# Screened multi-conductor cable

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-screened-multi-conductor-cable
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: W
Drawing use: Schematic
Reference families: IEC

## Symbol convention

Convention: IEC
Form: Overall screened multicore form
Independent IEC-context illustration of a collective screen; not certified IEC geometry.

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.

### Terms

- Schematic: A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Cable identification and twisted-pair annotation](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-37A08C35-43A3-484D-B0EB-0BBCBC4BE709.htm)
- [IEC-60617 symbol preview directory](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm)


## 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.

## Important distinction

An overall screened cable shields all its cores together; a screened twisted pair shields one pair on its own.

## Facts

- Graphic cue: One screen outline enclosing several conductor lines
- Typical use: Instrument multicores and field bus trunk cables
- Preview: Original educational illustration; consult the publisher and applicable standard for the exact graphic

## Public references

- [Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Cable identification and twisted-pair annotation](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-37A08C35-43A3-484D-B0EB-0BBCBC4BE709.htm) — Autodesk. Public IEC-60617 preview family for cable markers and multicore annotation.
- [IEC-60617 symbol preview directory](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm) — Autodesk. Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.