Armored medium-voltage MV cables vs. unarmoured medium-voltage MV cables: An insight
Medium-voltage, or MV cables, are an essential category of cables used in very different applications across industries for power. They can be armored or unarmored.
Standard voltages of the MV cable are anywhere between 2 kV and 35 kV. According to some classifications, a 45 kV cable is also considered a medium-voltage cable, but it is sometimes considered a high-voltage cable.
MV cables are perfect for many applications, including utility maintenance, substations, industrial power distribution on oil and gas facilities and wind farms, and power distribution in mining.
Like all other cables on the market, MV cables need armor for mechanical protection from crushing and impact. Armor is also used to enhance electromagnetic protection, but this is only its secondary function.
All in all, armored MV cables are recommended for applications where mechanical protection is necessary, while unarmored MV cables are used when there is no need for mechanical protection. Both armored and unarmored MV cables are popular because media-voltage power applications vary a lot. There is no definitive list of MV cable applications that require armor; everything depends on the context. However, armor is a must in highly demanding and extreme industrial applications.
Aluminum or Steel: What Is The Best Armor For MV Cable?
Armored MV cables are available in steel and aluminum armors. Both of these are excellent choices, but they have several differences.
Steel makes for heavier armor. However, it has better resistance to crash and impact, thus offering superior mechanical protection. The electromagnetic interference properties of steel are, on average, superior to aluminum. However, remember that armor is not the most important component of the cable if you are looking for excellent EMI. The cable mainly needs shielding if this factor is important. Need help choosing appropriate shielding for your cable? Read this blog.
Steel cable armor is made of galvanized steel, which means that it is coated with a layer of zinc. This is necessary to protect the metal from oxidation and rust. Steel armor is either strip or tape.
Aluminum armor is significantly lighter than steel one (up to 40 percent depending on the cable manufacturer). Aluminum is a superior conductor, which makes for a greater cable. However, while its resistance to mechanical impact is on point, its crash resistance is inferior to the one of aluminum. There is a way around this issue: choose an MV cable with a sticker aluminum armor than your hypothetical steel armor. When it comes to EMI interference, aluminum behaves better than steel when the low frequencies are involved, even though steel is usually better in all other instances. In particular, aluminum armor is most often used with single-core cables when it comes to MV cables.
Nassau National Cable offers high-quality medium voltage cables for an excellent price in armored and unarmored versions. Both galvanized steel armor and aluminum armor are possible. Available voltages include 2,4 kV, 5 kV, 8 kV, 15 kV, 25 kV, and 35 kV. Cables can be shielded or unshielded with copper and aluminum conductors.
