If there is one flexible cable that every European contractor, rental company and machine builder keeps in stock, it is H07RN-F. It powers site distribution boards, pumps, compressors, temporary lighting and mobile machinery from Lisbon to Helsinki. Because it is a harmonised cable type, the same designation means the same construction in every EU country — which makes it easy to specify, but also easy to buy badly.
This guide explains what the designation tells you, where H07RN-F is (and is not) the right choice, and the checks we recommend before you place an order.
What does H07RN-F mean?
H07RN-F is a harmonised designation under the EN 50525 series (the rubber flexible cables are covered in EN 50525-2-21). Each part of the code describes the construction:
- H – harmonised type, recognised across CENELEC countries.
- 07 – rated voltage U0/U of 450/750 V.
- R – insulation of cross-linked rubber (EPR-based elastomer).
- N – sheath of polychloroprene (neoprene-type) rubber, which gives oil, weather and abrasion resistance.
- F – flexible conductor, class 5 stranded copper.
A typical order line therefore reads, for example, H07RN-F 5G2.5: five cores, one of them green-yellow (the “G”), each of 2.5 mm². For a full explanation of the letter system, see our article on harmonised cable codes.
Where H07RN-F is the right cable
The combination of rubber insulation and a polychloroprene sheath makes H07RN-F suitable for medium mechanical stress in dry, damp and wet environments, indoors and outdoors. Typical uses include:
- Supply leads for portable and mobile equipment on construction sites.
- Connections to motors, pumps, compressors and welding equipment.
- Temporary power distribution at events, shipyards and industrial maintenance shutdowns.
- Fixed installation where flexibility, oil resistance or UV resistance matters, such as on plant structures.
You can review the full construction and dimension table on our H07RN-F industrial cable page, including cross-sections from single-core 1.5 mm² upwards.
H07RN-F, H05RN-F or H07RN8-F?
These three are often confused, and the wrong choice usually shows up only after installation.
H05RN-F is lighter and cheaper, but it should not be used where the cable is dragged across a site or run over. H07RN8-F is the version to look at when the cable will be permanently or regularly submerged, for example on dewatering pumps or fountains. For deep-well and borehole pumps, a dedicated submersible pump cable rated AD8 is usually the safer specification.
Heavy-duty versions
Some applications push standard H07RN-F to its limits: cables dragged over concrete every day, frequent coiling and uncoiling on rental fleets, or cold-climate use. For those, a heavy-duty H07RN-F with a reinforced sheath and better low-temperature flexibility extends service life considerably. The price difference is small compared with the cost of replacing damaged leads and the downtime involved.
Five checks before you order
- Harmonisation mark. Genuine harmonised cable carries the HAR mark or the national approval mark together with the designation printed on the sheath. Ask for the certificate, not just a datasheet.
- Conductor resistance. Undersized copper is the most common quality problem in low-price flexible cable. The maximum conductor resistance per EN 60228 class 5 is a simple test any laboratory can run on a sample.
- Sheath thickness and material. Polychloroprene is what gives H07RN-F its oil and weather resistance. A cheaper sheath may look identical on day one and crack after a winter outdoors.
- Operating temperatures. Check the flexing and fixed-installation temperature ranges against your site conditions, especially for Nordic projects or for cables used near hot machinery.
- Drum lengths and packaging. Agree standard lengths (for example 50 m coils or 500 m drums), drum type and marking in advance. It avoids cut-length waste and makes call-off orders easier.
Documents to ask for
For European projects, the supplier should be able to provide a datasheet showing construction and dimensions, the harmonisation or third-party certificate, a declaration of conformity referring to the Low Voltage Directive, and RoHS and REACH statements. If the cable will be installed permanently in a building, also read our guide to CPR cable classes, because a Declaration of Performance may then be required.
How Wesourcia helps
We source H07RN-F and its variants in standard cross-sections and in project quantities, check the documentation before shipment, and can arrange independent sample testing when a project requires it. Browse the full range of industrial cables, or send us your cable schedule through our quote request form and we will come back with options, lead times and delivery terms for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Can H07RN-F be used outdoors?
Yes. The polychloroprene sheath of H07RN-F resists weather, UV, ozone and oil, so it is widely used outdoors on construction sites and in industry. Check the temperature range on the datasheet for very cold climates and choose a heavy-duty version if the cable will be dragged or run over frequently.
What is the difference between H07RN-F and H07RN8-F?
Both are 450/750 V rubber flexible cables. H07RN8-F has a construction intended for use in water, for example on submersible pumps or in fountains, whereas standard H07RN-F is designed for wet and damp conditions but not for permanent immersion.
Does H07RN-F need a CPR Declaration of Performance?
Only when it is placed on the market for permanent installation in a building or civil engineering work. For mobile equipment and temporary installations, the CPR does not normally apply, but the cable must still comply with the Low Voltage Directive and RoHS.
Products mentioned in this article
Industrial CablesCablesThese rubber sheathed flexible cables are used as power and control cables in open-built plants, industry works, electrical tools and mobile equipments under heavy conditions and medium mechanical stress. Due…
450/750 V (U0/U) · -25°C to +60°C
Industrial CablesCablesThese rubber sheathed flexible cables are used as power and control cables in open-built plants, industry works, electrical tools and mobile equipments under heavy conditions and medium mechanical stress. Due…
450/750 V (U0/U) · -25°C to +60°C
Industrial CablesCablesThese cables are avilable to use in both low and medium stressed subjects; as connection of fixed and mobile equipment connections such as household and office equipments. They can be…
300/500 V (U0/U) · -25°C to +60°C
Industrial CablesCablesThese rubber sheathed flexible cables are used as power and control cables in submersible pumps, agricultural and industrial workshops. This cable comply with AD8 classification and they are suitable for…
450/750 V (U0/U) · -25°C to +60°C
Industrial CablesCablesThese rubber sheathed flexible cables are used as power and control cables in submersible pumps, agricultural and industrial workshops. This cable comply with AD8 classification and they are suitable for…
450/750 V (U0/U) · -25°C to +60°C
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