UL 2250 2022-03 PDF

Full title and description

UL 2250 — Instrumentation Tray Cable. Requirements for Type ITC instrumentation tray cables (electrical and hybrid electrical/optical-fiber) intended for use on low‑voltage instrumentation and control circuits; covers constructions, marking, performance (including vertical‑tray flame testing), sunlight resistance, optional shielding/armor and ER (exposed run) marking.

Abstract

This standard (UL 2250, Edition 3) defines safety and performance requirements for instrumentation tray cables (Type ITC). It specifies conductor and jacket construction options (including grounding conductors and optional optical‑fiber members), voltage/current limits for intended use, flame‑propagation test references, sunlight‑resistance requirements and application‑specific markings (e.g., "-OF", "sun res", "-ER"). The standard is maintained by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

General information

• Status: Active (Edition 3).
• Publication date: Published March 30, 2017 (Edition 3); redline/revision published March 30, 2022; later revisions listed (e.g., June 12, 2025).
• Publisher: Underwriters Laboratories (UL Standards / UL Solutions).
• ICS / categories: Electrical wires and cables — cabling/cable construction (commonly classified under ICS 29.060 — electrical wires and cables).
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (active); redline revision 2022‑03 (March 30, 2022).
• Number of pages: Not specified on the public product listing; page count is typically provided with the purchased document from the publisher.

Scope

Applies to Type ITC instrumentation tray cables consisting of two or more current‑carrying copper or thermocouple alloy conductors, with or without grounding conductor(s) and/or one or more optical‑fiber members, all under an overall jacket. Intended for use on circuits rated 150 V or less and 5 A or less (cables rated 300 V). The scope also addresses vertical‑tray flame‑exposure performance (UL 1685 or FT4/IEEE 1202 methods), sunlight‑resistance testing and ER (exposed run) use limitations.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of Type ITC (Instrumentation Tray Cable) constructions: conductor materials, insulation, overall jacket, optional armor or metal sheath.
• Electrical ratings and intended circuit use: intended for circuits ≤150 V and ≤5 A; cables are rated 300 V.
• Flame and fire performance: vertical‑tray flame tests (UL 1685 or FT4/IEEE 1202) and provisions for limited‑smoke constructions.
• Marking and special designations: "-OF" for optical‑fiber members, "sun res" for sunlight resistance, "-ER" for exposed‑run (limited) usage and associated distance/support requirements.
• Optional hybrid electrical/optical constructions and exclusions (does not cover optical performance of fiber members).

Typical use and users

Used by cable manufacturers, electrical specifiers, OEMs and procurement teams in process industries, petrochemical plants, utilities, and industrial facilities for design, selection and testing of instrumentation/control cabling installed in cable trays and exposed runs. Also used by testing and certification bodies and electrical inspectors to verify compliance with UL requirements and relevant NEC provisions.

Related standards

UL 2250 references and is associated with other UL and industry standards addressing cable construction and fire testing, for example UL 1685 (vertical‑tray fire‑propagation and smoke‑release test), UL 83 (thermoplastic‑insulated wires and cables), UL 13 (power‑limited circuit cables), UL 1569 (metal‑clad cables) and UL 1581 (reference tests for wires and cables). It is applied alongside applicable NEC (ANSI/NFPA 70) requirements (Article 727 and related sections).

Keywords

UL 2250, Instrumentation Tray Cable, Type ITC, ITC-ER, instrumentation cable, vertical tray flame test, UL 1685, FT4, IEEE 1202, sunlight resistance, NEC Article 727.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: UL 2250 is a UL safety standard titled "Instrumentation Tray Cable" that sets construction, marking and performance requirements for Type ITC instrumentation tray cables used for low‑voltage instrumentation and control circuits.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers construction options (conductors, insulation, jacket, optional armor/sheath, optional optical‑fiber members), electrical ratings and intended circuit use, required flame/fire performance tests (vertical‑tray methods), sunlight resistance, special markings (e.g., -OF, sun res, -ER) and application limits such as ER exposed‑run distance/support. It does not set optical performance requirements for fiber members.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Cable manufacturers, product designers, electrical specifiers, testing/laboratory personnel, certification bodies, procurement teams, and authorities having jurisdiction (electrical inspectors) involved in selecting, producing, certifying or inspecting instrumentation tray cable installations.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Edition 3 is the active edition. Edition 3 was published March 30, 2017 with subsequent redline/revision activity including a March 30, 2022 redline and later revisions noted by the publisher (e.g., June 12, 2025). Check the publisher's document listing for the most recent revision or redline.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: UL 2250 is part of the family of UL standards addressing wires, cables and cable testing; it references and interacts with other UL standards (for example UL 1685, UL 83, UL 13, UL 1569, UL 1581) and is used in conjunction with the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Instrumentation Tray Cable, Type ITC, ITC‑ER, UL 2250, UL 1685, vertical‑tray flame test, sunlight resistance, NEC Article 727.