MEDIUM VOLTAGE · 8.7 / 15 kV · IEC 60502-2
15 kV XLPE Cable
Mining applications, generator step-up auxiliary feeds and 13.8 kV-class systems in the Americas. Three-core or single-core construction, copper or aluminium conductor, manufactured against IEC 60502-2 with project-specific screen sizing, armour and sheath.
§01 — Cable construction
The reference construction, layer by layer.
At 8.7/15 kV the insulation wall grows to 4.5 mm and the metallic screen carries more of the electrical duty. Mining and plant orders on this class often combine SWA armour with a PE outer sheath for abrasion resistance in haulage roads. Conductor screen and insulation eccentricity receive tighter process control at this level, and every drum carries the PD record at 1.73 U₀.
| # | Layer | Reference detail |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Conductor | Cu class 2 stranded (RM). Sector-shaped (SM) for 3-core ≥ 185 mm². |
| 02 | Conductor screen | Extruded semiconducting compound, ≤ 0.5 mm nominal thickness. |
| 03 | XLPE insulation | Extruded XLPE, 4.5 mm nominal across 25–1 000 mm² at 8.7/15 kV per IEC 60502-2, table 6. |
| 04 | Insulation screen | Extruded semiconducting, strippable or bonded per requirement. |
| 05 | Metallic screen | Cu wire screen, cross-section selected against earth-fault current and clearing time; 16–35 mm² typical across the 25–630 mm² conductor range. |
| 06 | Inner sheath | PVC ST2, extruded bedding. |
| 07 | Armour | Double steel tape (STA) for direct burial; SWA for higher tensile load; AWA for single-core. |
| 08 | Serving | Anti-corrosion wrap on certain designs (optional). |
| 09 | Outer sheath | PVC ST2 black; PE or LSZH on request. |
§02 — Technical specifications
Electrical parameters — 8.7 / 15 kV class.
| Conductor (mm² Cu) | Insulation thickness | DC resistance @20 °C (Ω/km) | Indicative current, direct burial 25 °C (A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 35 | 4.5 mm | 0.524 | ~170 |
| 3 × 50 | 4.5 mm | 0.387 | ~205 |
| 3 × 70 | 4.5 mm | 0.268 | ~250 |
| 3 × 95 | 4.5 mm | 0.193 | ~300 |
| 3 × 120 | 4.5 mm | 0.153 | ~345 |
| 3 × 150 | 4.5 mm | 0.124 | ~385 |
| 3 × 185 | 4.5 mm | 0.0991 | ~435 |
| 3 × 240 | 4.5 mm | 0.0754 | ~500 |
| 3 × 300 | 4.5 mm | 0.0601 | ~560 |
| 3 × 400 | 4.5 mm | 0.0470 | ~640 |
DC resistance values per IEC 60228. Indicative current: ground 25 °C, soil thermal resistivity 1.5 K·m/W, depth 1.0 m, flat formation — reference only; final ampacity is calculated against your installation conditions. Overall diameter and weight for this voltage class are issued in the project datasheet with the formal offer.
§02B — Worked example · 8.7 / 15 kV
Feeder check for a 2 km plant intake at 13.8 kV.
A 3 × 70 mm² Cu intake, 2.0 km, 120 A, cos φ 0.85: with R = 0.268 Ω/km and reactance ≈ 0.09 Ω/km, ΔU ≈ √3 · I · L · (R cos φ + X sin φ) ≈ 115 V — under 0.8% of 15 kV. The same 3 × 70 core also clears the adiabatic short-circuit check for typical plant fault levels. Send the fault level and protection settings and we confirm both checks in the offer datasheet.
§03 — Standards
Standards printed on the sheath and on the drum card.
§04 — Applications
Where 15 kV cable from Lulian is in service.
Mine power distribution
Armoured 15 kV feeders for surface and underground mining loads; SWA for high mechanical exposure.
Mining distribution solutions →Generator auxiliary feeds
Station auxiliary transformers and unit boards at thermal and hydro plants.
Generation auxiliary power →13.8 kV system intake
8.7/15 kV class cable serving 13.8 kV nominal industrial systems in North and South America.
Industrial 13.8 kV systems →Not sure which voltage class your network needs? See all cable applications and sector solutions, or send the system voltage and the earthing method — we confirm the class and the construction in the offer.
§05 — Quality testing
What we test on every drum.
Routine tests run on every drum; sample tests on each batch; type tests on new constructions witnessed by CNAS-accredited third-party labs.
- Conductor DC resistance at 20 °C (routine)
- AC voltage withstand AC 30.5 kV / 5 min (routine)
- Partial discharge ≤ 10 pC at 15 kV (1.73 U₀) (sample)
- Insulation thickness & eccentricity (sample)
- Metallic screen cross-section (routine)
- Armour coverage & bedding integrity (routine)
- Sheath thickness + spark test (routine)
- Bending test + voltage after bending (type)
- Impulse voltage 95 kV (type)
§06 — Packaging & delivery
Drums sized for the cable, not for the workshop.
Mining orders can be split into shaft-compatible drum lengths, each numbered against the installation schedule so the drums land in sequence. Wooden drums with fumigation marks for export; steel-plywood drums for heavy cross-sections. Cable ends sealed with heat-shrink caps; shipping marks per the buyer’s format.
Standard drum lengths: 500 / 1000 / 1500 / 2000 m. Lead time: 25–35 working days for stocked constructions; 40–55 working days for project-specific builds.
§07 — FAQ
Common questions on 15 kV cable procurement.
What is the U₀/U rating of 15 kV XLPE cable?
8.7 / 15 kV, Uₘ = 17.5 kV. It is used on 15 kV industrial systems and on 13.8 kV export markets; both sit inside the 17.5 kV ceiling. Confirm the earth-fault factor of the system and we confirm the class in writing.
What conductor cross-sections are available?
Three-core: 25–400 mm². Single-core: 25–630 mm². Copper or aluminium, class 2 stranded; sector-shaped conductors for large 3-core sizes.
Can the cable be direct-buried?
Yes. The armoured construction (STA) with PVC ST2 outer sheath is rated for direct burial. SWA is recommended where tensile load or rodent risk is high.
What is the partial discharge limit?
≤ 10 pC measured at 15 kV (1.73 U₀) per IEC 60502-2. PD is measured on every drum and documented on the routine test report.
What routine and type tests are performed?
Routine on every drum: conductor DC resistance, AC voltage withstand AC 30.5 kV / 5 min, sheath spark test. Sample: PD, insulation thickness, screen check. Type: bending + voltage, load cycle, impulse voltage 95 kV.
Can the cable be supplied with LSZH sheath?
Yes, for tunnel, metro, data centre and indoor substation use. Verified against IEC 61034 (smoke density) and IEC 60754 (acid gas).
Can 8.7/15 kV cable be used on a 13.8 kV system?
Yes. A 13.8 kV system has a phase-to-earth voltage of 7.97 kV and sits inside the Uₘ 17.5 kV class. For effectively earthed 13.8 kV systems the 8.7/15 kV rating is standard practice; for isolated or high-resistance earthed systems we verify the earth-fault factor first.
Send the cable schedule. We confirm the construction in 24 hours.
Share voltage class, conductor material & size, core count, armour, sheath, installation method, total length and drum preference.
§08 — Related
Other voltage classes & adjacent products.
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