YY Cable - Unscreened Flexible PVC Control Cable
Cable Services supply YY control cable - flexible PVC control cable for general purpose panel wiring and control installations where mechanical protection and screening are not required. Available from 0.5mm² to 25mm², multi-core configurations, cut to length at our Wrexham facility.
YY cable is the unscreened member of the YY/CY/SY flexible control cable family. It comprises Class 5 fine stranded copper conductors with PVC insulation, bound together with PVC bedding, and finished with a grey PVC outer sheath. The absence of a screen or braid makes YY the lightest and most cost-effective of the three, suitable for general purpose internal panel wiring, control circuits and lighting circuits inside enclosures.
YY Cable Stock Range
View Our YY Cable Stock - Sizes And Core Counts
- Conductor sizes: 0.5mm², 0.75mm², 1mm², 1.5mm², 2.5mm², 4mm², 6mm², 10mm², 16mm² and 25mm²
- Core counts: 2 core, 3 core, 4 core, 5 core, 7 core, 12 core, 18 core, 25 core and more
- Voltage rating: 300/500V
- Temperature range: -15°C to +80°C
- Identification: Numbered cores for higher counts, colour coded for low core counts
- Standard: Manufactured to general industry specifications based on VDE 0250
For specific configurations not on the shelf, our cable cutting service can cut to length from larger drums.
A Guide to YY Unscreened Control Cable
YY cable is a flexible multicore PVC insulated control cable with no screen or braid - the simplest and most cost-effective member of the YY/CY/SY control cable family. The cable is rated 300/500V to VDE 0250 and operates between -15°C and +80°C. The double "Y" denotes PVC for both the core insulation and the outer sheath - there is no screening letter (such as C for copper or S for steel) because YY is unscreened. The absence of a screen or braid makes YY lighter, more flexible, and cheaper than its screened counterparts, but limits its application to environments where electromagnetic interference and mechanical stress are not concerns.
YY is the workhorse cable for internal control panel wiring - where conductors run inside an earthed enclosure, electrical interference is already contained, and the cable is not subjected to mechanical stress. For external runs between cabinets, runs near power switchgear, or any installation where EMC performance matters, CY (copper braid screen) is the correct choice. For external runs in industrial environments where the cable faces crushing, abrasion or rodent damage, SY (steel wire braid) provides both mechanical protection and EMC screening in one cable. The three cables together cover the full spectrum of UK industrial control cable requirements - YY being the entry point.
What Is YY Cable?
YY cable is the simplest of the three flexible PVC control cable types. With no screen or braid, it relies on its environment - typically an enclosure or panel - to handle any EMC or mechanical demands.
How Is The Cable Constructed?
YY Cable Construction Explained
YY cable construction (from conductor outwards):
- Class 5 fine stranded copper conductors - delivering flexibility for installation in conduit and around bends
- PVC core insulation - numbered identification or colour coded depending on core count
- Inner PVC bedding - binds the cores together
- Grey PVC outer sheath - no screen, no braid
This is the same core construction used in CY and SY, minus the braid layer. The absence of the screen makes YY more flexible, smaller in overall diameter, and lower cost - but limits where it can be used.
Where Is YY Cable Used?
Standard Internal Panel and Control Applications
YY cable is the standard cost-effective flexible control cable where screening and mechanical braiding are not needed. Typical applications include:
- Internal control panel wiring inside enclosures
- Machine control wiring in EMC-clean environments
- Building management system control circuits
- Test bench and laboratory wiring
- General purpose flexible connections inside enclosures
Where YY Should NOT Be Used
YY cable has the narrowest application range of the three control cable types. Avoid using YY where:
- Electromagnetic interference is present - use CY cable instead
- Mechanical protection is needed - use SY cable instead
- Direct burial - use SWA armoured cable
- Outdoor installation without protection - PVC sheath is not UV resistant
- Continuous flexing applications - use a dedicated continuous flex cable
- Fixed wiring in domestic installations - use twin and earth or 6491X
BS7671 Compliance Gap: IET guidance explicitly discourages the use of YY, SY and CY cables in fixed installations under BS7671. YY is appropriate for internal panel wiring, not for general fixed building wiring.
YY, CY or SY - Which Control Cable Do You Need?
YY vs CY vs SY Comparison Table
The YY, CY and SY family share the same flexible PVC insulated construction but differ in screening and protection.
| Feature | YY Cable | CY Cable | SY Cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | None | Tinned copper wire braid | Galvanised steel wire braid |
| EMC Screening | None | Best (high frequency) | Good |
| Mechanical Protection | Low | Low (screen only) | High |
| Outer Sheath | Grey PVC | Grey PVC | Transparent PVC |
| Cost | Lowest | Higher (copper) | Higher (steel) |
| Typical Use | Internal panel wiring | VSD output, instrumentation | General industrial control |
YY is the right choice when the cable run is short, internal to an enclosure, and not exposed to EMC or mechanical risk.
See our CY cable and SY cable pages for the screened alternatives.
Your Trade Supplier For YY Control Cable
Cable Services hold extensive stock of YY unscreened control cable in every standard conductor size from 0.5mm² up to 25mm², in core counts from 2 core right through to 25 core and beyond. YY is the cost-effective workhorse for internal panel wiring, and our cable cutting service at Wrexham means you can order the exact length and core configuration you need rather than buying a full drum. Stock is held across six UK branches with same-day despatch in most cases.
Explore our full low voltage cable range for related products, or contact our team for a same-day trade price quote on your YY cable requirement.
Need YY Cable For A Panel Build Or Control Project?
Send us your specification with core counts, conductor sizes and lengths. We will check stock across all six UK branches, cut to the lengths you need at Wrexham, and despatch the same day in most cases. Trade accounts welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does YY cable stand for?
YY is a German VDE designation for flexible PVC control cable with no screen. The double "Y" denotes PVC for both the core insulation and the outer sheath - there is no screening letter (such as C for copper or S for steel) because YY is unscreened.
Is YY cable suitable for outdoor use?
No. YY cable is not UV resistant or rated for direct burial. For outdoor or underground runs use SWA armoured cable instead.
Can YY cable be used as a flex?
YY cable is rated as flexible for installation (Class 5 stranded conductors make it easier to install in conduit and around bends) but it is not rated for continuous flexing applications. For permanent flexing use a dedicated continuous flex cable.
Can YY cable replace a mains flex cord?
YY cable is sometimes used for short flexible connections inside equipment but it is not a like-for-like substitute for HO5VV-F or similar harmonised mains flex - check the application standard before substituting.
Can you cut YY cable to length?
Yes. We cut YY cable to the exact length you need on our automatic winding and measuring machine at Wrexham. Order the length and core count you need, and we will cut from the drum.
Cable Services supply a wide range of products from leading brands, click here to see a sample range of cables that can offer:
Contact Us
For further details on our products and services please get in touch.
Tel: + 44 (0) 1978 340 450
Email: sales@cableservices.co.uk
Cable Cutting Service
We have invested in an automatic winding and measuring cable cutting machine at our Wrexham facility. This £90,000 investment reflects our commitment to offering an economically valuable and highly efficient service for our valued customers.
We are known for providing tailored solutions that meet the exact needs of our customers. We recognise the growing demand for a flexible service that eradicates waste and delivers cost efficiencies. The efficiency and precision of this new machine support the industry’s commitment to operational sustainability and allow us to pass on cost savings to our customers.
