RZ1MZ1-K XLPE SWA LSZH Cable
Unlocking the Potential of RZ1MZ1-K XLPE SWA LSZH Cable
RZ1MZ1-K XLPE SWA LSZH Cable
Category | Details |
|---|---|
Application | Multi-core LSZH cable with steel wire armour (SWA). Power and auxiliary fixed wiring cables for use in power networks, underground, outdoor and indoor applications, and for use in cable ducting. For installation where fire, smoke emission, and toxic fumes create a potential threat to life and equipment. |
Characteristics | |
Voltage Rating (Uo/U) | 0.6/1kV |
Temperature Rating | -40ºC to +90ºC |
Construction | |
Conductor | Class 5 flexible copper conductor |
Insulation | XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) |
Bedding Layer | LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) |
Armour | Galvanized steel wires |
Sheath | LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) |
Core Identification | |
1 Core | Black |
2 Core | Blue, Brown |
3 Core | Grey, Black, Brown |
3 Core (including earth) | Green/Yellow, Blue, Brown |
4 Core | Blue, Brown, Black, Grey |
4 Core (including earth) | Green/Yellow, Brown, Black, Grey |
5 Core (including earth) | Green/Yellow, Blue, Brown, Black, Grey |
Outer Sheath Colour | Green |
Standards | UNE 21123-4, EN 60228, HD603, Flame Retardant according to IEC/EN 60332-1, IEC/EN 60332-3, Low Smoke Zero Halogen according to IEC/EN 60754-1/2, IEC/EN 61034-1/2 |
CONDUCTORS
NOMINAL CROSS SECTIONAL AREA (mm²) | MAXIMUM DIAMETER OF WIRES IN CONDUCTOR (mm) | MAXIMUM RESISTANCE OF CONDUCTOR AT 20ºC (Ω/km) |
|---|---|---|
1.5 | 0.26 | 13.3 |
2.5 | 0.26 | 7.98 |
4 | 0.31 | 4.95 |
6 | 0.31 | 3.3 |
10 | 0.41 | 1.91 |
16 | 0.41 | 1.21 |
25 | 0.41 | 0.78 |
35 | 0.41 | 0.554 |
50 | 0.41 | 0.386 |
70 | 0.51 | 0.272 |
95 | 0.51 | 0.206 |
120 | 0.51 | 0.161 |
150 | 0.51 | 0.129 |
185 | 0.51 | 0.106 |
240 | 0.51 | 0.0801 |
Electrical Characteristics
NOMINAL CROSS SECTIONAL AREA (mm²) | CURRENT CARRYING CAPACITY (Amps) - 2 Core Cables | CURRENT CARRYING CAPACITY (Amps) - 3, 4, and 5 Core Cables | VOLTAGE DROP (V/A/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
In Air at 40°C | In Ground at 25°C | In Air at 40°C | |
1.5 | 24 | 27 | 20 |
2.5 | 33 | 36 | 26 |
4 | 45 | 46 | 36 |
6 | 57 | 58 | 46 |
10 | 79 | 77 | 65 |
16 | 105 | 100 | 87 |
25 | 123 | 128 | 110 |
35 | 154 | 154 | 137 |
50 | 188 | 183 | 167 |
70 | 244 | 224 | 214 |
95 | 296 | 265 | 259 |
120 | 348 | 302 | 301 |
150 | 404 | 342 | 353 |
185 | 464 | 383 | 391 |
240 | 552 | 442 | 468 |
Understanding the Construction and Materials
At its core, the RZ1MZ1-K XLPE SWA LSZH Cable is a testament to modern materials engineering. The conductor is made from Class 5 flexible copper, known for its excellent conductivity and flexibility, allowing easy installation in tight spaces. This is crucial for applications where bending and routing are frequent, such as in cable ducting or confined underground trenches.
The insulation layer uses XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene, a polymer that's chemically treated to form a three-dimensional network. This crosslinking enhances thermal stability, making the cable resistant to overheating and deformation under load. Unlike traditional PVC insulation, XLPE offers superior electrical properties, including lower dielectric losses and higher insulation resistance, which translate to more efficient power transmission over long distances.
Surrounding the insulated cores is a bedding layer of LSZH material, followed by the SWA—galvanized steel wires twisted around the cable for robust mechanical protection. This armour shields against impacts, rodent damage, and crushing forces, making it ideal for direct burial in soil or exposure to environmental stresses. The outer sheath, also LSZH, ensures that in the event of a fire, the cable emits minimal smoke and no halogen gases, which are toxic and corrosive. Halogens like chlorine in older cables can exacerbate fires by producing dense smoke and acid fumes, endangering lives and equipment.
Core identification is straightforward and color-coded for safety: two-core versions use blue and brown, while multi-core options include green/yellow for earth. The outer sheath is typically green, aiding visibility during maintenance. Compliant with standards like UNE 21123-4, EN 60228, and IEC/EN 60332 for flame retardancy, this cable meets rigorous international benchmarks for low smoke zero halogen performance under IEC/EN 60754 and 61034.
Usage Scenarios and Benefits
The RZ1MZ1-K XLPE SWA LSZH Cable excels in scenarios demanding reliability and safety. In power networks, it's used for fixed wiring in substations or distribution lines, where SWA protects against excavation damage. Underground applications benefit from its armour and LSZH properties, reducing risks in tunnels or buried conduits. Outdoors, it withstands weather extremes, while indoors, its low smoke emission is critical in hospitals, schools, or data centers where evacuation time is precious.
Benefits abound: XLPE insulation allows higher operating temperatures (up to 90°C continuous), boosting ampacity over PVC equivalents. SWA adds tensile strength for pulling through ducts, and LSZH ensures compliance with fire codes, vital as global standards tighten. In renewable setups, like solar farms, it connects panels to inverters safely, mitigating fire risks from electrical faults— a growing concern in cheap installations.
Economically, its durability lowers maintenance costs, and environmentally, LSZH reduces toxic emissions, aligning with sustainability goals. In South Africa's context, where energy wheeling and off-grid solutions rise, this cable supports the shift from coal to renewables, enhancing grid resilience amid tariffs and shortages.
