Factory-Direct Supply of Certified Wires and Conductors for Diverse Industrial Applications
Single Core 12.7/22KV Medium Voltage Unarmoured Cable
Voltage: 12.7/22kV (Um=24kV)
Conductor: Copper or aluminum, stranded Class 2
Conductor Screen: Extruded semi-conducting XLPE
Insulation: XLPE, 5.5mm 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 12.7/22kV (Um=24kV) Medium Voltage Unarmoured Cable is an XLPE-insulated, copper tape screened power cable designed for MV distribution networks at the most common European industrial voltage level. 12.7/22kV is the standard medium voltage for Continental European factory distribution, urban ring mains, and campus-style networks — sitting above the 6.35/11kV class used in simpler distribution while remaining below the 19/33kV class reserved for primary transmission-level MV. With 5.5mm XLPE insulation and a 16-35mm² copper tape screen, this cable delivers the optimal balance of dielectric strength, fault current handling, and installed cost for projects where 11kV networks have reached their capacity limit.
12.7/22kV: European Industrial MV Distribution Standard
MV Cable Construction
The construction of a 12.7/22kV cable is fundamentally different from low-voltage cables. The semi-conducting layers and copper tape screen are not optional features — they are mandatory elements required to manage the electrical field stress at medium voltage and provide a defined earth fault current path.
1. Conductor — Copper stranded or aluminium solid/stranded
2. Conductor Screen — Extruded semi-conducting XLPE
3. XLPE Insulation — 5.5mm nominal, 90°C rated
4. Insulation Screen — Extruded semi-conducting XLPE, fully bonded
5. Metallic Screen — Copper tape, 16-35mm²
6. Separation Sheath — PVC bedding layer
7. Outer Sheath — PVC or MDPE (LSZH option)
Conductor
Copper: stranded Class 2 per IEC 60228. Aluminium: solid or stranded Class 2. Compacted circular for smooth screening interface.
Conductor Screen
Extruded semi-conducting XLPE, fully bonded. Eliminates partial discharge at the conductor-insulation interface — the most critical reliability factor in MV cable design.
XLPE Insulation
5.5mm for 12.7/22kV class. Dry-cured, triple-extruded with screens. PD tested: <5 pC at 1.73U₀ per IEC 60840. 90°C continuous, 250°C short-circuit.
Insulation Screen
Extruded semi-conducting XLPE, fully bonded and strippable for termination. Essential for controlling electrical field distribution at the insulation surface.
Metallic Screen
Copper tape, 16-35mm². Dimensioned per system earth fault level. Also serves as longitudinal water barrier to prevent moisture propagation along the cable.
Separation + Outer Sheath
PVC bedding + PVC or MDPE outer sheath, black, UV-stabilised. LSZH per BS 7835. Cable ends factory-sealed for moisture protection.
Technical Characteristics
| Rated Voltage U₀/U (Um) | 12.7/22kV (24kV maximum system voltage) |
| Nominal Insulation Thickness | 5.5mm |
| 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 (IEC 60840) |
| Test Voltage (AC, 30min) | 2.5U₀ |
Applicable Standards
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| BS 6622 | British standard: XLPE insulated single-core unarmoured cables 3.8/6.6kV to 19/33kV. Primary construction and test standard. |
| IEC 60502-2 | International standard for extruded insulation power cables rated 6kV to 30kV. Global reference for MV cable design. |
| IEC 60840 | Test methods for cables 30kV to 150kV. Referenced for partial discharge test methodology at this voltage class. |
| BS 7835 | LSZH sheathed MV cables for fire-sensitive installations (tunnels, public buildings, underground stations). |
| IEC 60228 | Conductors of insulated cables. Class 2 stranded copper and aluminium. |
Technical Specifications — Single Core 12.7/22kV
XLPE insulation: 5.5mm (all cross-sections). Copper tape screen: 16mm² (35-120mm²), 25mm² (150-300mm²), 35mm² (400-630mm²). Conductor available in copper (stranded Class 2) and aluminium (solid up to 300mm², stranded Class 2 for 400-630mm²).
| Cross Section (mm²) | Insulation (mm) | Cu Screen (mm²) | Sheath (mm) | Outer Dia. (mm) | Weight Cu (kg/km) | Weight Al (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 35 | 5.5 | 16 | 1.7 | 27.4 | 1,100 | 800 |
| 1 × 50 | 5.5 | 16 | 1.8 | 28.8 | 1,330 | 1,010 |
| 1 × 70 | 5.5 | 16 | 1.9 | 30.6 | 1,570 | 1,130 |
| 1 × 95 | 5.5 | 16 | 1.9 | 32.2 | 1,840 | 1,240 |
| 1 × 120 | 5.5 | 16 | 2.0 | 33.8 | 2,120 | 1,360 |
| 1 × 150 | 5.5 | 25 | 2.0 | 35.5 | 2,440 | 1,500 |
| 1 × 185 | 5.5 | 25 | 2.1 | 37.2 | 2,810 | 1,640 |
| 1 × 240 | 5.5 | 25 | 2.2 | 39.9 | 3,390 | 1,860 |
| 1 × 300 | 5.5 | 25 | 2.2 | 41.9 | 3,990 | 2,110 |
| 1 × 400 | 5.5 | 35 | 2.3 | 45.8 | 5,100 | 2,490 |
| 1 × 500 | 5.5 | 35 | 2.4 | 48.4 | 6,000 | 2,900 |
| 1 × 630 | 5.5 | 35 | 2.5 | 53.6 | 7,340 | 3,340 |
Packaging & Delivery
Export Wooden Drum
Fumigated wooden drums. Minimum drum flange diameter 20× cable OD. Heat-shrink end caps factory-installed.
Moisture Protection
Cable ends factory-sealed with dual-layer heat-shrink caps and desiccant. UV-resistant drum wrapping for outdoor storage up to 12 months.
Documentation Package
PD test certificate, routine test report, material certificates, drum inspection checklist per BS 6622 / IEC 60502-2.
Typical Applications — 12.7/22kV Voltage Class
Industrial MV Networks
Primary application. Factory ring mains feeding MV/LV substations across large manufacturing sites. 22kV reduces current and cable size vs 11kV for equivalent power.
Campus Grids
Hospitals, universities, airports, and large commercial campuses with dedicated MV distribution. Redundant ring configuration for critical power availability.
Urban MV Distribution
Standard municipal distribution voltage in many European cities. 22kV ring main units in underground substations feeding LV networks.
Processing Plants
Chemical, food, pharmaceutical, and automotive plants with distributed process loads. MV motors connected directly at 22kV for ratings above 500kW.
Switchgear Connections
12.7/22kV cables between SF₆ or vacuum switchgear panels in factory-built MV substations. Unarmoured suitable for protected indoor cable trenches.
Generator & Transformer Connections
Generator step-up transformer feeders and MV transformer interconnections in power stations and industrial co-generation plants.
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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.