MEDIUM VOLTAGE · 6 / 10 kV · IEC 60502-2
Cable XLPE 10 kV
The export workhorse: utility MV distribution in Africa, SE Asia and Latin America where 10 kV nominal is standard. 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.
The 6/10 kV class is the workhorse of public MV distribution: a 3.4 mm XLPE wall, screened cores, and a bedding/armour package chosen for the laying condition. Sector-shaped cores keep the three-core build compact above 185 mm². Screen cross-section is confirmed against the network earth-fault data before production; for rural feeders we also agree drum lengths so the number of joints stays low.
| # | Capa | 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 | Aislamiento XLPE | Extruded XLPE, 3.4 mm nominal across 16–1 000 mm² at 6/10 kV per IEC 60502-2, table 6. |
| 04 | Insulation screen | Extruded semiconducting, strippable or bonded per requirement. |
| 05 | Metallic screen | Cu wire screen per IEC 60502-2; the minimum cross-section rises with conductor size — 16 mm² (≤ 120 mm²), 25 mm² (150–300 mm²), 35 mm² (400–630 mm²). |
| 06 | Inner sheath | PVC ST2, extruded bedding. |
| 07 | Armadura | 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 — 6 / 10 kV class.
| Conductor (mm² Cu) | Insulation thickness | DC resistance @20 °C (Ω/km) | Indicative current, direct burial 25 °C (A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 35 | 3.4 mm | 0.524 | ~170 |
| 3 × 50 | 3.4 mm | 0.387 | ~205 |
| 3 × 70 | 3.4 mm | 0.268 | ~250 |
| 3 × 95 | 3.4 mm | 0.193 | ~300 |
| 3 × 120 | 3.4 mm | 0.153 | ~345 |
| 3 × 150 | 3.4 mm | 0.124 | ~385 |
| 3 × 185 | 3.4 mm | 0.0991 | ~435 |
| 3 × 240 | 3.4 mm | 0.0754 | ~500 |
| 3 × 300 | 3.4 mm | 0.0601 | ~560 |
| 3 × 400 | 3.4 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 · 6 / 10 kV
Earth-fault current and screen sizing on a 10 km feeder.
In a screened 10 kV network the earth-fault current is mostly capacitive: I ≈ 3 · ω · C · U₀. With a typical per-phase capacitance of 0.3 µF/km, a 10 km feeder returns roughly 17 A of capacitive earth-fault current. The Cu wire screen (16–25 mm² on these conductor sizes) is then checked adiabatically against the protection clearing time. Tell us the earthing scheme — solid, resistance or Petersen-coil earthed — and we size the screen and state the resulting short-circuit duty in the offer.
§03 — Standards
Standards printed on the sheath and on the drum card.
§04 — Applications
Where 10 kV cable from Lulian is in service.
Rural distribution extension
Three-core AL/XLPE/CWS/STA/PVC laid direct-buried, 16–22 km per feeder. Aluminium for cost; copper for short high-load links.
Utility distribution cable solutions →Substation to customer intake
Three-core CU/XLPE/CWS/STA/PVC, 35–185 mm², with utility-specific sheath marking.
Consumer intake and plant supply →Industrial zone primary feeders
Single-core 1×240 / 1×300 mm² from substation to industrial main switchboard.
Industrial zone primary distribution →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 21 kV / 5 min (routine)
- Partial discharge ≤ 10 pC at 10.4 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.
Long rural feeders ship on the largest steel-plywood drums the route allows, keeping the joint count on the line low; bending radius is preserved from first pay-off to final termination. 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 10 kV cable procurement.
What is the U₀/U rating of 10 kV XLPE cable?
6 / 10 kV, Uₘ = 12 kV — the standard IEC class for 10 kV public distribution. The 6.35/11 kV BS designation shares the same insulation wall and test regime; the difference is marking convention, not construction.
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 10.4 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 21 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).
What is the difference between 6/10 kV and 6.35/11 kV cable?
Both belong to the Uₘ = 12 kV class with the same 3.4 mm XLPE wall and test regime. 6/10 kV is the IEC designation used in most markets; 6.35/11 kV is the BS 6622 designation used in UK-influenced networks. We mark the drum to whichever designation your specification names.
Envíe el programa de cables. Confirmamos la construcción en 24 horas.
Share voltage class, conductor material & size, core count, armour, sheath, installation method, total length and drum preference.
RFQ por correo → sales@luliancable.comAbrir formulario de RFQ
§08 — Related
Other voltage classes & adjacent products.
Enviar consulta
Solicitar cotización
Tres campos. Una respuesta técnica en 24 horas.