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Cable labeling
Cable marking decoding: what do the letters and numbers mean
The name of a cable is not just a set of letters, but its passport: conductor material, insulation type, shielding, and purpose. Once you understand the system, you can read a designation like "VVGng-LS 3×2.5" without a reference book.
What do the letters mean
- The first letter denotes the conductor material. "A" at the beginning stands for aluminum. If there is no letter, the conductor is copper (copper is default for VVG).
- "V" - PVC insulation and sheath. Two "V"s in a row, as in VVG, mean both insulation of the conductors and outer PVC sheath.
- "P" - polyethylene (insulation), "R" - rubber.
- "N" - without armor or protective covering, "naked". In denoting flexible wires, the same letter is associated with flexibility.
- "B" - armor made of steel strips for laying in the ground.
- "NG" - does not spread combustion, "LS" (Low Smoke) - reduced smoke emission. Together "NG-LS" is what they take for housing.
Numbers
The numbers after the letters represent the number of cores and their cross-section. The notation 3×2.5 means three cores of 2.5 mm² each. For single-core wires, only the cross-section is indicated, for example PV-1 4.
Popular brands
| Brand | How do you pronounce |
|---|---|
| ВВГ | Copper, PVC insulation and PVC sheath, unarmored. Power cable for wiring. |
| АВВГ | Same as VVG, but with aluminum conductor. |
| ВВГнг-LS | Non-flame propagating, low smoke emission VVG cable. |
| ПВС | Flexible PVC-insulated connecting cable. For extension cords and equipment. |
| ШВВП | Flat PVC-insulated and sheathed cord. For low-power devices. |
| ПВ-1 / ПВ-3 | Installation wire: PV-1 with a rigid single-core, PV-3 - with a flexible multi-core. |
| СИП | Self-supporting insulated wire for overhead lines and house connections. |
Different manufacturers use additional letters and indices (for example, to indicate the climatic performance). If you are unsure about a specific brand, check the cable passport or ask the seller.
On the topic: What is the difference between VVG and PVC? and how to select a cross-section.
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