TE Connectivity has released the Category 5e (Cat5e) data cable for rolling stock and network railway applications.

With its halogen-free flame retardant polymer insulation, the quad high-speed data cable complies with EN45545-2, the new European standard covering fire behavior of materials and products in railway rolling stock.

This is because its crosslinked outer jacketing provides high resistance to chemicals, mechanical stresses, and extreme temperatures. It can be supplied on its own or in pre-assembled units with connectors, for ease and speed of installation.

TE Connectivity wire and cable global product manager Paul Crofts says: “TE is working to design and deliver products that enable the future of transportation. This includes providing the complete range of high performance, high-speed data cables for the rail industry.

“We now have the full range of Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat7 cables, all complying with EN45545-2, which means that we now offer a scope of data cables spanning 120 Ohm (Ω) up to 10 Gb/s. TE can also supply the corresponding M12 connectors either as components with the cable or as finished assemblies.”

The new Cat5e data cable is a quad design consisting of two pairs of 22-AWG cores. It is designed for an operating voltage of 300V.

The electrical resistance of the conductor is less than or equal to 60Ω/km, and that of the shield is up to 120Ω/km. The insulation has a resistance of over 500 M Ω/km (all at 20°C).