You may often hear electrical power cables and control cables mentioned in engineering projects, but do you know the respective functions of electrical power cables and control cables? Control cables directly transmit electrical energy from the power distribution point of the power system to the power connection lines of various electrical equipment, while electrical power cables are mainly used for the transmission of strong electrical energy in the generation, distribution, transmission, transformation, and power supply lines, and the current passing through is large. The electrical power cable is used in the main line of the power system to transmit and distribute large-function electrical energy.
1. Executive standard:
Control cable is 9330, electrical power cable is GB12706.
2. Core color:
The color of the insulated core of the control cable is usually black with white lettering, and the low voltage of the electrical power cable is generally color-separated.
3. Cross section:
The electrical power cable is a one-time load wire. The current carrying capacity increases with the increase of power. The application cross section of the wire must also increase with the increase of current. Therefore, the size of the power cable is generally larger, up to 500 square meters. , No matter how large the cross-section is, there are generally fewer chinese cable manufacturers that can do it. The control cable is a secondary command wire used to control the current-carrying operation of the contactor and other equipment. The load current is very small and the wire section is very small. Therefore, the section of the control cable is usually small, and the maximum is usually no more than 10 square.
4. Cable core number:
The number of cores of the power cable is relatively small, including single core, two cores, 3 cores, 4 cores and 5 cores. According to the requirements of the power grid, the maximum is generally 5 cores. Control cables are used to transmit control signals, which contain a large number of cores, ranging from 2 cores to 61 cores or more. Control cables also use various core wire structures and shielding measures to obtain satisfactory electromagnetic compatibility effects.
5. Rated voltage:
The rated voltage of the power cable is generally 0.6/1kV and above, and the control cable is mainly 450/750V.
6. Wire sheath:
The power cable requires the wire sheath to have sufficient compressive strength, tensile strength, temperature resistance and corrosion resistance. The control cable requirements are relatively low. When producing industrial power cables and control cables of the same specification, the thickness of the insulation and sheath of the electrical power cable is thicker than that of the control cable.
Power Cable vs. Control Cable: What Is The Difference?
Power and control are some of the most common functions of electrical cables. In this blog, we discover the differences between the two and name the most common types of power and control cables.
The power cable is the type of cable used to send the energy from its source to the equipment. Power cables are used in overhead and underground energy transmission, as well as in industrial settings. These are multi conductor cables with aluminum or copper conductors.
Depending on the transmission system, power cables can be AC or DC. AC cables are used in domestic 50 Hz systems, while DC cables are used in DC transmission systems.
Standard power cables include:
In an industrial setting, popular types of power cables are Type W, Type G, type G-GC, and others.
Control cables are designed in automation control for sending signals that control the equipment, as well as for measurement and regulation. Due to the nature of the environment they are used in, these cables have to be flexible or flexing.
Control cables are applied in automation systems, transport, building, construction, mining, and industry. These are multi-conductor cables. It is more common for them to have a copper conductor because of its superior conductivity.
The terms control, instrumentation, and signal refer to cables that are not used to transfer power. However, there is a subtle difference between these terms.
Signal cable includes coaxial cables, twisted pair cables, and fiber optic cables. The control wire is similar to signal cables as both carry signals. However, signal cables transmit data. Therefore, they need shielding to prevent electromagnetic interference. A regular control cable does not always have shielding.
Another term commonly related to control cable is instrumentation cable. The cables that fall under this definition also need protection from crosstalk and EMI. Sometimes, the terms "control" and "instrumentation" may be used interchangeably to refer to the same cable. Instrumentation and control are related functions.
According to the primary classification, VDE Standards, there are three types of control cables: CY, YY, and SY. YY is a regular unshielded cable.
CY is a flexible cable protected from EMI. It is either individually shielded or has an overall shield. SY cables have a steel wire braid for control applications that require extra mechanical protection.
Standard control cables on the market are SEOW control cables, sprinkler control cables, tray control cables, marine control cables, and others.
Both power and control cables are used in industrial, residential, and commercial applications. Aside from the overall purpose, power and control cables have many differences.
For one, they differ when it comes to voltage. Power cables usually have a higher voltage than control wires at 0.6/1kV and higher. Control cables operate at 300/450/600/750V.
Since power cables are used in an active environment and transfer a high amount of energy, they call for excellent sheathing. In a power cord, the sheathing is strong and sturdy and is resistant to different external factors, including corrosion and temperatures. Control wires do not require the same sheathing and often have regular PVC insulation.
When used in the same environment, such as industry, a power cable needs a thicker insulation and jacket than a control cable.
Control cables usually have an elaborate color coding, while power cables are often black and white.
While the distinction between power and control functions is quite clear, some cables cannot be placed in either of these categories. The reason for this is that they perform both functions. These include airport lighting cables, welding cables, different types of marine and shipboard wires, portable power cords, and others.