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Product

BS EN 50149 Cu Catenary Messenger BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-11.5/3 kV DC · 15/25 kV AC−40…+100 °C

Hard-Drawn Copper Stranded Railway Overhead Catenary Messenger WireBS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1 · 1.5/3 kV DC · 15/25 kV AC · -40 °C to +100 °C industrial Cu

Hard-Drawn Copper Stranded Railway Overhead Catenary Messenger Wire (Cu CATENARY MESSENGER) engineered to BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1 for 1.5/3 kV DC · 15/25 kV AC service across -40 °C to +100 °C, featuring central king wire & inner hard-drawn copper and

Approved

Outdoor & humid

Ozone, UV & moisture

Nominal area

Order designation: Cu CATENARY MESSENGER 240 mm²
Outer Ø ≈: 21.8 mm
Total weight ≈: 885 kg/km
Rated tensile ≈: 84.5 kN
Stranding: 26/3.44 + 7/2.68

All sizes (10)

Request a quote Datasheet WhatsApp info@tebaoflex.com

Engineering reply in 2 business hoursCut-to-length export drumsEN 10204 3.1 certificate per drum

Rated voltage: 1.5/3 kV DC
Operating temp.: −40…+100 °C
Min. bend radius: 20 × OD
Conductor: Central king
Outer layer: Concentric
Standard: BS EN 50149

Typical values for this cable type, based on BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1 — confirmed in the datasheet and quotation for your order.

Application fit

Is Cu Catenary Messenger right for your machine?

Fixed installation

Suitable

Engineered and verified for fixed service in accordance with BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1.

Switchgear & control cabinet wiring

Suitable

Suitable for switchgear, control panels and equipment terminations within 20 × OD bend radius.

TBM gantry & advancing tunnel reel

With conditions

Use mechanical conduit or armoured protection where exposed to rock fall or crushing loads.

Motorised monospiral reel

Not suitable

Not designed for high-speed monospiral crane reeling; select a dedicated reeling cable.

NSHTOU Reeling Cable

Typical machinesRailway & Transit25 kV AC & 1.5/3 kV DC Railway Overhead CatenaryMainline High-Speed & Urban Metro TransitTrackside Signalling & Traction SubstationsRailway Rolling Stock & Infrastructure

Construction

Layer by layer

Shown: Cu CATENARY MESSENGER (BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1) with central king wire & inner hard-drawn copper, concentric outer copper stranding layer and concentric outer copper stranding layer (2-layer construction).

Schematic, not to scale — generated from the layer data

#	Layer	Material & reference
1	Central king wire & inner hard-drawn copper	Hard-drawn Cu-ETP or CuMg bronze core wires for overhead catenary tension supportBS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1
2	Concentric outer copper stranding layer	Concentric-lay hard-drawn copper outer wires (7, 19 or 37 strands per EN 50149)BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1

Cu CATENARY MESSENGER — Standard Execution

Built to BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1 with central king wire & inner hard-drawn copper and concentric outer

Cu CATENARY MESSENGER — Custom Cross-Sections

Full range of metric mm² and AWG/kcmil conductor sizes per BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1

Cu CATENARY MESSENGER — Export Drum Supply

Supplied with EN 10204 3.1 routine dielectric & conductor resistance test certificate

Technical data

Ratings & operating limits

Typical values: Typical values for this cable type, based on BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1. Values for your order are confirmed in the datasheet and quotation.

Electrical

Rated voltage / duty: 1.5/3 kV DC · 15/25 kV AC (BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1)
Conductor construction: Central king wire & inner hard-drawn copper — Hard-drawn Cu-ETP or CuMg bronze core wires for overhead catenary tension support
Primary insulation / dielectric: Concentric outer copper stranding layer — Concentric-lay hard-drawn copper outer wires (7, 19 or 37 strands per EN 50149)

Thermal

Continuous operating temperature: −40…+100 °C per BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1
Short-circuit / peak thermal limit: +160 °C to +250 °C (5 s adiabatic limit depending on dielectric class)
Minimum installation temperature: −5 °C (thermoplastic) / −25 °C (cross-linked or elastomer) / −40 °C (metallic)

Mechanical

Outer protection / covering: Concentric outer copper stranding layer — Concentric-lay hard-drawn copper outer wires (7, 19 or 37 strands per EN 50149)
Minimum bending radius: 20 × OD (installed / static routing)
Layer count & geometry: 2 concentric/structural layers verified by cross-section inspection

Resistance

Environmental & chemical durability: Engineered for industrial service in accordance with BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1
RoHS & REACH compliance: RoHS 2 (2011/65/EU + 2015/863) & REACH SVHC compliant

Reference standards

Governing product standard: BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1
Quality management & inspection: ISO 9001:2015 & EN 10204 3.1 factory routine inspection

Identification

Model designation: Cu CATENARY MESSENGER
Customs tariff (HS): 8544.49 / 8544.60 / 7614.10

Sizes

10 standard Cu CATENARY MESSENGER overhead conductor sizes

Manufactured to BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1 in standard cross-sections from 50 mm² to 630 mm² (and North American AWG/kcmil code words).

Dimensions, stranding, breaking load & weights
Order designation	Nominal area	Stranding	Outer Ø ≈ mm	Weight ≈ kg/km	Rated tensile kN ≈	Min. sheave R mm
Cu CATENARY MESSENGER Standard Transmission & Distribution Schedule (−40…+100 °C)
Cu CATENARY MESSENGER 50 mm²	50 mm²	7/3.00 mm	9.0	138	14.5	180
Cu CATENARY MESSENGER 95 mm²	95 mm²	19/2.52 mm	12.6	262	28.2	252
Cu CATENARY MESSENGER 120 mm²	120 mm²	19/2.85 mm	14.3	334	36.4	286
Cu CATENARY MESSENGER 150 mm²	150 mm²	26/2.70 + 7/2.10	17.1	546	53.8	342
Cu CATENARY MESSENGER 185 mm²	185 mm²	26/3.00 + 7/2.33	19.0	674	65.2	380
Cu CATENARY MESSENGER 240 mm²	240 mm²	26/3.44 + 7/2.68	21.8	885	84.5	436
Cu CATENARY MESSENGER 300 mm²	300 mm²	26/3.86 + 7/3.00	24.5	1,110	104.2	490
Cu CATENARY MESSENGER 400 mm²	400 mm²	54/3.08 + 7/3.08	27.7	1,432	126.0	554
Cu CATENARY MESSENGER 500 mm²	500 mm²	54/3.44 + 7/3.44	31.0	1,790	156.5	620
Cu CATENARY MESSENGER 630 mm²	630 mm²	54/3.86 + 19/2.32	34.8	2,245	194.0	696

Typical values for this cable type; dimensions and weights for your order are confirmed in the quotation.
Custom kcmil/code-word sizes, grease-filled corrosion protection and non-specular surface finishes available per BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1.

DC resistance & continuous current ratings
Nominal area	Max. DC R₂₀ Ω/km	Continuous current A ≈	Operating temp.
50 mm²	0.578	210	−40…+100 °C
95 mm²	0.304	320	−40…+100 °C
150 mm²	0.192	435	−40…+100 °C
240 mm²	0.119	590	−40…+100 °C
400 mm²	0.072	820	−40…+100 °C
630 mm²	0.046	1,080	−40…+100 °C

Ampacity calculated per IEEE 738 (0.6 m/s wind, 40 °C ambient, 0.5 solar absorptivity / emissivity).

Quality & approvals

Testing & inspection

Routine tests on every production length, sample and type tests per batch — documented on an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate.

ConductorClass 5 stranding
Spark test100 % in-line
Lay-upCores, earth, fillers
SheathingInner, braid / screen, outer
Electrical testsAC voltage, resistance
DimensionsOD, wall thickness
Inspection documents & dispatchDrum & dispatch

Testing & inspection	Test value / reference	Frequency
Routine tests
Conductor DC resistance & dimensional verification (BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1)	DC resistance at 20 °C and geometry within BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1 class limits	Every manufactured drum / spool
Routine dielectric / spark / structural integrity test (BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1)	Zero breakdown or structural defect over full production length	Every manufactured drum / spool
Sample tests
Thermal aging, mechanical & material qualification (BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1)	Full compliance with BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1 across −40…+100 °C	Type qualification & periodic sample audit

Inspection certificate

Issued with every drum, listing the routine test results for that length.

Product approvals

BS EN 50149 CompliantEN 10204 3.1 Routine Test CertificateCE, RoHS 2 (2011/65/EU) & REACH

Company certificates

ISO 9001ISO 14001ISO 45001VDE marks approvalUL / cULCE · LVD / EMC

Marking & supply

Ordering & delivery

Sheath marking

TEBAOFLEX Cu CATENARY MESSENGER <size> BS EN 50149 1.5/3 kV DC · 15/25 kV AC CE

Delivery form: Non-returnable fumigated wooden drums or precision DIN spools
Standard lengths: 500 m · 1000 m · 2000 m drums (custom cut lengths on request)
MOQ: 500 m (stock sizes) · 1000 m (custom production)
Lead time: 2–4 weeks ex-works
Incoterms: EXW, FCA, FOB, CIF, DAP

Technical documents

Downloads

PDFHard-Drawn Copper Stranded Railway Overhead Catenary Messenger Wire – technical datasheet10 sizes · construction, technical data, approvals XLSXCu CATENARY MESSENGER spec data (Excel)All 10 sizes with dimensions and data, for your BOM or quotation

Revision: 2026-10-21
Updated: 2026-10-21

FAQ

Questions engineers ask first

Not covered here? Send your drawing — an engineer replies within 2 business hours.

What governing standard and construction define Cu CATENARY MESSENGER (Hard-Drawn Copper Stranded Railway Overhead Catenary Messenger Wire)?

Cu CATENARY MESSENGER (Hard-Drawn Copper Stranded Railway Overhead Catenary Messenger Wire) is manufactured in accordance with BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1 for 1.5/3 kV DC · 15/25 kV AC service over -40 °C to +100 °C. Its 2-layer construction comprises central king wire & inner hard-drawn copper, concentric outer copper stranding layer.

What is the minimum bending radius and installation temperature for Cu CATENARY MESSENGER?

The minimum installed bending radius for Cu CATENARY MESSENGER is 20 × OD across its continuous operating temperature range of -40 °C to +100 °C, ensuring mechanical and dielectric stability without conductor or insulation strain.

How are the concentric layers of Cu CATENARY MESSENGER arranged from inside to outside?

From inside to outside, the construction sequence is: (01) Central king wire & inner hard-drawn copper (Hard-drawn Cu-ETP or CuMg bronze core wires for overhead catenary tension support); (02) Concentric outer copper stranding layer (Concentric-lay hard-drawn copper outer wires (7, 19 or 37 strands per EN 50149)).

What factory test certificates are supplied with Cu CATENARY MESSENGER?

Every production drum or spool of Cu CATENARY MESSENGER undergoes routine conductor DC resistance, dimensional and dielectric/integrity testing per BS EN 50149 / DIN 48201-1, and is delivered with an EN 10204 3.1 factory test certificate.

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01Selected sizes

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02Reel & motion

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Reel typeDrum core diameter (mm)Cable length on drum (m)Travel speed (m/min)Max. accelerationCycles per hourLength and quantityAmbient temperatureExposure (outdoor, water, oil, abrasion)Destination countryEquipment and operating conditions

03Message for our engineers

Cu Catenary Messenger Hard-Drawn Copper Stranded Railway Overhead Catenary Messenger Wire

Selected sizes:


Reel & motion:
- Reel type: 
- Drum core diameter (mm): 
- Cable length on drum (m): 
- Travel speed (m/min): 
- Max. acceleration: 
- Cycles per hour: 
- Length and quantity: 
- Ambient temperature: 
- Exposure (outdoor, water, oil, abrasion): 
- Destination country: 
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