Medium voltage cable

One construction principle, one family

All types share the same principle: XLPE insulation with semiconducting layers and a copper wire screen (CWS), to HD 620 or IEC 60502-2; the product page gives the standard per voltage class. They differ on three points. Conductor: copper (N2XS…) or aluminium (NA2XS… and the Belgian EAXeCWB and EAXeCGB to NBN HD 620). Sheath: a PE sheath (2Y, in Belgium W) for direct burial in wet ground, a halogen-free sheath (EAXeCGB) or a PVC sheath for indoors, substations and ducts (N2XSY, NA2XSY and NA2XS(F)Y). The types with (F) and the Belgian types with the e are longitudinally watertight. And armour: the armoured N2XSEYFGbY and NA2XSEYFGbY with flat steel wires where the route needs mechanical protection.

Each type has its own range of voltage classes, from 6/10 to 20.8/36 kV (Um 12 to 42 kV). The table on the product pages shows which voltage classes each type has. Only the insulation thickness and the outer size grow with the class; the construction stays the same.

Copper or aluminium on the distribution network

At 12/20 kV, N2XS(F)2Y 1×95 mm² copper has a DC resistance of 0.193 Ω/km; NA2XS(F)2Y 1×95 mm² aluminium comes to 0.32 Ω/km. To reach the same resistance in aluminium you end up around 1×150 mm². Weight moves the other way: the 95 mm² copper conductor weighs about 850 kg/km, a 150 mm² aluminium conductor about 405 kg/km.

Network operators therefore lay aluminium as standard over long routes. Copper appears where trench width or duct space is the constraint, or where there are many termination points. Send length, load and voltage level; we compare both variants side by side.

Lead time makes the difference

Common types and cross-sections, such as NA2XS(F)Y 1×95/16 mm², we supply through production lines whose schedules we know well. Large project quantities are made to order. The lead time is stated in the quote, per drum, with the length breakdown you ask for. Phased call-off delivery is standard there.