Airport lighting cable, also known as a Type C airport cable, is a specific type of industrial cable used in airports to sustain runway and taxiway lighting systems that are crucial to the pilots' visibility. These cables are used at all steps of airport lighting, including runway end lights, runway end identifier lights, runway edge lights, centerline lights, touchdown zone lights, and the approaching lighting systems. Airport lighting cables are designed to be extra-durable and long-lasting due to the specifics of the airport's operation and the fact that they are used for safety-critical installations. Airports work like a clock, and a delay of any operation may result in physical and financial risks for everyone involved. Naturally, airfield lighting cables have to work like a clock as well. 

These cables are also designed to prevent overheating because they are exposed to high temperatures. While the recommended temperature for a continuous operation is 90 C, airfield ground lighting cables are prepared to survive more extreme conditions as the maximum operating temperature in short circuits is 250 C. Given the varying weather conditions that airport ground is exposed to, airport lighting cables are also waterproof and resistant to the impact of sunlight and abrasion, as well as the chemicals that may be used in an airport.

Applications of Airport Lighting Cables

While an airport lighting cable's main purpose is to sustain runways and taxiways, they are also used for various lighting applications within an airport. Some of the typical applications include obstruction lighting, navigational aids, and lighting and control circuits of all possible types. 

Airport lighting cables are unique when it comes to installation because they can be installed in a variety of ways. These cables are suitable for direct burial, raceways, installation in metallic and non-metallic conduits and ducts. Moreover, aerial cable installation is also a possibility with airport lighting cables. Because of this versatility, airport lighting cables can be used for any purpose within the airport that calls for these types of installation. However, direct burial and burial in ducts are the most widely used types of installation in runways and taxiways.

Construction of a Type C Airfield Cable

Most type C airport lighting power cables have an annealed stranded bare copper with a class B stranding and an XLPE insulation. Cross-linked polyethylene has superior dielectric strength, better impact resistance, higher temperature range than its counterparts. It also has a better resistance to chemicals, which is essential because de-icing fluid chemicals are regularly used in airports. However, some manufacturers offer airfield lighting cables with an alternative PVC and PE insulation. At Nassau National Cable, we offer type C cables with XLPE insulation because of their overall better quality in these settings.

Airfield ground lighting cables also have semi-conductive tape applied over the insulation. This is done to improve the cable's resistance to heat and moisture, which is crucial in the airport setting. The cables also have an optional outer shielding, usually a PVC, PE, HDPE, or CPE jacket, that helps to prevent unwanted power loss.

Types of Airfield Lighting Cables

The main difference between different types of airport cables is their voltage. Standard voltages of lighting runway cables are 5KV and 600 volts. When you buy a runway lighting cable, make sure it meets or exceeds FAA Specification L-824, which is necessary to legally install a lighting cable in an airport.

Airport Lighting Cable 5KV is suitable for primary circuit high-voltage lighting applications. These cables are placed between current regulators and transformers in runways and taxiways. They are expected to be extremely durable and waterproof. The cable is available in sizes between 8 AWG and 4 AWG, with or without a semi-conductive protective tape.

Airport Lighting Cable 600 V is designed for secondary lighting circuits. For instance, these cables connect the runway and taxiways transformers to electrical lamps. While they are not as durable as their 5KV counterparts, their strength is in their flexibility. The cables are sized between 12 AWG and 4 AWG.

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