Copper Cable
Copper Cable Supplier – IEC 60502, ASTM B172, BS 6346 & GB/T Standards Manufacturers
IEC 60502 Power Cable · ASTM B172 Copper Conductor Cable · BS 6346 Control Cable · GB/T National Standard Copper Cable
Shaanxi Jinshenghong Cable Co., Ltd. supplies copper cable and copper‑conductor electrical cable for power transmission, distribution, industrial automation, building construction and critical infrastructure service.
Our Copper Cable product range covers four major procurement systems:
IEC 60502‑1/2 Low & Medium‑voltage power cable, including unarmoured, SWA steel‑wire‑armoured, STA steel‑tape‑armoured constructions, 0.6/1kV up to 26/35kV.
ASTM B172 / ASTM B286 North‑American‑spec copper cable, including bare stranded copper conductors, hookup wires, power and control cables for US‑standard projects.
BS 6346 British‑standard copper control & power cable, multi‑core control cables, instrumentation cables for UK‑code industrial and building projects.
GB/T national‑standard copper cable, including building wires, fire‑resistant, flame‑retardant, low‑smoke‑zero‑halogen copper cables for domestic and Asia‑Pacific construction applications.
Shaanxi Jinshenghong Cable supports EPC contractors, power utilities, real‑estate developers, petrochemical plants, manufacturing factories, building contractors and industrial distributors with material supply based on:
Standard · Cable Type · Conductor Cross‑section · Core Number · Voltage Rating · Insulation & Sheath Material · Armour Type · Length · Cable Ends · Inspection · Test Report · Conductor Resistance Test · Partial‑Discharge Test · Third‑Party Inspection · Project Specification
Why Choose Us
We have various specifications of copper cables that can be customized according to needs.
Strict material selection - Good raw materials are the guarantee of good products
We have conducted multiple experiments to select the most suitable raw materials for each cable, which are from national and international first tier brands and are genuine and cost-effective!
On demand customization - can be produced according to different specifications and models
The customer manager assigns a dedicated quotation to fully meet the production needs of product orders,
The majority of our company's products have a production cycle of 5-7 days.
Professional team
Our team includes pre-sales, after-sales service, designers, craftsmen, and inspectors. The team is well-established and has over 10 years of experience in mobile cable design and generation.
Product consistency
Our company guarantees the stability and consistency of each batch of cables for long-term customers with our strength!
Choose the Correct Copper Cable Product Family
Before selecting a cable type, buyers should first identify what type of product the project actually requires.
| Product Family | Standard | Main Product | Typical Construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low‑Voltage Power Cable | IEC 60502‑1 | 0.6/1kV Power Cable | YJV, YJV22 copper power cable |
| Medium‑Voltage Power Cable | IEC 60502‑2 | 6‑35kV MV Power Cable | XLPE insulated copper armoured cable |
| Building & Hook‑up Wire | ASTM B286 / GB/T | Building wire | Solid / stranded copper building wire |
| Control & Instrumentation Cable | BS 6346 / IEC 60227 | Multi‑core control cable | Shielded / unshielded copper control cable |
| Fire‑Resistant & LSZH Cable | IEC 60331 / IEC 61034 | Special safety cable | Fire‑resistant, low‑smoke zero‑halogen copper cable |
This distinction is important.
Power cable is not control cable.
Armoured cable is not equal to unarmoured cable.
Copper‑conductor materials may share the same copper raw material, but the applicable product standard, insulation system, armour structure, testing requirements and intended installation environment are different.
IEC 60502‑1 YJV Copper Power Cable Standard: IEC 60502‑1. Construction: Cu/XLPE/PVC. Conductor: Class 2 stranded copper. Voltage: 0.6/1kV. Application: Indoor, cable trench, cable tray installation.
IEC 60502‑1 YJV22 Armoured Copper Power Cable Standard: IEC 60502‑1. Construction: Cu/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC. Conductor: Class 2 stranded copper. Voltage:0.6/1kV. Application: Direct burial, outdoor underground laying.
BS 6346 Multi‑core Copper Control Cable Standard: BS 6346. Conductor: Class 5 flexible annealed copper. Insulation: PVC. Optional copper‑tape shielding. Application: Industrial signal and control circuits.
ASTM B172 Stranded Bare Copper Conductor Cable Standard: ASTM B172. Conductor: Rope‑lay stranded copper. Application: Overhead transmission, busbar connections.
GB/T Fire‑Resistant Copper Cable NH‑YJV Standard: GB/T 19666. Construction: Copper conductor, fire‑resistant mica tape, XLPE insulation. Application: Fire‑safety critical circuits in high‑rise buildings, hospitals, metro stations.
LSZH Low‑Smoke Zero‑Halogen Copper Cable Standard: IEC 61034‑2. Construction: Cu / XLPE / LSZH sheath. Application: Tunnels, underground stations, densely‑occupied public buildings.
What Is Copper Cable?
Copper cable is a family of electrical cables using high‑purity electrolytic copper as conductive core material.
Copper delivers excellent electrical conductivity, stable mechanical ductility, good anti‑oxidation performance and reliable long‑term current‑carrying capacity.
High‑purity copper conductor minimizes electrical resistance and heat generation under continuous load.
Different stranding classes (Class1 solid, Class2 compact stranded, Class5/6 flexible stranded) meet rigid installation or frequent‑bending requirements.
Combined with XLPE, PVC, EPR or LSZH insulation/sheath, copper cables adapt to dry, wet, underground, flame‑retardant and fire‑resistant operating scenarios.
Copper cable materials are therefore widely used where equipment operates under combinations of:
Power transmission + Signal control + Long service life + Mechanical stress + Fire‑safety requirements
Typical industries include power grid construction, commercial & residential building, petrochemical plants, industrial automation, subway & tunnel infrastructure, renewable energy projects.
Copper Cable – Quick Procurement Facts
| Procurement Item | Supply Scope |
|---|---|
| Material Family | High‑purity electrolytic copper conductor cable |
| IEC Power Cable | IEC 60502‑1 / IEC 60502‑2 |
| ASTM Copper Cable | ASTM B172, ASTM B286 |
| BS Control Cable | BS 6346 |
| GB/T Domestic Cable | GB/T national series standards |
| Main Cable Types | Unarmoured, SWA/STA armoured, shielded control, fire‑resistant, LSZH |
| Conductor Class | Class1 solid, Class2 stranded, Class5/6 flexible annealed copper |
| Voltage Rating | 300/500V, 450/750V, 0.6/1kV, 6/10kV, 12/20kV, 26/35kV |
| Insulation / Sheath | PVC, XLPE, EPR, LSZH |
| Cable Dimensions | Cross‑section mm² / AWG, core number |
| Length | SRL, DRL, 100 m, 500 m, 1000 m, fixed length, cut‑to‑length, wooden drum packing |
| Cable Ends | Plain ends, sealed heat‑shrink ends, terminations pre‑prepared |
| Inspection | Conductor resistance test, voltage withstand test, partial‑discharge test, insulation resistance, dimensional check, flame‑retardant / fire‑resistance test as required |
| Certification | Test Report / EN 10204‑3.1; CE, RoHS, CCC, project‑specific documentation available |
| Third Party | SGS / BV / TÜV / Customer‑Nominated Inspector |
| Applications | Power utility, building construction, petrochemical, industrial automation, subway, tunnel, solar‑wind power station |
1. IEC 60502‑1 / IEC 60502‑2 Copper Power Cable
IEC 60502 series covers extruded insulation power cables for rated voltages from 0.6/1 kV up to 26/35 kV. It includes chemical, electrical, mechanical, ageing and flame‑retardant test requirements.
IEC 60502 is the core standard when buyers search for:
Copper power cable XLPE insulated copper cable Armoured underground copper cable 0.6/1kV YJV cable Medium‑voltage copper cable
Common IEC 60502 Cable Constructions
| Construction | Brief Description | Typical Procurement Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Cu/XLPE/PVC (YJV) | Unarmoured copper XLPE power cable | Indoor cable tray, cable trench, commercial building power distribution |
| Cu/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC (YJV22) | Steel‑wire‑armoured copper cable | Direct‑buried underground, outdoor industrial site |
| Cu/XLPE/PVC/STA/PVC | Steel‑tape‑armoured copper cable | Tunnel laying, anti‑external mechanical damage |
| MV Cu/XLPE/CWS/PVC | Medium‑voltage copper cable with copper‑wire screen | Power substation, urban underground power grid |
Nominal construction descriptions are provided for procurement orientation only. Actual performance must be checked against the ordered IEC specification and factory test report.
IEC 60502‑1 YJV Unarmoured Copper Cable
YJV belongs to conventional low‑voltage copper power cable family and is widely specified for fixed power distribution service.
Typical applications include commercial building power supply, factory workshop power loops, cable‑tray routing and indoor engineering systems.
YJV offers a practical balance between electrical performance, installation convenience and cost‑effectiveness.
YJV cannot automatically replace armoured YJV22. Armour selection must strictly follow project installation specification.
IEC 60502‑1 YJV22 SWA Armoured Copper Cable
YJV22 adds steel‑wire armour layer based on YJV structure. It is one of the most important underground copper cable types.
It is widely used for direct burial, outdoor industrial zones, municipal underground power pipelines and petrochemical site power distribution.
For buried YJV22 installation projects, construction team should follow relevant electrical codes for burial depth, sand bedding and warning‑tape requirements.
IEC 60502‑2 Medium‑Voltage Copper Cable (6‑35kV)
Medium‑voltage copper cables are equipped with conductor screen and insulation semi‑conducting screen structure. Partial‑discharge test is mandatory for factory acceptance.
Mainly applied for urban power grid, industrial substation, large‑scale renewable energy power plant transmission circuits.
For critical MV copper cable projects, Shaanxi Jinshenghong Cable can coordinate material traceability, partial‑discharge testing, full test report review and project‑specific inspection documentation.
2. ASTM B172 / ASTM B286 North‑American‑Spec Copper Cable
ASTM B172 covers rope‑lay‑stranded copper conductors; ASTM B286 covers hookup wire for electronic & electrical equipment. This product line serves projects adopting US electrical codes.
These cables are especially important for:
North‑American‑standard projects Export equipment internal wiring Overseas industrial plant power & control wiring
Main ASTM Copper Cable Product Families
| ASTM Reference | Conductor Feature | General Description |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM B172 | Rope‑lay stranded bare copper | Overhead conductors, ground connections |
| ASTM B286 | Solid / stranded insulated hookup wire | Equipment internal wiring, cabinet wiring |
Exact conductor class, insulation rating and jacket material must be verified during quotation.
3. BS 6346 Copper Control & Instrumentation Cable
BS 6346 specification covers PVC‑insulated copper multi‑core control cables for industrial signal and control circuits. Control cables should not be mixed with power cable specifications.
BS 6346 Copper Control Cable Typical Options
| Construction | Feature | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Unshielded multi‑core control cable | No shielding layer | General industrial control signal transmission |
| Copper‑tape shielded control cable | Overall copper‑tape shielding | Anti‑EMI interference for automation signal circuits |
Unlike power cables, control cables are normally ordered by:
Core count × cross‑section mm² or AWG
rather than focusing on high current‑carrying capacity.
4. GB/T National‑Standard Copper Cable for Asia‑Pacific Projects
For Chinese and Asia‑Pacific projects, GB/T series standards are widely adopted for copper building wires, fire‑resistant and flame‑retardant cables.
Important GB/T copper cable grades / constructions
| Type | Standard Reference | General Material Family |
|---|---|---|
| BV solid building wire | GB/T 5023 | Solid copper PVC insulated building wire |
| BVR flexible building wire | GB/T 5023 | Stranded flexible copper building wire |
| NH‑YJV fire‑resistant cable | GB/T 19666 | Mica‑tape fire‑resistant copper power cable |
| ZR‑YJV flame‑retardant cable | GB/T 19666 | Flame‑retardant copper power cable |
| WDZ‑YJY LSZH low‑smoke zero‑halogen | GB/T 19666 | Low‑smoke zero‑halogen copper cable |
NH‑YJV Fire‑Resistant Copper Cable
NH‑YJV fire‑resistant copper cable is widely used for emergency lighting, fire‑fighting equipment power supply in high‑rise buildings, hospitals and metro stations.
WDZ‑YJY Low‑Smoke Zero‑Halogen Copper Cable
WDZ‑YJY LSZH copper cable produces low smoke and no toxic halogen gas under fire conditions, critical for tunnels, underground stations and densely‑occupied public buildings.
Power Cable vs Control Cable – Do Not Assume Automatic Equivalence
Buyers frequently make mistakes such as:
Treat power cable as control cable Treat unarmoured cable for direct‑buried scenario
Although both adopt copper conductor, they differ in:
Core number, insulation thickness, shielding structure, armour, testing items, current‑carrying capacity and code acceptance.
Any cross‑type substitution should therefore be approved by the responsible electrical engineer or project specification authority.
How to Select the Correct Copper Cable Material
There should not be a simple statement: “Use YJV for indoor and YJV22 for outdoor.”
Cable selection requires more information.
Rated Voltage
Voltage rating must match system nominal voltage with sufficient safety margin.
Conductor Cross‑section & Core Number
Cross‑section determines current‑carrying capacity and voltage drop; core number matches power‑loop or signal‑loop requirements.
Installation Environment
Direct‑buried, cable‑tray, tunnel, underwater, high‑temperature, corrosive environment decide armour type, sheath material and mechanical protection.
Safety Requirements
Flame retardant, fire‑resistant, low‑smoke zero‑halogen requirements subject to local building and fire codes.
Construction Code
The applicable electrical code controls cable type acceptance, laying requirements and test standards.
Compatibility with Accessories
Cable lugs, cable glands, cable termination kits must match cable cross‑section, outer diameter and voltage grade.
YJV vs YJV22 vs NH‑YJV
| Cable Type | Construction Concept | Procurement Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| YJV | Unarmoured XLPE copper power cable | Indoor cable‑tray / cable‑trench application, cannot bear heavy external mechanical impact |
| YJV22 | SWA steel‑wire‑armoured copper power cable | Suitable for direct‑buried underground, resist external mechanical damage |
| NH‑YJV | Fire‑resistant copper power cable | Mica‑tape fire‑resistant layer, dedicated for fire‑safety emergency circuits |
YJV22 should not be viewed simply as “thicker‑sheath YJV”. Moving from YJV to YJV22 changes cable outer diameter, weight, gland selection and installation procedures.
Copper Cable Dimensions & Ordering Method
The ordering method differs between product families.
IEC 60502 Power Cable
Normally ordered as: Core‑number × cross‑section mm² + Voltage + Construction Example: 3×185+1×95mm² 0.6/1kV YJV22
ASTM B‑series Cable
Often specified by AWG size, conductor class and insulation voltage rating.
BS 6346 Control Cable
Normally ordered as: Core‑number × cross‑section mm², shielded / unshielded
GB/T Building Wire
Normally ordered by cross‑section mm², single‑core, drum length.
Insulation, Sheath and Armour
Insulation and sheath material is one of the most important controls in copper cable performance.
Common material options:
PVC: General‑purpose, cost‑effective, for medium‑temperature service.
XLPE: Higher temperature resistance, excellent electrical property, widely used for power cables.
EPR rubber insulation: High flexibility, suitable for mobile equipment cables.
LSZH: Low‑smoke zero‑halogen for public safety‑critical locations.
Armour options: SWA steel‑wire armour for anti‑compression direct burial; STA steel‑tape armour for anti‑piercing protection in tunnel laying.
Installation & Termination
Copper cables have good bending performance, but minimum bending radius must be followed according to cable construction.
Qualified cable termination kits should control relevant parameters according to: Cable voltage grade, cross‑section, installation environment, governing electrical code.
MV medium‑voltage copper cables require strict termination craftsmanship to avoid partial‑discharge risks.
Inspection & Quality Control
| Inspection Item | Procurement Purpose |
|---|---|
| Conductor Resistance Test | Verify copper conductor purity and cross‑section compliance |
| Voltage Withstand Test | Check insulation integrity |
| Insulation Resistance Test | Confirm insulation performance |
| Partial‑Discharge Test | Mandatory acceptance test for medium‑voltage cables |
| Dimensional Inspection | Verify cross‑section, insulation thickness, outer diameter tolerance |
| Visual Inspection | Check surface sheath quality, marking completeness |
| Flame‑Retardant / Fire‑Resistant Test | For safety‑type cables as per project requirement |
| Cable Marking Inspection | Confirm standard, type, voltage, metre marking |
| Third‑Party Inspection | Independent project verification |
Why Conductor Resistance Test Matters for Copper Cable
High‑quality copper and counterfeit mixed‑metal cables can look almost identical from outer appearance. Visual identification is not sufficient.
A professional traceability route should follow: Raw copper rod → Production batch → Factory test report → Cable surface marking → Sampling resistance test → Delivery → On‑site acceptance
When long cable drums are cut into shorter lengths, batch marking traceability should remain according to project material‑control procedure.
How to Review a Copper Cable Factory Test Report
| Test Report Item | Buyer Check |
|---|---|
| Standard | Matches purchase order |
| Cable Type & Construction | Correct cable model, core count, cross‑section |
| Production Batch Number | Matches physical cable drum marking |
| Conductor Resistance | Meets specified standard limits |
| Insulation & Sheath Dimensions | Complies with specification |
| Electrical Tests | Voltage withstand, insulation resistance, partial‑discharge (for MV) completed |
| Special Safety Test | Flame‑retardant / fire‑resistant / LSZH test if required |
| Certification | Required document level |
| Traceability | Physical cable drum can be linked to test report |
For EPC purchasing, the documentation package should be treated as part of the material itself.
Compatible Cable Accessories
Copper cable projects normally require more than cable drums. Depending on cable specification, related accessories can include: Cable lugs, cable glands, heat‑shrink cold‑shrink termination kits, cable trays, cable markers, cable sealing end caps.
Accessory selection must follow the project specification and match cable outer‑diameter, cross‑section and voltage rating rather than simply matching nominal cable name.
Typical Copper Cable Applications
Power Grid & Utility
Medium‑voltage copper cables are widely used for urban underground power transmission, substation outgoing circuits, power‑plant auxiliary power systems.
Commercial & Residential Building
YJV, BV, BVR, NH‑YJV, WDZ‑YJY copper cables for building power distribution, emergency fire‑fighting circuits, public building safety systems.
Petrochemical & Heavy‑Industry
Armoured copper power & shielded control cables for factory power loops, automation signal circuits under complex industrial environment.
Subway, Tunnel & Infrastructure
LSZH low‑smoke zero‑halogen copper cables are prioritized for underground rail transit and tunnel projects.
Renewable Energy
Copper power cables for solar‑power stations, wind‑farm booster‑station power collection circuits.
EPC Projects
Large projects may combine IEC power cables, BS control cables, GB/T fire‑resistant cables within the same facility. The procurement team shall identify correct product standard before sending RFQ.
Manufacturing & Value‑Added Processing
Shaanxi Jinshenghong Cable Co., Ltd. can coordinate copper cable orders with project‑specific preparation.
Available services can include fixed‑length cutting, cable‑end sealing, custom marking, batch segregation, inspection coordination, custom wooden‑drum packing and seaworthy export packing.
Materials can be organized according to: Cable Type · Production Batch · Cross‑section / Core‑count · Project Item · PO Line · Project Package
This is particularly useful for EPC and large‑site orders involving multiple cable specifications.
Project Documentation
Documentation requirements should be agreed before order confirmation.
Available documentation can include: Factory Test Report / EN 10204‑3.1 Conductor resistance & electrical test results Production batch traceability Third‑party inspection report Flame‑retardant / fire‑resistance test certificate where specified Dimensional inspection report Packing list and shipping documentation
Project‑specific MDR requirements can be reviewed during quotation.
Why Choose Shaanxi Jinshenghong Cable Co., Ltd. for Copper Cable?
Multi‑standard product system from one supplier
Shaanxi Jinshenghong Cable covers: IEC 60502 power cable + ASTM‑spec copper cable + BS 6346 control cable + GB/T national‑standard safety‑type copper cable
This allows procurement teams to source several copper‑cable product families through one project supply channel.
Conventional and safety‑grade copper cable
Supply covers general‑purpose YJV / YJV22 together with fire‑resistant, flame‑retardant, LSZH low‑smoke zero‑halogen safety‑grade copper cables.
Multiple conductor‑class capability
Solid, compact stranded and highly‑flexible annealed copper conductor constructions can be supplied according to project requirements.
Material traceability
Production‑batch traceability, full test‑report verification and custom cable marking can be incorporated into the order.
Inspection Support
Conductor‑resistance sampling, electrical testing and third‑party inspection (SGS / BV / TÜV etc.) can be arranged according to PO and ITP.
EPC Documentation Support
Inspection and documentation requirements can be defined before production to reduce approval problems before shipment.
FAQ
Purchasing cables, many customers are concerned about the following issues
Q:What are the most common IEC 60502 power cable constructions?
A:Common commercial constructions include YJV unarmoured, YJV22 SWA armoured, medium‑voltage copper screen power cables.
Q:What is the difference between power cable and control cable?
A:Power cable is designed for transmitting large‑current power loops; control cable is multi‑core cable for low‑current signal and control circuits. Different standards, insulation thickness and testing requirements.
Q:Is YJV equal to YJV22?
A:No. They share similar copper‑XLPE core structure, but YJV22 adds steel‑wire armour layer for underground direct‑buried anti‑mechanical‑damage protection. Unarmoured YJV cannot substitute YJV22 for direct‑buried installation.
Q:What is the difference between fire‑resistant NH‑YJV and flame‑retardant ZR‑YJV?
A:Flame‑retardant ZR‑YJV inhibits flame spreading; fire‑resistant NH‑YJV can keep circuit running for specified duration under fire condition for emergency fire‑fighting systems.
Q:When should LSZH low‑smoke zero‑halogen copper cable be adopted?
A:LSZH copper cable applies for densely‑occupied public areas, tunnels and underground stations, to avoid toxic halogen smoke release under fire.
Q:Why is conductor‑resistance test important?
A:Outer sheath appearance cannot judge copper purity. Conductor‑resistance test verifies real copper conductor cross‑section and material quality, reducing risk of non‑compliant material mixing.
Q:Can third‑party inspection be arranged?
A:Yes. Inspection by SGS, BV, TÜV or another agreed inspection organization can be coordinated when specified in purchase order.
Request a Copper Cable Quote
Need IEC 60502 YJV / YJV22 copper power cable, BS 6346 copper control cable, ASTM‑spec copper cable, or GB/T fire‑resistant / LSZH copper cable?
Shaanxi Jinshenghong Cable Co., Ltd. is well-known as one of the leading copper cable manufacturers and suppliers in China. If you're going to wholesale cheap copper cable for sale, welcome to get free sample from our factory. All customized products are with high quality and low price.
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