Low-voltage cables – find manufacturers and suppliers

Low-voltage cables are electrical cables that are used to transmit electrical energy with a voltage of up to 1,000 volts (V) alternating current (AC) or up to 1,500 V direct current (DC).

They are mainly used in households, commercial enterprises, industrial plants and infrastructure applications.

Below you will find the function, types and use of low-voltage cables as well as information on safety and regulations for their use:

How low-voltage cables work:

A low-voltage cable consists of several layers that ensure the safe transmission of electrical energy:

Structure of a low-voltage cable:

1. Conductor: Usually made of copper or aluminum, as these materials have high electrical conductivity.
2. Insulation: Consists of plastic, e.g. PVC, XLPE and prevents electrical short circuits.
3. Shielding (optional): Serves to reduce electromagnetic interference.
4. Outer sheath: Protects the cable from mechanical, chemical and thermal influences.

Types of low-voltage cables:

There are different types of low-voltage cables depending on the area of application:

1. NYM-J: PVC-insulated and therefore moisture-resistant. It is mainly used in building installations and domestic cabling.
2. NYY-J: Robust PVC sheath, can be laid underground. This cable is used as an underground cable for cabling outdoor installations.
3. H07RN-F: Rubber-insulated, flexible, oil-resistant. Mostly used as a supply cable in industry, on construction sites and for machines.
4. LIYCY: Shielded, finely stranded. As control and signal cable for electronics and machine control systems.
5. Ölflex cable: Resistant to oil and chemicals. Used primarily in mechanical and plant engineering.

Use of low-voltage cables:

1. Building installation:
Mainly used in residential and commercial buildings for circuits, socketsLighting installations.
Use of NYM-J cables in walls, ceilings or cable ducts.

2. Industry and mechanical engineering:
Flexible and oil-resistant H07RN-F or Ölflex cables for connecting machines and mobile devices.
Control cables for signal transmission in automated systems.

3. Infrastructure and energy supply:
NYY-J underground cables for supplying power to street lighting and buildings.
Used in transformer stations and junction boxes.

4. Communication and control:
LIYCY control and signal cables for sensor data and communication within and between machines.

Safety and regulations when using low-voltage cables:

When laying and using low-voltage cables, certain standards and safety guidelines must be observed:

• VDE standards (Germany): Regulations on electrical safety (e.g. VDE 0100).
• IEC standards (international): Standards for electrical installations.
• Protective measures: Correct installation, protection by circuit breakers (FI/LS).

Low-voltage cables are the most important components of electrical installations and are used in buildings, industry, infrastructure and communication technology.

Below you will find an overview of the most important criteria that you should pay attention to when purchasing low-voltage cables:

Choosing the right type of cable depends on the specific requirements in terms of voltage, environmental conditions, flexibility and protection class. These factors should be taken into account when purchasing.

• Before low-voltage cables can be procured, the technical requirements must be precisely defined:
• Select the cable according to the rated voltage (e.g. 300/500V, 450/750V or 0.6/1kV).
• The current carrying capacity depends on the cross-section and the type of installation.
• Common cross-sections are: 1.5 mm², 2.5 mm², 4 mm², 10 mm², depending on the application.
• Both copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al) can be used as conductor material.
• The type of conductor, stranded wire (flexible) or solid cores, is determined by the intended use.
• Stranded wire: Flexible supply cables, control cables.
• Solid cores: Building installation, infrastructure cabling.
• The following materials are used as insulation material:
• PVC (NYM, NYY): Standard for interiors, building installation.
• Rubber (H07RN-F): Flexible, resistant to mechanical stress.
• Halogen-free (NHXMH): For cables in areas with fire protection requirements.
• Unshielded cables vs. shielded cables for interference-free signal transmission. Aluminum foil shielding, braided shielding for industrial systems and control cables.
• Relevant standards and certifications for low-voltage cables are:
• VDE (Germany): Safety standards for cables and electrical installations.
• IEC standards (International): Standards for electrical installations and testing.
• CPR classification (BauPVO, EN 50575): Fire protection requirements for building cabling.
• Protection classes and environmental resistance:
• IP protection classes for moisture and dust resistance.
• UV resistance for outdoor use.
• Oil and chemical resistance for industrial applications.
• Low-voltage cables are available as coils, drums or rings - depending on the cable type and length.
• Please note the drum sizes to optimize transport and storage.
• Material costs (copper prices fluctuate greatly) have a major influence on prices.
• Additional protective measures (halogen-free, shielding, UV resistance) increase the price.
• Compare prices and pay attention to the quality of the cables. Cheaper cables may appear attractive at first glance, but may have a shorter service life or higher installation and maintenance costs.

Professional purchasing of low-voltage cables requires technical knowledge, strategic planning and a good supplier network. Important aspects are the correct specification, conformity to standards, price-performance ratio and availability.

Low-voltage cables can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Low voltage cables from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.