{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"iec-multicore-cable-grouping","name":"Conductors within one cable","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"W","aliases":["cable core grouping","multicore cable outline","cable sheath grouping"],"category":"connections-wiring","drawingTypes":["Schematic"],"referenceFamilies":["IEC"],"summary":"An outline or loop drawn across several conductor lines to show that they are cores of the same cable.","description":["On multi-line schematics each core is drawn as a separate line, which hides the fact that several of them share one sheath. A grouping outline drawn across those lines tells the reader they are cores of one cable. It is typically paired with a cable tag so that the cores can be traced to the cable schedule.","The outline implies no screen and no particular core count beyond the lines it crosses. Spare cores are often not drawn, so the cable may have more cores than the outline encloses. Cores from one cable may also be split across several sheets, each with its own grouping mark and the same cable tag."],"readingNotes":["Read the cable tag beside the grouping outline.","Expect spare cores that are not drawn."],"drawingChecklist":["Tag every grouping outline with the cable number.","Use the same tag on every sheet the cable appears on.","Record spare cores in the cable schedule."],"distinction":"A grouping outline shows shared sheath only; a screen outline shows a conductive shield around the cores.","facts":[{"label":"Graphic cue","value":"Ellipse or loop crossing several parallel conductors"},{"label":"Does not show","value":"Screening, spare cores or core colours"},{"label":"Preview","value":"Original educational illustration; consult the publisher and applicable standard for the exact graphic"}],"references":[{"sourceId":"iec-public-cable","relevance":"Public IEC-60617 preview family for cable markers used with core groupings."},{"sourceId":"autodesk-index","relevance":"Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families."}],"related":["iec-cable-identification-marker","iec-additional-cable-core-marker","iec-screened-multi-conductor-cable"],"artwork":"s28-iec-multicore-cable-grouping","publishedOn":"2026-10-28","updatedOn":"2026-10-28","provenance":"independent-public-research","symbolVariant":{"convention":"IEC","form":"Cable core grouping form","reference":"Independent IEC-context illustration; not certified IEC geometry."},"plainEnglish":{"title":"What does Conductors within one cable mean?","introduction":"On multi-line schematics each core is drawn as a separate line, which hides the fact that several of them share one sheath. A grouping outline drawn across those lines tells the reader they are cores of one cable. It is typically paired with a cable tag so that the cores can be traced to the cable schedule.","example":"The outline implies no screen and no particular core count beyond the lines it crosses. Spare cores are often not drawn, so the cable may have more cores than the outline encloses. Cores from one cable may also be split across several sheets, each with its own grouping mark and the same cable tag.","drawings":"Read the cable tag beside the grouping outline. Expect spare cores that are not drawn. A grouping outline shows shared sheath only; a screen outline shows a conductive shield around the cores.","terms":[{"name":"Normally open / normally closed","meaning":"The contact state in the normal condition defined for the drawing."},{"name":"Schematic","meaning":"A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance."}],"diagram":"flow","steps":["Identify the device and form","Read the connections and state","Check the equipment reference"],"caption":"A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.","sources":[{"label":"Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Cable identification and twisted-pair annotation","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-37A08C35-43A3-484D-B0EB-0BBCBC4BE709.htm"},{"label":"IEC-60617 symbol preview directory","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm"}],"detail":"An outline or loop drawn across several conductor lines to show that they are cores of the same cable. A grouping outline shows shared sheath only; a screen outline shows a conductive shield around the cores.","profileId":"reviewed-symbol-20261028"},"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-multicore-cable-grouping","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/tools/electrical-library/illustrations/iec-multicore-cable-grouping.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"iec-public-cable","title":"Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Cable identification and twisted-pair annotation","publisher":"Autodesk","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-37A08C35-43A3-484D-B0EB-0BBCBC4BE709.htm","type":"cad-reference","scope":"Public publisher IEC-context family names and vendor block references. No vendor images or CAD library files are reproduced, and vendor tokens are not presented as verified IEC database identifiers.","checkedOn":"2026-10-14","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public IEC-60617 preview family for cable markers used with core groupings."},{"id":"autodesk-index","title":"IEC-60617 symbol preview directory","publisher":"Autodesk","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm","type":"cad-reference","scope":"Public reference directory of named symbol categories. Vendor graphics and CAD library files are not redistributed here.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families."}]}