What is the maximum voltage rating covered by IS 694?

It covers cables for AC voltages up to and including 1100 V, or DC voltages up to 1500 V to ground.

What is the difference between IS 694 and IS 1554?

IS 694 is primarily for lighter duty/wiring cables (unarmoured house and panel wiring), while IS 1554 covers heavy-duty PVC insulated power cables, including armoured variants.

What conductor standards are mandated by IS 694?

Conductors must conform to IS 8130. They can be solid/stranded for fixed wiring (Class 1 or 2) or flexible for portable applications (Class 5).

IS 694

: 1990

PVC insulated cables for working voltages up to and including 1100 V

CurrentEssentialSpecificationBIMMEP · Electrical Installations

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IS 694 specifies the requirements and test methods for PVC insulated cables (both unsheathed and sheathed) with copper or aluminum conductors for voltages up to 1100 V. It is an essential standard used by electrical engineers to specify electrical wiring for residential, commercial, and control panel applications.

Specifies requirements for single-core and multi-core PVC insulated and PVC sheathed cables for fixed wiring in electrical installations up to 1100 V.

Quick Reference Values

Rated AC Voltage limitUp to and including 1100 V

Rated DC Voltage limit1500 V to earth

Max continuous operating temperature (General Purpose PVC)70 °C

Max continuous operating temperature (Heat Resisting PVC)85 °C

Max short circuit temperature160 °C

Practical Notes

Always verify if the project requires FRLS (Fire Retardant Low Smoke) or ZHFR (Zero Halogen Fire Retardant) properties. These require adherence to additional specifications/tests beyond basic IS 694.

For flexible cables used in portable appliances, ensure multi-strand Class 5 conductors as per IS 8130 are explicitly specified.

Do not confuse with IS 1554, which applies to heavy-duty PVC insulated power cables (such as armored cables for underground routing).