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Product

NR/PS/SIG/00005 Type A1/A2/A3 rail cableNR/PS/SIG/00005 (BR 879)Type A1 (1C), A2 (2C) & A3 (MC)650/1100 V · EPR (GP4) / PCP (EM2)

NR Type A1 / A2 / A3 Network Rail Type A1 / A2 / A3 UnarmouredUK Network Rail NR/PS/SIG/00005 650/1100 V EPR/PCP unarmoured trackside signalling

UK Network Rail trackside signalling and point-heater power feeder cable (NR Type A1 single-core, Type A2 two-core, Type A3 multicore) built to NR/PS/SIG/00005 (formerly BR 879) with Class 2/5 tinned copper conductors, +85/+90 °C EPR (GP4) insulation.

Flame-retardant
Oil-resistant
Ozone, UV & moisture
Approved
Order designation
NR Type A2 2×35 mm²
Outer Ø ≈
25.8 mm
Copper weight
672 kg/km
Total weight ≈
1,110 kg/km
In trough
162 A
All sizes (11)
Request a quoteDatasheetWhatsApp
Engineering reply in 2 business hoursCut-to-length export drumsEN 10204 3.1 certificate per drum
Rail standard
NR/PS/SIG/00005
formerly BR 879 / RT/E/PS/00005
Rated voltage
650/1,100 V AC
Class II signalling power bus
Types covered
Type A1 / A2 /
A1 (1C) · A2 (2C) · A3 (Multi)
Insulation
EPR (BS 7655
+85/+90 °C thermoset rubber
Outer sheath
PCP (BS 7655
heavy-duty polychloroprene
Min. bend R
6 × OD
concrete C-trough routing

Typical values for this cable type, based on NR/PS/SIG/00005 (BR 879) / BS 7655 / BS EN 60228 — confirmed in the datasheet and quotation for your order.

Application fit

Is NR Type A1 / A2 / A3 right for your machine?

Installed in lineside concrete troughing (C-trough), elevatedGRP cable routes and trackside location cases (LOCs) across the UK rail network to distribute 650 V / 400 V / 110 V AC signalling power, point-machine feeds and switch-rail point-heater supplies.

Fixed installation

Suitable

Laid directly in trackside concrete troughing, duct crossings and lineside signalling equipment rooms.

Offshore platform & shipboard deck trays

Suitable

Heavy-duty EM2 Polychloroprene (PCP) outer sheath resists ballast abrasion, diesel/brake fluid, weedkiller spray and UV.

TBM gantry & advancing tunnel reel

Suitable

Unarmoured double-insulated Class II profile (especially 2-core Type A2 on IT floating 650 V systems) avoids earth-loop traction.

Typical machinesUK Network Rail 650 V Class II Signalling PowerLineside Location Cases (LOCs) & Relocatable Equipment (REBs)Track Switch Point Heaters & Point MachinesMetro, Light Rail & Mainline Signalling Renewals

Construction

Layer by layer

Shown: NR Type A2 2×35 mm² 650/1100 V (NR/PS/SIG/00005) with BS EN 60228 Class 2 tinned copper conductors, BS 7655 GP4 EPR primary insulation (Red & Black), non-hygroscopic fillers/tape and heavy-duty BS 7655 EM2 black Polychloroprene (PCP) outer sheath.

1234
Schematic, not to scale — generated from the layer data
#LayerMaterial & reference
1Stranded tinned annealed copper (Class 2 or Class 5)BS EN 60228 Class 2 (or flexible Class 5 option) tinned copper (1.5 to 150 mm²)Tin coating prevents copper corrosion in damp lineside concrete troughs
2Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR — BS 7655 Type GP4)High-grade thermoset EPR dielectric (+85/+90 °C continuous, +250 °C short-circuit)Maintains high insulation resistance on ungrounded (IT) 650 V signalling feeders
3Non-hygroscopic elastomeric fillers & binder tapeMoisture-resistant fillers + synthetic overlap tape (on Type A2 & Type A3)Produces a firm circular core resistant to trackside ballast impact
4Heavy-duty Polychloroprene (PCP — BS 7655 Type EM2)Black cross-linked Polychloroprene / Neoprene rubber outer sheathResists mineral oil, diesel, trackside herbicides, rodent attack and BS EN 60332-1-2 flame

NR Type A1 (Single-Core · 2.5 to 150 mm²)

Unarmoured single-core EPR/PCP tail and point-heater feeder cable

NR Type A2 (Two-Core · 2.5 to 120 mm²)

Main unarmoured 2-core 650 V Class II floating signalling power distribution feeder

NR Type A3 (Multi-Core · 3 to 40 Cores)

Unarmoured multicore signalling power and local point-machine control cable

Technical data

Ratings & operating limits

Typical values: Typical values for this cable type, based on NR/PS/SIG/00005 (BR 879) / BS 7655 / BS EN 60228. Values for your order are confirmed in the datasheet and quotation.

Electrical

Rated voltage (U₀/U)
650/1,100 V AC (50 Hz) / DC
Routine AC spark & water-tank HV test
3.5 kV AC rms for 5 minutes in water bath + IR verification
Max. conductor DC resistance @ 20 °C
Per BS EN 60228 Class 2 / Class 5 tinned copper

Thermal

Operating temperature range
−25 °C (−40 °C fixed) to +85 °C / +90 °C conductor · +250 °C short-circuit
Thermal cycling & overload stability
Verified thermal ageing and short-circuit withstand per standard

Mechanical

Construction classification
Type A (Unarmoured EPR/PCP) · cf. Type B (Armoured) & Type C (CSP)
Minimum bending radius
6 × OD (fixed in troughing) · 8 × OD (pulling)

Resistance

Flame, oil & chemical resistance
BS EN 60332-1-2 flame retardant · BS 7655 EM2 mineral oil & weather
Environmental & chemical durability
Resistant to moisture, industrial fluids and service ageing

Reference standards

Governing UK railway standard
Network Rail NR/PS/SIG/00005 (supersedes RT/E/PS/00005 & BR 879)
Factory QA & material compliance
EN 10204 3.1 routine test certificate · RoHS 2 & REACH compliant

Identification

Core identification
Type A1: Black · Type A2: Red & Black · Type A3: White numbered 1, 2, 3…
Customs tariff (HS)
8544.49

Sizes

11 standard Network Rail Type A1, A2 & A3 signalling power cable sizes

650/1100 V unarmoured single-core (A1), two-core (A2) and multicore (A3) trackside cables.

Dimensions, weights & lineside trough ampacity
Order designationConfigurationVoltageOuter Ø ≈
mm		Copper
kg/km		Weight ≈
kg/km		In trough
A		Min. bend R
mm		Enquiry
NR Type A1 (1-Core) & Type A2 (2-Core) 650/1100 V Signalling Power Feeders
NR Type A1 1×25 mm²1×25 mm² (Type A1)650/1100 V12.224034513573
NR Type A1 1×50 mm²1×50 mm² (Type A1)650/1100 V15.048061021090
NR Type A2 2×4 mm²2×4 mm² (Type A2)650/1100 V13.5772354281
NR Type A2 2×10 mm²2×10 mm² (Type A2)650/1100 V17.219241575103
NR Type A2 2×16 mm²2×16 mm² (Type A2)650/1100 V19.6307580100118
NR Type A2 2×25 mm²2×25 mm² (Type A2)650/1100 V23.4480860132140
NR Type A2 2×35 mm²2×35 mm² (Type A2)650/1100 V25.86721,110162155
NR Type A2 2×70 mm²2×70 mm² (Type A2)650/1100 V33.21,3441,980245199
NR Type A2 2×120 mm²2×120 mm² (Type A2)650/1100 V41.52,3043,260340249
NR Type A3 (Multi-Core) 650/1100 V Signalling & Point Control Cables
NR Type A3 4×4 mm²4×4 mm² (Type A3)650/1100 V16.01543653696
NR Type A3 12×2.5 mm²12×2.5 mm² (Type A3)650/1100 V21.828869020131
  • Typical values for this cable type; dimensions and weights for your order are confirmed in the quotation.
  • Full PADS catalogue coverage includes Type B1/B2/B3 (armoured) and Type C1/C2/C3 (HOFR/CSP) variants.

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
3.5 kV AC 5-min water-immersion dielectric & conductor resistance testZero breakdown; tinned copper resistance per BS EN 60228Every drum
Sample tests
BS 7655 GP4 insulation & EM2 PCP oil-immersion / tear / flame auditPasses EM2 hot-oil retention and BS EN 60332-1-2 flame testBatch audit

Inspection certificate

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

Product approvals

Network Rail NR/PS/SIG/00005 (BR 879) CompliantBS 7655 GP4 (EPR) & EM2 (PCP) CertifiedUKCA, CE & RoHS 2 Compliant

Company certificates

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

Marking & supply

Ordering & delivery

Sheath marking

Embossed/printed: ELECTRIC CABLE 650/1100V NR/PS/SIG/00005 TYPE A1/A2/A3 <size> TEBAOFLEX YEAR
Delivery form
Non-returnable fumigated wooden or steel drums
Standard lengths
250 m · 500 m · 1000 m standard drums
MOQ
250 m (stock sizes) · 500 m (custom)
Lead time
3–5 weeks ex-works
Incoterms
EXW, FCA, FOB, CIF, DAP

Technical documents

Downloads

PDFNR Type A1 / A2 / A3 Network Rail Type A1 / A2 / A3 Unarmoured – technical datasheet11 sizes · construction, technical data, approvalsXLSXNR Type A1 / A2 / A3 spec data (Excel)All 11 sizes with dimensions and data, for your BOM or quotation
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 is the difference between Network Rail Type A1, Type A2 and Type A3 cables under NR/PS/SIG/00005?
Within the 'Type A' unarmoured EPR-insulated, PCP-sheathed family of NR/PS/SIG/00005 (formerly BR 879), 'Type A1' is single-core (2.5 to 150 mm²), 'Type A2' is two-core (2.5 to 120 mm², with Red and Black cores for 650 V single-phase signalling feeders), and 'Type A3' is multicore (3 to 40 cores with white numbered cores).
Why does UK Network Rail use unarmoured two-core Type A2 cables for 650 V trackside signalling power?
UK mainline signalling power is distributed as an ungrounded (earth-free IT) 650 V AC Class II system so a single earth fault does not trip vital colour-light signals, and so 25 kV AC overhead traction return currents cannot flow along metallic cable armour. Unarmoured double-insulated EPR/PCP Type A2 cable laid in lineside concrete troughing provides true Class II isolation.
How do Type A, Type B and Type C cables differ in NR/PS/SIG/00005?
Type A is unarmoured EPR/PCP; Type B adds galvanized steel wire or braid armour for direct burial outside concrete troughing; and Type C uses Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene (CSP / HOFR) sheathing.
What factory routine tests and certificates are supplied with NR Type A1 / A2 / A3?
Every production drum of NR Type A1 / A2 / A3 undergoes 100 % conductor DC resistance measurement at 20 °C, high-voltage AC/DC dielectric withstand testing, and dimensional verification per NR/PS/SIG/00005 (BR 879) / BS 7655 / BS EN 60228, supplied with an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate.

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NR Type A1 / A2 / A3 Network Rail Type A1 / A2 / A3 Unarmoured

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- Reel type: 
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