EN 6049 Aerospace Series - Electrical Cables, Installations - Protective Sheathing of Meta-Aramid Fiber
The “EN 6049 Aerospace series - Electrical cables, wiring - Protective sheath of meta-aramid fiber” standard, prepared by the European Aerospace and Defence Standardization Association, is a European standard defining the requirements for protective sheaths used in aircraft electrical wiring harnesses. These sheaths provide mechanical, thermal, and sometimes electromagnetic protection by shielding cable bundles and cable strands in harsh aviation environments. Unlike standard polyamide (nylon) or polyester braids, meta-aramid offers natural flame retardancy without the need for chemical treatments that can degrade over time. This makes it the preferred material for critical aviation cable bundle protection.
This standard consists of the following sub-sections published under the same title:
- The standard “EN 6049-1 Part 001: Technical specifications” describes the general characteristics, qualification, and acceptance requirements for meta-aramid fiber protective sheaths used in cables and cable bundles for aerospace applications. This standard is the basic technical specification for the series and specifies the following:
- General characteristics of meta-aramid protective cases.
- Qualifications and admission requirements.
- Reference for test methods (via EN 6059 standard series).
- Terms of use for cables and cable harnesses on aircraft.
This standard covers both braided (expandable) and self-winding/post-attachment holster types.
The basic requirements are determined as follows:
- Material: Meta-aramid fibers are used (naturally flame retardant). May include special treatments to reduce water absorption. Usually in its natural (beige/brown) color or as specified in the product standard.
- Typical operating conditions: The temperature range is generally between -55 degrees and +240 degrees (varies depending on the specific part). It exhibits resistance to liquids (such as fuel, oils, and hydraulic fluids). It has high wear resistance. It displays low smoke and toxicity when burned. It has good flexibility and low mass.
- Performance areas: Mechanical protection (wear, vibration), thermal protection, fire/flammability behavior, environmental resistance (liquids, humidity, mold, sunlight) and electrical characteristics (arc tracking, voltage resistant, electromagnetic interference for shielded versions, where applicable).
The standard “EN 6049-2 Part 002: General information and list of product standards” serves as an overview and index document for the entire range. While EN 6049-001 provides detailed technical specifications and common requirements, Part 002 offers a general introduction and, most importantly, a complete list of all product standards in the range. This standard primarily includes:
- General information: This section covers the scope of the EN 6049 standard series, describes meta-aramid fiber protective sheaths, and explains common applications in aviation electrical installations.
- Product standards list: Includes a structured list of all published and planned parts.
This standard is used by design engineers, purchasing and quality teams, wiring harness manufacturers, and anyone creating bills of materials for aerospace electrical systems who are looking for the correct sheath type. In short, this standard serves as a roadmap for the entire family of standards.
- The standard “EN 6049-3 Part 003: Braided, tubular, expandable - Product standard” describes the specifications for tubular braided, expandable mechanical protective sheaths made of meta-aramid fibers and equipped with waterproof protection for electrical cables and cable bundles. This standard includes the specific characteristics of thin-walled braided, tubular, expandable protective sheaths made of meta-aramid fibers. These sheaths provide mechanical protection (primarily abrasion and cut resistance) for electrical cables and cable bundles in aerospace applications.
The basic requirements are determined as follows:
- Operating temperature: -60 degrees to +240 degrees.
- Expansion ratio: 1:2 (can expand to approximately twice its nominal diameter).
- Wall thickness: Thin wall design for minimum weight.
- Non-flammable: Self-extinguishing, low smoke generation.
- Protection level: Excellent abrasion resistance, good mechanical protection.
- Other features: Resistant to liquids, gamma rays and X-rays, waterproof (special treatments), does not rot.
- Color: Typically natural (ivory/beige), but also available in other colors (such as green, orange, red).
The standard “EN 6049-4 Part 004: Braided, tubular, highly expandable - Product standard” is a product standard for braided tubular protective sleeves with high expansion properties manufactured from meta-aramid fibers. These sleeves offer a higher expansion capacity than the standard expansion version (EN 6049-003), making them ideal for covering cable bundles of varying diameters and irregular shapes, or for situations requiring easy installation on larger connectors or branches.
The basic requirements are determined as follows:
- Operating temperature: -60 degrees to +240 degrees.
- Expansion ratio: High expansion capability (typically 1:3 or higher, can expand to three times or more of the nominal diameter)
- Wall thickness: Thin wall for low weight.
- Flammability: Self-extinguishing, low smoke and toxicity.
- Protection: Excellent abrasion resistance, mechanical protection, liquid resistance.
- Additional features: Waterproof, gamma and X-ray resistant, corrosion resistant.
- Color: Natural (beige/ivory) or custom colors upon request.
The standard “EN 6049-5 Part 005: Flexible sheath, post-assembly - Product standard” describes the specifications for post-assembly flexible mechanical protective sheaths for electrical cables and cable bundles made of meta-aramid fibers and equipped with waterproof protection. These sheaths are designed for retrofitting or maintenance applications and can be fitted onto pre-assembled cable bundles (after the connectors have been installed), unlike braided expandable sheaths which are typically slip-on before termination.
The basic requirements are determined as follows:
- Operating temperature: -60 degrees to +240 degrees.
- Material: Meta-aramid fibers (naturally flame resistant).
- Design: Flexible, non-woven, or specifically designed for post-installation use, often with closure mechanisms (e.g., Velcro, snap, or overlap).
- Flammability: Self-extinguishing, low smoke and toxicity.
- Protection: Mechanical (wear, friction), thermal, and environmental.
- Additional features: Waterproof treatment, good flexibility, liquid resistance.
- Color: Natural (beige/ivory) or as specified.
The standard “EN 6049-6 Part 006: Self-wound protective sleeve, flexible post-assembly - Product standard” describes the specifications for flexible, self-wound protective sleeves made of meta-aramid fibers and equipped with waterproof protection for electrical cables and cable harnesses for aerospace applications. These sleeves are designed for post-assembly use, meaning they can be easily applied to already assembled and terminated cable harnesses without removing the connectors.
The basic requirements are determined as follows:
- Operating temperature: Typically -60 degrees to +200/240 degrees (depending on the exact design).
- Material: Waterproof treated meta-aramid fibers.
- Design: Overlapping, self-clinging, flexible structure.
- Flammability: Self-extinguishing, low smoke and toxicity.
- Protection level: Good abrasion, mechanical, friction, and environmental protection.
- Installation: Post-termination (suitable for reinstallation/maintenance).
- Color: Natural (beige/ivory) or colors with defining stripes.
The standard “EN 6049-7 Part 007: Self-wound protective sheath, flexible post-assembly operating temperature range -55°C to 260°C - Product standard” describes the specifications for flexible, self-wound protective sheaths made of meta-aramid fibers and equipped with waterproof protection for electrical cables and cable harnesses for aerospace applications. These sheaths combine meta-aramid fibers with polyetheretherketone monofilaments. This hybrid structure provides significantly better abrasion, cut, and thermal performance compared to self-wound sheaths.
The basic requirements are determined as follows:
- Operating temperature: -55 degrees to +260 degrees.
- Material: Meta-aramid multi-stranded and polyetheretherketone single-stranded.
- Design: Self-coiling with overlapping closure.
- Flammability: Self-extinguishing, low smoke and toxicity.
- Mechanical protection: Excellent abrasion and cut resistance.
- Electrical protection: 1,5 kV dielectric strength (under certain conditions)
- Other features: Oil and water repellent treatment, liquid resistance, high flexibility.
- Color: Usually green, with an ivory-colored hue for identification purposes.
The standard “EN 6049-8 Part 008: Nickel copper braided, self-wound, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding sheath, flexible post-assembly use, operating temperature between -55 and 200 degrees - Product standard” describes the specifications for flexible, self-wound EMI shielding sheaths for electrical cables and bundles, with an outer layer of meta-aramid fibers, an inner layer of nickel-copper-clad braid, and waterproof protection, suitable for aerospace applications. These combine meta-aramid fibers for mechanical and thermal protection with a nickel-copper braided shield for electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection. They are designed for retrofitting to already terminated bundles.
The basic requirements are determined as follows:
- Operating temperature: -55 degrees to +200 degrees.
- Material: Meta-aramid outer layer and nickel-copper mesh shield.
- Design: Self-closing, overlapping closure.
- EMI protection: Effective electromagnetic interference protection.
- Flammability: Self-extinguishing, low smoke and toxicity.
- Mechanical protection: Good wear and friction resistance.
- Installation: Post-termination (maintenance and renewal friendly).
- Color: Usually olive green or natural, with streaks.
“EN 6049-9 Part 009: Self-coiling fire protection sleeve, flexible, retrofittable, operating temperature range -55°C to +260°C - Product standard” is the product standard for self-coiling fire protection sleeves. These are advanced, multi-layered coiled sleeves designed to provide a high level of fire resistance to electrical cable bundles in addition to mechanical and thermal protection. They are designed for retrofitting to already terminated cable bundles.
The basic requirements are determined as follows:
- Operating temperature: -55 degrees to +260 degrees.
- Material: Multilayer meta-aramid fibers with a special fire-resistant structure and oil and water-repellent treatment.
- Design: Overlap closure, self-wrapping, thick wall for added protection.
- Fire protection: Excellent, provides 5 minutes of fire resistance to the safety belt (ISO 2685).
- Flammability: Self-extinguishing, low smoke and toxicity.
- Mechanical protection: High resistance to abrasion, cuts, and impacts.
- Installation: Post-termination (easy winding for reattachment and maintenance).
- Color: Usually specific colors (e.g., green, orange) and identification markings.
For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services in accordance with the EN 6049 standard.
