ALUMINIUM CORE
ALUMINIUM CORE WIRES AND CABLES
ALUMINIUM CORE WIRES AND CABLES
Aluminium core wires and cables are designed for power distribution, control, and lighting circuits where lighter weight, cost efficiency, and corrosion resistance are priorities compared to copper. They house one or more insulated aluminium conductors in a common sheath, meeting industry standards for safety and performance, such as IS 8130 for conductors and IS 694 for PVC-insulated low-voltage cables.
- Conductor: Electrolytic grade aluminium (purity typically 99.5%+) in solid, class 2 stranded, or class 5 flexible configurations to balance conductivity, strength, and bend radius.
- Insulation: PVC insulation in grades such as Type A (general), Type B HR (heat resistant), Type C1 FR (fire retardant), Type C2 FRLS-H (low smoke/halogen), and ZHFR (zero halogen) for sensitive installations.
- Sheath: PVC ST1/ST2/ST3 depending on application and environment. Typical rated voltage Uo/U is 0.6/1 kV (660/1100 V), with insulation integrity tested at 3000 V between cores.
- Rated voltage: 0.6/1 kV as per IS 694 for low-voltage power cables.
- Temperature: Continuous operation up to 70 °C for standard PVC; short-circuit temperature up to 160 °C.
- Resistance and current: Higher electrical resistance than copper; e.g., ~29.0 Ω/km for 1.0 sq mm conductor. Current ratings are proportionally lower—selection must consider grouping and derating factors.
- Available in 1-core, 2-core, 3-core, and 3.5/4-core for power distribution (from 2.5 sq mm up to 300 sq mm), and multi-core forms for control and instrumentation (up to 25 cores typically within 2.5 sq mm).
- Weight: Around 40% lighter than copper equivalents, reducing handling and installation load.
- Flexibility: Achieved with stranded class 5 constructions for routing in ducts, trays, and panels.e