What is a cable?
In this article we will talk about the meaning of the term "cable" and the classification of cables.
Determining what a cable is, dictionaries saythe following: it is the construction of one or more conductors of electricity (veins) or optical fibers, isolated from each other and closed by a shell. In addition, the structure of the cable can include a core, armor, filler, etc., depending on where and for what this particular type of cable is applied.
Classification of cables
Depending on the structure, it is common to divide the types of cables by:
- availability and type of insulation (paper, plastic, rubber, etc.);
- the presence and type of the screen (foil made of copper or aluminum, braided mesh or spiral, etc.);
- number of cores (2, 4, 19, 37, etc.);
- the material from which the veins are made (hard or soft copper wire, hard or soft aluminum wire);
- material from which the shell is made (polyethylene, polyvinyl, rubber, metal);
- indicators of flexibility (for mobile and fixed connections);
- indicators of permissible voltage (0.66, 1, 3, 6, 10, 20, 35 kV).
Depending on the purpose, cables are allocated:
- control;
- power for stationary laying for voltage up to 35 kV;
- power for stationary laying under voltage from 110 kV and higher;
- power for non-stationary installation;
- management;
- connections are symmetric;
- communications are coaxial;
- telephone communications;
- telephone distribution;
- radio frequency;
- heating: with mineral insulation; self-regulating; with a constant power of parallel type; serial type with polymer insulation; self-limiting;
- other products (optical, ship, hose, etc.)
Depending on the purpose, two main groups of cables are distinguished:
- Power (they serve to distribute electric current between various electric receivers, distributors);
- Control (are the link between the current source and devices, devices, etc., designs that work with current).
In addition, some cables are capable of transmittingradio signals are so-called "radiating cables". They are used, for example, in the underground, in underground garages and offices, in some security systems. And others are created in order to convert the energy of an electric current into heat over a long time - these are the so-called "heating cables". They are used, for example, to heat the roof and gutters in buildings.
The properties of the cable can be identified bylabeling, which includes the use of color, tags and labels, symbols, and electronic markers. Depending on the country of the cable manufacturer, the same marker can talk about completely different data.
