If you manufacture small appliances, lighting, or office equipment for the European market, you’ve almost certainly specified H03VV-F — the 300/300V harmonised PVC-insulated, PVC-sheathed flexible cord. But there’s a close sibling that often gets overlooked: H03VVH2-F. Same voltage, same conductor, same insulation and sheath compounds — yet structurally very different.
The “H2” in H03VVH2-F is the entire story: it denotes a flat, non-separated 2-core parallel structure, while H03VV-F is a round, stranded multi-core cable. That single structural difference cascades into bending behaviour, stripping speed, space savings, and which applications each one is truly suited for.
This guide breaks down the two side-by-side, so your next European appliance BOQ gets the right cable the first time.
Decoding the Model Codes
Both cables follow the European harmonised (HAR) convention:
|
Code Segment
|
H03VV-F
|
H03VVH2-F
|
|---|---|---|
|
H
|
Harmonised European cable (HAR/CE)
|
Harmonised European cable (HAR/CE)
|
|
03
|
Rated voltage 300/300 V
|
Rated voltage 300/300 V
|
|
V / V
|
PVC insulation + PVC sheath
|
PVC insulation + PVC sheath
|
|
H2
|
—
|
Flat, non-separated 2-core parallel structure
|
|
F
|
Class 5 fine-stranded flexible copper
|
Class 5 fine-stranded flexible copper
|
In plain terms:
- H03VV-F = round, multi-core (2/3/4/5-core), cores stranded into a circular profile
- H03VVH2-F = flat, 2-core only, parallel side-by-side, extruded into one flat profile
Shared Base Parameters
Everything below is identical for both cables:
|
Parameter
|
Value (Both Cables)
|
|---|---|
|
Rated voltage
|
300/300 V AC
|
|
Withstand voltage test
|
2000 V AC
|
|
Conductor
|
Class 5 extra-fine bare copper (IEC 60228 / DIN VDE 0295)
|
|
Cross-sections
|
0.5 mm² and 0.75 mm² only
|
|
Insulation
|
PVC compound TI2 (EN 50363-3)
|
|
Sheath
|
PVC compound TM2 (EN 50363-4-1)
|
|
Long-term temperature
|
70°C (conductor)
|
|
Flexing temperature range
|
–5°C to +70°C
|
|
Fixed installation temp range
|
–40°C to +70°C
|
|
Flame retardancy
|
IEC 60332-1-2 / EN 60332-1-2 — self-extinguishing
|
|
Standards
|
EN 50525-2-11 / DIN VDE 0285-525-2-11 / IEC 60227-5
|
|
Certifications
|
VDE, HAR, CE, RoHS
|
📌 The only thing that differs is internal core arrangement and external shape — round & multi-core vs flat & 2-core.
Full Side-by-Side Comparison
|
Comparison Item
|
H03VV-F (Round)
|
H03VVH2-F (Flat)
|
|---|---|---|
|
Internal arrangement
|
Cores stranded into round profile; 2/3/4/5-core full range
|
2 cores parallel side-by-side, no stranding; 2-core only
|
|
External shape
|
Cylindrical round
|
Thin flat elongated profile
|
|
Jacket stripping
|
Whole round profile — slightly more effort to strip
|
Thin flat side wall — knife slit strips quickly, plug processing is faster
|
|
Bend performance
|
Uniform bending in all directions; good flex life
|
Can only bend along the flat plane; folding up/down easily crushes sheath & damages insulation
|
|
Mechanical wear
|
Round sheath distributes force evenly; resists pulling & corner friction
|
Flat sides have thinner wall; dragging easily cuts; weaker crush resistance
|
|
Heat dissipation
|
Air gaps between cores → better heat dissipation
|
Two cores tightly adjacent → slightly poorer heat dissipation, higher temperature rise in enclosed spaces
|
|
Available core counts
|
2×0.5/0.75, 3×0.5/0.75, 4×0.5/0.75, 5×0.5/0.75
|
Only 2×0.5 and 2×0.75
|
|
Wiring space
|
Round profile occupies larger hole diameter
|
Ultra-thin — fits into narrow gypsum gaps, decorative grooves, furniture cavities
|
|
Applications
|
Devices needing earth (3-core with green/yellow); multi-angle twisting; ceiling/tray long pulls; 3/4-core circuits
|
Table/floor lamps, radios, small 2-pin appliances; narrow gaps & decorative grooves; high-volume 2-pin plug assembly; short fixed runs with minimal twisting
|
Six Practical Differences That Drive Selection
1. Core Count — The Hard Limit
- H03VV-F: 2, 3, 4, or 5 cores. Includes green/yellow earth from 3 cores upward.
- H03VVH2-F: 2 cores only. No earth, no 3-core version exists.
If your appliance needs a protective earth (most kitchen appliances, printers, computers, any Class I equipment), H03VV-F is mandatory. H03VVH2-F is only for Class II double-insulated appliances with 2-pin plugs.
2. Bending Behaviour — Direction Matters
- H03VV-F (round): Bends uniformly in all directions. Perfect for appliances whose cord gets twisted, coiled, and pulled from multiple angles (desk lamps with adjustable arms, power tools, vacuum cleaners).
- H03VVH2-F (flat): Bends only along its flat plane. Bending it “the wrong way” (folding the flat face) crushes the PVC wall, compressing the two cores together — risking insulation damage and short circuit.
Rule: If the cord experiences multi-directional flexing → H03VV-F. If it’s a short fixed run or gentle 2D routing → H03VVH2-F is fine.
3. Stripping Speed — Manufacturing Efficiency
- H03VV-F: Round jacket requires more force/care to strip; automated stripping machines handle it, but per-piece time is longer.
- H03VVH2-F: The thin flat side wall can be slit with a light knife pass — dramatically faster for high-volume plug/connector assembly.
For OEMs mass-producing 2-pin plugs (table lamps, radios, phone chargers), H03VVH2-F’s strip-and-terminate speed advantage translates into real production cost savings.
4. Space Saving — The Flat Advantage
- H03VVH2-F slides into gaps as narrow as a few millimetres: behind furniture, inside decorative moldings, through gypsum board seams, within appliance housings where round cable won’t fit.
- H03VV-F needs a larger hole — fine for open routing, but a non-starter in space-constrained internal appliance wiring.
Furniture manufacturers and lighting designers often specify H03VVH2-F by default purely for the space saving.
5. Mechanical Durability — Round Wins
- H03VV-F: Round geometry distributes tensile and abrasion forces evenly. Survives being dragged across floors, pulled through conduit, and stepped on far better.
- H03VVH2-F: Flat sides have thinner PVC wall. Dragging, corner friction, or crushing easily damages the jacket. Not suitable for any environment with mechanical abuse.
For any cord that will be handled, dragged, or exposed → H03VV-F. For hidden, fixed, protected runs → H03VVH2-F.
6. Heat Dissipation — Round Has the Edge
- H03VV-F: Air gaps between stranded cores allow better convective cooling.
- H03VVH2-F: The two parallel cores sit directly adjacent with minimal air gap → slightly higher temperature rise under load, especially in enclosed spaces.
In tight enclosures or high-ambient-temperature environments, H03VV-F’s thermal advantage matters. For short, low-current runs (typical lamp/radio loads), the difference is negligible.
Application Decision Tree
|
Scenario
|
Recommended
|
Why
|
|---|---|---|
|
Table lamp, floor lamp (2-pin, no earth)
|
H03VVH2-F
|
Space-saving, fast plug assembly, minimal flexing
|
|
Radio, small speaker, phone charger
|
H03VVH2-F
|
2-pin, hidden wiring, cost-effective
|
|
Desk lamp with adjustable arm (multi-angle twist)
|
H03VV-F (2-core)
|
Round bends uniformly in all directions
|
|
Kitchen appliance (fridge, microwave, kettle) — Class I, needs earth
|
H03VV-F (3-core)
|
Flat has no 3-core option
|
|
Printer, computer, monitor
|
H03VV-F (3-core)
|
Earth required
|
|
Decorative LED strip, narrow groove hidden wiring
|
H03VVH2-F
|
Fits where round can’t
|
|
Furniture cavity, behind headboard
|
H03VVH2-F
|
Ultra-thin profile
|
|
Vacuum cleaner, power tool (handled, dragged)
|
H03VV-F
|
Round resists mechanical abuse
|
|
High-volume 2-pin plug OEM production
|
H03VVH2-F
|
Fast stripping = lower assembly cost
|
|
Appliance internal wiring, 3/4-core control circuits
|
H03VV-F
|
Flat only comes in 2-core
|
|
Outdoor (not permitted for either)
|
Neither — use H05RN-F or H07RN-F
|
H03VV-F/F2 not rated for outdoor
|
Shared Restrictions (Both Cables)
⚠️ Regardless of round or flat, H03VV-F and H03VVH2-F share the same hard limits:
- No heating appliances (ovens, kettles, irons, heaters) — 70°C limit exceeded
- No outdoor use — UV degradation, moisture ingress
- No industrial equipment — mechanical stress exceeds design
- No direct burial — indoor dry, light-duty use only
- Max 0.75 mm² — for larger gauges, step up to H05VV-F or H05RN-F
FAQ
Q: Can I use H03VVH2-F for a 3-pin earthed appliance?
A: No. H03VVH2-F is 2-core only. For any Class I appliance requiring protective earth, you must use H03VV-F (3-core minimum).
Q: Is H03VVH2-F cheaper than H03VV-F?
A: Per metre, they’re very close — H03VVH2-F may be marginally cheaper due to simpler construction. The real saving is in assembly speed: stripping and terminating H03VVH2-F is significantly faster, reducing labour cost at scale.
Q: Can H03VVH2-F be used for a desk lamp with a 3-pin plug?
A: No — a 3-pin plug requires an earth core. Use H03VV-F 3×0.75 mm² instead. H03VVH2-F is exclusively for 2-pin Class II appliances.
Q: Does the flat shape affect current rating?
A: Slightly. The poorer heat dissipation of the flat profile means in enclosed/high-ambient conditions, H03VVH2-F may run a few degrees hotter than H03VV-F under identical load. For the low currents typical of 0.5/0.75 mm² (≤6A), this difference is negligible.
Q: Can I use H03VVH2-F for LED strip lighting in a narrow aluminum profile?
A: Yes — this is an ideal use case. The ultra-thin profile fits into profiles where round cable won’t, and LED strips draw minimal current (well within 0.75 mm² rating).
Q: Is the VDE certification the same for both?
A: Yes — both H03VV-F and H03VVH2-F are certified to EN 50525-2-11, carry VDE/HAR/CE marks, and satisfy the EU Low Voltage Directive. The certification differs only in the structural descriptor (round vs flat H2).
Why Source H03VV-F & H03VVH2-F from JZD Cable?
At JZD Cable, we manufacture both round and flat variants to full European compliance:
H03VV-F (Round, Multi-Core):
- 2-core: 2×0.5, 2×0.75 mm²
- 3-core: 3×0.5, 3×0.75 mm² (with green/yellow earth)
- 4-core: 4×0.5, 4×0.75 mm²
- 5-core: 5×0.5, 5×0.75 mm²
- Colour codes per DIN VDE 0293-308 (brown/blue/GN-YE standard)
H03VVH2-F (Flat, 2-Core):
- 2×0.5 mm², 2×0.75 mm²
- Parallel flat profile, ultra-thin
- Custom core colours available
Common specs for both:
- Conductor: Class 5 fine-stranded bare or tinned copper
- Insulation: PVC TI2, Sheath: PVC TM2
- Voltage: 300/300 V
- 70°C long-term rating, –5°C to +70°C flexing
- VDE + HAR + CE + RoHS + IEC 60332-1-2
- Sheath colours: black, white, grey standard; custom on request
- Reel lengths: 100m, 500m, 1000m, or cut-to-length
We serve European-market appliance OEMs, lighting manufacturers, office equipment brands, and distributors with bilingual (EN/DE) documentation and fast lead times.
📩 Need help deciding between H03VV-F and H03VVH2-F for your appliance?
Contact the JZD team at — tell us your appliance type (Class I or II), required core count, cross-section, and annual volume, and we’ll recommend the optimum structure and provide a competitive quote.
