Low voltage (LV) and medium voltage (MV) cables are critical components that carry energy safely from the point of generation to the end user. A mistake in cable selection comes back as power outages, fire risk and high operating costs. In this article, we examine the key criteria that define quality in XLPE insulated cables.
What Is XLPE Insulation?
XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) is an insulation material obtained by chemically or physically cross-linking polyethylene. Compared to thermoplastic polyethylene, it offers much higher temperature resistance (90°C continuous, 250°C under short-circuit) and superior electrical properties. For this reason, it has become the de facto standard in medium voltage cables.
Criteria That Define Quality
Conductor construction: The cross-section, stranding and material purity of the copper or aluminium conductor directly affect the current-carrying capacity and losses of the cable. Compliance with IEC 60228 is essential.
Insulation thickness and homogeneity: Insulation thickness appropriate to the nominal voltage must be produced within eccentricity tolerances. Non-homogeneous insulation creates a risk of partial discharge and premature ageing.
Screening: In MV cables, semiconductive screens over the conductor and the insulation ensure a uniform distribution of the electric field. A copper wire or tape screen safely carries short-circuit currents.
Outer sheath: A UV, moisture and mechanically resistant PVC or PE outer sheath determines the service life of the cable.
Mandatory Tests
A quality LV/MV cable must pass the following tests before shipment:
- Conductor resistance measurement
- Voltage withstand (hipot) test
- Partial discharge measurement (in MV cables)
- Insulation resistance and outer sheath tests
The ÖZ GÖKÇE Approach
At ÖZ GÖKÇE ELEKTRİK, we supply the LV/MV cables used in our transformer and energy infrastructure projects in full compliance with IEC 60502, and we use only products with test reports in our projects. You can contact our team for technical support on cable selection and procurement.
