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Mar 18, 2026

What is a high-voltage cable from a professional perspective?

1. Definition of high-voltage cable

High-voltage cables are a type of power cable, referring to cables used for transmitting power between 1kV and 1000kV, primarily used in power transmission and distribution. They can be classified in various ways, mainly according to voltage level, insulation material and application scenario, transmission type, and deployment location.
  1. Based on insulation material and application scenario, they can be divided into general-purpose cross-linked polyethylene cables, flame-retardant/fire-resistant cables, mining rubber-sheathed flexible cables, and high-voltage test cables, etc.
  2. Based on transmission type, they can be divided into high-voltage AC cables and high-voltage DC cables.
  3. Based on deployment location, they can be divided into overhead cables, underground cables, and submarine cables.

high voltage cable

2. The structure of high-voltage cables

High-voltage cables have a complex structure, mainly consisting of the following layers from the inside out: conductor layer, insulation layer, shielding layer (including a metal sheath), and outer sheath.

  1. The conductor layer is the core of the cable, responsible for transmitting current, and is typically made of copper or aluminum.
  2. The insulation layer wraps around the conductor, preventing current loss to the surrounding environment. Insulation materials are usually polyethylene (PE), cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), or rubber. As the mainstream insulation material, the production and quality control of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) are crucial. During insulation extrusion, strict control of the process temperature (e.g., the insulation material processing temperature range is between 115-120℃), prevention of pre-crosslinking, and the use of online thermal stress relaxation systems are necessary to eliminate thermal stress. Simultaneously, precise control of the extrusion die, vulcanization temperature (insulation surface temperature strictly controlled between 250-280℃), and the use of catenary production line eccentricity control technology ensure the uniformity of the insulation layer.
  3. The metal sheath layer mainly provides mechanical protection and electromagnetic shielding for the cable. Depending on specific design and application requirements, the metal shielding layer can take different forms, such as corrugated aluminum sheath or copper wire shielding. In some high-voltage cables, multiple layers of insulation may be present to further enhance insulation performance and withstand voltage.
  4. The outer sheath is the external protective layer of the cable, used to protect it from environmental influences such as chemicals, ultraviolet radiation, and moisture. The outer sheath is typically made of weather-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE). Of course, armored high-voltage cables are mainly used for underground burial, capable of withstanding high-intensity pressure from the ground and preventing damage from other external forces.

high-voltage cable structure

3.Types and applications of high-voltage cables 

No. Cable Model Conductor Insulation Sheath Armored Features
1 NA-YJV Copper XLPE PVC Non-armored Class A Fire Resistant
2 NB-YJV Copper XLPE PVC Non-armored Class B Fire Resistant
3 NA-YJV22 Copper XLPE PVC Steel tape Class A Fire Resistant
4 NB-YJV22 Copper XLPE PVC Steel tape Class B Fire Resistant
5 NA-VV Copper PVC PVC Non-armored Class A Fire Resistant
6 NB-VV Copper PVC PVC Non-armored Class B Fire Resistant
7 NA-VV22 Copper PVC PVC Steel tape Class A Fire Resistant
8 NB-VV22 Copper PVC PVC Steel tape Class B Fire Resistant
9 WDNA-YJY23 Copper XLPE Polyolefin Steel tape Class A, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Fire Resistant
10 WDNB-YJY23 Copper XLPE Polyolefin Steel tape Class B, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Fire Resistant
11 ZA-YJV Copper XLPE PVC Non-armored Class A Flame Retardant
12 ZA-YJLV Aluminum XLPE PVC Non-armored Class A Flame Retardant
13 ZB-YJV Copper XLPE PVC Non-armored Class B Flame Retardant
14 ZB-YJLV Aluminum XLPE PVC Non-armored Class B Flame Retardant
15 ZC-YJV Copper XLPE PVC Non-armored Class C Flame Retardant
16 ZC-YJLV Aluminum XLPE PVC Non-armored Class C Flame Retardant
17 ZA-YJV22 Copper XLPE PVC Steel tape Class A Flame Retardant
18 ZA-YJLV22 Aluminum XLPE PVC Steel tape Class A Flame Retardant
19 ZB-YJV22 Copper XLPE PVC Steel tape Class B Flame Retardant
20 ZB-YJLV22 Aluminum XLPE PVC Steel tape Class B Flame Retardant
21 ZC-YJV22 Copper XLPE PVC Steel tape Class C Flame Retardant
22 ZC-YJLV22 Aluminum XLPE PVC Steel tape Class C Flame Retardant
23 ZA-VV Copper PVC PVC Non-armored Class A Flame Retardant
24 ZA-VLV Aluminum PVC PVC Non-armored Class A Flame Retardant
25 ZB-VV Copper PVC PVC Non-armored Class B Flame Retardant
26 ZB-VLV Aluminum PVC PVC Non-armored Class B Flame Retardant
27 ZC-VV Copper PVC PVC Non-armored Class C Flame Retardant
28 ZC-VLV Aluminum PVC PVC Non-armored Class C Flame Retardant
29 ZA-VV22 Copper PVC PVC Steel tape Class A Flame Retardant
30 ZA-VLV22 Aluminum PVC PVC Steel tape Class A Flame Retardant
31 ZB-VV22 Copper PVC PVC Steel tape Class B Flame Retardant
32 ZB-VLV22 Aluminum PVC PVC Steel tape Class B Flame Retardant
33 ZC-VV22 Copper PVC PVC Steel tape Class C Flame Retardant
34 ZC-VLV22 Aluminum PVC PVC Steel tape Class C Flame Retardant
35 WDZA-YJY Copper XLPE Polyolefin Non-armored Class A, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
36 WDZA-YJLY Aluminum XLPE Polyolefin Non-armored Class A, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
37 WDZB-YJY Copper XLPE Polyolefin Non-armored Class B, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
38 WDZB-YJLY Aluminum XLPE Polyolefin Non-armored Class B, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
39 WDZC-YJY Copper XLPE Polyolefin Non-armored Class C, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
40 WDZC-YJLY Aluminum XLPE Polyolefin Non-armored Class C, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
41 WDZA-YJY23 Copper XLPE Polyolefin Steel tape Class A, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
42 WDZA-YJLY23 Aluminum XLPE Polyolefin Steel tape Class A, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
43 WDZB-YJY23 Copper XLPE Polyolefin Steel tape Class B, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
44 WDZB-YJLY23 Aluminum XLPE Polyolefin Steel tape Class B, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
45 WDZC-YJY23 Copper XLPE Polyolefin Steel tape Class C, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
46 WDZC-YJLY23 Aluminum XLPE Polyolefin Steel tape Class C, Halogen-free, Low-smoke, Flame Retardant
47 VV Copper PVC PVC Non-armored Standard Power Cable
48 VLV Aluminum PVC PVC Non-armored Standard Power Cable
49 VY Copper PVC PE Non-armored Standard Power Cable
50 VLY Aluminum PVC PE Non-armored Standard Power Cable
51 VV22 Copper PVC PVC Steel tape Standard Power Cable
52 VLV22 Aluminum PVC PVC Steel tape Standard Power Cable
53 VV23 Copper PVC PE Steel tape Standard Power Cable
54 VLV23 Aluminum PVC PE Steel tape Standard Power Cable

 4.high-voltage cables Use features

Suitable for fixed-lay AC power transmission and distribution lines with a rated voltage of 35kV and below. The maximum long-term operating temperature of the cable conductor is 90 degrees Celsius, and the maximum temperature of the cable conductor during a short circuit (not exceeding 5 seconds) should not exceed 250 degrees Celsius. During operation, voltage fluctuations should not exceed 15% of the rated voltage; otherwise, it will seriously affect the cable. The eccentricity of the insulation layer is a key factor affecting cable performance; insulation eccentricity will lead to electric field distortion, thereby shortening the cable's service life.

5. Application Areas of High-Voltage Cables

High-voltage cables are widely used in various industries, including power, transportation, communications, healthcare, industry, and construction.
  1. In the power industry, high-voltage cables serve as the backbone of power transmission and distribution systems, particularly for long-distance grid transmission, urban power distribution, and grid connection of renewable energy generation.
  2. In the transportation industry, they are used for power transmission between motors and controllers in electric vehicles such as electric cars and electric trains, as well as for power supply to subway and rail transit systems. In the communications industry, they are used to transmit telecommunications, network, broadcasting, and television signals.
  3. In the healthcare industry, they provide high-energy current and high-frequency signal transmission for advanced medical equipment such as MRI and PET scanners.
  4. In the industrial sector, they drive large, high-power machinery in industries such as metallurgy, mining, papermaking, and chemicals, and are integrated with automation systems. In the construction industry, they provide stable power support for high-energy-consuming buildings such as airports, shopping malls, and hotels.

high voltage cable application overbiew

 

Furthermore, applications are expanding into emerging fields, such as marine wind power and photovoltaic applications (medium- and high-voltage), as well as emerging sectors like new energy vehicles, the digital economy, and the aviation economy. In the new energy sector, demand is rapidly increasing for high-voltage submarine cables for offshore wind power, data centers, and 5G base station construction.

 

FAQ

Q: What's the difference between high-voltage and low-voltage cables?

A: High-voltage cables have thicker insulation, shielding/armor layers, and larger bending radius requirements, used for long-distance high-voltage power transmission; low-voltage cables have a simpler structure and are mostly used for indoor terminal power distribution.

Q: Can a high-voltage cable be used as a low-voltage cable?

A: Yes, but it's not recommended. It's more expensive, harder to bend, has a lower current-carrying capacity, and three-core high-voltage cables generally lack a neutral conductor, making them unsuitable for low-voltage three-phase four-wire systems.

Q: What parameters are mainly considered when selecting high-voltage cables?

A: Voltage rating, conductor material (copper/aluminum), insulation material (commonly XLPE), conductor cross-section, sheath and armor type.

Q: How to choose the cable cross-section size?

A: Calculate the current-carrying capacity based on the load current, meet voltage drop and thermal stability requirements, and then allow for a 10%~20% margin.

Q: How to choose between single-core and three-core high-voltage cables?

A: Three-core cables are commonly used in 10kV/35kV distribution networks for easy installation; single-core cables are more common in 110kV and above high-current applications for better heat dissipation.

Q: What is the minimum bending radius of high-voltage cables?

A: Typically 12 to 25 times the cable's outer diameter; the higher the voltage, the greater the requirement.

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