Comparison between the advantages of XPLE CABLES VERSUS PVC

1-Introduction

Insulation is very important and integral part in the manufacturing of cables .It is important for many reasons like protection of conductors and also protection of people themselves . it is important to decide type of insulation for each different condition . In this report we will first explain why XPLE cables is better than PVC cables and then we will the applications of the two cables and finally a general comparison between them.

2- XPLE versus PVC .

XLPE cables are found to give far better performance compared to PVC both in function and economy. This is due to the fact that the XLPE is a thermosetting plastic while PVC is a thermoplastic material.

XLPE is Cross-linked Polyethylene. Polythene is a thermoplastic material consisting of long chain of hydrocarbon molecules. The process of cross-linking or vulcanisation consists of producing chemical bonds at intervals between the long molecular chains to give a “ladder” effect which prevents slippage between molecules. As a result of cross-linking, the material becomes heat resistant and does not soften at high temperatures. It develops resistance to stress cracking and ageing . With the change in structure, the XLPE derives superior electrical properties.

XLPE Cables have higher current rating and longer service life compared to PVC Cables. Under short circuit condition, this cable can withstand up to 250ºC temperature compared to

160ºC for PVC cables. It also has higher overloading capacity under emergency conditions.

XLPE Cables are ideal for transmission and distribution of power because it has high corrosion resistance under polluted atmosphere along with better resistance power against chemicals and corrosive alkalis.

Not only this it can withstand vibration and hot impacts. It also has 100 times more moisture resistance capacity compared to PVC.

The low dielectric losses in XLPE Cables are a significant advantage.

XLPE cables has low installation cost because of light weight, dimension and flexibility. The joining is far more easier and quicker. The flexibility can be retained even in sub zero temperatures ( -40 ºC)

XLPE cables has insulation resistance of 1000 times compared to PVC cables.

3- XPLE applications .

1) XLPE cables work for the working voltage of 240 V to 500 KV .

2) Conductor Material can be either Copper or Aluminium. 3) XLPE cables can be either Single Core cables or Multi core

cables depending upon the number of cores. 4) They can be Unarmoured or Strip Armoured or Wire

Armoured or Tape Armoured type depending upon the presence or absence of Armour .

5) HT / LT Aerial Bunched Cables 6) The Jacketing Material can be of PVC / Flame

Retardant / Flame Retardant Low Smoke /Zero Halogen (LSOH).

7) General Applications: Fire Survival, Under Water Cables, Underground burial, installation on trays and ducts

4-PVC applications .

1) Power Cables upto 1.1 KV 2) Control Cables upto 61 Cores 3) Railways Signalling & Auto Cables 4) Screened instrumentation Cables 5) House wiring and Flexible cables 6) Flat Cables for submercible pumps 7) Airport lighting and mining cables. 8) FRLS / FR / HR / Fire Survival Cable

5-XLPE Versus PVC – COMPARATIVE PROPERTIES SUMMARY

PROPERTIES XLPE PVC

1. Chemical Structure Thermosetting Plastic Thermoplastic2. Polymer Structure Partial Crystalline Amorphous3. Temperature Rating

( ºC)a) Operating 90 70b) Emergency overload 130 90c) Short Circuit 250 160

4. Cable Installation Job Easy due to lesser

weight, less diameter and

lesser bending radius.

5. Current Carrying Capacity 30% Higher than PVC6.

Dielectric Strength (KV/mm) 550 350

7.

Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm) 1014 1013

8. Thermal Resistivity 350 730

(ºC/cm/watt)9. Dielectric Loss factor 0.0004 0.05 to 0.07

( at 50 Hz & 20 ºC)

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6-price of PVC cables . 1kV PVC INSULATED CABLE : US $0.8-33 / Meter

. PVC Cable armored power cable : US $1-10 /

Meter. 450/750V PVC insulated PVC sheath copper braid

screened flexible control power cable : US $0.1-10 / Meter.

Single core PVC wire&cable : US $0.1-3 / Meter. three phase cable 0.6/1kv 120mm PVC

cable/copper electrical power cable wire : US $0.56-98 / Meter.

7 – price of XPLE cables . XPLE 110kv underground cable : US $0.1-100 /

Meter. XPLE insulated aluminum aerial cable : US $0.1-

1.00 / Meter. 11kV 20kV 35kV XPLE Insulated

Armoured/Unarmoured High Voltage Cable 30kV : US $0.1-98.65 / Meter .

11 KV 2.5-400mm2 medium voltage XPLE insulated Power Cable with armored single core electric cable :

US $1-10 / Meter . XPLE Insulated Electric Cable/Mineral Insulated

Cable/Underground Cable : US $0.1-50 / Meter