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Single Core 8.7/15KV Medium Voltage Unarmoured Cable
Voltage: 8.7/15kV (Um=17.5kV)
Conductor: Copper or aluminum, stranded Class 2
Conductor Screen: Extruded semi-conducting XLPE
Insulation: XLPE, 4.5mm nominal
Insulation Screen: Extruded semi-conducting XLPE
Metallic Screen: Copper tape, 16-35mm²
Outer Sheath: PVC or MDPE (LSZH per BS 7835)
Product Overview
Single Core 8.7/15kV (Um=17.5kV) Medium Voltage Unarmoured Cable is an XLPE-insulated, copper tape screened power cable for MV distribution at the most widely deployed medium voltage class globally. 8.7/15kV — or simply "15kV class" in industry shorthand — is the standard MV voltage for utility distribution networks in North America, Australia, Southeast Asia, and much of the Middle East. With 4.5mm XLPE insulation, it is the smallest and most economical MV cable in the non-armoured single-core range, suitable for installations where the power demand and distance do not require the thicker insulation of 22kV or 33kV classes. This cable is the go-to choice for commercial building primary feeders, underground residential distribution (URD), and industrial site MV networks where the 15kV class is the established standard.
8.7/15kV: The Global MV Distribution Standard
MV Voltage Class Progression
| Voltage Class | Insulation | Typical Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8/6.6kV | 3.0mm | Motor feeders, generator connections, short-distance industrial MV |
| 6.35/11kV | 3.4mm | Local distribution, UK/Commonwealth standard, urban ring mains |
| 8.7/15kV | 4.5mm | Global standard: US/Australia/Asia/Middle East utility networks, commercial buildings |
| 12.7/22kV | 5.5mm | Continental European industrial networks, campus grids |
| 19/33kV | 8.0mm | Wind farm collection, primary distribution, substation interconnection |
Cable Construction
1. Conductor — Copper stranded or aluminium solid/stranded
2. Conductor Screen — Extruded semi-conducting XLPE
3. XLPE Insulation — 4.5mm nominal, 90°C rated
4. Insulation Screen — Extruded semi-conducting XLPE
5. Metallic Screen — Copper tape, 16-35mm²
6. Separation Sheath — PVC bedding
7. Outer Sheath — PVC or MDPE (LSZH option)
Technical Characteristics
| Rated Voltage U₀/U (Um) | 8.7/15kV (17.5kV maximum system voltage) |
| Nominal Insulation Thickness | 4.5mm |
| Max. Conductor Temperature | 90°C (continuous), 250°C (short-circuit, max 5s) |
| Min. Bending Radius | 12 × overall diameter |
| Frequency | 50Hz |
| Sheath Options | PVC, MDPE, or LSZH (BS 7835) |
| Partial Discharge | <5 pC at 1.73U₀ per IEC 60840 |
| Test Voltage (AC, 30min) | 2.5U₀ = 21.75kV |
Applicable Standards
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| BS 6622 | British standard for XLPE insulated single-core cables 3.8/6.6kV to 19/33kV. Covers 8.7/15kV class under Part 1. |
| IEC 60502-2 | International standard for MV cables 6kV-30kV. 8.7/15kV is the median voltage within this standard's scope. |
| IEC 60840 | PD testing methodology. Every drum tested to <5 pC at 1.73U₀ (15kV) before dispatch. |
| BS 7835 | LSZH sheathed MV cables for fire-sensitive installations. |
| IEC 60228 | Conductor specification — Class 2 stranded copper and aluminium. |
Technical Specifications — Single Core 8.7/15kV
XLPE insulation: 4.5mm (all cross-sections). Copper tape screen: 16mm² (25-120mm²), 25mm² (150-300mm²), 35mm² (400-630mm²). Conductor range: 25-630mm², copper or aluminium.
| Cross Section (mm²) | Insulation (mm) | Cu Screen (mm²) | Sheath (mm) | Outer Dia. (mm) | Weight Cu (kg/km) | Weight Al (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 25 | 4.5 | 16 | 1.6 | 23.7 | 940 | 820 |
| 1 × 35 | 4.5 | 16 | 1.7 | 24.9 | 1,140 | 870 |
| 1 × 50 | 4.5 | 16 | 1.7 | 26.6 | 1,240 | 920 |
| 1 × 70 | 4.5 | 16 | 1.8 | 28.4 | 1,470 | 1,030 |
| 1 × 95 | 4.5 | 16 | 1.9 | 30.2 | 1,750 | 1,160 |
| 1 × 120 | 4.5 | 16 | 1.9 | 31.6 | 2,100 | 1,250 |
| 1 × 150 | 4.5 | 25 | 2.0 | 33.5 | 2,340 | 1,400 |
| 1 × 185 | 4.5 | 25 | 2.0 | 35.0 | 2,690 | 1,520 |
| 1 × 240 | 4.5 | 25 | 2.1 | 36.8 | 3,270 | 1,740 |
| 1 × 300 | 4.5 | 25 | 2.2 | 39.9 | 3,870 | 1,990 |
| 1 × 400 | 4.5 | 35 | 2.3 | 43.8 | 4,890 | 2,370 |
| 1 × 500 | 4.5 | 35 | 2.4 | 46.4 | 5,860 | 2,760 |
| 1 × 630 | 4.5 | 35 | 2.5 | 51.6 | 7,190 | 3,190 |
Packaging & Delivery
Export Wooden Drum
Fumigated wooden drums. Drum flange diameter ≥20× cable OD. Heat-shrink end cap sealing as standard.
Moisture Protection
Factory-sealed cable ends with dual-layer heat-shrink + desiccant. UV-resistant polyethylene drum wrap for outdoor storage.
Test Documentation
PD certificate, AC voltage test report, conductor resistance measurement, material traceability per BS 6622.
Typical Applications — 8.7/15kV Voltage Class
Global Utility Distribution
Primary application. 15kV class is the standard utility MV voltage in the US, Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Underground residential and commercial distribution networks.
Commercial Building Primary Feeders
Shopping centers, high-rise office towers, and large commercial complexes with dedicated 15kV primary switchgear and step-down transformers.
Mining Operations
Mine site MV distribution networks. 15kV class is common in Australian and African mining projects. XLPE resists the mechanical stress of mobile equipment vibration.
Industrial Site MV Networks
Smaller industrial parks and processing plants where 15kV is the established site voltage. Ring main configuration for reliable power supply.
URD (Underground Residential Distribution)
Standard voltage for URD networks — transformers pad-mounted at street level fed via 15kV underground cables from a switching substation.
Hospital & Critical Infrastructure
Dedicated 15kV feeders to hospitals, data centers, and emergency services facilities. Redundant dual-feeder configuration for N+1 reliability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
As a factory, we offer flexible MOQ depending on the cable type. For standard stock items, MOQ is low; for customized specifications, please contact our sales team for a detailed quote.
Yes, Qiangli cables are manufactured in compliance with international standards such as UL, CE, TUV, and VDE. We provide full test reports and certificates upon request.
Absolutely. We have a dedicated R&D team that can customize cable structure, material, color, and printing to meet your specific project needs.
For standard products, lead time is usually 7-15 days. For large-scale project orders or customized products, it typically ranges from 20 to 30 days.
Yes, we provide free samples for most standard cables. You only need to cover the international courier costs. Contact us to arrange your sample shipment.