W
Screened conductor
A single conductor enclosed by a drawn screen outline, showing that the core has a conductive shield around it.
IEC
IEC · W
Screened multi-conductor cable
Several conductors enclosed together within one drawn screen, showing an overall shield around a multicore cable.
In plain English
What does Screened multi-conductor cable mean?
This form draws one screen outline around a group of conductors to show an overall or collective screen. It is common on instrument multicore cables, field bus trunks and multi-pair analogue cables run from field junction boxes back to a marshalling cabinet.
A simple example
An overall screen is different from individually screened pairs. If each pair also carries its own screen, the drawing needs separate outlines for each pair inside the overall one, otherwise a reader will terminate only one drain. The symbol does not give the core count beyond what is drawn, so the cable schedule still controls the core and pair allocation.
What the drawings help you do
Count the conductors drawn inside the outline and compare with the cable schedule. Check whether individual pair screens are also shown. An overall screened cable shields all its cores together; a screened twisted pair shields one pair on its own.
This particular reference
Several conductors enclosed together within one drawn screen, showing an overall shield around a multicore cable. An overall screened cable shields all its cores together; a screened twisted pair shields one pair on its own.
- Schematic
- A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.
Read the source: Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Cable identification and twisted-pair annotation · IEC-60617 symbol preview directory
IEC · Overall screened multicore form
Independent IEC-context illustration of a collective screen; not certified IEC geometry.
Shown as an independently authored educational illustration. Use the cited publication and drawing legend to verify the required drafting form.
Schematic · W
What it represents
This form draws one screen outline around a group of conductors to show an overall or collective screen. It is common on instrument multicore cables, field bus trunks and multi-pair analogue cables run from field junction boxes back to a marshalling cabinet.
An overall screen is different from individually screened pairs. If each pair also carries its own screen, the drawing needs separate outlines for each pair inside the overall one, otherwise a reader will terminate only one drain. The symbol does not give the core count beyond what is drawn, so the cable schedule still controls the core and pair allocation.
How to read it
- Count the conductors drawn inside the outline and compare with the cable schedule.
- Check whether individual pair screens are also shown.
Information to show or reference
- State the cable tag on the screened group.
- Show where the overall screen is terminated.
- Distinguish overall screens from individual pair screens.
A distinction that matters
An overall screened cable shields all its cores together; a screened twisted pair shields one pair on its own.
Sources you can follow
These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.
Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Cable identification and twisted-pair annotation
Public IEC-60617 preview family for cable markers and multicore annotation.
IEC-60617 symbol preview directory
Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families.
About this graphic
This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.
SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.
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