Power cable is one type of electrical cables which used for transmission and distribution of electrical power between different points. Power cable consists of below parts:
1- Conductor: metallic wire which carries the power and signal.
Conductor material:
- Copper
- ATC: Annealed Tinned Copper
- ABC: Annealed Bare Copper
- TPC: Tin Plated Copper
- NPC: Nickel Plated Copper
- SPC: Silver Plated copper
- OFHC: Oxygen Free High Conductivity copper
- HSA: High Strength Copper Alloy
- Aluminum
- Steel
- Tinsel
Conductor classes:
- Class 1: Solid (round)
- Class 2: Stranded
- Class 5: Multi stranded
- Class 6: Extra multi stranded
Note1: Solid conductors are mechanically weak and after several times bending can be broken. To improve the cable flexibility, multiple wires are stranded together.
2- Insulation (primary insulation)
- PVC: Poly Vinyl Chloride
- PE: Polyethylene
- XLPE: Cross linked Polyethylene
3- Binder tape and filler: for multicores
4- Inner sheath
5- Beading / Armouring (only for special application): for extra mechanical protection and earthing (grounding)
6- Outer sheath (secondary insulation)
- PVC: Poly Vinyl Chloride
- PE: Polyethylene
- XLPE: Cross linked Polyethylene
- EPR: Ethylene Propylene Rubber
- Paper / Oil
Note2: Unearthed cables (used in unearthed systems) need higher insulation level compared to earthed cables.
7- Strength member
Note1: DIN VDE 0271 / 276 provides a structure for designation code of power cables.
Related standards
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