Volume-II : Section-II (B) 1

Technical Specification

11 KV XLPE CABLES
1. SCOPE
This Specification covers requirements of 11 KV Cross Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) insulated and PVC
sheathed aluminium cables for use in Rural Distribution.

2. APPLICABLE STANDARD
Except when it conflicts with the specific requirements of this specification, the cables shall comply with the
latest version of IS : 7098 (Pt. II) - 1985 - Specification for Cross Linked Polyethylene Insulated PVC Sheathed
Cables.

3. RATED VOLTAGE AND TEMPERATURE

The rated voltage of the cables shall be 6.35KV/11KV and the maximum operating voltage shall be 12 KV.
Maximum continuous operating temperature (combination of ambient temperature and temperature rise due
to load) shall be 90o C under normal operation and 250 degree C under short circuit conditions.

4. TYPE OF CABLES
The type of cables covered in this specification shall be (i) single-core armoured (non-magnetic) screened
and (ii) three-core armoured screened.

5. STANDARD SIZES OF CABLES

The standard sizes of cables which can be used for various applications are as mentioned below :

5.1 Single core Cables : 25 sq.mm., 35 sq.mm., 50 sq.mm., 70 sq.mm., 95 sq.mm., 120 sq.mm., 150
sq.mm., 185 sq.mm., 240 sq.mm., 300 sq.mm., 400 sq.mm., 500 sq.mm., 630 sq.mm.

5.2 Three Core Cables : All the above sizes upto and including 500 sq.mm., may be treated as preferred
sizes.

5.3 For standard recommended sizes of XLPE cables in 33/11 KV Sub-stations (for 33/11KV transformers and
for 11 KV outgoing feeders) please refer REC Standard .
6. CONTINUOUS CURRENT AND SHORT CIRCUIT RATINGS
The indicative values of the continuous current carrying capacities (for design purposes by field engineers)
of the various sizes of the cables are given in the tables in clause 6.1 and 6.2.

6.1 Single Core cables :

S. No. Size of cable Indicative values of continuous

sq.mm. current carrying capacity in Amps
at maximum conductor temperature
of 90o C.
In Ground In Air
1 25 93 105
2 35 111 130
3 50 138 159
4 70 170 198
5 95 200 240
6 120 230 280
7 150 255 325
8 185 290 365
9 240 335 430
10 300 380 495

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11 400 429 528

12 500 481 680
13 630 541 780

6.2 Three Core Cables :

S. No. Size of cable Indicative values of continuous

sq.mm. current carrying capacity in Amps at
maximum conductor temperature of
90o C.
In Ground In Air
1 25 93 95
2 35 110 115
3 50 130 140
4 70 160 175
5 95 185 200
6 120 205 230
7 150 235 265
8 185 270 310
9 240 305 345
10 300 340 396
11 400 395 460
12 500 455 590

6.3 The short circuit rating for the various sizes of the cables (single core and three core) calculated for a
duration of 1 second at maximum temperature of 250o C is given below :-
Sl. No. Size (sq. mm.) (3– Conductor Short Circuit
phase/and Single rating (KA) (rms value)*
phase)

1 25 2.35
2 35 3.29
3 50 4.70
4 70 6.58
5 95 8.93
6 120 11.3
7 150 14.1
8 185 17.4
9 240 22.6
10 300 28.2
11 400 37.6
12 500 47.0
13 630 59.2

* For guidance only

7. DETAILS OF CABLES
7.1 Conductor: The cable conductors shall be of round, stranded and compacted aluminium of nominal size
as stipulated in Table under Clause 5. Corresponding wire diameter and number of wires in the conductor shall
be as given in IS: 8130.

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7.2 Conductor Screen: Conductor screening shall be provided over the conductor by applying non-metallic
semi-conducting tape or by extrusion of semi-conducting compound or a combination of the two.

7.3 Insulation: The insulation shall be of extruded cross linked polyethylene (XLPE) of nominal insulation
thickness 3.6 mm and its properties shall conform to IS : 7098 (Pt. II).

7.4.1 Insulation screen: The insulation screen shall consist of two parts; namely, metallic and non-metallic. Non-
metallic part shall be applied directly over the insulation of each core and shall consist of either a semi-
conducting tape or extruded semi-conducting compound or a combination of the two or either material with semi-
conducting coating.

7.4.2 The metallic part shall consist of either tape, or braid or concentric serving of wires or a sheath; shall be
non-magnetic and shall be applied over the non-metallic part. For single-core armoured cables, the armouring
may constitute the metallic part of the screening.

7.5 Core-identification & laying up of cores: The core identification and laying up of cores shall be as per
IS : 7098 (Pt. II). For identification of different cores in three-core cable, use of coloured stripes, red, yellow and
blue, or use of numbered strips shall be employed.

7.6 Inner Sheath: The laid up cores shall be covered with inner sheath made of thermoplastic material applied
either by extrusion or wrapping. It shall be ensured that the shape is as circular as possible. Thickness of inner
sheath shall conform to IS : 7098 (Pt. II). Single Core cables shall have no inner sheath, but in case of cables
having both metallic part of screen and armour, there shall be an extruded inner sheath between them.

7.7 Armouring: Armouring shall be applied over non-metallic part of insulation screening or the inner sheath
as the case may be for single-core cables and over the inner sheath for 3–core cables. The method, type,
dimensions, joints, conductance etc. of armour shall conform to IS : 7098 (Pt. II).

7.8 Outer Sheath: The outer sheath shall be applied over the armouring. The minimum thickness and
properties of outer sheath shall conform to the requirement of IS : 7098 (Pt. II).

8. TESTS
8.1 The following tests shall be carried out on the cables as per IS : 7098 (Pt. II).

8.1.1 Type Tests

a) Tests on conductor :
i) Tensile test
ii) Wrapping test
iii) Resistance test
b) Tests for armouring wires/strips
c) Tests for thickness of insulation and sheath
d) Physical tests for insulation
i) Tensile strength and elongation at break
ii) Ageing in air oven
iii) Hot test
iv) Shrinkage test
v) Water absorption
e) Physical Tests for outer sheath
i) Tensile strength and elongation at break
ii) Ageing in air oven

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iii) Shrinkage test

iv) Hot deformation
v) Bleeding and blooming test
f) Partial discharge test
g) Bending Test
h) Dielectric power factor test :
i) As a function of voltage
ii) As a function of temperature
i) Insulation resistance test (volume resistivity)
j) Heating cycle test
k) Impulse withstand test
l) High voltage test
m) Flammability test

8.1.2 Acceptance Tests

a) Tensile test
b) Wrapping test
c) Conductor resistance test
d) Test for thickness of insulation and sheath
e) Hot set test for insulation
f) Tensile strength and elongation at break test for insulation and sheath
g) Partial discharge test
h) High voltage test
i) insulation resistance (volume resistivity) test

8.1.3 Routine Tests

a) Conductor resistance test
b) Partial discharge test
c) High voltage test

9. PACKING AND MARKING

9.1 Packing: The cables shall be supplied in wooden drums conforming to IS : 10418. The standard length
of cable in each drum shall be 0.5 KM (± ) 5%.

9.2 Marking: The cable drum shall carry the information as per requirement of IS : 7098 (Pt. II).

9.3 The manufacturer’s name or trade-mark, the voltage grade, year of manufacture etc. may be printed or
embossed on the cable as stipulated in IS : 7098 (Pt. II).

10. INSPECTION
All the tests and inspection shall be made at the place of manufacture unless otherwise especially agreed
upon by the manufacturer and purchaser at the time of purchase. The manufacturers shall afford the inspector
representing the purchaser all reasonable facilities without charge, to satisfy him that material is being furnished
in accordance with the Specification.

The purchaser has the right to have tests carried out at his own cost by an independent agency whenever
there is a dispute regarding the quality of supply.

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