Marine & offshore cablesNEK TS 606 / IEC 60092SHF2 Mud-ResistantIEC 60331-21 (BFOU)

NEK 606 BFOU & RFOU Mud-Resistant Offshore CablesHalogen-free SHF2 power, control and fire-resistant cables, 250 V to 20 kV

Halogen-free, low-smoke, mud-resistant offshore power, control and instrumentation cables to NEK TS 606 and IEC 60092. Available in flame-retardant RFOU (EPR/TCWB/SHF2) and fire-resistant BFOU (Mica+EPR/TCWB/SHF2) constructions.

Oil-resistant
Flame-retardant
EMC screen
Approved
Order designation
RFOU 0.6/1 kV 3×70/35 mm²
NEK 606 code
P1 / P8
Bedding OD
33.0 mm
Nominal OD
39.0 mm
Total mass
3,690 kg/km
All sizes (83)
Engineering reply in 2 business hoursCut-to-length export drumsEN 10204 3.1 certificate per drum
Voltage
250 V – 12/20 kV
250 V inst. · 0.6/1 kV LV · 3.6–20 kV MV
Conductor temp.
+90 °C
Continuous · +250 °C short-circuit
Fire integrity
IEC 60331-21
BFOU: 750 °C for 90–180 min
Outer sheath
SHF2 Mud
IEC 60092-360 SHF2 · NEK 606 mud
Min. bend radius
6 × D / 8 × D
LV/inst. 6 × D fixed · MV 9 × D fixed
Armour / screen
TCWB ('O')
Tinned copper wire braid (≥ 90 %)

Typical values for this cable type, based on NEK TS 606 / IEC 60092-353, -354, -376 & -360 (SHF2) — confirmed in the datasheet and quotation for your order.

Application fit

Is NEK 606 BFOU / RFOU right for your machine?

Halogen-free mud-resistant offshore power, control and instrumentation cables (RFOU flame-retardant / BFOU fire-resistant per IEC 60331) to NEK TS 606.

Offshore platform & shipboard deck trays

Suitable

Primary duty — North Sea / FPSO topside ladder trays, blast walls and MCT deck penetrations.

Emergency fire-survival circuits (BFOU)

Suitable

BFOU mica-taped cores maintain circuit integrity during hydrocarbon/cellulosic fire (IEC 60331).

Switchgear & control cabinet wiring

Suitable

Halogen-free, mud-resistant terminations in offshore switchgear, ESD and fire & gas panels.

Fixed installation

Suitable

Fixed cleated and tray routing in offshore production modules and drilling packages.

Motorised monospiral reel

Not suitable

Tinned copper wire braid armour is for fixed offshore trays, never dynamic reeling drums.

Use RXP PUR Reeling
Typical machinesFixed offshore platformsFPSO & FLNG vesselsSemi-submersible rigsEmergency shutdown (ESD)Fire & gas detectionSubsea topside umbilicals

Construction

Layer by layer

Under the Norwegian NEK TS 606 letter code, 'R' denotes EPR insulation (flame-retardant RFOU), 'B' denotes mica glass fire-barrier tape + EPR insulation (fire-resistant BFOU), 'F' is the halogen-free inner covering, 'O' is the tinned copper wire braid armour, and 'U' is the thermoset SHF2 mud-resistant outer sheath.

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Schematic, not to scale — generated from the layer data
#LayerMaterial & reference
1Stranded tinned copper conductorTinned annealed stranded circular copper (STCC) per IEC 60228 Class 2 (Class 5 flexible available on request)IEC 60228
2Mica glass fire-barrier tape ('B' — BFOU series only)Helically lapped phlogopite/muscovite mica glass tape maintaining dielectric circuit integrity at 750 °C–830 °C per IEC 60331-21IEC 60331-21
3Halogen-free EPR insulation ('R' / 'B')High-grade ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) per IEC 60092-351, rated +90 °C continuous and +250 °C short-circuitIEC 60092-351
4Individual / collective foil screen ('(i)' / '(c)' inst. series)Copper-backed polyester tape with tinned copper drain wire over each pair/triple ('(i)') or over the collective bundle ('(c)')IEC 60092-376
5Halogen-free inner covering ('F')Extruded flame-retardant, halogen-free bedding compound filling core interstices to form a gas-tight circular profile for Ex glandsNEK TS 606
6Tinned copper wire braid armour ('O')Tinned annealed copper wire braid (TCWB) serving as combined mechanical armour and concentric earth/EMC screenIEC 60092-353 / NEK TS 606
7Thermoset SHF2 mud-resistant outer sheath ('U')Cross-linked halogen-free, low-smoke, flame-retardant elastomer compound (SHF2 per IEC 60092-360) meeting NEK TS 606 mud resistanceIEC 60092-360 / NEK TS 606

RFOU 0.6/1 kV (P1/P8) & RFOU(i)/(c) 250 V (S1/S5, S2/S6)

Flame-retardant (IEC 60332-3-22 Cat. A), halogen-free, mud-resistant power, control and instrumentation cables with EPR insulation, TCWB armour and SHF2 sheath.

BFOU 0.6/1 kV (P5/P12) & BFOU(i)/(c) 250 V (S3/S7, S4/S8)

Fire-resistant (IEC 60331-21) emergency power, ESD and fire & gas cables adding mica glass fire-barrier tape over each conductor.

RFOU Medium Voltage 3.6/6 kV – 12/20(24) kV (P2/P9, P3/P10, P19/P21)

Triple-extruded semiconductive conductor screen, EPR insulation and semiconductive insulation screen with TCWB armour and red SHF2 mud-resistant outer sheath.

Types in this range

NEK 606 P1 / P8 · IEC 60092-353 · 0.6/1 kVFlame-Retardant LV Power & Control

EPR-insulated, halogen-free inner-covered, tinned-copper-braided and SHF2 mud-resistant sheathed power and control cables (1C to 37C).

Main LV distribution, motor feeders, lighting & general topside control

Datasheet
NEK 606 P5 / P12 · IEC 60331-21 · 0.6/1 kVFire-Resistant LV Power & Control

Mica-tape + EPR insulated fire-resistant power and control cables maintaining circuit integrity during hydrocarbon/cellulosic fire.

Emergency generators, fire pumps, deluge valves & escape lighting

Datasheet
NEK 606 S1/S5 & S2/S6 · IEC 60092-376 · 150/250 VFlame-Retardant Screened Instrumentation

Individually ('(i)') or collectively ('(c)') foil-screened pairs and triples with TCWB armour and grey or blue (Ex-i) SHF2 mud sheath.

Process control, 4–20 mA transmitters, HART & DCS fieldbus

Datasheet
NEK 606 S3/S7 & S4/S8 · IEC 60331-21 · 150/250 VFire-Resistant Screened Instrumentation

Mica-taped fire-resistant pairs and triples with individual/collective foil screens, TCWB armour and grey or blue SHF2 mud sheath.

Emergency shutdown (ESD), fire & gas detection and PAGA loops

Datasheet
NEK 606 P2/P9 & P3/P10 · IEC 60092-354 · 3.6/6 kV & 6/10(12) kVMedium-Voltage Mud-Resistant Power

Semiconductive-screened EPR medium-voltage single- and three-core power cables with TCWB armour and red SHF2 mud-resistant outer sheath.

Main platform gas-turbine generators, HV switchboards & compressors

Datasheet

Technical data

Ratings & operating limits

Typical values: Typical values for this cable type, based on NEK TS 606 / IEC 60092-353, -354, -376 & -360 (SHF2). Values for your order are confirmed in the datasheet and quotation.

Electrical

Instrumentation voltage
150/250 V (S1/S5, S2/S6, S3/S7, S4/S8)
LV power & control voltage
0.6/1 kV (RFOU P1/P8 & BFOU P5/P12)
MV power voltage grades
3.6/6(7.2) kV, 6/10(12) kV & 12/20(24) kV
Instrumentation capacitance
110–145 nF/km (shielded); 100–125 nF/km (unshielded)

Thermal

Max. conductor temperature
+90 °C continuous
Short-circuit temperature
+250 °C (5 s maximum)
Fixed operating range
−40 °C to +90 °C (fixed); −20 °C min. install

Mechanical

Conductor stranding
Tinned stranded circular copper, IEC 60228 Class 2 (or 5)
Min. bend radius (LV & inst.)
6 × D fixed installed; 8 × D during pulling
Min. bend radius (MV power)
9 × D fixed installed; 15 × D during pulling
Max. pulling tensile load
50 N/mm² of total copper cross-section

Resistance

Fire resistance (BFOU series)
IEC 60331-21 / IEC 60331-11 (750 °C, 90–180 min)
Flame retardance (all series)
IEC 60332-1-2 & IEC 60332-3-22 Category A
Halogen-free & low smoke
IEC 60754-1/2 (< 0.5 % HCl) & IEC 61034-1/2 (≥ 60 %)
Drilling mud resistance
NEK TS 606 SHF2 mud (IRM 902/903, CaBr2 & ester fluids)

Reference standards

Offshore & marine design
NEK TS 606; IEC 60092-353 / -354 / -376
Materials & conductors
IEC 60228; IEC 60092-351 (EPR); IEC 60092-360 (SHF2)

Identification

Outer sheath colour code
Black (LV power); Red (MV power); Grey or Blue (Ex-i inst.)
Core identification
HD 308 S2 colours (≤ 5C), numbered (> 5C), pairs Bk/Bu

Sizes

83 standard constructions across 5 NEK 606 BFOU & RFOU series

Dimensions, copper content and total mass for RFOU/BFOU 0.6/1 kV power, 250 V instrumentation and 3.6/6–6/10 kV MV cables, plus electrical ratings.

Dimensions & mass (83)
Cores / Pairs × mm²DesignationNEK 606 codeVoltage gradeInsulation wall (mm)Bedding OD (mm)SHF2 wall (mm)Nominal OD (mm)Copper mass (kg/km)Total mass (kg/km)Enquiry
RFOU 0.6/1 kV (P1/P8) — Flame-Retardant Power & Control (22)
1 × 16/2.5 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 1×16/2.5 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.09.51.112.5196330
1 × 35/6 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 1×35/6 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.212.51.316.5405620
1 × 70/6 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 1×70/6 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.416.01.420.07351,060
1 × 95/10 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 1×95/10 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.618.01.522.59851,380
1 × 150/10 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 1×150/10 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.822.01.626.51,5102,020
1 × 240/16 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 1×240/16 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV2.227.51.832.52,3713,090
1 × 300/16 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 1×300/16 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV2.430.51.935.52,9753,810
1 × 500/25 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 1×500/25 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV2.437.52.244.04,8946,180
2 × 1.5/4 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 2×1.5/4 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.09.51.112.580260
3 × 1.5/4 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 3×1.5/4 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.010.01.213.595310
7 × 1.5/6 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 7×1.5/6 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.013.01.317.0197500
12 × 1.5/10 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 12×1.5/10 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.017.51.521.5300740
19 × 1.5/10 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 19×1.5/10 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.020.51.625.04131,020
37 × 1.5/16 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 37×1.5/16 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.027.51.932.57131,720
3 × 2.5/6 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 3×2.5/6 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.011.01.314.5152390
3 × 6/6 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 3×6/6 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.013.51.417.5263590
3 × 16/16 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 3×16/16 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.018.01.522.06211,110
3 × 35/16 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 3×35/16 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.224.51.729.01,1261,920
3 × 70/35 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 3×70/35 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.433.02.039.02,3463,690
3 × 120/60 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 3×120/60 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV1.641.02.348.03,9535,930
3 × 185/95 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 3×185/95 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV2.050.52.759.56,2789,220
3 × 240/120 mm²RFOU 0.6/1 kV 3×240/120 mm²P1 / P80.6/1 kV2.257.53.067.58,06311,820
  • Typical values for this cable type; dimensions and weights for your order are confirmed in the quotation.
  • In power cable designations (e.g. 3 × 95/50 mm²), the number after the slash indicates the equivalent cross-section (mm²) of the tinned copper wire braid (TCWB) armour/earth screen.
  • Bedding OD (diameter over inner covering 'F') and Nominal OD (diameter over outer SHF2 sheath 'U') are nominal values for selecting Ex d / Ex e double-compression offshore cable glands.

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.

  1. ConductorClass 5 stranding
  2. Spark test100 % in-line
  3. Lay-upCores, earth, fillers
  4. SheathingInner, braid / screen, outer
  5. Electrical testsAC voltage, resistance
  6. DimensionsOD, wall thickness
  7. Inspection documents & dispatchDrum & dispatch
Testing & inspectionTest value / referenceFrequency
Routine tests
Conductor DC resistance & high-voltage AC dielectric test100 % drum verification of tinned copper DC resistance (IEC 60228) and AC withstand (3.5 kV for 0.6/1 kV; 1.5 kV for 250 V)Every production length
Sample tests
Fire resistance / circuit integrity (BFOU — IEC 60331-21 / IEC 60331-11)Maintains electrical continuity under 750 °C (or 830 °C with mechanical shock) flame for 90–180 minutes at rated voltageType approval & periodic audit (BFOU & BFOU(i)/(c))
Vertical bunched flame propagation (IEC 60332-3-22 Category A)Charred portion ≤ 2.5 m above bottom edge of burner with 7 L/m non-metallic volume on vertical ladderType approval & periodic sample (all series)
NEK TS 606 drilling mud immersion (SHF2 mud-resistant)Immersion in IRM 902/903 oil (100 °C, 7 d), calcium bromide brine (70 °C, 56 d) andEDC 95-11 / ester mud (70 °C, 56 d) within volume swell and tensile limitsType approval
Halogen acid gas & smoke density (IEC 60754-1/2 & IEC 61034-1/2)Halogen acid gas < 0.5 % HCl; pH ≥ 4.3, conductivity ≤ 10 µS/mm; minimum 60 % light transmittance in 3 m cubeType approval

Inspection certificate

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

Product approvals

NEK TS 606 (Codes P1/P8, P5/P12, S1–S8, P2/P9, P3/P10, P19/P21)IEC 60092-353 / -354 / -376 & IEC 60092-360 (SHF2 Mud)DNV, ABS, Lloyd's Register & Bureau Veritas Offshore Type Approval

Company certificates

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

Marking & supply

Ordering & delivery

Sheath marking

TEBAOFLEX — NEK 606 — <BFOU OR RFOU> — <VOLTAGE> — <NEK CODE> — <SIZE> — SHF2 MUD — IEC 60092 — IEC 60332-3-22 CAT A — [IEC 60331-21] — METRE MARK
Standard packing
500 m or 1,000 m export seaworthy wooden drums
Outer sheath colours
Black (LV power); Red (MV power); Grey (non-Ex-i inst.); Blue (Ex-i inst.)
Conductor options
IEC 60228 Class 2 stranded tinned copper standard; Class 5 flexible to order
Export tariff code
HS 8544.49 (≤ 1,000 V) / HS 8544.60 (> 1,000 V)

Technical documents

Downloads

Revision
2026-10-20
Updated
2026-10-20

FAQ

Questions engineers ask first

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

What do the letters B, R, F, O, U and (i)/(c) mean in the NEK 606 cable designation?
Under Norwegian standard NEK TS 606, each letter defines a concentric layer from inside out: 'R' is halogen-free ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) insulation (flame-retardant); 'B' is phlogopite mica glass fire-barrier tape plus EPR insulation (fire-resistant to IEC 60331-21); 'F' is the extruded halogen-free inner bedding; 'O' is the tinned copper wire braid (TCWB) armour; and 'U' is the thermoset SHF2 mud-resistant outer sheath. On 250 V instrumentation cables, '(i)' denotes individually foil-screened pairs/triples and '(c)' denotes a single collective foil screen over the bundle.
When should BFOU (P5/P12, S3–S8) be specified instead of RFOU (P1/P8, S1–S6)?
Specify RFOU for normal offshore power distribution, motor feeders, lighting and process control that shut down during a platform emergency. Specify BFOU wherever circuit integrity must be maintained during an active fire (IEC 60331-21 at 750 °C for 90–180 minutes), including emergency shutdown (ESD) loops, fire and gas detection, public address and general alarm (PAGA), deluge systems, emergency generators and lifeboat davit power.
What is the difference between old NEK 606 codes (P1, P5, S1–S4) and dual codes (P1/P8, P5/P12, S1/S5)?
Earlier editions of NEK 606 separated standard halogen-free SHF2 offshore cables (codes P1, P5, S1, S2, S3, S4) from enhanced drilling-mud-resistant cables (codes P8, P12, S5, S6, S7, S8) tested in calcium bromide brine and ester/oil-based muds. Modern SHF2 outer sheath compounds satisfy both requirements simultaneously, so cables are dual-certified and marked P1/P8, P5/P12, S1/S5, S2/S6, S3/S7 and S4/S8.
Why do NEK 606 power cable sizes include a second number after a slash, such as 3 × 95/50 mm²?
In NEK 606 power cables, the tinned copper wire braid ('O') serves both as mechanical armour and as the cable's protective earth and fault-current return conductor. The figure after the slash (for example '/50' in 3 × 95/50 mm²) states the equivalent metallic copper cross-section in mm² of the overall tinned copper wire braid, allowing engineers to verify earth-fault loop impedance and 1-second short-circuit withstand without a separate green/yellow core.

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NEK 606 BFOU and RFOU Offshore Oil & Gas Cable

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