVC compound type Z 7225. The conductors are twisted into layers with an optimized twist pitch; the GN-YE conductor is located in the outermost layer (for cables with three or more conductors).
- Inner sheath: PVC – enhances tensile strength and protects the conductors.
- Screen: tin-plated copper, approximately 85% coverage.
- Outer sheath: Special PVC, transparent, oil- and chemical-resistant, with length markings (in meters) printed on it.
3. Specifications for the Y-CY-JB cable
| Specifications | Value |
| Operating temperature | -15°C to +80°C |
| Nominal voltage U0/U | AC U0/U 300/500 V |
| Test voltage | 4,000 V |
| Minimum breakdown voltage | 8,000 V |
| Impedance at 30 MHz | ~250 Ω/km |
| Minimum bending radius | Flexible mounting: 10 × outer diameter; fixed mounting: 5 × outer diameter |
| Standards | VDE Reg. No. 7032; conductors in accordance with DIN VDE 0295 / IEC 60228, Class 5 |
| Materials | Free of cadmium, silicone, and harmful paint chemicals |
| Number of cores / cross-sectional area | 2–5 conductors, cross-sectional area 0.5–185 mm² |
4. Key advantages
The Y-CY-JB shielded control cable offers the following key features:
- Effective EMC protection: The ~85% tin-plated copper mesh ensures stable signal transmission in environments with inverters and motors.
- Visual inspection of the shielding layer: The transparent jacket allows for quick detection of damaged or broken shielding without having to remove the cable.
- Good mechanical strength: the PVC inner jacket enhances tensile strength, and the Class 5 core resists vibration.
- Oil- and chemical-resistant and safe for use in painting lines (silicone-free, cadmium-free).
Precautions for use
The Y-CY-JB is not suitable for outdoor installation and is intended only for flexible applications involving moderate mechanical stress and minimal free movement. It is not intended for use with continuously moving drag chains.
Other control cables with transparent outer sheath:
In addition to Y-CY-JB cables, you can refer to some of the following cables with transparent outer sheath:
5. FAQs about Y-CY-JB cables
The Y-CY-JB features an additional layer of tin-plated copper shielding (~85%) and a PVC inner jacket, which protects the signal from electromagnetic interference. Standard control cables do not have a shield.
JB is the type with a green-and-yellow ground wire; OB is the type without a ground wire.
The transparent sheath allows technicians to visually inspect the condition of the shielding mesh and enhances the aesthetic appeal of electrical cabinets and machinery.
No. The Y-CY-JB is designed for indoor installation in dry or humid environments.
From -15°C to +80°C.
