These are the most flexible conductors defined by the standard. They utilize a very high number of extremely fine strands. Class 6 is reserved for applications requiring frequent movement or extreme flexibility, such as charging cables for mobile devices, earphone wires, or cables on moving robotic arms.
While the United States still relies heavily on the AWG (American Wire Gauge) system, much of the rest of the world operates on the metric system defined in IEC 60228. iec 60228
(Note: Classes 3 and 4 were historically present but are largely obsolete or reserved for specific legacy applications in modern revisions.) These are the most flexible conductors defined by
– Dropped half a star only because it’s a resistance-only standard; you still need other standards for insulation, voltage rating, and fire performance. While the United States still relies heavily on
If an engineer uses a Class 1 solid wire on a machine that vibrates, the metal will work-harden and snap, potentially causing a short circuit or a fire. By mandating Class 5 or 6 for flexible applications, IEC 60228 prevents premature equipment failure.
The most distinct feature of IEC 60228 is its classification system, which groups conductors based on their flexibility and construction. This classification is identified by a simple number: