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What is cable?
Cables are nothing but insulated interconnection equipment used to transmit electrical
energy and communication signals. There are many types of cables are being
x
manufactured as per our application requirement. However, in this article, we are going
to deep dive into the various type of electrical cables.
Power cables are the well-insulated ability to carry high current with high voltage from the
generation station to the distribution station. Types of electrical cable are depending on
voltage level, installation, insulation, type of conductors, Number of the conductor, and
type of construction.
Voltage is an important factor when designing a cable. Based on the voltage the type of
electrical cables varies as,
Low tension cables (LT): The cables which are having a voltage level of below 1.1kV
called LT cables. Such cables are used in the application below 1.1kv such as
domestic and industrial applications. Mostly PVC or XLPE insulation are used.
High Tension Cables (HT): Such cables are operating less than 11kV. They are used
in the input of any transformer/generator which is having 11kV as the input voltage.
XLPE insulation is used.
Super Tension Cable: (ST): It has an operating voltage level of up to 33kV. XLPE and
glass insulation are used. Dielectric stress will be 40kV/cm.
Extra Super Tension cables (EST): The cables whose operating voltage is more
33kV such cables are called as Extra super tension cables. Low viscosity mineral oil +
XLPE + Glass combined insulation are used. The main advantage of oil insulation
cables is the oil will not ionize at the high voltage. The weight of the cable is very high.
They are preferred to lay underground.
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Overhead cables: The cables are laid in open space with the support of the cable
tray. The outer part of the cable is visible in normal eyes. The cable failure is less.
Under Ground cables: The cables are laid underground. They have many
advantages of Higher safety, less space, less cost and 5% high current carrying
x capacity.
Submarine Cable: A waterproof cable will be laid under the water i.e Sea, such
cables are called submarine cables.
Why insulation is important? Insulation is the outer part of the conductor. It should have
high-temperature stability.
The insulation used to protect the conductor from touching foreign particles. The voltage
level of the cable depends on the insulation level only. Based on insulation, cables are
classified as
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Vulcanized Indian rubber cables: A small VIR coating of the tinned conductor is
called VIR cables. They are used for house wiring. The main disadvantage of VIR is
high Sulphur content corrode the copper. They are not suitable for industrial
applications.
PVC insulated cables: Poly Vinyl Chloride material is used as insulation. They are
suitable for both domestic and industrial applications. The cable withstands up to
75deg. But they are not suitable for high voltage and high power applications.
x XLPE cables: A cross-linked polyethylene is called as XLPE cables. They withstand
up to 90deg and having a dielectric strength of 20kV/mm. These cables have been
found very suitable for all voltages up to 33 kV.
Lead sheathed cables: The lead layer is used as insulating material. It is suitable for
instrumentation cables.
Paper insulated cables: Impregnated paper is used as insulation material and having
good temperature proper as well as dielectric strength of 30kV/mm.
Oil-filled cables: It used in high voltage applications. Oil is used as an insulation
medium.
External Pressure cables: High-pressure gas+ insulating oil is used as insulation
material.
Based on Conductor:
A conductor is a current-carrying part of the cable. Also, the type of cable is varied based
on the type of conductor is used. They are,
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Cables can be classified based on the number of conductors is used in it. They are,
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Single Core: Only one conductor is used for internal house wiring, starter wiring,
panel wiring, etc. Example: 1C*2.5sqmm cable
Two core: Two conductors are used for transferring electricity. They are mainly used
to transferring single-phase supply, DC supply, two-phase supply, etc. Example:
2C*4sqmm cable
Three core: Three conductors are used to transfer three-phase supply. 3C*6 Sqmm
cable
x Three and a half core: Three sold core and one is half of the core is called three and
a half core. They are used for transferring Three-phase + Neutral supply. Example:
3.5C*10sqmm
Four core: 4 cores are used in a single cable. Example: 4C*120sqmm
Flat cable: All the core in the cable will be placed in the parallel line. They can be laid
on the open ground.
Flexible cable: The flexible does not come with the protection armored layer.
Armored cable: The metal armored is used as the protection layer which protects the
cable from physical damage.
Interview Question:
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The three individual core is screened along with the overall sheath such cables are
called H-type cable.
The three individual core is screened along with the individual sheath such cables are
x
called SL type cable.
It is a combination of H and SL Type. Three core individually screened along with the
indicial sheath and over sheath.
I have experienced with Finolex, RPG, Polycap, etc. But Polycap is the best one.
The current carrying capacity varies according to the manufacturer. You can read this
detailed article.
No, Do not load the cable more than 65% of its maximum.
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Wire is a single part of the cable. Cable carry high current and wire carries smaller
current.
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