Cable Standards and Cross-Reference Guide
Building wire is sold under different codes in different markets. This guide maps the IEC 60227 types to their European and Chinese codes, and explains conductor classes, BS 6004 cables, wire colours and AWG sizes.
IEC 60227 in brief
IEC 60227 covers PVC-insulated cables with rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V. Part 3 covers non-sheathed cables for fixed wiring, Part 4 sheathed cables for fixed wiring, and Part 5 flexible cables (cords).
Each cable type has a code such as 60227 IEC 01. China adopts the series as GB/T 5023 with Chinese type codes such as BV and RV. Europe uses harmonised codes such as H07V-U, now specified in the EN 50525 series.
Cross-reference: IEC, European and Chinese codes
| IEC 60227 type | Description | Rated voltage | Conductor class | European code | Chinese code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60227 IEC 01 | Single-core, non-sheathed, rigid conductor, general purpose | 450/750 V | 1 (solid) or 2 (stranded) | H07V-U / H07V-R | BV |
| 60227 IEC 02 | Single-core, non-sheathed, flexible conductor, general purpose | 450/750 V | 5 | H07V-K | RV |
| 60227 IEC 05 | Single-core, non-sheathed, solid conductor, internal wiring | 300/500 V | 1 | H05V-U | BV |
| 60227 IEC 06 | Single-core, non-sheathed, flexible conductor, internal wiring | 300/500 V | 5 | H05V-K | RV |
| 60227 IEC 10 | Light PVC-sheathed cable for fixed wiring | 300/500 V | 1 or 2 | — | BVV |
| 60227 IEC 52 | Light PVC-sheathed flexible cord | 300/300 V | 5 | H03VV-F | RVV |
| 60227 IEC 53 | Ordinary PVC-sheathed flexible cord | 300/500 V | 5 | H05VV-F | RVV |
BVR and BVVB are Chinese industry types (JB/T 8734) without a direct IEC 60227 code. Tell us the construction you need and we will match it.
Conductor classes (IEC 60228)
| Class | Construction | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Solid | Fixed wiring in smaller sizes |
| Class 2 | Stranded | Fixed wiring, especially larger sizes |
| Class 5 | Flexible | Cords, panel wiring and connections that move |
| Class 6 | Extra-flexible | Applications with constant movement |
BS 6004 cables
BS 6004 covers PVC-insulated and sheathed cables for power and lighting. BS-style wiring is common in the UK and in countries whose wiring rules follow BS 7671, including parts of the Gulf and East Africa.
| Type | Description | Rated voltage |
|---|---|---|
| 6242Y | Flat twin and earth | 300/500 V |
| 6243Y | Flat three-core and earth | 300/500 V |
| 6181Y | Single-core, PVC-sheathed | 300/500 V |
Wire colours (IEC 60445)
| Conductor | Colour |
|---|---|
| Line, single-phase | Brown |
| Line, three-phase L1 / L2 / L3 | Brown / black / grey |
| Neutral | Blue |
| Protective earth | Green-and-yellow |
Some countries still use older national colours. Tell us your local rule and we will match the insulation colours.
AWG and metric sizes
| AWG | Cross-section | Nearest larger IEC size |
|---|---|---|
| 14 AWG | 2.08 mm² | 2.5 mm² |
| 12 AWG | 3.31 mm² | 4 mm² |
| 10 AWG | 5.26 mm² | 6 mm² |
| 8 AWG | 8.37 mm² | 10 mm² |
| 6 AWG | 13.3 mm² | 16 mm² |
The nearest metric size is not automatically a replacement. Check the current rating and your local wiring rules.
IEC wire and North American THHN
THHN/THWN-2 wire is built to UL 83 with AWG sizes and a 600 V rating. IEC 60227 wire uses metric sizes and 450/750 V or 300/500 V ratings. They are not interchangeable on paper even when sizes are close; installers must follow the local electrical code.
For North American projects we supply UL- or ETL-listed wire separately.
FAQ
Is BV the same as H07V-U?
Both follow the same IEC 60227 type, 60227 IEC 01. BV is the Chinese code and H07V-U the European code for the solid-conductor version. Markings and certification differ by market, so tell us which marking you need.
What does 450/750 V mean?
It is the rated voltage U0/U: 450 V between a conductor and earth, and 750 V between conductors.
Can you make wire to my national standard?
Tell us the standard and the cable type. We will check it with the factory and confirm in the quote.
Send us your cable list
Types, sizes, quantities and destination port. We reply within 24 hours on working days.