Nominal Cross - Section Area (
),This indicates the cross - sectional area of the conductor's core. Common values are 16, 25, 35, 50, 70, 95, 120, 150, 185, 240, etc. It affects the current - carrying capacity of the wire.
Insulation Material,Typical materials include polyethylene (PE), cross - linked polyethylene (XLPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Each has different insulation properties, heat resistance, and mechanical characteristics. For example, XLPE has better heat resistance and long - term stability compared to PVC.
Insulation Thickness (mm),The thickness of the insulation layer is crucial for ensuring proper electrical insulation. It varies depending on the voltage class and the cross - sectional area of the conductor. Generally, for low - voltage applications (e.g., 0.6/1kV), the insulation thickness for a 16
conductor with XLPE insulation might be around 1.2 mm, while for a 240
conductor, it could be 1.8 mm.
Conductor Material,Commonly used conductor materials are aluminum and copper. Aluminum is lightweight and cost - effective, while copper has higher electrical conductivity. For example, an aluminum - conductor overhead insulated wire has a lower cost but higher resistance compared to a copper - conductor one of the same cross - sectional area.
DC Resistance per Unit Length at 20°C (
/km),This value represents the resistance of the conductor to direct current at 20 degrees Celsius. It is inversely proportional to the cross - sectional area of the conductor. For a 16
aluminum - conductor wire, the DC resistance per unit length might be around 1.91
/km, and for a 16
copper - conductor wire, it could be approximately 1.12
/km.
Rated Voltage (kV),Overhead insulated wires are designed for different voltage levels, such as 0.6/1kV for low - voltage distribution networks, 10 kV for medium - voltage networks, and 35 kV for some higher - voltage applications. The insulation design and thickness are determined based on this rated voltage.
Temperature Rating (°C),The maximum temperature that the insulation can withstand continuously without significant degradation of its properties. PE - insulated wires usually have a temperature rating of around 70°C, while XLPE - insulated wires can typically withstand up to 90°C.
Mechanical Strength (N),This refers to the ability of the wire to withstand mechanical forces such as tension, bending, and vibration. It is related to the conductor material, cross - sectional area, and the construction of the wire. For example, a wire with a larger cross - sectional area will generally have higher mechanical strength.
Weight per Unit Length (kg/km),Affected by the conductor material, cross - sectional area, and insulation material. Aluminum - conductor wires are lighter than copper - conductor wires of the same cross - sectional area. The weight also impacts the installation and support requirements for the overhead lines. For example, a 16
aluminum - conductor wire with XLPE insulation might weigh around 60 kg/km, while a 16
copper - conductor wire with the same insulation could weigh around 170 kg/km.