Tri-rated cable is a flexible, single core wire often used in control panels, while H07V2-K is a harmonised, high temperature flexible single core intended for fixed wiring in conduits and trunking, so the right choice depends on the standard you need to meet and where the cable will be installed.
Key takeaways
Tri-rated is commonly selected for control panels and enclosures, while H07V2-K is a harmonised cable type used for fixed wiring in protected routes.
The “V2” in H07V2-K indicates a higher temperature PVC insulation than standard H07V-K, which can matter in warmer environments.
Always match the cable to the job, the installation method, and any spec you must comply with, not just the conductor size.
What tri-rated cable is
Tri-rated cable is a flexible single core cable used heavily in control panels, switchgear, and machinery wiring. People often choose it because it is easy to route neatly in trunking, easy to terminate, and available in many colours for clear identification.
The “tri-rated” label refers to the cable being made to satisfy more than one standard or approval route. That matters most in industrial and panel building environments where a spec may call for compliance with certain international norms.
Typical uses for tri-rated cable
Tri-rated cable is usually chosen for:
internal panel wiring
links between devices in enclosures
control circuits and auxiliaries
tidy trunking runs where flexibility helps
It is generally not the first choice for exposed, unsupported runs or harsh outdoor environments unless the spec explicitly allows it and the installation method provides protection.
What H07V2-K is
H07V2-K is a harmonised flexible single core cable. It is typically specified for fixed wiring, installed in conduit, trunking, or similar protected routes.
The “H” indicates harmonised, meaning it follows a harmonised European designation. The “07” indicates a 450/750V rated cable. The “K” indicates a flexible conductor class, which is why it is often chosen when installers want flexibility but still need a cable type aligned with harmonised designations.
The key point about the V2 insulation
The “V2” part indicates a higher temperature PVC insulation compared with standard H07V-K. In practical terms, it can be a sensible choice where temperatures may be higher, such as in trunking close to warm equipment or in plant rooms.
Even so, cable selection should always be based on the full installation conditions, not one part of the designation.
The difference in plain English
People often mix these up because both are flexible single core wires and can look similar. The difference is not about colour or how bendy it feels. It is about intended use, designation, and what a spec is likely to accept.
Tri-rated tends to be selected because it is a recognised control panel wire type with multi-standard acceptance.
H07V2-K tends to be selected because it is a harmonised cable designation used for fixed wiring in protected routes, with higher temperature PVC insulation.
If your job is built around a specific cable designation, the name on the sheath matters.
Where each cable typically fits best
Control panels and enclosures
Tri-rated is often the default in panel wiring because it suits tight internal layouts and is widely used in that setting.
H07V2-K can be used in panels too, but it is more likely to appear when the build spec is harmonised cable throughout, or when the installer wants a harmonised designation for documentation consistency.
Conduit and trunking runs in buildings
H07V2-K is typically used for fixed wiring in conduit or trunking.
Tri-rated can be used in similar protected routes if the spec permits it, but it is less commonly specified for building services by designation. For many projects, paperwork and inspection expectations drive the decision.
Higher temperature areas
H07V2-K is often chosen where higher temperature PVC insulation is useful. Tri-rated cable temperature capability varies by product, so you must check the datasheet.
If temperature is a key risk, treat it as a selection requirement rather than an assumption.
How to choose between them
1) Start with the specification
If a drawing, panel schedule, or client spec calls for H07V2-K, use it. If it calls for tri-rated, use tri-rated.
Substituting one for the other without sign-off can create compliance issues, even if the electrical performance is broadly similar.
2) Confirm the installation method
Ask yourself where the cable will physically sit:
H07V2-K is normally used in protected routes. Tri-rated is typically used where the cable is protected inside equipment or trunking.
If a cable is likely to be exposed to damage, the better fix is usually mechanical protection, not a different single core type.
3) Size the conductor correctly
Both cable types are commonly selected by conductor size in mm². Correct sizing depends on:
design current
run length and voltage drop limits
installation grouping and containment
ambient temperature and derating factors
If you are working from an existing design, follow it. If you are designing the circuit, use appropriate design guidance and confirm the final choice against the cable’s datasheet.
4) Consider identification and maintainability
Colour coding matters in panel work and maintenance. Tri-rated is often stocked in a broad colour range for that reason.
H07V2-K is also available in multiple colours, but availability can vary by supplier and size. If the job needs a lot of cores, make sure you can source all colours consistently.
5) Think about inspection and paperwork
H07V2-K’s harmonised designation can make it easier to evidence that the cable type meets the expected category for fixed wiring in protected routes.
Tri-rated tends to fit better in control panel documentation and wiring schedules, especially on machinery builds.
Common mistakes to avoid
Picking by habit rather than the project spec.
Assuming all “flexible singles” have the same temperature rating.
Using either cable where it is exposed to damage, without adding mechanical protection.
Forgetting that compliance is sometimes about designation and documentation, not just performance.
Quick selection checklist
Use this to make a sensible call before ordering:
Do you have a spec calling for one designation?
Is the cable installed in trunking or conduit, or inside an enclosure?
Is higher temperature a factor in the route?
Have you sized the conductor with current, length, and derating in mind?
Can you source the colours you need for identification?
Do you have datasheets to support compliance and sign-off?
FAQs
Is tri-rated cable the same as H07V2-K?
No. They can be similar in how they handle and where they can be installed, but they are different cable types with different designation and typical use cases. If a job specifies one, you should not assume the other is an automatic substitute.
Can I use tri-rated cable instead of H07V2-K?
Only if the project spec and the installer or designer accept it. In some environments, designation matters for compliance and inspection, so you should treat substitution as a change request, not a casual swap.
Can I use H07V2-K inside a control panel?
Yes, it can be used in control panels, particularly when a spec calls for harmonised cable types. Still, many panel builders choose tri-rated because it is widely used for that purpose and often stocked in the colours needed for clear identification.
Which is better for higher temperatures?
H07V2-K is designed as a higher temperature PVC insulated option compared with standard H07V-K. Tri-rated cable temperature performance depends on the specific product, so you need to check the datasheet.
Are both suitable for 230V control circuits?
Both are commonly used in control systems, but suitability depends on the full design, including protection, routing, and compliance requirements. Always follow the circuit design and relevant standards for the installation.
Do I need conduit or trunking for these cables?
H07V2-K is typically used in conduit or trunking for fixed wiring. Tri-rated is often used inside enclosures or in protected trunking. If the cable could be exposed to damage, mechanical protection is usually required regardless of type.
