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Home / Blog >Medium Voltage Power Cable for Industrial Distribution

Medium Voltage Power Cable for Industrial Distribution

Time: 2026-08-12 09:13:01 Source: Henan Province Jianyun Cable Co., Ltd.

Author: Jianyun Cable

Medium voltage power cable is a key component in modern electrical distribution systems. It transfers electricity between substations, transformers, industrial facilities, utility networks, renewable energy systems, and other major electrical loads.

Compared with ordinary low-voltage cable, medium voltage power cable requires a stronger insulation system and more carefully designed electrical shielding. XLPE insulation is widely used because it provides excellent dielectric performance, thermal stability, and dependable long-term operation.

Jianyun Cable supplies XLPE medium voltage power cable with copper or aluminum conductors, PVC outer sheathing, and multiple armored construction options for underground, industrial, utility, and infrastructure applications.

Recommended Medium Voltage Power Cable:

XLPE Medium Voltage Power Cable from Jianyun Cable

What Is Medium Voltage Power Cable?

Medium voltage power cable is designed for electrical systems operating above conventional low-voltage distribution. Typical medium-voltage applications include power networks ranging from several kilovolts up to approximately 35kV.

The Jianyun Cable product range includes working voltage classes from 3.6/6kV through 26/35kV. These cables are designed for power transmission and distribution in underground networks, industrial facilities, substations, and infrastructure projects.

Depending on the project, the cable can use copper or aluminum conductors and may include additional armor to protect against mechanical stress.

Main Cable Construction

Component Main Function
Copper or aluminum conductor Carries electrical current efficiently
XLPE insulation Provides the primary dielectric insulation
Binding tape and filler Maintains cable geometry and core stability
PVC inner sheath Protects the internal cable assembly
AWA / SWA / STA armor Provides mechanical protection according to installation requirements
PVC outer sheath Protects against moisture, abrasion, and environmental exposure

Main Advantages of Medium Voltage Power Cable

Advantage Project Benefit
XLPE insulation Provides strong electrical and thermal performance
Copper or aluminum conductors Allows selection based on conductivity, weight, and project budget
Armored construction Improves mechanical protection in underground and industrial applications
Wide conductor size range Supports different current capacities and project scales
90°C operating temperature Supports dependable continuous-load performance
Multiple international standards Suitable for different regional and project specifications

Common Applications

  • Industrial power distribution
  • Electrical substations
  • Underground cable networks
  • Utility distribution systems
  • Mining and processing facilities
  • Renewable energy projects
  • Commercial infrastructure
  • Manufacturing plants
  • Transformer connections
  • Large electrical equipment

Typical Voltage Classes

Voltage Class Typical Application
3.6/6kV Industrial and commercial distribution
6/10kV Factory and utility networks
8.7/15kV Medium-voltage distribution systems
12/20kV Substations and infrastructure projects
18/30kV High-capacity utility and industrial systems
26/35kV Major distribution and energy infrastructure

Copper vs Aluminum Medium Voltage Power Cable

Feature Copper Conductor Aluminum Conductor
Conductivity Higher conductivity for the same cross-sectional area Requires larger area for similar current capacity
Weight Heavier Lighter
Installation space More compact for equivalent current May require a larger conductor size
Project cost Generally higher Often more economical

Armored Cable Options

Armor Type Main Characteristic Typical Use
AWA Aluminum wire armor Single-core AC power cables
SWA Steel wire armor Multi-core cables requiring strong tensile protection
STA Steel tape armor Underground cables requiring compression and impact protection
ATA Aluminum tape armor Project-specific armored construction

Single-Core vs Three-Core Medium Voltage Cable

Feature Single Core Three Core
Construction One insulated phase conductor per cable Three insulated phase conductors under one sheath
Handling Easier to handle at very large conductor sizes Compact three-phase installation
Armor AWA commonly used when armor is required SWA or STA can be used
Typical application High-current distribution Industrial and underground three-phase systems

How to Select the Right Medium Voltage Power Cable

Selection Factor Recommendation
System voltage Match the cable Uo/U rating to the electrical network
Load current Select conductor cross section according to current-carrying capacity
Route length Check voltage drop and power losses for long cable runs
Short-circuit level Verify conductor and screen thermal capability
Mechanical risk Select AWA, SWA, STA, or another armored design where required
Installation environment Evaluate underground, wet, sloping, vertical, or industrial conditions
Applicable standard Confirm IEC 60502, GB/T 12706, BS, VDE, AS/NZS, JIS, or project specifications

Typical Product Specifications

Specification Available Option
Product type XLPE medium voltage power cable
Working voltage 3.6/6kV to 26/35kV
Conductor Copper or aluminum
Insulation XLPE
Outer jacket PVC
Armor AWA, SWA, STA, or ATA
Core configuration Single core or three core
Cross section 1.5mm² to 800mm² depending on cable design
Operating temperature Up to 90°C for XLPE-insulated cable
Short-circuit temperature Up to 250°C for a maximum of 5 seconds

Recommended Medium Voltage Power Cable from Jianyun Cable

XLPE Insulated Armored Power Cable

Jianyun Cable supplies medium voltage power cable with copper or aluminum conductors, XLPE insulation, PVC outer sheathing, and multiple armored structures for underground, industrial, utility, and infrastructure installations.

Cable voltage, conductor material, cross-sectional area, core configuration, armor type, sheath material, drum length, and packaging can be specified according to project requirements.

View Product Specifications and Request a Quote:

XLPE Medium Voltage Power Cable for Underground Distribution

Why Choose Jianyun Cable?

  • Copper and aluminum conductor options
  • XLPE insulated medium voltage cable designs
  • 3.6/6kV to 26/35kV voltage classes
  • Single-core and three-core configurations
  • AWA, SWA, STA, and ATA armored options
  • Wide conductor size range
  • Production according to IEC, GB, BS, VDE, AS/NZS, JIS, and project standards
  • Customized cable specifications and export drum packaging

Conclusion

Medium voltage power cable is a critical link between substations, transformers, industrial equipment, and electrical distribution networks. Selecting the correct voltage class, conductor material, insulation, armor, and conductor size helps improve system reliability and long-term operating performance.

Jianyun Cable supplies XLPE medium voltage power cable for underground, industrial, infrastructure, and utility projects with multiple conductor, armor, and voltage options.

Request Your Medium Voltage Power Cable Quotation:

Contact Jianyun Cable for XLPE Medium Voltage Power Cable

Frequently Asked Questions

What is medium voltage power cable used for?

Medium voltage power cable is used to transmit electrical energy between substations, transformers, industrial facilities, utility networks, renewable energy systems, and major electrical loads.

What voltage classes are available?

Typical options include 3.6/6kV, 6/10kV, 8.7/15kV, 12/20kV, 18/30kV, 21/35kV, and 26/35kV, depending on project requirements.

Why is XLPE used for medium voltage power cable?

XLPE provides strong dielectric insulation, good thermal stability, low dielectric loss, and dependable long-term performance under medium-voltage electrical stress.

When should armored medium voltage cable be selected?

Armored cable should be selected where additional protection is required against impact, compression, pulling force, ground movement, or other mechanical stresses.

What is the difference between SWA and AWA?

SWA uses steel wire armor and is commonly applied to multi-core cables. AWA uses aluminum wire armor and is often selected for single-core AC cables because aluminum is non-magnetic.

How should medium voltage cable size be selected?

Cable size should be selected according to system voltage, load current, cable length, voltage drop, short-circuit current, installation environment, ambient temperature, and applicable electrical standards.

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