N2XRY Cu/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC 0.6/1kV Cable

N2XRY Cu/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC 0.6/1kV Cable: A Stalwart in Low-voltage Power Distribution Known for Its Durability and Versatility

                                          N2XRY Cu/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC 0.6/1kV Cable

Category

Details

Application

European name: BS5467 cable. Multi-core PVC cable with steel wire armour (SWA). Power and auxiliary control cables for power networks, underground, outdoor, indoor applications, and cable ducting.

Characteristics

Voltage Rating (Uo/U)

0.6/1kV

Temperature Rating

Fixed: -25°C to +90°C

Minimum Bending Radius

1.5mm² to 16mm²: 6 x overall diameter 25mm² and above: 8 x overall diameter

Construction

Conductor

Class 2 stranded copper conductor

Insulation

XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

Bedding

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Armour

SWA (Steel Wire Armour)

Sheath

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Core Identification

2 Core

Brown, Blue

3 Core

Brown, Black, Grey

4 Core

Brown, Blue, Black, Grey

5 Core

Green/Yellow, Brown, Blue, Black, Grey

Alternative Core Identification

White cores with Black numbers

Sheath Colour

Black

Standards

BS 5467, IEC/EN 60502-1, IEC/EN 60228

Flame Retardant

According to IEC/EN 60332-1-2

Conductors

Cross-Sectional Area (mm²)

Min. No. of Wires (Circular Cu)

Min. No. of Wires (Circular Al)

Min. No. of Wires (Compacted Cu)

Min. No. of Wires (Compacted Al)

Min. No. of Wires (Shaped Cu)

Min. No. of Wires (Shaped Al)

Max. Resistance at 20°C (ohms/km)

1.5

7

-

6

-

-

-

12.1

2.5

7

-

6

-

-

-

7.41

4

7

-

6

-

-

-

4.61

6

7

-

6

-

-

-

3.08

10

7

7

6

6

-

-

1.83

16

7

7

6

6

-

-

1.15

25

7

7

6

6

6

6

0.727

35

7

7

6

6

6

6

0.524

50

19

19

6

6

6

6

0.387

70

19

19

12

12

12

12

0.268

95

19

19

15

15

15

15

0.193

120

37

37

18

15

18

15

0.153

150

37

37

18

15

18

15

0.124

185

37

37

30

30

30

30

0.0991

240

37

37

34

30

34

30

0.0754

300

61

61

34

30

34

30

0.0601

400

61

61

53

53

53

53

0.047

Current Carrying Capacity

Cross-Sectional Area (mm²)

Method C: 2-Core Single-Phase AC/DC (Amps)

Method C: 3/4-Core Three-Phase AC (Amps)

Method E: 2-Core Single-Phase AC/DC (Amps)

Method E: 3/4-Core Three-Phase AC (Amps)

Method D: 2-Core Single-Phase AC/DC (Amps)

Method D: 3/4-Core Three-Phase AC (Amps)

1.5

27

23

29

25

25

21

2.5

36

31

39

33

33

28

4

49

42

52

44

43

36

6

62

53

66

56

53

44

10

85

73

90

78

71

58

16

110

94

115

99

91

75

25

146

124

152

131

116

96

35

180

154

188

162

139

115

50

219

187

228

197

164

135

70

279

238

291

251

203

167

95

338

289

354

304

239

197

120

392

335

410

353

271

223

150

451

386

472

406

306

251

185

515

441

539

463

343

281

240

607

520

636

546

395

324

300

698

599

732

628

446

365

400

787

673

847

728

-

-

Understanding the Construction and Components of the N2XRY Cu/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC 0.6/1kV Cable

At its core, the N2XRY Cu/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC 0.6/1kV cable is a masterpiece of materials engineering, balancing conductivity, insulation, and protection. The conductor is made from Class 2 stranded copper, which offers excellent electrical performance while being flexible enough for installation in tight spaces. Stranding reduces skin effect losses and enhances durability, with wire counts varying by cross-sectional area—for instance, 7 wires for 1.5mm² to 61 for 400mm².

Surrounding the conductor is XLPE insulation, a cross-linked polyethylene that provides superior thermal resistance compared to traditional PVC. XLPE can handle temperatures up to 90°C continuously, making it less prone to degradation in high-load scenarios. This is followed by PVC bedding, which acts as a cushion between the insulation and the armour, preventing damage during bending or impact.

The standout feature is the SWA—steel wire armour—wound helically around the bedding. This armour shields the cable from mechanical stresses like crushing, rodent attacks, or accidental digs, which are common in underground installations. Finally, an outer PVC sheath encases everything, offering weather resistance, flame retardancy (per IEC/EN 60332-1-2), and a sleek black finish for UV protection.

Core identification is straightforward: two-core cables use brown and blue, while multi-core versions add black, grey, and green/yellow for grounding. Alternatives with white cores and black numbering are available for specific needs. Compliance with standards like BS 5467, IEC/EN 60502-1, and IEC/EN 60228 ensures global interoperability and safety.

This construction isn't just about durability; it's about efficiency. The N2XRY Cu/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC 0.6/1kV cable minimizes energy losses through low resistance—down to 0.047 ohms/km for 400mm² conductors—and supports flame-retardant properties, reducing fire risks in confined spaces.

Usage Scenarios: From Urban Grids to Remote Installations

The N2XRY Cu/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC 0.6/1kV cable excels in diverse environments thanks to its armoured design. In power networks, it's used for auxiliary control and main distribution, linking substations to end-users. Underground burial protects against theft and weather, ideal for city streets or rural areas.

Outdoor applications include overhead-to-underground transitions or exposed runs in industrial sites, where SWA guards against impacts. Indoors, it's routed through ducts for building wiring, supporting lighting, machinery, and HVAC systems. In cable ducting, its bending radius allows easy pulls without damage.

Specific scenarios: In mining operations, it powers equipment in harsh, dusty conditions. For renewable setups, it connects solar inverters or wind turbines to local grids, handling variable loads. Its flame-retardant sheath suits confined spaces like tunnels or data centers.

Overall, this cable's adaptability makes it indispensable for modern infrastructure, balancing cost, safety, and performance.

The N2XRY Cu/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC 0.6/1kV cable stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity, blending robust specs with practical applications. From powering homes to bolstering South Africa's fight against energy woes, it delivers reliability in an uncertain world.

Cross-Sectional Area (mm²)

2-Core DC (mV/A/m)

2-Core Single-Phase AC (mV/A/m)

3/4-Core Three-Phase AC (mV/A/m)

r (mV/A/m)

x (mV/A/m)

z (mV/A/m)

1.5

31

31

27

-

-

-

2.5

19

19

16

-

-

-

4

12

12

10

-

-

-

6

7.9

7.9

6.8

-

-

-

10

4.7

4.7

4

-

-

-

16

2.9

2.9

2.5

-

-

-

25

-

1.85

1.65

1.85

0.160

1.900

35

-

1.35

1.15

1.35

0.155

1.350

50

-

0.99

0.87

0.98

0.155

1.000

70

-

0.67

0.60

0.67

0.150

0.690

95

-

0.50

0.45

0.49

0.150

0.520

120

-

0.40

0.37

0.39

0.145

0.420

150

-

0.32

0.30

0.31

0.145

0.350

185

-

0.26

0.26

0.25

0.145

0.290

240

-

0.20

0.21

0.195

0.140

0.240

300

-

0.16

0.185

0.155

0.140

0.210

400

-

0.13

0.165

0.12

0.140

0.190