Power Cord Cable Codes Explained: H05VV-F, 60227 IEC 53, SJT, SVT, VCTF
Updated 2026-10-02 · Shenzhen Coptic Electronics Co., Ltd.
The cable on a power cord must be approved for the same market as the plug. Each region names its cords with its own code. This guide explains how to read them, so you can match a specification to the right CPENT cord.
European harmonised codes (H05VV-F, H03VVH2-F, H07RN-F)
Europe uses the CENELEC HD 361 designation. Read H05VV-F 3G1.0 from left to right:
| Part | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| H | Harmonised cable type | H = harmonised; A = recognised national type |
| 03 / 05 / 07 | Rated voltage U₀/U | 03 = 300/300 V, 05 = 300/500 V, 07 = 450/750 V |
| V (1st) | Insulation material | V = PVC, R = rubber |
| V (2nd) | Sheath material | V = PVC, N = polychloroprene (neoprene) |
| H2 | Construction | H2 = flat, divisible twin cord |
| -F | Conductor | F = fine-stranded flexible conductor |
| 3G1.0 | Cores and size | 3 cores including green/yellow earth (G), 1.0 mm² each; X = no earth core |
| Code | Description | Typical use | CPENT cords |
|---|---|---|---|
| H03VVH2-F | Flat PVC cord, 300/300 V | Light Class II appliances | CPT-21 |
| H03VV-F | Round PVC cord, 300/300 V | Light appliances, electronics | CPT-15 |
| H05VV-F | Round PVC cord, 300/500 V | Most household appliances and IT equipment | CPT-15 |
| H05RN-F | Rubber insulated, neoprene sheath, 300/500 V | Appliances needing flexibility or heat resistance | CPT-15 |
| H07RN-F | Heavy rubber cord, 450/750 V | Outdoor, industrial and tool use | CPT-15 |
Chinese codes (60227 IEC 52 / 53, RVV)
China uses GB/T 5023, which follows IEC 60227. RVV is the Chinese name for a PVC-insulated, PVC-sheathed flexible cord.
| Code | Equivalent | Rating | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60227 IEC 52 (RVV) | ≈ H03VV-F | 300/300 V, 70 °C | Light-duty cords up to 0.75 mm² |
| 60227 IEC 53 (RVV) | ≈ H05VV-F | 300/500 V, 70 °C | Ordinary cords, 0.75–2.5 mm² |
CPENT's China cords use both. See CPT-10 and CPT-12.
North American codes (SPT, SVT, SJT, SJOW)
North American flexible cords are named by letters. The size is given in AWG, for example SJT 18/3 = three 18 AWG conductors.
| Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| S | Service cord (600 V, extra-hard usage) |
| SJ | Junior service (300 V, hard usage) |
| SV | Vacuum cleaner cord (300 V, light duty) |
| SP | Parallel (flat, zip) cord; SPT-1, -2, -3 have increasing insulation thickness |
| T | Thermoplastic (PVC) insulation and jacket |
| E | Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) |
| O | Oil-resistant outer jacket (OO = jacket and insulation) |
| W | Rated for outdoor and wet locations |
| Cord | Typical use | CPENT cords |
|---|---|---|
| SPT-1 / SPT-2 / SPT-3 | Lamps, small appliances, 2-wire cords | CPT-13 |
| SVT | Computers, monitors, light appliances | CPT-14 |
| SJT | Appliances and IT equipment, hard usage | CPT-14 |
| SJTW | Outdoor-rated SJT | CPT-14A |
| SJOW | Oil-resistant outdoor cord for tools and machines | CPT-14 |
Japanese codes (VFF, HVFF, VCTF, VCTFK)
| Code | Description | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| VFF | Vinyl parallel (flat) cord | 60 °C |
| HVFF | Heat-resistant vinyl parallel cord | 75 °C |
| VCTF | Vinyl cabtyre round cord | 60 °C |
| VCTFK | Vinyl cabtyre flat (oval) cord | 60 °C |
| HVCTF / HVCTFK | Heat-resistant versions of VCTF / VCTFK | 75 °C |
All are rated 300 V. See CPT-17 and CPT-18.
AWG to mm² conversion
| AWG | Cross-section (mm²) | Nearest metric size used on cords |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 0.52 | 0.5 mm² |
| 18 | 0.82 | 0.75 mm² |
| 16 | 1.31 | 1.0 / 1.25 mm² |
| 14 | 2.08 | 1.5 / 2.0 mm² |
| 12 | 3.31 | 2.5 mm² (next larger: 4.0 mm²) |
| 10 | 5.26 | 4.0 / 6.0 mm² |
AWG and metric sizes are not exact equivalents. The approved conductor size always comes from the certificate for the destination market.
Conductor colour codes
| Conductor | North America | Harmonised (Europe, IEC) |
|---|---|---|
| Live (L) | Black | Brown |
| Neutral (N) | White | Blue |
| Earth / ground (E) | Green | Green/yellow |