KEMA PVC Outer Sheathed UHV XLPE Insulated Cable
UHV XLPE insulated cable
XLPE insulated cable
The basic material of XLPE is polyethylene, which is chemically converted into cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) through the cross-linking reaction of organic peroxides. The cross-linking method of polyethylene was developed in the United States in the 1950s and has been continuously developed to be applied to higher voltages since then. Higher voltages are increasingly required, and 500kV XLPE cables have been commercialized
Physical and Electrical Characteristics
| No.cores x | Insulation | Sheath | Outer Ø | weight | Current ratings in air 30℃ | Current ratings buried 20℃ | |
| cross-sec. | thickness | thickness | approx. | approx. | |||
| Nominal | |||||||
| Phase | Neutral | value | |||||
| mm² | mm | mm | mm | mm | kg / km | A | A |
| 3×4+1×2.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 12.7 | 277 | 37 | 47 |
| 3×6+1×4 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 13.9 | 363 | 47 | 60 |
| 3×10+1×6 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 16.1 | 527 | 64 | 81 |
| 3×16+1×10 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 18.6 | 766 | 85 | 106 |
| 3×25+1×16 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 22.2 | 1140 | 113 | 137 |
| 3×35+1×16 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 24.6 | 1475 | 139 |
164 |
Conductor type
Currently, copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al) are the main materials for XLPE conductors.
(1) Copper (Cu)
Copper (Cu) conductor has advanced electrical characteristics, processability and economic benefits. Therefore, they are used in most underground conductor materials. It is worth noting that the purity of electrolytic copper needs to reach 99.96%~99.86%.
(2) Aluminum (Al)
Since aluminum is about one-third lighter than copper, it is easier to handle. Its conductivity is about two-thirds of copper, but it is more economical. Due to these characteristics, Al is the most widely used material after copper.
Benefits of XLPE
Plastic insulation materials have the advantages of excellent insulation properties, easy wiring, connection and maintenance, so they are widely used in advanced countries. Due to the development of cross-linking technology, XLPE insulated cables can be applied to higher voltages. Recently, XLPE cables have completely replaced OF cables. The advantages of XLPE are its light weight, thermal characteristics, low wiring costs and low material costs.
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