Makers are using low smoke, zero halogen compounds to address health and environmental concerns.

The XLPE series from mainland China's Shenzhen Chengtiantai is certified to GB and IEC. The working voltage is 450 or 750V and the cross-sectional area ranges from 1 to 60mm².

Under efforts to comply with stringent international standards, mainland China and Taiwan manufacturers of electrical cables are enhancing the safety and environmental friendliness of designs.

In particular, product development endeavors are geared toward the use of better materials.

Many companies are adopting low smoke, zero halogen thermoplastic for the jacket to minimize the amount of toxic and corrosive gases emitted in case of fire. This is in addition to the fact that most LSZH compounds are heat-resistant.

These serve as less-hazardous alternatives to traditional PVC, which releases caustic hydrogen chloride fumes when burned and poses health and environmental problems. As such, Germany and the Netherlands are discouraging use of the material in construction products.

Polyolefin is among the LSZH compounds employed by suppliers. Besides thermal stability, the polymer’s flexibility and toughness make it suitable for the product casing. Its recyclability is another advantage.

Models in this thermoplastic are priced 20 to 30 percent higher than PVC-sheathed designs.

Makers are also improving the insulating material. Most are employing cross-linked PE for better temperature and electrical resistivity. Such an insulator enables the conductor to handle power as high as 160kV.

Cross-linking is done either through irradiation or the use of chemicals. Radiation-induced designs have 15 to 50 percent greater energy-carrying capacity than the chemically formed versions.

Insulators of some models come in other dielectric compounds such as Mylar and ethylene propylene rubber.

As regards the conductor, aluminum is gradually replacing copper in production despite having only about 60 percent the conductivity of the latter. This is because the material is lightweight, costs less and can be sourced domestically.

To protect this vital component, suppliers are incorporating additional safety layers in the structure.

In the mainland, Shanghai Anjie Fireproof Cable Co. Ltd is equipping its electrical cables with a hydroxide filler positioned beneath the jacket.

When exposed to extremely high temperature, the film decomposes and releases water that vaporizes instantly and thereby retards the burning process.

Shenzhen Chengtiantai Cable Industrial Development Co. Ltd’s prefabricated branch cable has an O-type alloy sleeve that keeps the product from touching the main line, preventing short circuit and overheating.

Models from Zhejiang Zhongce Cable Co. Ltd feature steel tape armor for withstanding rodent attack. These are suitable for underground installation.

Mainland-made electrical cables undergo self-discharge, sparking, thermal elongation and fire resistance testing, and insulation performance analysis. Designs meet CCC, IEC, JB, ICEA, BS, VDE, JIS, RoHS, CE, WEEE and GB/T standards.

Suitable for power transmission in ships, petroleum drilling platforms and oil tankers, models from Yangzhou Xinyu Cable Co. Ltd also have CCS, LR, ABS, NK, BV, RINA, DNV and KR certification.

In Taiwan, products are subjected to vertical tray flame, smoke emission, oxygen and temperature index, and corrosive gas and halogen content tests.

Boosting production capability

Taiwan's Walsin Lihwa offers the WLC-P-5201E-2 model, an electrical cable with a cross-linked PE insulator and a PVC or low smoke, zero halogen compound jacket.

Suppliers are investing in advanced technologies to create safe and environment-friendly electrical cables.

Mainland-based Zhejiang Zhongce is setting up extrusion machines and cross-linking production lines in its new 10,000sqm factory in Tonglu.

In Taiwan, Walsin Lihwa is sourcing automatic and advanced equipment from the US, Germany, Finland and Japan. This is to support the company’s aim to boost its output of cables in LSZH nanocomposites. Such products feature better physical and dielectric properties than versions made of thermoplastic.

Ta Ya Electric Wire & Cable Co. Ltd procures modern facilities and test equipment in the US and Europe to manufacture its LSZH models.

Cross-linked PE insulated designs from the supplier have a power capacity of 0.6 to 161kV and are certified to CNS, UL, CSA, T mark, VDE and RoHS.

At present, Ta Ya exports 5 percent of its electrical cable output. Japan, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and South America are the overseas destinations.

The majority of turnout is allotted to the domestic market, particularly in catering to high demand in the construction segment.

Ta Hsing Electric Wire & Cable Co. Ltd has three factories for the line with a combined area of 15,300sqm. These yield about $5 million worth of products on a yearly basis. Shipments go primarily to North America, the EU and Asia.