What are the 22KV medium voltage cables?
Los 22KV medium voltage cables They are electrical conductors designed to transmit electrical energy in networks that operate at a nominal voltage level of up to 22 kilovolts. They are mainly used in urban distribution networks, industrial plants, Electrical substations and renewable energy systems.
These cables can be copper or aluminum, and are available in a wide variety of sections (of 25 mm² a 800 mm²), as well as configurations of one or more drivers (1 y 3 cores), depending on the type of energy installation and demand.
22KV cable types: Copper vs aluminio
22KV Copper Cables
Los copper cables They are known for their high conductivity, greater mechanical resistance and thermal stability. They are preferred in critical facilities where reliability and energy efficiency are required, like hospitals, industrial plants, and urban substations.
22KV copper cable advantages:
- Greater electrical conductivity
- Lower tension drop
- Greater corrosion resistance
- Prolonged service life
22KV aluminum cables
Aluminum is lighter and more economical than copper, which makes it an excellent option for airlines or facilities with weight and budget restrictions. Its use is very common in rural and urban distribution lines of lower load.
22KV aluminum cable advantages:
- Lighter than copper (ca.. 50% less)
- Significantly lower cost
- Easy to manage and install
22KV medium voltage cable structure and construction
22KV cables are built with specific layers to guarantee security, performance and resistance to adverse external conditions:
- Conductor: Class braided copper or aluminum 2
- Internal semiconductor screen
- Isolation: XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene)
- External semiconductor screen
- Metal screen: Copper tape or copper threads
- External cover: PVC, The ignificth materials LSzhhh (Low smoke emission)
Medium voltage cable technical specifications 22kv
International regulations and standards
22KV medium voltage cables must comply with regulations such as:
- IEC 60502-2: Power cable with extruded insulation for tensions between 6KV and 30kV
- A 21123 (Space)
- Nmx-J-451 (Mexico)
- ICEA S-93-639 / Aeic cs8 (EU)
🔧 22KV cable specifications table of 1 Core - Copper driver
| Section (mm²) | Admissible current (A) | Total diameter (mm) | Weight approx.. (kg/km) | DC resistance (Oh/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 130 | 22 | 530 | 0.727 |
| 35 | 155 | 23 | 650 | 0.524 |
| 50 | 190 | 25 | 830 | 0.387 |
| 70 | 235 | 27 | 1060 | 0.268 |
| 95 | 285 | 30 | 1300 | 0.193 |
| 120 | 330 | 32 | 1550 | 0.153 |
| 150 | 375 | 35 | 1800 | 0.124 |
| 185 | 430 | 38 | 2150 | 0.0991 |
| 240 | 495 | 42 | 2600 | 0.0754 |
| 300 | 560 | 46 | 3100 | 0.0601 |
| 400 | 645 | 50 | 4000 | 0.0470 |
| 500 | 730 | 54 | 4900 | 0.0366 |
| 630 | 835 | 58 | 6100 | 0.0283 |
| 800 | 940 | 64 | 7500 | 0.0221 |
⚠️ The permissible currents are based on underground installation with a 25 ° C ambient temperature and maximum 90 c driver temperature. For different conditions, It is necessary to apply correction factors.
Common Cable Applications 22KV
- Underground and aerial distribution in urban and rural networks
- Wind and Solar Parks
- Transformation substations
- Petrochemical and Minera Industry
- Railway and tunnel projects
- Shopping centers and large -scale buildings
How to select the appropriate 22KV cable?
1. Driver type
- Copper: For short distances and critical loads
- Aluminum: For long distances and lower cost
2. Cross section
- Based on the electric charge to be transmitted
- Calculated with thermal criteria, voltage drop and current capacity
3. Installation type
- Direct underground
- In ducts
- Air on posts
- In trays or interior pipes
4. Environmental conditions
- Humidity, chemicals, Sun exposure, presence of rodents
Advantages of XLPE insulation in medium voltage cables
22KV cables are usually isolated with XLPE, A material that brings numerous advantages:
- Excellent thermal resistance (up to 90 ° C continuous, 130° C in overload)
- Very good dielectric rigidity
- Low water absorption
- Free of halogen (Optional in LSZH version)
22KV Underground Cables VS 22KV Aerial Cables
| Feature | Underground | Aerial |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Mayor (hidden and protected) | Smaller (exposed to the environment) |
| Initial cost | Higher | Lower |
| Maintenance | Low | Alto |
| Service life | Longest | Smaller |
| Installation time | Mayor | Smaller |
Certifications and tests for 22kv cables
To ensure quality and reliability, 22KV cables must go through trials such as:
- Alternate and continuous tension test
- Partial download test
- Insulation resistance test
- Thermal aging test
- Flame propagation test (IEC 60332)
- Smile emission test and toxic gases (Para LSZH)
Conclusion: Why choose 22KV medium voltage cables?
Los 22KV medium voltage cables They offer a robust solution, safe and efficient for electrical distribution in modern networks. The choice between copper or aluminum, the driver section, he number of nuclei and the Installation type They are key factors to guarantee the optimal performance of the system.
Whether you are an electrical designer, Project Engineer or Contractor, Having access to detailed specifications such as those presented here is essential to make correct technical decisions.