H05VV-F is a lightweight PVC flexible cable rated 300/500V for domestic appliances, extension leads, and indoor equipment. H07RN-F is a heavy-duty rubber cable rated 450/750V for construction sites, outdoor power, and industrial machinery. The rubber construction of H07RN-F makes it resistant to abrasion, oil, water, and UV, where H05VV-F would fail.
Two cables, very different jobs
If you sell or catalog electrical cables, H05VV-F and H07RN-F are two of your highest-volume flexible cable types. They are both harmonized (the H prefix), both flexible (the F suffix), and both used to connect equipment to power. But their construction, ratings, and applications are fundamentally different.
Choosing the wrong one means either over-specifying (wasting money on rubber cable for a desk lamp) or under-specifying (using PVC cable on a construction site, which violates safety regulations and will fail physically).
Side-by-side specifications
| Property | H05VV-F | H07RN-F |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | IEC 60227 / CENELEC HD 21 | IEC 60245 / CENELEC HD 22 |
| Voltage rating | 300/500V (U0/U) | 450/750V (U0/U) |
| Insulation | PVC | Natural rubber (EI4) |
| Sheath | PVC | Polychloroprene (neoprene) |
| Conductor | Flexible (class 5) | Flexible (class 5) |
| Temperature range | -5C to +70C | -25C to +60C (sheath: -40C) |
| Min bending radius | 7.5 x OD (fixed), 4 x OD (flex) | 8 x OD (fixed), 4 x OD (flex) |
| Abrasion resistance | Low | High |
| Oil resistance | Low | Good |
| UV resistance | Low (PVC degrades) | Good (neoprene resists) |
| Water resistance | Moderate | High |
| Flame behavior | Self-extinguishing | Self-extinguishing |
| Weight (3G1.5) | ~75 g/m | ~145 g/m |
| Typical price ratio | 1x (baseline) | 2.5-3x |
The H07RN-F is roughly twice the weight and three times the cost of H05VV-F in comparable cross-sections. The price difference reflects the material costs (rubber vs PVC) and the enhanced mechanical properties.
Use the cable designation decoder to break down any cable code and verify the construction details.
Decoding the designations
H05VV-F
| Position | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| H | Harmonized | Recognized across CENELEC countries |
| 05 | 300/500V | Light-duty voltage class |
| V | PVC | Insulation material |
| V | PVC | Sheath material |
| F | Flexible | Highly flexible stranded conductor |
H07RN-F
| Position | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| H | Harmonized | Recognized across CENELEC countries |
| 07 | 450/750V | Standard voltage class |
| R | Rubber | Natural rubber insulation |
| N | Neoprene | Polychloroprene sheath |
| F | Flexible | Highly flexible stranded conductor |
The critical differences are the voltage rating (05 vs 07) and the materials (VV vs RN). These two differences determine where each cable can legally and safely be used.
For a full explanation of every position in the cable code, see CENELEC cable designation explained.
Applications: where each cable belongs
H05VV-F applications
- Domestic appliance leads: vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, lamps
- Extension leads: indoor household and light office use
- IT equipment: monitors, printers, power supplies
- Indoor temporary connections: trade shows, indoor events
- Light commercial equipment: point-of-sale terminals, office machines
H05VV-F is the cable behind every appliance plug you see in a home or office. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to handle. The PVC sheath comes in white, black, or grey, which suits indoor aesthetics.
H07RN-F applications
- Construction sites: temporary power distribution, tool connections
- Outdoor events: stages, lighting rigs, market stalls
- Industrial machinery: motor connections, welding equipment leads
- Agricultural equipment: pumps, milking machines, outdoor lighting
- Marine and dockside: shore power connections (with appropriate IP rating)
- Mobile equipment: generators, compressors, mobile cranes
H07RN-F is the standard cable for anything that gets dragged, driven over, rained on, or exposed to oil. The rubber insulation and neoprene sheath survive conditions that would crack and fail PVC within weeks.
Why using the wrong cable matters
H05VV-F on a construction site: PVC sheath cracks in cold weather below -5C. It has no resistance to abrasion from concrete or gravel. No oil resistance. UV exposure degrades it within months outdoors. Most importantly, 300/500V is below the 450/750V rating required for site power distribution in many jurisdictions. This is a code violation and a safety hazard.
H07RN-F for a desk lamp: Technically fine from a safety perspective (over-rated, not under-rated), but the cable is heavy, stiff, expensive, and black. Not what you want on a customer's desk. The cost difference also matters. Using H07RN-F where H05VV-F suffices means paying 2.5-3x more per metre with no benefit.
Catalog data for each cable type
Both cables need the same set of data fields, but the values differ. Here is what a complete catalog record includes:
H05VV-F 3G1.5:
Designation: H05VV-F
Standard: IEC 60227-5
Voltage rating: 300/500V
Number of conductors: 3 (incl. green/yellow earth)
Cross-section: 1.5 mm²
Conductor class: 5 (flexible)
Insulation: PVC
Sheath: PVC
Sheath color: White
Outer diameter: 7.2 mm (approx.)
Weight: 75 g/m (approx.)
Temperature range: -5C to +70C
Min bending radius: 4 x OD (flex)
Flame behavior: Self-extinguishing per IEC 60332-1
H07RN-F 3G1.5:
Designation: H07RN-F
Standard: IEC 60245-4
Voltage rating: 450/750V
Number of conductors: 3 (incl. green/yellow earth)
Cross-section: 1.5 mm²
Conductor class: 5 (flexible)
Insulation: Natural rubber (EI4)
Sheath: Polychloroprene (neoprene)
Sheath color: Black
Outer diameter: 9.3 mm (approx.)
Weight: 145 g/m (approx.)
Temperature range: -25C to +60C
Min bending radius: 4 x OD (flex)
Flame behavior: Self-extinguishing per IEC 60332-1
After entering the data, decode the designation to verify that all fields match the cable code.
Available sizes
Both cable types are available in a standard range of conductor counts and cross-sections:
H05VV-F
| Conductors | Cross-sections (mm) |
|---|---|
| 2x | 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 |
| 3G | 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5 |
| 4G | 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 |
| 5G | 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 |
H07RN-F
| Conductors | Cross-sections (mm) |
|---|---|
| 1x | 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6, 10, 16, 25, 35, 50, 70, 95, 120, 150, 185, 240 |
| 2x | 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6 |
| 3G | 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6, 10, 16, 25, 35, 50 |
| 4G | 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6, 10, 16, 25, 35, 50 |
| 5G | 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6, 10, 16, 25, 35, 50 |
H07RN-F is available in much larger cross-sections (up to 240mm for single-core) because it serves industrial applications that require high current capacity.
Quick decision guide
| Question | H05VV-F | H07RN-F |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor only? | Yes | Overkill |
| Outdoor / exposed? | No | Yes |
| Construction site? | No | Yes |
| Dragged or driven over? | No | Yes |
| Temperature below -5C? | No | Yes |
| Oil or chemical exposure? | No | Yes |
| Budget is primary concern? | Yes | Not ideal |
| Rated voltage > 500V needed? | No | Yes |
If any of the "outdoor/construction/industrial" questions apply, use H07RN-F. If the cable stays indoors in a controlled environment, H05VV-F is appropriate and more cost-effective.