Project requirements · Mechanical

Mechanical protection (crush, impact, direct burial)

The cable survives crushing and impact in service, or direct burial without ducts.

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Constructions that meet it

  • Galvanised steel wire armour: changes the cable's layers. Galvanised steel wire armour (SWA) over an inner covering (steel (Al for single core)). Drawbacks: Weight, bend radius, armour earthing; magnetic losses in single-core AC (use Al).
  • Double steel tape armour: changes the cable's layers. Double steel tape armour (steel). Drawbacks: Crush and impact, not tensile.
  • Interlocked aluminium or steel armour: changes the cable's layers. Interlocked aluminium or steel armour (Type MC, TECK) (Al, steel). Drawbacks: North American practice.
  • Thicker or harder sheath (HDPE, PUR): changes the cable's layers. Thicker or harder outer sheath (HDPE, PUR) (HDPE, PUR). Drawbacks: Without armour.

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Tests

  • UL 1277 sections 23 and 24 (Type TC-ER): impact and crushing tests for exposed run. Pass: values not read (Type MC crush and impact requirements per Prysmian)
  • UL 854 impact and crush (cited by Lapp for PV burial): burial-based impact and crushing resistance. Pass: not found
  • EN 50618 / IEC 60364-5-51:2005 Table 51A: impact class AG2 (medium severity, shocks up to 2 J, IK07, p. 27), vibration AH3 (high severity, industrial installations with severe conditions, p. 27) (PV cable). Pass: classification
  • IEC 60502-1 / -2: armour construction requirements. Pass: construction

How specifications state it

In Europe mostly by construction ('armoured', 'SWA', 'suitable for direct burial'); in North America by TC-ER / MC test.

Where it is asked for

  • direct buried cables
  • industrial plants
  • exposed runs from tray to equipment (NEC 336.10)
  • mines

Sources

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