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Electrical Cable Types, Sizes, and Installation

An electric cable has the purpose of transporting electrical energy from one point to another. Depending on their final applica-
tion, cables can have different configurations, always basing their design on national and international regulations.

Electric cables Voltage

 Índice de contenidos [Ocultar]

Electric cables Voltage

Types of electric cable by their use
Low voltage cables
Cables for electric panels
Power cables
Armoured cables
Rubber cables
Halogen-free cables
Fire resistant cables
Control cables
Instrumentation cables
Solar cables
Special cables
Aluminium cables
Medium Voltage Cables
RHZ1
HEPRZ1
MV-90
RHVhMVh
Components of an electrical cable
Types of electric conductors
Types of insulation for electric cables
1. Thermoplastic insulation
2. Thermosetting insulation
Types of metal protections for electrical cables
Nomenclature of electrical cables according to standards
Designation according to type of insulation
Screen designation, interior lining, armature seat
Designation of the different types of armor
Designation of the outer sheath
Conductor’s designation
Tensión nominal
Explanation of the number of conductors
Cable design rules
Additional data
Dimensioning criteria of electrical conductors
Electric cable measurements
Types of colours in electrical cables and their meaning
Related post

An electric cable is measured in volts and, depending on these, they are categorized into one group or another:

Low voltage cables (up to 750 V): in a variety of applications, and with thermoplastic and thermoset coatings. They are de-
signed and built according to harmonized standards.

Low Voltage cables (up to 1,000 V): (also called (0,6/1 kV) The cables in this section are used for industrial power in-
stallations in various fields (general industry, public installations, infrastructures, etc.). They are designed according to
international standards (UNE, IEC, BS, UL).
 Medium Voltage cables: from 1 kV to 36 kV. They are used to distribute electricity from electrical substations to trans-
former stations.

High Voltage cables: from 36 kV. They are used to transport electricity from the generating plants to the electrical
substations.

Types of electric cable by their use

Low voltage cables

Cables for electric panels

Flexible cables for wiring electric cabinets. These electric cables are especially suitable for domestic use, for installation in
public places and for internal wiring of electrical cabinets, switch boxes and small electrical appliances.

Power cables

Energy cables for industrial facilities and public places. It is common to find power cables in applications for power trans-
mission in all types of low voltage connections, for industrial use and for variable frequency drive (VFD).

Armoured cables

Cables with aluminium or steel reinforcement for installations with risk of mechanical aggression. It is also common to find
armoured cables in places where rodents are present, as well as in installations in premises with a risk of fire and explosion
(ATEX).

Rubber cables

The use of extra flexible rubber cables is very varied. We can find rubber cables in fixed industrial installations as well as in
mobile service. Welding cables should have a rubber sheath, which allows high currents to be transmitted between the weld-
ing generator and the electrode.

Halogen-free cables

High Security Halogen Free (LSZH) Cables with low smoke and corrosive gas emission in case of fire are suitable for use in
wiring of electrical panels and public places, installations of all kinds in public places, individual derivations, emergency cir-
cuits, public distribution networks and also for mobile service.

Fire resistant cables

These cables are specially designed to transmit electrical energy in the extreme conditions that occur during a prolonged
fire, guaranteeing supply to emergency equipment such as signalling, smoke extractors, acoustic alarms, water pumps, etc.
Their use is recommended in emergency circuits in places with public concurrence.

Control cables

Control cables for fixed or mobile installations should be extremely flexible, as they are mainly designed for small household
appliances, for the interconnection of machine parts used for manufacturing, for signalling and control systems, for the connec-
tion of motors or frequency converters, for signal transmission where the voltage induced by an external electromagnetic field
may affect the transmitted signal or for power supply connections to avoid generating electromagnetic fields.

Instrumentation cables
These are flexible and shielded cables for the transmission of signals between equipment in industrial installations.
Especially suitable for optimum data transmission in environments with a high level of electromagnetic interference.

Solar cables

These cables are particularly suitable for connecting photovoltaic panels, and from the panels to the DC to AC inverter.
Thanks to the design of their materials and their cover, which is especially resistant to solar radiation and extreme tempera-
tures, they can be installed outdoors with full guarantees.

Special cables

There is a wide variety of electric cables for special installations such as: temporary light garland installations at trade fairs;
connections for overhead cranes, hoists and lifts; applications in submerged pumps and drinking water areas such as aquari-
ums, purification systems, drinking water fountains or in swimming pools for lighting, purification and cleaning systems.

Aluminium cables

Aluminium cables for power transmission are suitable for fixed installation indoors, outdoors and/or underground.

Medium Voltage Cables

RHZ1

Medium Voltage Cable type RHZ1 with XLPE insulation, halogen free and non flame and/or fire propagating. They are cables
perfectly adapted for the transportation and distribution of energy in Medium Voltage networks.

HEPRZ1

Medium Voltage cable with HEPR insulation, halogen-free and not flame- and/or fire-propagating Ideal for the transportation
and distribution of energy in Medium Voltage networks.

MV-90

Medium Voltage cable with XLPE insulation, according to American standard. For transportation and distribution of energy in
Medium Voltage networks.

RHVhMVh

Copper and aluminium medium voltage cable for special applications. Especially recommended for installations where there is
a risk of presence of oils and chemical agents of the hydrocarbon type or their derivatives.

Components of an electrical cable

An electric cable consists of:

Electric conductor: which channels the flow of electricity

Insulation: it covers and contains the electric flow in the conductor.

Auxiliary elements: that protect the cable and guarantee its longevity.

Outer sheath: it covers all the mentioned materials protecting them from the outside.
Types of electric conductors

Bare wire conductor: single wire in solid state, not flexible and without coating.

Aluminum electrical conductors: in some cases, aluminum conductors are also used, despite the fact that this metal is 60%
worse conductor than copper.

Copper electrical conductors: the most commonly used material.

Flexible copper wire conductor: it is a set of fine wires covered by an insulating material. They are flexible and malleable.

Single-core cable: a cable with a single conductor.

Multi-core cable: a cable that has several conductors.

Types of insulation for electric cables

The insulation consists of placing an insulating coating on the conductor to prevent current leakage. They are classified into
two large groups: thermoplastic and thermoset.

1. Thermoplastic insulation

They are most common in the manufacture of electrical cables are:

PVC:Polyvinyl chloride

Z1: Polyolefins

PE: Linear polyethylene

PU: Polyurethane

2. Thermosetting insulation

The most common are:

 EPR: Ethylene Propylene

XLPE: Crosslinked Polyethylene

EVA: Ethyl Vinyl Acetate

SI: Silicone

PCP: Neoprene

SBR: Natural Rubber

Types of metal protections for electrical cables

In some cases, the cables may have metal shields.

Screens: these are electrical metal protections applied to isolate the signals that pass through the interior of the cable from
possible external interference.

Armours: these are mechanical protections that protect the cable from possible external aggressions: animals, blows, etc.

Nomenclature of electrical cables according to standards

Each cable has a standard designation. This designation is composed of a set of letters and numbers, each with a specific
meaning. This designation refers to a series of product characteristics (materials, nominal tensions, etc.) that facilitate the se-
lection of the most suitable cable for your needs, avoiding possible errors in the supply of one cable by another.

When a cable does not clearly indicate these data, it may be a defective cable, which does not comply with safety regulations
or guarantee the cable’s life and proper operation.

Designation according to type of insulation

nomenclature Cable type

R Crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE)

X Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE)

Z1 Halogen-free thermoplastic polyolefin

Z Halogen-free thermosetting elastomer

V Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

S Halogen-free thermosetting silicone compound

D Ethylene-propylene elastomer (EPR)

Screen designation, interior lining, armature seat

nomenclature Cable type

C3 Copper wire screen, helically arranged

C4 Copper shield in the form of a braid, on the assembled insulated conductors.

V Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Z1 Halogen-free thermoplastic polyolefin

If there is no screen, no inner lining and no armature seat, no letter is used.

Designation of the different types of armor

nomenclature Cable type

F Steel strapping arranged in a helical pattern.

FA Aluminium strapping arranged in a helical pattern

FA3 Longitudinally corrugated aluminium strip

M Steel wire crown

MA Aluminium wire crown

Designation of the outer sheath

nomenclature Cable type

V Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Z1 Halogen-free thermoplastic polyolefin

Z Halogen-free thermosetting elastomer

N Vulcanized chlorinated polymer

Conductor’s designation

nomencla- Cable type

ture

K Flexible copper (class 5) for fixed installations

F Flexible copper (class 5) for mobile services

D Flexible for welding machine cables. When there are no letters on it, the conductor is made of solid cop-
per, class 1 or 2.

AL AL If the conductor is made of aluminium, (AL) is indicated.

Tensión nominal

Rated voltage

0,6/1 kV Rated voltage 1,000V

Explanation of the number of conductors

nomenclature Cable type

nGS Number and cross-section of wires, in mm2 , with Yellow/Green conductor

nxS Number and cross-section of conductors, in mm2 , without conductor Yellow/Green

Cable design rules

The cable design rules are also referenced in the marking of each cable:

UNE 21123

IEC 60502

UNE 21150

Additional data

nomencla- Cable type

ture

CE CE CE marking is compulsory for the marketing of the product in the European Community. This marking
 can be on the product or on the packaging.

Manufacture Date of manufacture (YYMMDD). The date of manufacture is usually placed for traceability purposes.
date Traceability makes it possible to know who, when and where has carried out each stage of the process
and with which materials.

You can review concepts through this video that we have prepared:

Dimensioning criteria of electrical conductors

There are two sizing criteria for copper conductors:

In the AWG-American Wire Gauge, conductors are defined by specifying a number of wires and a diameter of each wire.

In European sizing (mm2), the conductors are defined by specifying the maximum resistance of the conductor (Ω/km). Solid
or flexible conductors are defined by specifying the minimum number of wires or the maximum diameter of the wires that
form it. In addition, the actual geometrical sections are somewhat smaller than those indicated as nominal.

Electric cable measurements

CROSS-SECTION in (AWG) CURRENT USED

mm2 CONSUMPTION

25 mm2 4 Very high Central air conditioning and industrial equipment..

 16 mm2 6 High air Conditioners, electric stoves and electric power
connections.

10 mm2 8 Medium high Refrigerators and dryers.

6 mm2 10 Medium Microwave and blenders

4 mm2 12 Medium Lighting

2.5 mm2 14 Under Lamps

1.5 mm2 16 Very low Thermostats, bells or security systems.

Types of colours in electrical cables and their meaning

The colours of the electrical cables are governed by the International Electrical Commission Standard IEC 60446. For the
identification of the conductors, the following colors are allowed: black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet,
gray, white, pink and turquoise.

Neutral conductor: blue. It is recommended not to use more blue conductors to avoid confusion.

Phase conductor: black, grey or brown.

Protective or earthing conductor: two colours, yellow and green. The use of yellow or green single-coloured cables is only
permitted in places where, for safety reasons, there is no possibility of confusion with the earthing system.

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 9 Thoughts On “Electrical Cable Types, Sizes, And Installation”

Jan Myburgh
2 February, 2021 at 07:44

Good day.

Please quote on:50 meters Instrument cable Type R , 12 pair multicore for marshalling cabinet ,with grey outer shield . ( 12 x 2 x
0.75 )

Regards

Emine Caliskan
2 February, 2021 at 14:45

Dear Sir,

We have a project in Merida / Mexico. That’s why we would like to supply the cables in Mexico. Could you send an offer the ca-
bles asap please ?

Hola,

Tenemos un proyecto en la ciudad de Mérida. Necesitamos con urgencia los siguientes cables para este proyecto. Por esta
razón, queremos obtener los cables de México. Estaría muy contento si pudiera enviar su oferta con el mejor precio hoy.

180 meters of 4G95 / Shield

90 meters of 4G185 / Shield

Bhekumuzi Nhleko
5 February, 2021 at 11:59

Good day

I write this email to make a enquiry about cable, I wanted a quote on this type (CABLE ELECT:600/1000 V;4;CU STRANDED)
here is the spec (CABLE, ELECTRICAL: VOLTAGE: 600/1000 V; CORE QUANTITY: 4; CONDUCTOR MATERIAL: CU STRANDED;
CONDUCTOR SIZE: 95 MM2; ARMOR: UNARMORED; DESIGN TYPE: BVV04PCM; BEDDING LAYER MATERIAL: PVC; SHEATH
MATERIAL: LOW HALOGEN PVC SHEATHED BLACK WITH BLUE STRIPE; STANDARD: SANS1507 PART3; CONDUCTOR: 25MM;
COVERING: PVC; RATING: 0.6/1 KV; SPECIFICATION: SANS 1507-3; APPLICATION: LOW VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION; LENGTH:
DRUM 1000 M; PVC PVC UNARMOURED PVC FIRE RETARDANT (FR) BLACK/BLUE (LHFR) FOUR CORE LV CABLE; VENDORS
ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THEY ARE PERFORMING AGAINST THE CORRECT) your assistance will be
appreciated

Kind regards

Somayaji
6 February, 2021 at 06:37

what is a YRY cable? I understood it as a cross linked aluminium armoured Cu cable. but, what was indecated by YRY?

Engr. Md. Jahangir Hossain Khan

18 February, 2021 at 08:22

Please give Tale Sheet Relationship between cable size and current rating

Mukkara ramu
28 February, 2021 at 14:01

Hi sir good information please I want in pdf can you please send

Thanks sir
Mukkara ramu
28 February, 2021 at 14:03

I want electrical basic interview questions

Karugaba Charles
11 March, 2021 at 07:12

Hello,

We need to purchase from you the products as in order listed below;

Under ground cables

CU/XLPE/SWA/PVC (600-1000V)

4core x 25mm2 @ 15000m

4core x 35mm2 @ 15000m

Our clients are to make payment on terms of O.A 45 days t/t under export

credit insurance cover and the order is to be shipped to Mombasa port of

Kenya.

Regards,

Karugaba Charles(Sales Manager)

FIESTA INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LTD

Plot 7 Industrial Area,

7th Street Opp City Oil,

Kampala-Uganda

Tel;+256414699340

Whatsapp Mob:+256771386708

syambarley
3 April, 2021 at 07:06

Your article has in-depth information about the wires their types and so on. Your blog helped to extract deep knowledge about
the wires and cables. Thanks for sharing.