The submarine cables 20kV, 22kV and 24kV They are essential for the transmission of electrical energy in marine and coastal environments, like offshore wind farms, islands and oil platforms. And medium voltage submarine cable 20-24 kV must guarantee security, durability and compliance with international standards, offering reliable solutions for decades.
What is a submarine cable 20-24 kV?
Medium voltage submarine cables 20kV, 22kV and 24kV They are used to transmit power between generators and substations, interconnect islands or supply energy to offshore platforms. Besides, must withstand extreme marine conditions, like water pressure, currents, abrasion and corrosion.
These cables meet international standards such as IEC 60228, IEC 60502, IEC 60840 y ASTM, guaranteeing global compatibility and security in operation.
Structure of a submarine cable 20-24 kV
A typical submarine cable 20-24 kV includes:
Conductor
The driver can be copper or aluminum, and its section is selected according to the nominal current and IEC or ASTM regulations. This influences the electrical resistance and energy efficiency of the system..
Isolation
insulation is used XLPE o EPR, offering high electrical resistance, thermal and chemical, protecting against partial discharge and short circuits.
Screen and metal cover
The semiconductor screen and the lead cover prevent water from entering, ensuring electrical integrity throughout the life of the cable.
Armor
The armor can be galvanized steel or aluminum wire, providing mechanical resistance against impacts, traction and manipulations during installation.
External cover
The outer cover of PE a PVC protects against abrasion, corrosion and environmental factors, ensuring durability and reliability in demanding marine environments.
IEC conductor sizes (25 mm² – 2000 mm²)
Manufacturers produce cables 20-24 kV with the following sections according to IEC 60228:
| IEC Section (mm²) | Conductor | Isolation | lead cover | Armor | External cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 35 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 50 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 70 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 95 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 120 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 150 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 185 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 240 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 300 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 400 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 500 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 630 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 800 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 1000 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 1200 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 1600 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 2000 | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
ASTM Conductor Sizes / AWG (20 AWG – 1000 MCM)
For international projects, conductors are also used following ASTM / AWG:
| Driver size | Conductor | Isolation | lead cover | Armor | External cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 18 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 16 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 14 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 12 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 10 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 8 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 6 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 4 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 2 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 1 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 1/0 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 2/0 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 3/0 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 4/0 AWG | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 250 MCM | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 300 MCM | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 350 MCM | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 400 MCM | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 500 MCM | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 600 MCM | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 750 MCM | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
| 1000 MCM | Cu / Al | XLPE / EPR | Yeah | Steel / Al | PE / PVC |
Complete technical table of submarine cables 20-24 kV
| Section (mm² / AWG) | Conductor | Conductor diameter (mm) | Insulation thickness (mm) | Armor thickness (mm) | External diameter (mm) | Weight (kg/m) | DC resistance (Oh/km) | Rated current (A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Cu | 5,64 | 3,5 | 4,0 | 21,0 | 2,7 | 0,727 | 125 |
| 50 | Cu | 7,98 | 3,8 | 4,0 | 24,2 | 4,5 | 0,386 | 185 |
| 95 | Cu | 11,0 | 4,2 | 4,5 | 30,8 | 7,9 | 0,206 | 265 |
| 120 | Cu | 12,2 | 4,5 | 4,5 | 33,4 | 9,8 | 0,153 | 310 |
| 185 | Cu | 15,3 | 5,0 | 5,0 | 39,0 | 14,2 | 0,099 | 390 |
| 240 | Cu | 17,5 | 5,0 | 5,0 | 44,0 | 18,0 | 0,076 | 450 |
| 300 | Cu | 19,6 | 5,5 | 5,0 | 48,5 | 22,0 | 0,064 | 520 |
| 400 | Cu | 22,5 | 6,0 | 5,5 | 56,0 | 31,0 | 0,048 | 600 |
| 500 | Cu | 25,2 | 6,0 | 5,5 | 61,5 | 37,5 | 0,038 | 710 |
| 630 | Cu | 28,3 | 6,5 | 6,0 | 67,0 | 43,0 | 0,030 | 780 |
| 800 | Cu | 31,9 | 6,5 | 6,0 | 74,5 | 53,0 | 0,024 | 870 |
| 1000 | Cu | 35,7 | 7,0 | 6,0 | 82,5 | 63,0 | 0,019 | 980 |
| 1200 | Cu | 39,6 | 7,0 | 6,5 | 89,0 | 72,0 | 0,015 | 1020 |
| 1600 | Al | 45,0 | 7,5 | 7,0 | 100,0 | 75,0 | 0,012 | 1100 |
| 2000 | Al | 50,3 | 7,5 | 7,0 | 112,0 | 92,0 | 0,009 | 1220 |
Submarine cable applications 20-24 kV
- Offshore wind farms: interconnection of turbines and substations.
- Islands and coastal communities: reliable power supply.
- Oil and gas platforms: powering critical equipment.
- Distribution networks and coastal substations: interconnection and efficient distribution.
An underwater cable 20-24 Reliable kV ensures efficiency, safety and durability.
Tests and standards
Cables pass rigorous testing:
- Electrical: strain, partial downloads, DC resistance.
- Mechanical: traction, flexion, impact.
- Environmental: water resistance, corrosion, thermal aging.
They comply with standards IEC 60228, IEC 60502, IEC 60840, ASTM B3, ASTM B8 y IEEE, ensuring security and global compatibility.
How to choose a submarine cable 20-24 kV
When selecting a submarine cable 20-24 kV, consider:
- Manufacturer experience in marine environments.
- Compliance with IEC and ASTM standards.
- Driver quality, isolation, armor and cover.
- Electrical Testing Certifications, mechanical and environmental.
- Technical support and references for offshore projects.
This way, Safety and efficiency are guaranteed in medium voltage underwater electrical systems.
Regarding 5kV submarine cables, please consult…