Types of Aerial Bundled Cable, Usage Scenarios, and Technical Specifications

1. Low Voltage (LV) Aerial Bundled Cable

• Usage Scenarios:

  • Used in overhead power distribution systems up to 1 kV.

  • Common in residential areas, rural electrification, and urban streets.

  • Replaces traditional bare conductors to reduce line losses, improve safety, and prevent illegal tapping.

• Technical Specifications:

  • Conductor: Aluminum (with/without steel core).

  • Insulation: XLPE or PE, UV and weather resistant.

  • Voltage Rating: 0.6/1 kV.

  • Standards: IEC 60502, NFC 33-209, BS 7870.

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2. Medium Voltage (MV) Aerial Bundled Cable

• Usage Scenarios:

  • Applied in power transmission and distribution networks 6–35 kV.

  • Suitable for long-distance overhead distribution in rural, forested, or hilly areas where underground cabling is difficult.

• Technical Specifications:

  • Conductor: Stranded aluminum or aluminum alloy.

  • Insulation: XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene).

  • Voltage Rating: 6/10 kV up to 20/35 kV.

  • Standards: IEC 60502-2, CENELEC HD 626.

3. Service Drop Cable (Secondary ABC)

• Usage Scenarios:

  • Provides connection between the distribution line and end-user premises.

  • Common in residential, small commercial, and rural service installations.

• Technical Specifications:

  • Conductor: Phase conductors (aluminum), neutral conductor (bare/insulated steel-reinforced aluminum).

  • Voltage Rating: 120 V up to 600 V depending on national standards.

  • Configurations: Duplex (two-core), Triplex (three-core), Quadruplex (four-core).

  • Standards: ASTM B-231, ICEA S-76-474, ANSI/NEMA.

4. Covered Conductors (CC) / Insulated Aerial Cable

• Usage Scenarios:

  • Used in forested, coastal, or storm-prone regions to minimize short circuits caused by tree contact, moisture, or pollution.

  • Often applied in renewable energy projects (solar/wind farm connections) and suburban networks.

• Technical Specifications:

  • Conductor: Hard-drawn aluminum or aluminum alloy.

  • Insulation: XLPE or HDPE, with thickness depending on voltage rating.

  • Voltage Rating: 1 kV up to 36 kV.

  • Standards: AS/NZS 3560.1, IEC 60811.

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5. High Voltage ABC (Specialized Applications)

• Usage Scenarios:

  • Rare, but applied in temporary or emergency power lines up to 66 kV.

  • Used where underground cabling is too costly or impractical.

• Technical Specifications:

  • Conductor: Stranded aluminum/AAAC with possible steel reinforcement.

  • Insulation: Triple-layer XLPE with semi-conductive screens.

  • Standards: IEC 60840.