STANDARDS UPDATE  •  JULY 2026

IEC 60245:2026 Update

What the New Rubber Cable Standard Means for Buyers and Engineers

Executive Summary

Rubber insulated cables are selected where flexibility, mechanical durability and resistance to demanding environments are required. Typical applications include industrial equipment, portable tools, construction sites, generators, pumps, welding equipment and mobile machinery.

In March and April 2026, the International Electrotechnical Commission published a new edition of IEC 60245-1 together with updated parts of the IEC 60245 series. The revision does not completely redesign rubber cable construction. Its main effect is to update the standards framework, reorganise applicable testing references and align the series with newer cable test methods.

For manufacturers, engineers, contractors and procurement teams, the practical issue is traceability: the purchase specification, product datasheet, test report and certificate should identify a consistent cable type, applicable part and edition.

Key Changes at a Glance

Source: IEC 60245-1:2026 official publication page

1. What Is IEC 60245?

IEC 60245 is an international standards series covering rubber insulated cables with rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V. IEC 60245-1 establishes general requirements for rigid and flexible cables using vulcanised rubber insulation and, where applicable, a rubber or elastomeric outer sheath.

Particular cable categories are addressed by other parts of the series. The standard is therefore not a single cable specification; it is a framework that must be combined with the relevant product part and project requirements.

2. What Changed in IEC 60245-1:2026?

IEC 60245-1:2026 is the fifth edition of the general requirements standard. According to the IEC publication summary, its significant technical changes include:

· References to IEC 60245-2 for tests have been deleted and replaced by IEC 63294.

· The reference to lift cable according to IEC 60245-5 has been deleted.

· Normative references have been updated.

The test methods for cables in Parts 1 to 8 are now identified through IEC 63294 and relevant parts of IEC 60811. This is primarily a standards and documentation transition, not evidence that the fundamental purpose of rubber insulated cable has changed.

3. Why IEC 63294 Matters

IEC 63294 provides test methods for electric cables with rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V. Within the updated IEC 60245 framework, it replaces the former IEC 60245-2 reference. Relevant IEC 60811 methods continue to support testing of non-metallic cable materials.

Depending on the cable type and applicable product part, evaluation can include the following areas:

The exact test programme depends on the cable design. A buyer should not copy a generic test list into a purchase order without confirming the applicable product standard and intended installation.

4. Parts of the Series Updated in 2026

Official references: IEC 60245-1:2026  •  IEC 60245-4:2026  •  IEC 60245-6:2026  •  IEC 60245-7:2026  •  IEC 60245-8:2026

5. Does the Update Affect H07RN-F?

H07RN-F is one of the most widely specified heavy-duty flexible rubber cables in European and international projects. It is commonly used for portable and mobile equipment, construction tools, generators, pumps, temporary power distribution, agricultural equipment and industrial machinery.

For a detailed product overview, see Understanding H07RN-F Rubber Cable: Features, Applications and Selection.

H07RN-F is normally specified through harmonised European requirements, including EN 50525-2-21. Products may also be associated with the IEC 60245 flexible-cable framework where the relevant construction and test requirements apply. These designations should not be treated as automatically interchangeable.

An H07RN-F order should clearly state:

· Rated voltage, number of cores and conductor cross-sectional area.

· Applicable EN standard or national adoption and required certification.

· Insulation and sheath materials and any oil, UV, ozone or water resistance requirements.

· Operating temperature, movement conditions and installation environment.

· Required drum length, total quantity and acceptance of production-length joints.

Related product example: H05GG-F Rubber Flexible Cable.

6. Does the 2026 Edition Make Existing Cable Obsolete?

Not automatically. Publication of a new IEC edition does not by itself mean that every cable manufactured, tested or certified under an earlier edition becomes unusable.

The applicable transition can depend on the contract date, project specification, local regulation, certification-body rules, destination-country requirements, date of manufacture and client approval. For an ongoing project, the contractor should check the edition stated in the approved specification. For a new project, the procurement team should review whether the 2026 edition and IEC 63294 testing references should be included.

7. Buyer’s Pre-Order Checklist

1. Cable designation — State H07RN-F, welding cable, the applicable IEC code or another exact designation.

2. Rated voltage — Confirm whether the application needs 300/500 V, 450/750 V or a higher-voltage industrial cable.

3. Conductor configuration — Provide the number of cores, cross-sectional area, conductor material and conductor class.

4. Application — Identify portable tools, machinery, pumps, generators, welding equipment or another load.

5. Environment — Confirm oil, water, sunlight, ozone, chemicals, abrasion and ambient-temperature exposure.

6. Movement — State whether installation is fixed, occasionally moved, continuously flexed, reeled or torsion-loaded.

7. Standard and edition — Identify the exact IEC, EN, BS, VDE or project standard and edition.

8. Approvals — Confirm third-party certification, declaration, CPR documentation or laboratory reports.

9. Delivery — Provide quantity, drum lengths, delivery location and whether joints are permitted.

8. Common Specification Mistakes

Using “rubber cable” as the full description

Rubber cable is a broad category. Different compounds and constructions offer different levels of flexibility, weather resistance, oil resistance and mechanical performance.

Assuming every flexible cable suits continuous movement

A flexible cable is not necessarily designed for continuous reeling, festoon systems, repeated torsion or high-speed movement.

Using H07RN-F for every harsh industrial application

H07RN-F is versatile, but it is not automatically suitable for mining equipment, continuous reeling, permanent submersion or systems above its voltage rating.

Ignoring the edition shown on test reports

A familiar product designation does not guarantee that the supporting report matches the edition required by the project. Check the report, certificate and specification together.

Selecting on price alone

Reduced insulation thickness, unsuitable sheath compounds or inadequate conductor flexibility may not be visible in a quotation comparison. Review technical documentation before issuing the purchase order.

9. When a Special Rubber Cable Is Required

Standard 450/750 V flexible rubber cable may not be suitable for the conditions below. A project-specific mining, reeling, submersible, heat-resistant or reinforced industrial cable may be required.

10. Documentation to Request

· Product datasheet and cable construction drawing.

· Conductor resistance, insulation thickness and sheath thickness data.

· Applicable type-test and routine-test reports.

· Material test information and requested certificates or approvals.

· Inspection and test plan where the project requires witnessed testing.

· Manufacturing standard, edition, production length and drum schedule.

Test reports should clearly identify the cable type, size range, applicable standard and methods. If an older report is offered against a new-edition specification, the supplier should explain whether the results remain technically applicable and whether supplementary testing is necessary.

11. Practical Impact on Project Teams

Conclusion

IEC 60245:2026 modernises the international framework for rubber insulated cables rated up to and including 450/750 V. Its most visible change is the replacement of former IEC 60245-2 test references with IEC 63294 and relevant parts of IEC 60811, together with updated normative references and removal of outdated elements.

The update does not mean that every rubber cable must be redesigned. It does mean that manufacturers, laboratories, engineers and purchasers should review how compliance is specified and documented.

Reliable selection begins with the exact cable designation, voltage, conductor configuration, movement conditions, operating environment, applicable standard and required certification—not the words “rubber cable” alone.

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