AL/XLPE/CWS/PE

AL/XLPE/CWS/PE is a Layer-list designation (CU/XLPE/SWA/PVC style, IEC and BS practice) cable designation: AL = Aluminium Conductor; XLPE = Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE); CWS = Copper Wire Screen (concentric copper wires); PE = Polyethylene (PE).

1 coding system recognises this code

Layer-list designation (CU/XLPE/SWA/PVC style, IEC and BS practice)

SymbolMeaning
ALAluminium Conductor
XLPECross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE)
CWSCopper Wire Screen (concentric copper wires)
PEPolyethylene (PE)

How to read a Layer-list designation (CU/XLPE/SWA/PVC style, IEC and BS practice) cable code

Fire behaviour (EU CPR)

  • PE sheath (PE).

    Typically targeted, as declared by makers for this kind of construction in the examples this site checked (not the class of this cable):

    Listed as sources, alphabetically by maker. No maker pays to appear here.

A CPR class is declared by the maker in its Declaration of Performance and printed on the sheath (EN 50575 cl 7). This decoder does not assign one. What the CPR classes mean →

Sources: EN 13501-6 draft and FprEN 50575:2014 final draft (drafts, not the published texts); IEC 60332-3-24:2000+A1:2008; EN 13501-3 draft A2.

AL/XLPE/CWS/PE: equivalents in other countries

Shown for 3x95/25 12/20 kV. Each country's rules are applied to this build, keeping the conductor, section, cores, voltage, screen, armour and sheath.

CountryStandardName in that countryVerdictDifferences
DenmarkHD 620 S3 10-DPEX-AL 3x95+25 12/20 (24) kVEquivalentevery value the same
NorwayHD 620 S3 10-Kno letters for this buildEquivalentevery value the same
SwedenHD 620 S3 10-MAXCLJ 3x95/25 12/20 (24) kV (NKT writes a near build without the C (AXLJ))CloseInsulation screen (semicon) 0.8 → 0.6 mm; Overall diameter 63.31 → 62.45 mm; this cable as built misses 1 of its rules
NetherlandsHD 620 S3 10-JYMeKrvas 12/20 kV 3x95 Al rs +as35 (key read from a maker (Nedkab), the NEN text not seen)Closescreen 25 → 35 mm² (HD 620 10-J Table A.3); Sheath 3 → 3.2 mm; Overall diameter 63.31 → 63.71 mm; this cable as built misses 2 of its rules
IndiaIS 7098 (Part 2)no letters for this buildCloserated 12.7/22 kV (same Um 24 kV); Insulation 5.5 → 6 mm; Inner covering / bedding material semicon → PVC; Inner covering / bedding 0.6 → 0.7 mm; this cable as built misses 2 of its rules

No equivalent in: HD 620 S3 10-C (DIN VDE 0276-620) (no three-core cable at this voltage); BS 6622 (armoured cables only, asks a screen on each core); HD 620 S3 10-E1 (the size, cores or voltage would change); HD 620 S3 10-E2 (the size, cores or voltage would change); HD 620 S3 10-I1 (the size, cores or voltage would change); HD 620 S3 10-I2 (the size, cores or voltage would change); HD 620 S3 10-I3 (the size, cores or voltage would change).

Nominal values computed by each standard's rules, not manufacturer data. This is not a statement that two cables are interchangeable: the buyer's specification and the maker's type test decide.

AL/XLPE/CWS/PE as the cable designer builds it, 3x95/25 12/20 kV

Overall diameter 63.3 mm, about 3,320 kg/km. Nominal values from the standard's tables for this size, computed, not a maker's data.

LayerMaterialThickness, mmOver the layer, mm
Conductor screen (semicon)Semiconducting0.6012.7
InsulationXLPE5.523.7
Insulation screen (semicon)Semiconducting0.8025.3
FillerSemiconducting54.5
Inner covering / beddingSemiconducting0.6055.7
Wire screenCopper65 × 0.7057.3
SheathPE3.063.3

AL/XLPE/CWS/PE on a drum

The smallest drum that passes every check, for 63.3 mm and about 3,320 kg/km as the cable designer builds it. Drums as their makers print them; lengths are estimates within a few per cent of the cable makers' own tables: whole layers, wound diameter 1.05 × OD, 66 mm freeboard under the flange rim.

LengthDrum size (its makers)LayersGross weight
500 mKTG 28 (2800 mm flange), wood KTG drums (Europe), Bayka, KTG5 of 62,835–2,900 kg
1,000 mNo single drum in KTG drums (Europe) takes it: the drum calculator splits it over several.

Barrel at least 20 × OD = 1,266 mm for a cable of this kind (Medium voltage, multi-core): KTG table, the cable's datasheet wins. A load rating is the drum maker's own.

Other lengths, drums and weights: the cable drum calculator

Load it on a truck: 1000 m on its drum in the loading planner

Laying, sizes and datasheet: AL/XLPE/CWS/PE

AL/XLPE/CWS/PE belongs to the family Medium voltage cables: the lowest laying temperature, bending radius, pulling, depth, drum handling and the test after laying, every rule with its sources. Laying and handling guide: Medium voltage cables

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Work with AL/XLPE/CWS/PE

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