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AS/NZS 4961 Aluminum Neutral Screen Cable New Zealand Standard Underground Cable
Standard: AS/NZS 4961
Rated Voltage: 0.6/1(1.2) kV
Configuration: 3-core — aluminium phase conductors + copper wire neutral screen
Phase Conductor: Sector-shaped stranded aluminium (50–300 mm²); circular (35 mm²)
Insulation: XLPE, 90°C continuous — Blue / Red / White
Neutral Screen: Soft annealed copper wire, helically concentric wound
Outer Sheath: PVC black, 3.2 mm nominal
Conductor Sizes: 35 / 50 / 70 / 95 / 120 / 150 / 185 / 240 / 300 mm²
Max. Conductor Temperature: 90°C continuous; 250°C short-circuit
Product Overview
AS/NZS 4961 Aluminum Neutral Screen Cable is a 3-core, sector-shaped, aluminium conductor, XLPE insulated, copper wire concentric neutral screened, PVC sheathed underground power distribution cable rated at 0.6/1(1.2)kV, manufactured to the joint Australian and New Zealand standard AS/NZS 4961. It is specifically designed for underground power distribution from the point of supply to domestic, commercial, and industrial premises in the New Zealand and Australian distribution network — delivering three-phase power while integrating the neutral conductor and electrostatic screen into a single concentric copper wire layer wound around all three phase cores simultaneously.
The defining feature of AS/NZS 4961 is the copper wire neutral screen: a layer of soft annealed copper wires wound helically and concentrically over the assembled three XLPE-insulated aluminium phase cores. This neutral screen serves three simultaneous functions — it carries the return neutral current (as the system neutral conductor), provides electrostatic shielding of the three-phase circuit (reducing induced interference on adjacent communications cables), and acts as a fault current return path (providing earth fault current capacity independent of the soil return path). The single neutral screen around all three cores eliminates the need for a separate neutral conductor wire, reducing overall cable diameter, weight, and cost compared to four-core cable designs.
Available in aluminium phase conductor sizes from 35 mm² to 300 mm², all in 3-core (3C) configuration. Phase conductors are sector-shaped (optimising circular cable cross-section packing) from 50 mm² upward; 35 mm² uses a circular stranded conductor. Insulation colour coding: Blue, Red, and White for the three phase cores per AS/NZS 4961.
PVC Outer Sheath — Black, UV and weather resistant for underground/outdoor installation
Copper Wire Neutral Screen — Concentric helical copper wires; serves as neutral conductor + electrostatic screen + fault return path
XLPE Insulation — Blue, Red, White per phase; 90°C continuous conductor temperature
Sector-Shaped Al Conductors — Stranded aluminium (circular 35 mm², sector-shaped 50–300 mm²)
Triple-Function Copper Neutral Screen
The concentric copper wire neutral layer simultaneously acts as: (1) the system neutral conductor carrying unbalanced return current; (2) an electrostatic screen reducing interference on adjacent buried cables; and (3) a fault current return path for earth fault protection — three functions in one layer, eliminating a separate neutral core and reducing cable cost versus 4-core designs.
AS/NZS 4961 — New Zealand & Australian Standard
Full compliance with the joint Australian and New Zealand underground distribution cable standard — mandatory for power distribution cables installed in NZ and Australian distribution networks operated by Vector, Orion, WEL Networks, Ausgrid, Western Power, and all other AS/NZS-regulated distribution network service providers.
XLPE Insulation — 90°C Continuous
Cross-linked polyethylene insulation rated to 90°C continuous conductor temperature — 30°C higher than PVC-insulated cables of equivalent dimensions. This higher temperature rating directly increases the cable's current-carrying capacity, enabling a smaller cable cross-section to carry the same load current compared to PVC-insulated alternatives.
Sector-Shaped Conductors — Compact Design
Sector-shaped (wedge-profile) aluminium conductors fill the cable cross-section more efficiently than round conductors — achieving a smaller overall cable diameter and weight for the same conductor cross-section area. A 150 mm² 3-core sector cable is significantly more compact than a 150 mm² 3-core round conductor cable, reducing trench width requirements and cable weight per metre.
Aluminium Phase Conductors — Cost Efficient
Sector-shaped stranded aluminium conductors provide cost-efficient current-carrying capacity for underground distribution at 0.6/1kV — aluminium's lower cost per unit current capacity (compared to copper) makes it the preferred phase conductor material for high-capacity distribution feeder cables where the larger aluminium cross-section can be accommodated in the cable geometry.
Underground & Direct Burial Suitable
PVC outer sheath provides protection for installation in conduit, duct, or direct burial in ground — covering all standard underground distribution cable installation methods used in New Zealand and Australian LV distribution network practice. Blue/Red/White insulation colour coding enables unambiguous phase identification throughout installation and commissioning.
Technical Specifications
Basic Parameters
| Standard | AS/NZS 4961 — Underground Distribution Cables, Aluminium Conductor, with Copper Neutral Screen |
|---|---|
| Rated Voltage | 0.6/1(1.2) kV (Uo/U/Um) |
| Configuration | 3-core (3C) — three aluminium phase conductors + concentric copper neutral screen |
| Phase Conductor | Sector-shaped stranded aluminium (50–300 mm²); circular stranded aluminium (35 mm²) |
| Insulation | XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) — 90°C continuous conductor temperature |
| Insulation Colours | Blue, Red, White (per phase, per AS/NZS 4961) |
| Neutral Screen | Soft annealed copper wires, helically wound concentrically over all three insulated cores |
| Outer Sheath | PVC — black |
| Max. Conductor Temperature | 90°C (continuous); 250°C (short-circuit) |
| Nominal Sheath Thickness | 3.2 mm (uniform across all sizes) |
| Neutral Screen Wire Ø | 0.85–0.90 mm (35–95 mm²); 0.85 mm (120–300 mm²) — individual copper wire diameter |
| Installation | Underground direct burial, in conduit or duct — suitable for indoor and outdoor fixed installation |
| Packaging | Wooden or steel drum; standard lengths 500 m / 1000 m; custom lengths available |
Full Parameter Table — AS/NZS 4961 (3Cx35 to 3Cx300 mm²)
| Size | Conductor Ø or Dimensions* (mm) | Insulation Thickness (mm) | Neutral Wire Ø (mm) | Neutral Calculated Area (mm²) | Nominal Sheath Thickness (mm) | Approx. Cable OD (mm) | Approx. Weight (kg/km) | DC Resistance @ 20°C (Ω/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3C×35 mm² | 7.1 (circular) | 0.9 | 0.85 | 25 | 3.2 | 27.8 | 1070 | 0.868 |
| 3C×50 mm² | 6.9×12.1 (sector) | 1.0 | 0.85 | 28 | 3.2 | 28.6 | 1190 | 0.641 |
| 3C×70 mm² | 8.4×14.7 (sector) | 1.1 | 1.13 | 41 | 3.2 | 32.7 | 1560 | 0.443 |
| 3C×95 mm² | 10.0×17.5 (sector) | 1.1 | 1.13 | 58 | 3.2 | 36.2 | 2040 | 0.320 |
| 3C×120 mm² | 11.3×19.2 (sector) | 1.2 | 1.53 | 84 | 3.2 | 40.2 | 2620 | 0.253 |
| 3C×150 mm² | 12.6×21.4 (sector) | 1.4 | 1.53 | 93 | 3.2 | 43.7 | 3050 | 0.206 |
| 3C×185 mm² | 14.1×24.0 (sector) | 1.6 | 1.53 | 117 | 3.2 | 47.9 | 3720 | 0.164 |
| 3C×240 mm² | 16.3×26.9 (sector) | 1.7 | 2.03 | 148 | 3.2 | 53.9 | 4700 | 0.125 |
| 3C×300 mm² | 18.3×30.2 (sector) | 1.8 | 2.01 | 184 | 3.2 | 58.6 | 5650 | 0.100 |
Key Features & Technical Advantages
Concentric Neutral — No Separate Neutral Cable
The copper wire neutral screen wound around all three phase cores carries the neutral return current of the three-phase circuit — eliminating the need for a separate neutral conductor cable run. A single AS/NZS 4961 3-core cable replaces a 3-core + separate neutral arrangement, halving the number of cable routes, cable joint counts, and termination workpoints for the neutral conductor in underground distribution systems.
Earth Fault Current Capacity
The copper neutral screen provides a low-impedance metallic earth fault current return path throughout the cable length — essential for the earth fault protection systems of New Zealand and Australian 0.6/1kV distribution networks. The screen's calculated area (25–184 mm² across the size range) is sized per AS/NZS 4961 to carry the required earth fault current for the protection relay clearing time without overheating.
XLPE vs PVC — Higher Ampacity, Same Diameter
XLPE insulation rated to 90°C continuous allows 25–30% higher continuous current than equivalent PVC-insulated cable (70°C) of the same conductor cross-section. For a given load current requirement, XLPE permits specification of a smaller conductor cross-section — reducing cable cost, weight, trench size, and termination hardware across the full distribution feeder design.
Sector Shape — Smaller Cable OD for Same Capacity
Three sector-shaped conductors pack into a near-circular cross-section with significantly less void space than three round conductors — reducing the overall cable diameter by 10–15% versus equivalent round-conductor construction. The smaller OD reduces conduit and duct bore requirements, reduces trench width at defined cable separation distances, and reduces drum diameter and weight for transport and handling.
Aluminium Conductors — Cost and Weight Optimised
Aluminium phase conductors reduce cable material cost (aluminium is approximately 65–70% less expensive per unit weight than copper) and weight (aluminium density 2.70 g/cm³ vs copper 8.89 g/cm³) — critical for long-run underground distribution feeders where cable weight determines drum size, laying machine specification, and pulling tension through duct systems.
Blue/Red/White Phase Identification
AS/NZS 4961 specifies Blue, Red, and White XLPE insulation for the three phase cores — the standard three-phase colour code for Australian and New Zealand LV distribution practice. Consistent colour coding throughout the cable length (not just at terminations) enables unambiguous phase identification at any mid-point access, joint, or branch connection along the underground cable route.
Certifications & Standards
Typical Applications
Residential LV Distribution
Underground LV feeder from pole-mounted transformer to residential distribution pillars and service connection points — the primary application for AS/NZS 4961 in NZ and Australian suburban distribution networks.
Commercial Building Supply
Underground supply to switchboards in commercial buildings, office complexes, retail centres, and apartment blocks — AS/NZS 4961 from the street distribution pillar or substation to the main switchboard.
Industrial Premises Supply
Main underground power supply cable to industrial facilities, equipment sheds, and workshop switchboards — AS/NZS 4961 in larger cross-sections (185–300 mm²) for high-load industrial supply points.
New Zealand Distribution Networks
Vector, Orion, WEL Networks, Powerco, and other NZ distribution network service providers — AS/NZS 4961 is the standard underground LV distribution cable specification for NZ urban and suburban networks.
Australian Distribution Networks
Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, Essential Energy, Western Power, AusNet, and other Australian DNSPs — AS/NZS 4961 for underground LV feeder and service connection cable in Australian distribution infrastructure.
Rural Power Supply
Underground supply to rural properties, farms, and irrigation pump installations — AS/NZS 4961 in direct burial for rural underground power connections replacing overhead service wires.
Construction & Subdivision Development
Underground LV infrastructure for new residential and commercial subdivisions — AS/NZS 4961 in buried conduit systems laid during civil works before road sealing.
Pacific Island Networks
Underground distribution cable for Pacific Island utilities following AS/NZS standards — AS/NZS 4961 for underground LV feeder in island urban distribution systems where overhead lines are being replaced.
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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.