CABLES:

1.XLPE Cables
 XLPE is the recognized abbreviation for cross-linked polyethylene.
This and other cross-linked synthetic materials, of which EPR
(ethylene propylene rubber) is a notable example, are being
increasingly used as cable insulants for a wide range of voltages.
 Properties: Polyethylene has good electrical properties and in
particular a low dielectric loss factor, which gives it potential for use at
much higher voltages than PVC. Polyethylene has been and still is
used as a cable insulant, but, as a thermoplastic material, its
applications are limited by thermal constraints.
 The standard also covers cables with HEPR (hard ethylene
propylene rubber) insulation, but XLPE is the material most
commonly used. From 3.8kV up to 33kV, XLPE and EPR insulated
cables are covered by BS 6622 which specifies construction,
dimensions and requirements.
 To this end XLPE cables for 6.6 kV and above have semiconducting
screens over the conductor and over each insulated core. The
conductor screen is a thin layer extruded in the same operation as the
insulation and cross-linked with it so that the two components are
closely bonded. The screen over the core may be a similar extruded
layer or a layer of semiconducting paint with a semiconducting tape
applied over it.
 2.PVC CABLES:

 PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) is widely used in electrical cable construction for insulation, bedding and
sheathing. It was the 1950s when PVC started to replace rubber insulated and sheathed cables in
general household wiring due to its ease of processing. PVC is cost-effective and also has excellent
ageing properties and typically exceeds a 25 to 30 years service life.

 It’s considered to be one of the most versatile of the common thermoplastics due to the fact that its
properties can be easily modified - although PVC is inherently hard and rigid it is easily modified with
plasticizers, stabilizers, lubricants and various other ingredients and fillers that aid processing and
enhance various properties. It is also easy to process and recycle when used as a thermoplastic type.

 Under short circuit condition, xlpe cable can withstand up to 250ºC temperature
compared to 160ºC for PVC cables.