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Do you understand the specifications and models of wires and cables?
Created on 2025.11.14
I. Bare Copper Wires
Bare wires and bare conductor products refer to conductive wires without insulation or sheathing, mainly including three series of products: bare single wires, bare stranded wires, and shaped conductors/profiles.
Copper and Aluminum Single Wires
Including soft copper single wires, hard copper single wires, soft aluminum single wires, and hard aluminum single wires. They are mainly used as semi-finished products for various wires and cables, and a small quantity is used in the manufacturing of communication wires, motors, and electrical appliances.
Bare Stranded Wires
Including hard copper stranded wires (TJ), hard aluminum stranded wires (LJ), aluminum alloy stranded wires (LHAJ), and steel-cored aluminum stranded wires (LGJ). They are mainly used for connecting electrical equipment, electronic appliances, or components. The specifications of the above-mentioned stranded wires range from 1.0 mm² to 300 mm².
II. Power Cables
Power cables are cable products used for transmitting and distributing high-power electrical energy in the main lines of power systems, including power cables of various voltage levels (from 1 kV to 330 kV and above) and various insulation types.
Cross-Sectional Area and Core Count
- Cross-sectional areas: 1.5 mm², 2.5 mm², 4 mm², 6 mm², 10 mm², 16 mm², 25 mm², 35 mm², 50 mm², 70 mm², 95 mm², 120 mm², 150 mm², 185 mm², 240 mm², 300 mm², 400 mm², 500 mm², 630 mm², 800 mm².
- Core counts: 1-core, 2-core, 3-core, 4-core, 5-core, 3+1-core, 3+2-core.
Classification
- By voltage level: Low-voltage cables, medium-voltage cables, high-voltage cables, etc.
- By insulation type: Plastic-insulated cables, rubber-insulated cables, mineral-insulated cables, etc.
III. Aerial Insulated Cables
Aerial cables are very common in daily life, and their characteristic is the absence of a sheath. Many people have three misunderstandings about this type of cable, which will be corrected here.
- Conductor Material Misconception
: Its conductors are not limited to aluminum; there are also copper conductors (models JKYJ, JKV), aluminum alloy conductors (model JKLHYJ), and steel-cored aluminum stranded aerial cables (model JKLGY) available now.
- Core Count Misconception
: It is not limited to single-core cables. Although single-core aerial cables are common, multiple conductors can also be stranded into a bundle.
- Voltage Level Misconception
: The voltage level of aerial cables is up to 35 kV and below, rather than only 1 kV and 10 kV.
IV. Control Cables
The structure of this type of cable is similar to that of power cables, with the characteristics of only having copper cores (no aluminum-core versions), smaller conductor cross-sectional areas, and more cores (e.g., 24×1.5 mm², 30×2.5 mm²...).
Application Scope
Suitable for single-machine control or unit equipment control in power stations, substations, mines, petrochemical enterprises, etc., under an AC rated voltage of 450/750 V and below. To enhance the ability of control signal cables to resist internal and external interference, a shielding layer is mainly used as a protective measure.
Common Models and Their Meanings
Common models include KVV, KYJV, KYJV22, KVV22, KVVP. The meaning of each code in the model is as follows:
- "K": Control cable category;
- "V": Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulation;
- "YJ": Cross-linked polyethylene insulation;
- "V" (second occurrence): Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheath;
- "P": Copper wire shielding.
Shielding Layer Variations
- KVVP: Copper wire shielding (the most common type);
- KVVP2: Copper tape shielding;
- KVVP3: Aluminum-plastic composite tape shielding.
Shielding layers made of different materials have their own unique characteristics and functions.
V. Wiring Wires
Mainly used for household electrical wiring and distribution cabinets. Friends running hardware stores are most familiar with them—commonly referred to as BV wires, which belong to the category of wiring wires. Common models include BV, BLV, BVR, RVV, RVVP, BVVB, etc.
Meaning of the Code "B"
In the model representation of wires and cables, the code "B" is often seen, and its meaning varies depending on its position:
- Take BVVB
- Full meaning of BVVB: Copper-core polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulated, PVC-sheathed flat cable.
VI. Special Cables
Special cables are cables with specific functions, mainly including flame-retardant cables (ZR), low-smoke halogen-free cables (WDZ), fire-resistant cables (NH), explosion-proof cables (FB), rodent-proof and termite-proof cables (FS), water-blocking cables (ZS), etc.
1. Flame-Retardant Cables (ZR) and Low-Smoke Halogen-Free Cables (WDZ)
- Application
- Performance
- Typical Application Scenarios
2. Fire-Resistant Cables (NH)
- Application
- Performance
Emerging Special Cable Types
Driven by the demand for special occasions, new cable products are constantly being developed, such as fire-resistant cables, flame-retardant cables, low-smoke halogen-free/low-smoke low-halogen cables, rodent-proof/termite-proof cables, oil-resistant/cold-resistant/heat-resistant/wear-resistant cables, and irradiated cross-linked cables.