Cables used to build computer network infrastructure are available in a wide range of varieties. Among the most popular are coaxial, twisted pair, and optical fiber. What are the specifics of each of them? What are the features of installing the most common type - twisted pair?

Cable types: coaxial

Among the historically earliest types of cables used in network connections is coaxial. Its thickness is approximately the same as that of a computer power supply, designed to work with a 220 V outlet.

The structure of the coaxial structure is as follows: in the very middle there is a metal conductor, it is wrapped in thick, most often plastic, insulation. On top of it is a braid of copper or aluminum. The outer layer is an insulating shell.

The connection of the network cable of the type in question can be done by:

BNC connector;

BNC terminator;

BNC-T connector;

BNC barrel connector.

Let's consider their specifics in more detail.

The BNC connector is supposed to be placed at the ends of the cable and is used to connect to T- or barrel connectors. A BNC terminator is used as an isolating barrier that prevents signal movement along the cable. Correct functioning of the network without this element is in some cases impossible. A coaxial cable requires the use of two terminators, one of which requires grounding. The BNC-T connector is used to connect the PC to the main line. There are three slots in its structure. The first one is connected to the computer connector; the other two are used to connect different ends of the line. Another type of connector for coaxial cable is the BNC barrel. It is used to connect different ends of a highway, or to increase the radius of a computer network.

Among useful features coaxial designs - no problem deciding how to connect two network cables of this type. It is enough to ensure reliable contact of the conductive cores, of course, subject to the technology of pairing the insulation and the screen mesh. However, coaxial cable is quite sensitive to electromagnetic interference. Therefore, in the practice of building computer networks, it is now used quite rarely. However, it is indispensable in terms of organizing the infrastructure for transmitting television signals - from dishes or cable providers.

twisted pair

Probably the most common network cables for computers today are called “twisted pair”. Why this name? The fact is that the structure of this type of cable contains paired conductors. They are made of copper. A standard cable of the type in question includes 8 cores (thus, 4 pairs in total), but there are also samples with four conductors. The so-called pinout of a network cable of this type (correlating each core with a particular function) involves the use of insulation of a certain color on each conductor.

The external insulation of the twisted pair is made of PVC, which provides sufficient protection of the conductive elements from electromagnetic interference. There are the types in question - FTP and STP. In the first, the foil performing the corresponding function is located on top of all the cores, in the second - on each of the conductors. There is an unshielded modification of twisted pair - UTP. As a rule, cables with foil are more expensive. But it makes sense to use them only if there is a need for high-quality data transmission over a relatively long distance. For home networks, an unshielded twisted pair version is quite suitable.

There are several classes of the corresponding type of structure, each of them is designated as CAT with a number from 1 to 7. The higher the corresponding indicator, the better materials, providing signal transmission. Modern network cables for computers for data exchange via Ethernet in home networks require elements to comply with CAT5 class. In connections that use twisted pair, connectors are used that would be correctly classified as 8P8C, but there is also an unofficial name for them - RJ-45. It can be noted that cables that meet at least the CAT5 and CAT6 classes can transmit data at speeds close to the maximum for the type of structure under consideration - up to 1 Gbit/s.

Optical fiber

Perhaps the most modern and fastest network cables for computers are fiber optic cables. Their structure contains light-conducting glass elements, which are protected by durable plastic insulation. Among the key advantages of these network cables for a computer is high immunity to interference. Also, data can be transmitted over a distance of about 100 km via optical fiber. The connection of cables of the type in question to devices can be carried out using various types connectors. Among the most common are SC, FC, F-3000.

What does this high-tech network cable for a computer look like? Photo of the fiber optic structure below.

The intensity of practical use of optical fiber is limited by the fairly high cost of the equipment necessary to transmit data through it. However, in Lately Many Russian providers actively use this network cable for the Internet. According to IT experts, with the expectation that the corresponding investments will pay off in the future.

Evolution of cable infrastructure

Using the example of the three noted types of cables, we can trace some evolution in the aspect of building computer network infrastructure. Thus, initially, when transmitting data via the Ethernet standard, coaxial structures were used. At the same time, the maximum distance over which a signal could be sent from one device to another did not exceed 500 meters. The maximum over coaxial cable was about 10 Mbit/sec. The use of twisted pair cables has significantly increased the dynamics of file exchange on computer networks - up to 1 Gbit/sec. It also became possible to transmit data in duplex mode (one device could both receive signals and send them). With the advent of optical fiber, the IT industry was able to transfer files at speeds of 30-40 Gbit/sec or more. Thanks largely to this technology, computer networks successfully connect countries and continents.

Of course, when working with a PC, many other types of cables are used that are used in the installation of computer networks. Theoretically, for such purposes, you can use, for example, a USB cable, although this will not be very effective, in particular, due to the fact that within the USB standard, data can be transferred over a short distance - about 20 m.

How to connect twisted pair

Twisted pair, as we noted above, is today the most common type of cable in the design of computer networks. However, its practical use is characterized by some nuances. In particular, they reflect such an aspect as the pinout of the network cable, which we mentioned above. It is important to know how to correctly position the wires in the area where they come into contact with the RJ-45 connector. The procedure by which a twisted pair is connected to the corresponding element is called crimping, since during its implementation a special tool is used that involves force on the structure.

Nuances of crimping

During this procedure, the connectors are securely fixed to the ends of the twisted pair. The number of contacts in them corresponds to the number of cores - in both cases there are 8 such elements. There are several schemes within which twisted pair cables can be crimped.

Next we will look at the relevant specifics. But first, the person working with the cable needs to properly hold the connectors in their hands. They should be held so that the metal contacts are located on top.

The plastic latch should be directed towards the person doing the crimping. In this case, the 1st contact will be on the left, and the 8th contact will be on the right. Numbering is an extremely important aspect of working with twisted pair cable. So, what crimp schemes are used by network infrastructure specialists?

First, there is a network cable design called EIA/TIA-568A. It assumes the arrangement of the cores in relation to the metal contacts of the connector in the following order:

For 1 contact: white-green;

For the 2nd: green;

For the 3rd: white-orange;

For the 4th: blue;

For the 5th: white and blue;

For the 6th: orange;

For the 7th: white-brown;

For the 8th: brown.

There is another scheme - EIA/TIA-568B. It assumes the arrangement of the cores in the following order:

For 1 contact: white-orange;

For the 2nd: orange;

For the 3rd: white-green;

For the 4th: blue;

For the 5th: white and blue;

For the 6th: green;

For the 7th: white-brown;

For the 8th: brown.

You now know how to connect a network cable to a connector. But it is useful to study the specifics regarding various schemes connecting twisted pair cables to certain devices.

Crimping and connection type

So, when connecting a PC to a router or switch, you should use the direct connection method. If there is a need to organize file exchange between two computers without using a router, then you can use the cross connection method. The difference between the marked schemes is small. At direct method connections, the cable must be crimped using the same pinout. When crossed, one end is according to circuit 568A, the other is according to 568B.

High-tech savings

Twisted pair is characterized by one interesting feature. With a direct connection scheme, the device can use not 4 pairs of conductors, but 2. That is, using one cable it is permissible to connect 2 computers to the network at the same time. This way you can save on cable costs or make a connection if you really need to do this, but you don’t have extra meters of twisted pair at hand. True, in this case the maximum data exchange speed will not be 1 Gbit/sec, but 10 times less. But for organizing homework, it is acceptable in most situations.

How to distribute the cores in this case? In relation to the contacts on the connection connectors:

1 contact: white-orange core;

2nd: orange;

3rd: white-green;

6th: green.

That is, 4, 5, 7 and 8 cores are not used in this scheme. In turn, on the connectors for connecting a second computer:

1 contact: white-brown core;

2nd: brown;

3rd: white-blue;

6th: blue.

It may be noted that when implementing a crossover connection scheme, you must always use all 8 conductors in a twisted pair. Also, if the user needs to implement data transfer between devices at a speed of 1 Gbit/sec, the pinout will need to be carried out according to a special scheme. Let's consider its features.

Gigabit speed cross-connect

The first cable connector should be crimped according to diagram 568B. The second assumes the following comparison of cores and contacts on the connector:

1 contact: white-green core;

2nd: green;

3rd: white-orange;

4th: white-brown;

5th: brown;

6th: orange;

7th: blue;

8th: white and blue.

The circuit is quite similar to the 568A, but the position of the blue and brown wire pairs has been changed.

Compliance with the marked rules for matching the colors of cores and contacts on the 8P8C connector is the most important factor in ensuring the functionality of the network infrastructure. The person designing it must be careful when installing the relevant elements. It happens that the computer does not see the network cable - this is often due to incorrect crimping of the twisted pair cable.

How to crimp a cable correctly

Let's look at some technical nuances. The main device that is used in this case is a crimper. It is similar to pliers, but at the same time it is adapted to work specifically with computer cables of the appropriate type.

The design of the crimper requires the presence of special knives designed for cutting the structure. Also, sometimes crimpers are equipped with a small device for stripping twisted pair insulation. In the central part of the tool there are special sockets adapted to the thickness of the cable structure.

The optimal algorithm for the actions of a person crimping a twisted pair cable may be as follows.

• First of all, it is necessary to cut a section of the cable of suitable length - thus, precise measurements will be required.
• After this, the outer insulation should be removed - approximately 3 cm at the end of the cable. The main thing is not to accidentally damage the core insulation.
• Then you need to arrange the conductors in relation to the connection diagrams to the connector discussed above. Afterwards, trim the ends of the cores evenly, so that the length of each of them outside the outer layer of insulation is about 12 mm.
• Next, you need to put the connector on the cable so that the wires remain in the order that corresponds to the connection diagram, and each of them fits into the desired channel. You should move the wires until you feel resistance from the plastic wall of the connector.
• After the cores have been properly positioned inside the connector, the PVC sheath should be positioned inside the connector body. If you can't do this, you may need to pull out the wires and shorten them a little.

Once all the structural elements are positioned correctly, you can crimp the cable by inserting the connector into a special socket on the crimper and smoothly pressing the tool handle until it stops.

Finding out what cross-section of conductors you need is not everything. Next, you need to choose the type of wire or cable that suits you. You need to consider where and how this cable will be used. Depending on this, choose the type of shell, the presence/absence of armor and screen, operating voltage. All this information and also the material of the cores, their number and cross-section, are displayed by the cable markings. This is a set of letters and numbers in which all these parameters are encoded.

So that you can immediately understand which cable is in front of you, a cable and wire marking system has been introduced. All currently available materials from which cable products are made are designated with certain letters (for example, R - rubber, P - polyethylene, V - PVC (vinyl), etc.), and their position indicates that from this material made - insulation, protection or armor.

Cable marking - what is encrypted in letters and numbers

The first letter in the cable marking is either the letter “A” - aluminum, or a pass. The omission means "copper". So if you see any other letter other than “A” in the first position, it means the conductors are made of copper.

Insulation, armor, protection

First, let's figure out what armor is, what is protection, and what is insulation. When talking about material isolation, refer to the material used to insulate aluminum or copper conductors. The purpose of this layer is to prevent the cores from shorting out to each other. Dielectric materials are used here: rubber, polyethylene, PVC, fluoroplastic. Once upon a time, paper was also used, but now this type of insulation is almost never used.

Protective shell (inner) - fits under armor or external protective layer so that they do not damage the insulation and also to increase the degree of protection (from water, temperature, mechanical influences). Not always present.

Cable armor- These are steel strips (galvanized or not) or braided wire (round or flat). Not all cables have this layer. It is needed to increase mechanical strength. Armored cables are used in places where there is a high risk of damage or where there is constant effective loads. They are used for laying in the ground, on poles, under water, etc. No armor is required for internal wiring - there are no critical loads.

Cable protective layer (outer cover)- This is the outer sheath that protects the armor and/or conductors. Very often the same materials are used here as for insulation, but the material may differ.

All these three shells come after the designation of the core material, that is, these are the second, third and fourth letters (this is if there is a letter “A”). Their designation and decoding are in the table.

Location	Characteristic	Encoding and its decryption
1st position	Core material	A - aluminum if there is no letter, the wires are copper
2nd position	What is insulation made of?	B - PVC (polyvinyl chloride) P - polyethylene PV - cross-linked polyethylene PS - self-extinguishing polyethylene R - rubber HP - non-flammable rubber G - no protective layer (bare) F - fluoroplastic C - film insulation (for installation wires) K - control cable (purpose) KG - flexible cable
3rd position	Type of containment (if any)	A - aluminum C - lead P - polyethylene hose PU - reinforced polyethylene hose B - PVC hose R - rubber
4th position	Type of armor (if any)	BS - lead armor BBG - steel profiled tape BB - two steel bands Bl - armor made of 2 steel strips with a cushion (underneath) made of plastic strips BN - steel tapes, on top of which a non-flammable protective sheath is wound K - steel wires covered with protective steel tape D - steel braid of two wires P - steel flat wire
5th position	Type of outer cover, cable design	G - protection against corrosion (waterproofing), if “G” is absent - there is protection from mechanical loads E - shielded (usually aluminum foil) O - insulated wires connected by a winding B - if the letter is the last - paper insulation, if there are others after it - PVC Shv - protection in the form of a vinyl hose Shp - protection in the form of a polyethylene hose Shps - self-extinguishing polyethylene N - non-flammable composition

Actually, it is important to remember the decoding of the main materials, as well as what exactly this letter in this position means (insulation, armor, protection).

Decoding digital values

After the letters, the cable marking contains several numbers. They reflect the operating voltage for which the cable is designed (if there is no number, then it is used for a 220 V network), as well as the number and cross-section of cores. The first is the quantity, separated by the “x” sign is the section. If all the wires are of the same cross-section, there is only one such pair; if there are dedicated wires for the “zero” (they are of a smaller cross-section), the “+” is followed by a second pair of numbers.

This part of cable marking is not so difficult to understand. Let's look at one example. VVG cables are very popular. The meaning of the marking is as follows:

• copper conductors (the letter “A” is missing in the first position);
• the first “B” is vinyl core insulation (PVC),
• the second “B” is a protective shell, the same PVC,
• D - no outer cover.

This cable is considered by many to be optimal for internal wiring in a house or apartment, since it is relatively inexpensive, comes in many versions, and is produced by a large number of manufacturers.

To better understand the digital designations in cable markings, let’s look at several modifications of this cable product:

• VVG 2*2.5 - two conductors with a cross section of 2.5 mm2;
• VVG 3*4 - three conductors with a cross section of 4 mm2;
• VVG 3*4 + 1*2.5 - three working cores with a cross-section of 4 mm2 and one “zero” - with a cross-section of 2.5 mm2.

The numbers are deciphered in the same way in all other cases.

Temperature conditions and GOST

Few people pay attention to the last part of the cable markings. Here the operating mode (minimum temperatures) and the name of GOST or TU according to which this cable is manufactured are indicated.

Temperature data is important for outdoor cable installation. They are especially relevant for regions with low or high temperatures. Therefore, when choosing a cable type, do not forget about this parameter.

Mention of GOST or TU in cable markings is rarely seen: too few manufacturers adhere to the standards and therefore bashfully “forget” to write down this information. This does not mean that if there is a GOST, the cable will comply 100% with it. In any case, there is hope that the wire cross-section will correspond to the declared one.

Cable marking: examples of decoding

When studying information on labeling, everything seems quite clear, but when trying to apply knowledge in practice, difficulties often arise. The most difficult thing is that some characteristics are displayed by the absence of symbols. With the first position, everything is more or less simple - the “A” is in front - the wires are made of aluminum, if any other letter is copper.

As you can see in the example of decoding the MKESH cable, the first position may be the purpose of the cable. Here you can see the following letters:

• G - flexible stranded;
• K - control cable;
• MK - installation cable;
• KSP - transmission systems cable (not power, not used for wiring);

The protective shell and armor may also be missed. They are found in cables that are laid in difficult conditions. That is, confusion may arise here too.

How to navigate? In some cases, by letter. “B” is only the type of armor, “G” is waterproofing, “W” is a protective sheath in the form of an extruded hose. Everything else depends on the situation. But specialists need to study the markings so deeply; a home handyman, basically, needs to know the basic principles, and the specific properties of the cable can be seen in its description. As you can see, cable marking and decoding is not an easy task.

A few more examples of decoding the most popular cables:

• VBBShvng:
  • there is no letter “A” - copper conductors;
  • B - PVC core insulation;
  • BB - armor made of two steel strips;
  • Shvng - non-flammable external vinyl hose (ng).
• AABL:
  • A - aluminum conductors;
  • A - aluminum shell;
  • BL - armor with a backing made of plastic tapes;
• KG:
  • there is no “A” in front - copper wires;
  • K - cable;
  • G - naked.

In fact, CG is just a bunch copper wires without protective shells. Today it is used extremely rarely, but is still found.

Wire marking

The wires are marked in the same way as the cables. The first position also indicates the core material - A - aluminum, and its absence - copper. The second position can be either P (wire), or PP - flat wire, Sh - cord. In the first case, it can be single-core, in the second, it usually consists of two or three (less often, more) cores. Recently appeared the new kind- heating wires. They are designated PN.

Wire markings - which letter means what

And the last - third - position with letters is the insulation material. Everything is standard here:

• B - PVC;
• P - polyethylene:
• R - rubber;
• N - nayrite;
• L - cotton shell, varnished;
• O - impregnated cotton braid;
• M - made of oil-resistant rubber;

But this position may contain information about the design or purpose of the wire:

• G - flexible;
• T - for installation in pipes;
• C - connecting;

After the letters there are numbers. This is the number of conductors (first number) and their cross-section (second number).

Wires - P - regular, round, PP - flat

When deciphering the markings, the main thing is to understand where the cable is and where the wire is. After all, the letter “P” in the second position can indicate polyethylene insulation of wires. You can navigate by the number of letters - the marking of wires usually contains 4 letters, and cables - more. Even though it's not a clear sign, but in most cases it helps. But the rest of the decoding of wire markings is much easier than that of cable products. Here are some examples:

The question often arises: what is the difference between a wire and a cable. Mainly - the number of conductors. The wire most often has one core. Two- and three-core wires differ from cables in that they have only one thin sheath. Cables usually have several of them.

Optical cable marking has its own characteristics. The first two letters are OK ( optical cable). So there will be no problems with identification. Further, the principle is the same: there is a certain set of notations that encrypt the characteristics. In general, the marking structure after the letters “OK” is as follows:

Let's take a closer look at what products - wires and cables - are usually used when installing electrical wiring indoors, in a private house or apartment.

Power cables

One of the most popular types of cables recently is the cord marked VVG. This abbreviation denotes power with a copper conductor (TCC). Each TPG has polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulation. In addition, it has an additional PVC (cambric) shell. Additional protective coating No.

It is used for 600 and 1000 volt, 50 Hz networks. May have from 1 to 5 cores. For domestic needs (in an apartment) it is usually used with a core cross-section from 1.5 to 6 mm2. In private households, wire with conductors up to 16 mm2 can be used. Although there are no restrictions from above. A cord with a cross-section of over 10 mm2 can also be laid in an apartment. It is produced with a TPG cross-section from 1.5 to 240 mm2. The cores can be multi-wire or single-wire.

The temperature limits for using VVG are quite wide. It operates in the range -50 / +50°C. At 40°C the humidity can reach 98%. The cable has good bending and tensile strength. Resistant to aggressive chemical environments. Its outer shell is usually made black. Although there are also white cables. It does not conduct combustion. Each TPG is marked with its own color. Colors can be: red, black, blue, brown, yellow-green and white with a blue stripe. Do not forget that each cable has a permissible bending radius. For VVG modifications the radius is 10 section diameters. If the wire is made in the form of a strip, the width of the plane is taken as the cross-section. Industrial packaging - coils of 100 and 200 m in length. Although other lengths may be found.

VVG cable modifications:

AVVG. Has the same technical characteristics as the original VVG; core material - aluminum.

VVGng - using material with increased non-flammability

VVGp - flat version VVG. The most common modification.

VVGz - cable modification with filling internal space rubber compound or PVC strands.

This is the European analogue of VVG. Abbreviation with German name(N - standardized cable, Normenleitung; Y - PVC insulation; M - with protective sheath, Mantelleitung).

The cable uses copper, stranded or single-wire TPG. May have from 2 to 5 cores. The core cross-section ranges from 1.5 to 16 mm2. Each core has PVC insulation. The outer shell is made of PVC, non-flammable and does not burn. Inside the cable, between the cores, a coated rubber filler is added. Has increased heat resistance and strength. It is intended for power supply and lighting installation in networks with voltages up to 1000 V. It has increased resistance to temperature changes, high humidity and mechanical damage. The bending radius is 4 sections. Can be used both indoors and outdoors. Can be used over a wide range, -40 / +70 °C. The main disadvantage is the destruction of the shell under direct sunlight. Therefore, when external network It definitely needs to be covered. More durable and easier to install compared to VVG. The inconvenience is that the cable can only be round section, which is not always convenient during installation. Its cost is also higher than that of VVG.

The name stands for quite simply - Flexible Cable. Designed for voltage ratings up to 660 V, up to 400 Hz. Or direct current, voltage up to 1000 V.

The number of cores in the cable is from 1 to 6. The cores are highly flexible, copper. Rubber is used to insulate the TPG. The outer insulation of the cable is also rubber. Suitable for use in the temperature range -60 / +50 °C. Most often used to connect portable units -

• heat guns,
• generators,
• welders.

It is also available in the GKng modification - non-flammable.

GK works great outdoors, in almost any weather conditions. Most often used as a power cable during construction work. Sometimes it is even used as indoor lighting wiring, due to its ease of installation and reliability.

VBBShv - power, armored, with copper conductors.

The number of cores in VBSShV can be from 1 to 5. VBBSHV cores are made both single- and multi-wire. TPG cross-section from 1.5 to 240 mm2. To insulate the TPG, as well as the space between the cores, and as the outer sheath, PVC is used.

A special feature of the cable is its armor. It is wound on top of the cambric, in two tapes, with overlapping layers. A protective PVC hose goes over the armor. Moreover, the VBBShvng modification uses material with reduced flammability. It is designed to power installations at rated voltages of 660 and 1000 V. For transmission direct current single-core modifications are used. Thanks to the armor, this type has increased mechanical characteristics. Temperature operating range -50 / +50 °C.

Moisture resistant, can withstand humidity up to 98% at 35°C. It can be laid in the ground, cable ducts or pipes. When laying in open areas, protection from sunlight is required. Used for food stationary installations, or separate objects. Ideal for underground wiring to a detached building. The bending radius is at least 10 cable sections.

Cable modifications:

• AVBBSHv - with aluminum conductors;
• VBBShvng - non-flammable;
• VBBShng-LS - non-flammable, with reduced gas and smoke emissions when heated.

Electrical wires for energy transmission

Among electrical installation networks, the most popular brands are PBPP and PBPPg. Sometimes they are also called PUNP and PUGNP. Simply because it's easier to pronounce. They belong to the category of installation, or installation.

PBPP (PUNP) - flat wire. The number of current-carrying cores in the network is 2 or 3. The cores are copper, single-wire. TPZh insulation is made of PVC. The outer shell is made from the same material, mostly white, less often black. The cross-section of the TPG is from 1.5 to 6 mm2. Mainly used for device stationary systems lighting, or (less often) to power outlets. Used for voltages up to 250 V, 50 Hz. Temperature limits -15 / +50 °C. Bending radius - from 10 sections of TPG.

PBPPg (PUGNP), flexible. This is indicated by the letter “g” in the name. It differs in the structure of current-carrying conductors. It uses stranded strands, which makes the wire flexible. The minimum bending radius for PUNGP is 6 sections. All other characteristics are similar to PUNP. The color of the insulation is predominantly white, sometimes black. Used in places where there are frequent bends in power lines, as well as for connecting sockets. Sometimes used to connect devices to a network. A network of these brands is produced in coils, 100 or 200 m long.

APUNP- modification with aluminum conductors. It has characteristics similar to copper parts. However, the core is single-wire, and its flexibility is much less.

Typically, wires of this brand are used in household networks, up to 250 V. More than half of the entire network is usually carried out by power lines of these brands. However, although they are great for internal network, do not use wires instead of power cables.

Recently, cases of incorrect marking of cords of this series have become more frequent. This is largely determined by the popularity of these brands. For example, during inspection, the actual cross-section of the measured conductors was less than the declared one. It is recommended to check the quality of insulation and cross-section of cores when purchasing.

PPV - copper, with PVC insulation:

PPV - flat with a dividing jumper. Single-wire cores, cross-section 0.75-6.0 mm2. It can be used for fixed lighting networks and power lines for voltages up to 450 V, at frequencies up to 400 Hz. It is non-flammable, with increased resistance to aggressive environments. Resistant to vibration and mechanical damage. Operating temperature level -50 / +70°C. Moisture resistant. At +35 °C withstands 100% humidity.

APPV is similar in characteristics to PPPV. Core material - aluminum:

Automatic reclosure is the most common single-core wire. Core insulation - PVC. It has a circular cross-section. The core can be single-wire (cross-section from 2.5 to 16 mm2) or multi-wire (from 25 to 95 mm2).

It is used everywhere, in all types of power or lighting networks. Can be laid:

• in pipes,
• technological voids,
• steel or plastic trays.

Barks increased mechanical strength, vibration resistant. Rated voltage up to 450 V, at frequency up to 400 Hz. PVC insulation is resistant to aggressive chemical environments and is not flammable. Used at temperatures -50 / +70°C. Moisture resistance at +35 °C - 100% humidity.

PV 1. It has a copper, single-wire conductor with a cross-section from 0.75 to 16 mm2; or multi-wire with a cross section of 16-95 mm2. In addition, it has better flexibility than a similar automatic reclosure cross-section.

PV 3. The characteristics are similar to those of PV 1 or APV. It has great flexibility, therefore it is recommended for use in areas of power lines or lighting networks with frequent bends. For example, it is often used in distribution boards or electrical circuits of cars. Bending radius - 6 sections (diameters). Since wires PV1, PV3 and APV can have very different insulation colors, they are convenient to use when installing distribution boards.

PVS. This is a multi-strand cord. The conductor is copper, covered with PVC insulation. The sheath is made of PVC, cast, filling the gaps between the cores. As a result, it is dense and round in shape. The core is multi-wire, the number of cores in the cable is from 2 to 5. The cross-section of the cable cores is from 0.75 to 16 mm2. Available for voltages up to 380 V, 50 Hz. The shell usually has White color, core insulation is colored. Due to its exceptional flexibility and lightness, it can be used for installing lighting or connecting sockets.

PVA is the most common household wire. Used to connect:

• electrical devices,
• household appliances,
• as an extension cord for network repair.

Resistant to mechanical stress - able to withstand up to 3000 kinks. Does not burn and does not spread fire. Operates in the temperature range -40 / +40 °C (in the PVS U modification) or -25 / +40 °C (in the standard modification).

SHVVP- 2 or 3 cores, flat in cross-section. The core is copper or tinned, with a cross-section of 0.5-0.75 mm2, stranded. Designed to operate with voltages up to 380 V, 50 Hz. It has increased flexibility. Used as an extension cord for connecting low-power household appliances (coffee grinder, mixer). It is not recommended to use this type of power line for mains, fixed outlets or lighting devices.

Information

Cables and wires are currently used not only for transmitting electrical energy. They are also used to transmit information. The number of such conductors has recently increased significantly. The situation has begun to change especially rapidly over the past decade and a half. In addition to cables for telephones and antennas, there is a much larger variety of signal cables. But for everyday use it is enough to know several types. The rest are often of interest only to narrow specialists in the field of information transmission. Let's look at the main types and types of such cables.

Antenna

Today, the most commonly used cables in everyday life are RG-58, RG-59 and RG-6. Or their domestic analogues, for example, RK 75.

RG-6 - coaxial signal, designed to transmit signals high frequency. Used for transmitting television and radio signals, and in HF technology.

Structurally, the cable is designed in the form of a cylinder, inside which runs a copper core with a cross-section of 1 mm2, insulated with polyethylene foam. Next comes a screen made of aluminum foil, on top of which there is an outer conductor, which is a copper braid. A PVC sheath is placed over the braid. Most often used to transmit television signals in cable, terrestrial or satellite television. Coaxial cables vary in many characteristics, including ohmic resistance, degree of shielding, frequency characteristics, and much more. The name of the most popular domestic cable RK (RK 75) means that the ohmic resistance is 75 Ohms.

Radio engineering experts understand what this means. And it is enough for the user to know that this particular resistance is ideal for transmitting a signal to a TV (tuner, other receiver) from an antenna or video camera. Also, using this cable, you can transmit and branch the signal to several receivers.

RG brand cables, of which there are a great variety, have a similar structure. And they differ in technical characteristics, including signal attenuation, frequency characteristics, resistance to mechanical loads, temperatures, resistance, types of screens, and so on.

Twisted pair of wires. Used in computer networks for signal transmission

The Internet in your home is most likely delivered using just such a twisted pair cable. Using such wires, computers communicate with each other or connect to the Internet.

Type of RJ-45 tip, to connect to the network

Twisted pair consists of several pairs of wires intertwined in pairs, which gives it its name. They are intertwined in order to improve the quality of signal transportation. Each core is insulated PVC coated, the outer shell is made of PVC or propylene. Some cable modifications have an additional waterproof polypropylene sheath. In addition, a breaking thread is inserted inside the outer shell to make it more convenient to remove the outer shell during installation. Various protection options are implemented in the following modifications:

UTP without general shielding of conductors, unprotected;

FTP, the cores are shielded with aluminum foil (foil);

STP, shielded with copper mesh (shielded). Additionally, a separate screen surrounds each couple;

S/FTP shielded with aluminum foil, with additional shielding of each pair with its own shield.

Different models are also divided into categories based on the number of pairs of wires. The most common category for networks is CAT5e. It has four pairs of conductors, each wire is marked with its own color. Information transfer speed over twisted pair, when using all pairs - up to 1 Gb/s. Sometimes this type of cable is used as a telephone cable. In this case, one or two pairs of wires are used, as in CAT1 or CAT2.

Cables and wires for telephone lines

There are two main types of telephone wires. Cords for laying telephone lines in apartments, and general ones for laying many (up to 400) lines.

The most common type of cable for laying telephone lines is TPPep. It is designed for a large number of lines.

TPPep cable structure:

1. insulation (polyethylene);
2. cable core;
3. fastening winding;
4. waist insulation;
5. outer screen.

The cable consists of wires twisted into pairs. The cable cores are copper, made of soft wire, the cores have a cross-section of 0.4-0.5 mm2. Each core is covered with polyethylene insulation. Usually pairs are combined into groups, each containing 5 or 10 pairs. The outer sheath of the cable is made of PVC or polyethylene. If the names contain the letters "p" or "e", then the cable has a screen. There are modifications armored cable(twisted ribbons). In some models, the space between the cores is filled with a water-repellent seal. This type cables are designed for providing telephone communications to multi-storey buildings. Can be laid in almost any conditions: in cable ducts, underground, overhead wiring.

To enter a telephone line into a separate apartment, the following power lines are used:

TRV - telephone distribution (noodles). May have one or two pairs of conductive wires.

It has single-wire copper conductors with a cross-section of 0.4-0.5 mm2. Has a divided base. The number of cores is one or two pairs. PVC insulated. Designed for switching telephone sets indoors. Temperature conditions -10 / +40 °C. The humidity level at +30 °C should not be higher than 80%.

TRP has conductive characteristics similar to the expansion valve. The difference is in the insulation - for TRP it is made of polyethylene.

Thanks to this, TRP can be laid outdoors, as it is more resistant to external natural influences.

SHTLP- flat telephone cord. Has copper stranded conductors. PVC is used as external insulation. In addition, each core has its own polyethylene sheath. It can have 2 or 4 cores, with a cross section of 0.08-0.12 mm2. Shur has increased flexibility. Can be used for telephone wiring in premises, and in telephone sets themselves.

PRPPM- the wire is flat, with a split base. It has two single-wire conductors, with a cross-section of 0.9-1.2 mm2. Each core is enclosed in polyethylene insulation and sheathing. In some modifications, the shell is made of PVC.

Resistant to natural conditions, temperature limits -60 / +60 °C. Can be used when laying lines outside buildings, in the ground, along walls and on air supports.

Special types of wires and cables

If operating conditions of the electrical network differ from standard ones, then it is necessary to use specialized wires and cables. They must have increased resistance to aggressive external environments. In housing construction these are stoves, cellars, baths. That is, in conditions of increased heat, cold or humidity. And also where there is a high risk of mechanical damage. It is not recommended to install standard conductors in such places.

RKGM- mounting, power, flexible, increased heat resistance. There was only one wire in the cable, multi-wire, copper. Section 0.75-120 mm2. The insulation is made of silicone rubber. The outer shell is made of fiberglass, impregnated with varnish or heat-resistant enamel.

This wire is used in power networks with voltage ratings up to 660 V, up to 400 Hz. It is characterized by increased heat resistance, -60 / +180 °C. Resistant to mechanical stress and vibration. Not affected by fungal mold, as well as solvents and varnishes. Can be used in saunas, baths, when connecting ovens. And also in places with high temperatures, for example, boiler rooms.

PNSV- single-core heating. The core is steel, single wire. Available in blued or galvanized finish. Available in cross-sections from 1.2 to 3 mm2. PVC or polyethylene is used as insulation.

Used at voltages up to 380 V, 50 Hz. Heat-resistant, moisture-resistant, resistant to immersion in water, alkali-resistant. Temperature range -50 / +80 °C. Used in underfloor heating systems as heating element.

runway- single-core copper. The core is multi-wire, copper, with a cross-section of 1.2-25 mm2. Designed to operate in 380 or 660 V networks.

Temperature range -40 / +80 °C. Resistant to pressure changes, moisture resistant. Used to power motors in artesian wells at great depths.

LED cable. New and interesting option power cable. Along the power conductor, under a transparent shell, additional wires with multi-colored LEDs are placed. The distance between the LEDs is 2 cm. The light is quite strong and constant.

Used to indicate the connection of portable electrical equipment. If the cable is damaged, the diodes in the specified area stop lighting. Can be used for decorative purposes or for stage equipment. It can be used in advertising, creating pictures and inscriptions. Manufactured by Duralight. Computer luminous cables are also produced. The structure is similar to power ones. They can be used for decorative purposes, and even as lighting elements.

Electroluminescent cables, unlike LED ones, they emit light evenly along the entire length. Such cables are used mainly in industrial design, as a replacement for glowing neon tubes. Allows you to create inscriptions and pictures. Unlike neon tubes, they have no length restrictions and a smaller bending radius. Moreover, the price is much cheaper than the latter.

For permanent installation of internal electrical wiring, it is recommended to use only copper single-wire power lines and cables in multi-colored insulation. Use of aluminum cords and cables for internal electrical wiring.

• For connection to the floor panel on the site, the recommended model is NYM-5x6.0(10.0) or NYM-3x6.0(10.0) (NYM is read “nym” in German).
• For the underground branch, armored VBBShV 4x6.0(10.0) or VBBShV 5x6.0(10.0) is recommended.

Stranded wires of small cross-section are used where frequent bending is required (power cords, carrying cables), and are not recommended for permanent installation. Moreover, they are more expensive than single-wire ones and require the mandatory use of expensive tubular lugs during installation. However, with a large cross-section of cores (> 2.5 mm2), it is very difficult to use single-wire wires and cables due to their high mechanical rigidity, so in such cases multi-wire wires and cables are used.

The cross-section of conductors for electrical wiring is determined by the amount of current flowing through them, which means it must be calculated and indicated in the project. In everyday life, almost everything comes down to a few recommended types of wires and cables, the cross-sections of which depend on the place of application and do not differ in variety. And when using conductors of standard sections for each specific application, as a rule, a good current reserve is obtained, especially for the thinnest cords. But the calculation still needs to be done, if only to make sure that this current reserve is available. When calculating the cross-section, choose the nearest larger value.

For example, you have the required cross-section of the supply cable conductors for the air connection to the support of 18.5 mm 2, therefore, you need to choose one with a cross-section of 25.0 mm 2. But let’s return to the recommendations.

For connection to the floor panel on the site, we recommend NYM-5x6.0(10.0) or NYM-3x6.0(10.0) (NYM is read “nym” in German).

To connect the main panel in an apartment/cottage and room or floor panels, NYM-5x4.0(6.0) or NYM-3x6.0(10.0) is recommended.

To connect individual powerful consumers, NYM-5x4.0(6.0) or NYM-3x4.0(6.0) is recommended.

As a rule, it is more convenient to use flat VVGng for internal electrical wiring. PUNP comes only flat.

Pay attention to the correct coloring of the insulation of the conductors of the electrical cords and cables you have chosen. When purchasing on the market, it would be useful to measure the core diameter of a single-wire cable or wire with a caliper. The resulting value must correspond to the conductor diameter on the label. The difference between the true diameter and the declared one by more than one tenth of a millimeter on the smaller side is completely unacceptable. This is especially true for VVG cables and PUNP wires.

The main types of cables and wires used during installation in an apartment or private house need to be considered in more detail (Fig. 4.22). Careful information about them is required when purchasing, installing, operating and repairing them. Used for transmission and distribution electric current, operating voltage - 660-1000 V, frequency - 50 Hz. The number of cores can vary from 1 to 5. Cross-section - from 1.5 to 240 mm 2. In domestic conditions it is used cable with a cross-section of 1.5-6 mm 2, when building a private house - a cable with a cross-section of up to 16 mm 2. The cores can be either single- or multi-wire (Fig. 4.24). There are no restrictions - you can also install a cable with a cross-section of 10 mm 2 in an apartment.

Power cables

Among the most popular types of cable products recently are: VVG cable and its modifications.

VVG denotes a power cable with TPG insulation made of PVC, sheath (cambric) made of PVC, copper material conductors that do not have external protection (Fig. 4.23).

VVG is used over a wide temperature range: from -50 to + 50 "C. Withstands humidity up to 98% at temperatures up to +40 "C. The cable is strong enough to withstand tearing and bending, and is resistant to aggressive chemicals. When installing, remember that each cable or wire has a certain bending radius. This means that for a rotation of 90 °C in the case of VVG, the bending radius must be at least 10 diameters of the cable section. In the case of a flat cable or wire, the width of the plane is considered. The outer shell is usually black, although sometimes white can be found. Does not spread fire. TPG insulation is marked in various colors: blue, yellow-green, brown, white with a blue stripe, red and black. The cable is packaged in coils of 100 and 200 m. Sometimes other sizes are also found. Varieties of VVG: AVVG - the same characteristics, only instead of a copper core, aluminum is used (Fig. 4.25); Conductor PVC insulation PVC sheath VVGng - cambric with increased non-flammability (Fig. 4.26); VVGp - the most common type, the cable cross-section is not round, but flat; VVGz - the space between the TPG insulation and the cambric is filled with PVC strands or a rubber mixture. NYM does not have a Russian decoding of the letter designation. This is a copper power cable with TPZh PVC insulation, the outer sheath is made of non-flammable PVC. Between the layers of insulation there is a filler in the form of coated rubber, which gives the cable increased strength and heat resistance. The cores are multi-wire, always copper (Fig. 4.27). The number of cores is from 2 to 5, cross-section is from 1.5 to 16 mm 2. Designed for lighting and power networks with a voltage of 660 V. Has high moisture and heat resistance. Can be used for outdoor installation. Operating temperature range - from -40 to +70 "C. Disadvantage: does not withstand sunlight well, so the cable must be covered. Compared to VVG of any type, it is more durable and convenient to use. However, it only comes with a round cross-section (it is inconvenient to install in plaster or concrete) and is significantly more expensive than VVG. Bending radius - 4 cable cross-section diameters. KG deciphered very simply - the cable is flexible. This is a conductor with an operating alternating voltage of up to 660 V, a frequency of up to 400 Hz, or a direct voltage of 1000 V (Fig. 4.28).

Copper conductors, flexible or highly flexible. Their number varies from 1 to 6. TPG insulation is rubber, the outer shell is made of the same material. The operating temperature range is from -60 to +50 "C. The cable is used mainly for connecting various portable devices. Most often these are welding machines, generators, heat guns, etc. There is a variety KGng with non-combustible insulation. NOTE KG has proven itself excellently as a cable that operates under almost any outdoor conditions. At a construction site, it is simply irreplaceable for pulling power lines. Although separate original people, attracted by the flexibility and reliability of the KG, install it as home wiring. The latter can be either single-wire or multi-wire. Number of cores - from 1 to 5. Section - from 1.5 mm 2 to 240 mm 2. TPG insulation, outer shell, space between the insulation and the cambric - PVC is used in all these places. Then comes the armor of two tapes, wound in such a way that the outer one overlaps the boundaries of the turns of the lower one. On top of the armor, the cable is enclosed in a protective PVC hose, and the VBBShvng modification uses this material of reduced flammability. VBBShv is designed for alternating rated voltages of 660 and 1000 V. Single-core modifications are used to conduct direct current. Installed in pipes, ground and outdoors with protection from the sun. Operating temperature range - from -50 to +50 "C. Moisture resistant: at a temperature of +35 ° C withstands 98% humidity. Used for conducting electricity for stationary installations, as well as for supplying electricity to separate objects. Bending radius of at least 10 section diameters cable. VBBSHv is perfect for underground supply of electricity to a separate building.Modifications: AVBBSHv - cable with aluminum core; VBBShvng - non-flammable cable; VBBShvng-LS - non-flammable cable with low gas and smoke emission at elevated temperatures. Wires The most popular types of wire are PBPP (PUNP) and PBPPg (PUGNP). Say the letter the combination of BPPPg is complex, so it is more often called PUNP or PUGNP.

PBPP (PUNP) refers to installation, or installation. The wire is flat, with single-wire copper cores covered with PVC insulation, the outer sheath is also made of PVC (Fig. 4.30).

Rice. 4.30. PBPP wire

Number of cores - 2 or 3, cross-section - from 1.5 to 6 mm 2. It is used when laying stationary lighting systems, as well as for installing sockets, although it is preferable to use it specifically for lighting. Rated voltage - up to 250 V, frequency - 50 Hz. Operating temperature range - from -15 to +50 "C. Bending radius - at least 10 diameters.

PBPPg (PUGNP) differs from PUNP in conductors - they are multi-wire (Fig. 4.31). That is why the letter “g” is added to the name of the wire - flexible.

All other characteristics correspond to PUNP, only the minimum bending radius is 6. A distinctive property is flexibility, therefore PUGNP are laid in places where the wiring makes frequent bends, or for connection to the network of household appliances. Wires of these brands are sold in coils of 100 and 200 m. The color is usually white, less often black.

A type of PUNP includes a wire with aluminum conductors APUNP (Fig. 4.32). He has exactly the same characteristics as PUNP, adjusted for core material. The only difference is that APUNP cannot be multi-wire, and therefore flexible.

NOTE

In general, wires of the PUNP, PUGNP and APUNP brands have proven themselves to be excellent household wires. In half the cases the master has to deal with them. However, it should be remembered that these brands of wires are highly specialized, and you should not use them instead of power cables (such as NYM or VVG).

ATTENTION!

The popularity of PUNP and PUGNP wires is based primarily on price. However, there is a catch in this. The fact is that recently a discrepancy has been noticed between the declared cross-section of the wire cores and the actual one. After checking, it turned out that the wire marked PUGNP 3x1.5 is actually 3 x 1 - that is, the actual cross-section of the core is smaller. The same applies to isolation. When purchasing wires of this brand, it is necessary to measure the cross-section of the conductors and the thickness of the insulation.

400 Hz. The wire is resistant to aggressive chemical environments, non-flammable, has a wide operating temperature range - from -50 to +70 "C. Moisture resistance - 100% at a temperature of +35 "C. The bending radius during installation is at least 10 diameters of the wire cross-section. Resistant to mechanical damage and vibration. APPV has the same characteristics as PPPV, with the exception of the core material - it is aluminum (see Fig. 4.34). APV - aluminum single-core wire with PVC insulation (Fig. 4.34). The wire is round, single-wire with a cross-section from 2.5 to 16 mm 2 and multi-wire - from 25 to 95 mm 2. The wire is used in almost all types of installation of stationary lighting and power systems. It is laid in voids, pipes, steel and plastic trays. Widely used in the installation of distribution boards. Chemically resistant temperature regime operation - from -50 to +70 "C. Moisture resistance - 100% at a temperature of +35 "C. The bending radius is at least 10 diameters. Resistant to mechanical damage and vibration. The appearance and characteristics of PV 1 are identical in everything to APV, except for the core material: instead of aluminum - copper (Fig. 4.35). The core cross-section starts from 0.75 mm 2. In addition, the core becomes stranded not from 25, but from 16 mm 2. More flexible than automatic reclosure. The characteristics of wire PV 3 coincide with the properties of automatic reclosure and PV 1. Area of ​​application - installation of sections of lighting and power circuits where frequent bending of wires is necessary: ​​in distribution boards, when installing a large number of electrical devices. It is also used for laying electrical circuits in cars. The bending radius is at least 6 wire diameters (Fig. 4.36).

The core is multi-wire, their total number ranges from 2 to 5, cross-section - from 0.75 to 16 mm 2. Rated voltage - up to 380 V, frequency - 50 Hz. The core insulation is color coded, the sheath is white.

The wire is used to connect various electrical devices, from household appliances to gardening tools. Due to its flexibility and lightness, it is also used for lighting and even installation of sockets. PVA is a household wire used for making extension cords, cords for any type of equipment and repairing electrical networks. It is non-flammable (does not propagate combustion when laid alone), heat-resistant: temperature range - from -40 to +40 ° C (PVS U version) and from -25 to +40 "C. Due to its design, it is resistant to bending and mechanical wear. PVA can withstand at least 3000 kinks.

SHVVP - copper or tinned copper flat wire (Fig. 4.38). Core insulation and sheath made of PVC.

Rice. 4.38. ShVVP wire

The core is multi-wire, with increased flexibility. Number of cores - 2 or 3, cross-section - from 0.5 to 0.75 mm 2. Voltage - up to 380 V, frequency - 50 Hz. Used as a cord for connecting lighting fixtures and low-power household appliances, for example, soldering irons, mixers, coffee grinders and electronic devices.

NOTE

ShVVP is a wire exclusively for household needs; it is not used for wiring lighting or sockets.

Cables for information transmission

In addition to electricity, transmission cablesgive information signals. In byLately there have been a lot ofnew types of information conductors.If 10-15 years ago there wereonly telephone and antenna cables, thennow with the development of computer technologynicknames of types of information wiresthere are a lot more nicknames. MostMost of them are too specializedand is of interest only to narrowspecialized specialists. For homeit is enough for a master to know and be able touse only a few typesmi. We will consider them.

Antenna cables. For today day most often used RG-6,RG-59, RG-58 or Russian equivalents RK 75 series.

RG-6 - coaxial cable for petransmission of high frequency signals forelectronic equipment, televisionor radio (Fig. 4.39).

Consists of a central copperconductors with a cross section of 1 mm 2 surroundingits insulation is made of polyethylene foamlena, aluminum foil screengi, external conductor made of tinnedcopper braid and PVC sheath.Widely used for transmissioncable and satellite signalstelevision. Has a lot of technologyical characteristics relating to chatransmitting signal strength, resistancelenation, shielding, etc. For example,designation in the name of the cable RK 75means that the conductor resistanceka - 75 Ohm (Fig. 4.40).

This information intended for specialists. In short, we can say that this cable is ideal for transmitting a video signal from an antenna or video camera to a receiver (TV) and distributing the video signal to several sources (Fig. 4.41).

receiving or transmitting a signal. Each conductor is enclosed in PVC or propylene insulation. The outer shell is also made of PVC. The cable can be additionally equipped with a waterproof polypropylene sheath. There is a breaking thread in the twisted pair design. With its help, the outer sheath can be easily removed from the cable, opening access to the conductive conductors.

RG brand cables have many varieties and differ from each other in certain characteristics, such as conductor resistance, resistance to temperature and shock loads, signal decay time, type of screen, etc. (Fig. 4.42). Computer cables (twisted pair). They are used to build computer networks (Fig. 4.43). The cable with which computers connect to the Internet or to each other is just a twisted pair (Fig. 4.44 and 4.45). Consists of one or more pairs of wires intertwined in pairs, which is done in order to improve Depending on the type of cable, possible various options protection: ? UTP, or unprotected, without a common shield for pairs of wires; FTP, or foil, with an aluminum foil screen; P STP, or protected, with a common shield made of copper mesh, in addition, each twisted pair is surrounded by a separate shield; Rice. 4.44. twisted pair with a connector for connecting to a computer, protected by a PVC sheath

Rice. 4.45. Tip RJ-45 for connecting to a computer
S/FTP, or foil, shielded with common screen from foil, in addition, each pair is additionally enclosed in a screen. In addition, twisted pair

/are divided into categories according to the number of pairs combined into one cable. The most common type used for computer networks, is a category ria CAT5e. It consists of 4 pairs of wires of different colors. Data transfer speed - up to 1 Gb/s when using all pairs.

You can see such a cable used as a telephone wire of category CAT1 or CAT2, that is, consisting of 1 or 2 pairs of wires.

Telephone cables and wires

Telephone conductors are divided into 2 main types. The first ones are intended for laying several (up to 400) subscriber lines. The second type is used for wiring in a separate apartment or house.

TPPep - the main type of cable for laying a line designed for a large number of subscribers (Fig. 4.46).

The cable consists of two wires twisted into pairs. TPG made of soft copper wire, cross-section 0.4 or 0.5 mm 2, covered with polyethylene insulation. In some types of cable, pairs are combined into groups of 5 or 10 pairs. The outer shell is also polyethylene or vinyl. The letters “e” and “i” in the name stand for film screen. There are varieties of cable armored with tapes, or filled, in which the space between the sheath and the cores is occupied by a hydrophobic seal. In a word, this is a cable for telephone communication in an apartment building; it is intended for installation in almost all conditions: underground, in cable ducts or by air.

To conduct a telephone line to an individual subscriber and distribute indoors, the following telephone wires are used: two types.

TRV- one- or two-pair telephone distribution wire(Fig. 4.47).
Rice. 4.47. Telephone TRV wire

This is a flat wire withdivided by the base, veincopper, single wire, ce0.4 or 0.5 mm 2. Quantitynumber of cores - 2 or 4. Insulation fromPVC. Designed for conducting telephone lines indoors.

Operated with temperature from -10 to +40 °C. Humidity should not exceed 80% at temperature+30 °С.

TRP - the characteristics coincide with the expansion valve. The only difference is the insulation; for TRP it is made of polyethylene (Fig. 4.48).

Rice. 4.48. TRP wire

Possessing increased resistance to impact external environment. Such places include baths, ovens and cellars. In general, anywhere where it is too hot, humid or cold and there is also a possibility of mechanical damage. It is clear that PVS or VVG cannot be installed in such places, not to mention PUNP or ShVVP.

RKGM - power installation single-core wire of increased heat resistance, flexible. Copper core, multi-wire, cross-section from 0.75 to 120 mm 2. Insulation made of silicone rubber, fiberglass shell, impregnated with heat-resistant enamel or varnish (Fig. 4.51).
Rice. 4.51. The wire RKGM

This wire is designed for rated voltage up to 660 V and frequency up to 400 Hz. Resistant to vibration, high humidity (up to 100% at a temperature of +35 °C), heat-resistant (operating temperature range from 60 to +180 °C). In addition, the wire is protected from harmful effects varnishes, solvents and fungal mold. The ideal guidefor rooms from abovetemperature (boiler rooms and stoves), suitable for electrical installation in baths, saunas, oven connections.

PNSV- single-core heating wire. TPZh single-wire steel, blued or galvanized steel (Fig. 4.52).
Rice. 4.52. The wire PNSV

Core cross-section - 1.2; 1.4; 2 and 3 mm 2. PVC or polyethylene insulation. Rated voltage up to 380 V, frequency 50 Hz. The wire is heat-resistant: the operating temperature range is from -50 to +80 °C, it is resistant to alkalis and moisture-resistant (tolerates immersion in water). It is used as a heating element: in domestic conditions, heated floors are installed using PNSV.

runway - single-core copper wire. The core is multi-wire, enclosed in polyethylene insulation, the sheath is also made of polyethylene or PVC (Fig. 4.53).
Rice. 4.53. The wire runway

Core cross-section - from 1.2 to 25 mm 2. Rated voltage - 380 or 660 V, frequency 50 Hz. The wire is resistant to pressure changes. Operating temperature range - from -40 to +80 °C. It is used for motors of artesian wells immersed in water under high pressure conditions.

LED cablea very interesting power option. Under the transparent outer shell along the power TPGs there are additionalwires from the afterbirthtightly connected

LEDs of different colors. They are located at a distance of 2 cm from each other, they burn with a constant, fairly strong light (Fig. 4.54).

Such a cable performs not only decorative functions, although it can be used to create entire light paintings. In addition to aesthetic purposes, it is very convenient for connecting to portable electrical mechanisms. Most often, LED cables are used to connect stage equipment. It is useful because if it breaks, you don’t have to look for the damage site: the diodes in this area will stop glowing. Such cables are manufactured by Duralight. In addition to power conductors, there are computer luminous cables.

In addition to LED cables, there are electroluminescent cables. They glow evenly along their entire length. Using such cables you can create luminous inscriptions and even entire paintings. This is an excellent alternative to the flexible neon tubes that these designer decorations are usually made from. In addition, electroluminescent cable is cheaper than neon tubes and is not limited in length.

Used for conducting lines indoors and in telephone sets. Highly flexible wire. PRPPM - flat wire with a dividing base and single-wire copper conductors with insulation and polyethylene sheath (Fig. 4.50). There is a modificationPRPVM, the shell of which is made of PVC. Number of cores

Special types of cables and wires

For installation electrical systems in places where the conditions are very different from usual, special cables are used,

Compared to expansion valves, the wire is more resistant to the external environment and can be laid outside buildings. SHTLP - telephone flat cord with copper stranded conductors. The core insulation is made of polyethylene (Fig. 4.49). Insulated TPGs are covered with a PVC sheath. Number of cores - 2 or 4, cross-section - from 0.08 to 0.12 mm 2.

Main types of cables and wires, used during installation in an apartment or private house, need to be considered in more detail. Careful information about them is required when purchasing, installing, operating and repairing them.

Power cables

Among the most popular types of cable products recently are the VVG cable and its modifications.

VVG- denoted power cable with TPG insulation made of PVC, sheath (cambric) made of PVC, copper core material, without external protection. Used for transmission and distribution of electric current, operating voltage - 660–1000 V, frequency - 50 Hz. The number of cores can vary from 1 to 5. Cross-section - from 1.5 to 240 mm².

In domestic conditions, a cable with a cross-section of 1.5–6 mm² is used; in the construction of a private house, a cable with a cross-section of up to 16 mm² is used. The cores can be either single- or multi-wire. There are no restrictions - you can also install a cable with a cross-section of 10 mm² in an apartment.

VVG is used over a wide temperature range: from –50 to + 50 °C. Withstands humidity up to 98% at temperatures up to +40 °C. The cable is strong enough to withstand tearing and bending, and is resistant to aggressive chemicals. When installing, remember that each cable or wire has a certain bending radius. This means that for a rotation of 90 °C in the case of VVG, the bending radius must be at least 10 diameters of the cable section.

In case of flat cable or wire The width of the plane is considered. The outer shell is usually black, although sometimes white can be found. Does not spread fire. TPG insulation is marked in various colors: blue, yellow-green, brown, white with a blue stripe, red and black. The cable is packaged in coils of 100 and 200 m. Sometimes other sizes are also found.

Types of VVG cable:

• AVVG- the same characteristics, only instead of a copper core, aluminum is used;

• VVGng- cambric with increased non-flammability;

• VVGp- the most common type, the cable cross-section is not round, but flat;

• VVGz- the space between the TPG insulation and the cambric is filled with PVC strands or a rubber mixture.

NYM does not have a Russian decoding of the letter designation. This insulated copper power cable TPZH PVC, outer shell made of non-flammable PVC. Between the layers of insulation there is a filler in the form of coated rubber, which gives the cable increased strength and heat resistance. The cores are multi-wire, always copper.

Number of cores - from 2 to 5, cross-section - from 1.5 to 16 mm². Designed for carrying out lighting and power networks with a voltage of 660 V. It has high moisture and heat resistance. Can be used for outdoor installation. Operating temperature range - from –40 to +70 °C.

Disadvantage: does not withstand sunlight well, so the cable must be covered. Compared to VVG of any type, it is more durable and convenient to use. However, it only comes with a round cross-section (it is inconvenient to install in plaster or concrete) and is significantly more expensive than VVG. Bending radius - 4 cable cross-section diameters.

KG deciphered very simply - flexible cable. This is a conductor with an operating alternating voltage of up to 660 V, a frequency of up to 400 Hz or a direct voltage of 1000 V. The conductors are copper, flexible or highly flexible. Their number varies from 1 to 6. TPG insulation is rubber, the outer shell is made of the same material. Operating temperature range - from –60 to +50 °C. The cable is mainly used to connect various portable devices. Most often these are welding machines, generators, heat guns, etc. There is a type of KGng with non-combustible insulation.

Note

KG has proven itself excellently as a cable that operates under almost any outdoor conditions. At a construction site, it is simply irreplaceable for pulling power lines. Although some original people, attracted by the flexibility and reliability of the KG, install it as home wiring.

VBBShv - armored power cable with copper conductors. The latter can be either single-wire or multi-wire. Number of cores - from 1 to 5. Cross-section - from 1.5 mm² to 240 mm². TPG insulation, outer shell, space between the insulation and the cambric - PVC is used in all these places. Then comes the armor of two tapes, wound in such a way that the outer one overlaps the boundaries of the turns of the lower one. On top of the armor, the cable is enclosed in a protective PVC hose, and the VBBShvng modification uses this material of reduced flammability.

VBBShv is designed for alternating rated voltages of 660 and 1000 V. Single-core modifications are used to conduct direct current. Installed in pipes, ground and outdoors with protection from the sun. Operating temperature range - from –50 to +50 °C. Moisture resistant: at a temperature of +35 °C it can withstand 98% humidity. It is used when conducting electricity for stationary installations, as well as supplying electricity to detached objects. Bending radius is at least 10 cable cross-section diameters. VBBSHv is perfect for underground supply of electricity to a separate building.

Modifications:

AVBBSHv- cable with aluminum core;

VBBShvng- non-flammable cable;

VBBShvng-LS- non-flammable cable with low gas and smoke emission at elevated temperatures.

Wires

The most popular types of wire are PBPP (PUNP) and PBPPg (PUGNP). It is difficult to pronounce the letter combination PBPPg, so it is more often called PUNP or PUGNP. PBPP (PUNP) refers to installation, or installation.

The wire flat, with single-wire copper cores covered with PVC insulation, the outer sheath also made of PVC. Number of cores - 2 or 3, cross-section - from 1.5 to 6 mm². It is used when laying stationary lighting systems, as well as for installing sockets, although it is preferable to use it specifically for lighting. Rated voltage - up to 250 V, frequency - 50 Hz. Operating temperature range is from –15 to +50 °C. The bending radius is at least 10 diameters.

PBPPg (PUGNP) differs from PUNP in its cores - they are multi-wire. That is why the letter “g” is added to the name of the wire - flexible. All other characteristics correspond to PUNP, only the minimum bending radius is 6. A distinctive property is flexibility, therefore PUGNP are laid in places where the wiring makes frequent bends, or for connection to the network of household appliances. Wires of these brands are sold in coils of 100 and 200 m. The color is usually white, less often black.

A type of PUNP includes a wire with aluminum conductors - APUNP It has exactly the same characteristics as PUNP, adjusted for the core material. The only difference is that APUNP cannot be multi-wire, and therefore flexible.

Note

In general, wires of the PUNP, PUGNP and APUNP brands have proven themselves to be excellent household wires. In half the cases the master has to deal with them. However, it should be remembered that these brands of wires are highly specialized, and you should not use them instead of power cables (such as NYM or VVG).

Attention!

The popularity of PUNP and PUGNP wires is based primarily on price. However, there is a catch in this. The fact is that recently a discrepancy has been noticed between the declared cross-section of the wire cores and the actual one. After checking, it turned out that the wire marked PUGNP 3 x 1.5 is actually 3 x 1 - that is, the actual cross-section of the core is smaller. The same applies to isolation. When purchasing wires of this brand, it is necessary to measure the cross-section of the conductors and the thickness of the insulation.

PPV - copper wire with PVC insulation. The wire is flat with dividing jumpers. The core is single-wire, with a cross-section from 0.75 to 6 mm². Number of cores - 2 or 3. Used for installation of stationary lighting systems and laying power lines. Rated voltage - up to 450 V, frequency - up to 400 Hz. The wire is resistant to aggressive chemical environments, non-flammable, and has a wide operating temperature range - from –50 to +70 °C. Moisture resistance - 100% at a temperature of +35 °C. The bending radius during installation is at least 10 diameters of the wire cross-section. Resistant to mechanical damage and vibration.

APPV has the same characteristics as PPV, with the exception of the core material - it is aluminum.

Automatic reclosing- aluminum single-core wire with PVC insulation. The wire is round, single-wire with a cross-section from 2.5 to 16 mm² and multi-wire - from 25 to 95 mm².

The wire used in almost all types of installation of stationary lighting and power systems. It is laid in voids, pipes, steel and plastic trays. Widely used in the installation of distribution boards. Chemically resistant, operating temperature range from –50 to +70 °C. Moisture resistance - 100% at a temperature of +35 °C. The bending radius is at least 10 diameters. Resistant to mechanical damage and vibration.

The appearance and characteristics of PV 1 are identical in everything to APV, except for the core material: copper instead of aluminum. The core cross-section starts from 0.75 mm². In addition, the core becomes stranded not from 25, but from 16 mm². More flexible than automatic reclosure.

The characteristics of wire PV 3 coincide with the properties of automatic reclosure and PV 1. Area of ​​application - installation of sections of lighting and power circuits where frequent bending of wires is necessary: ​​in distribution boards, when installing a large number of electrical devices. It is also used for laying electrical circuits in cars. The bending radius is at least 6 wire diameters.

Note

Wires of the APV, PV 1 and PV 3 brands have a wide variety of insulation colors, so they are very convenient to use for installation various types distribution boards.

PVS - copper stranded wire with insulation and PVC sheath. The sheath penetrates the space between the conductors, giving the wire a round shape and density. The core is multi-wire, their total number ranges from 2 to 5, cross-section - from 0.75 to 16 mm². Rated voltage - up to 380 V, frequency - 50 Hz. The core insulation is color coded, the sheath is white. The wire is used to connect various electrical devices, from household appliances to garden tools. Due to its flexibility and lightness, it is also used for lighting and even installation of sockets.

PVA is a household wire used for making extension cords, cords for any type of equipment and repairing electrical networks. It is non-flammable (does not propagate combustion when laid alone), heat-resistant: temperature range - from –40 to +40 °C (PVSU version) and from –25 to +40 °C. Thanks to its design, it is resistant to bending and mechanical wear. PVA can withstand at least 3000 kinks.

SHVVP -copper or tinned copper flat wire. Core insulation and sheath made of PVC. The core is multi-wire, with increased flexibility. Number of cores - 2 or 3, cross-section - from 0.5 to 0.75 mm². Voltage - up to 380 V, frequency - 50 Hz. Used as a cord for connecting lighting fixtures and low-power household appliances, such as soldering irons, mixers, coffee grinders and electronic devices.

Note

ShVVP is a wire exclusively for household needs; it is not used for wiring lighting or sockets.

Cables for information transmission

In addition to electricity, cables transmit information signals. Recently, many new types of information conductors have appeared. If 10–15 years ago there were only telephone and antenna cables, now with the development of computer technology there are many more types of information conductors. Most of them are too specialized and are of interest only to narrowly specialized specialists. For home handyman It is enough to know and be able to use only a few types. We will consider them.

Antenna cables. Today, RG-6, RG-59, RG-58 or Russian analogues of the RK 75 series are most often used. RG-6 is a coaxial cable for transmitting high-frequency signals for electronic equipment, television or radio. It consists of a central copper core with a cross-section of 1 mm², surrounding polyethylene foam insulation, an aluminum foil screen, an outer conductor of tinned copper braid and a PVC sheath. Widely used for transmitting cable and satellite television signals. It has many technical characteristics regarding transmitting signal frequency, resistance, shielding, etc.

For example, the designation in the name of the cable RK 75 means that the conductor resistance is 75 Ohms. This information is intended for specialists. In short, we can say that this cable is ideal for transmitting a video signal from an antenna or video camera to a receiver (TV) and distributing the video signal to several sources.

Cables RG brands They have many varieties and differ from each other in certain characteristics, such as conductor resistance, resistance to temperature and shock loads, signal decay time, type of screen, etc.

Computer cables. They are used to build computer networks. The cable with which computers connect to the Internet or to each other is exactly what all computer scientists know - twisted pair. Consists of one or more pairs of wires intertwined in pairs, which is done in order to improve signal reception or transmission.

Each conductor is enclosed in PVC or propylene insulation. The outer shell is also made of PVC. The cable can be additionally equipped with a waterproof polypropylene sheath.

There is a breaking thread in the twisted pair design. With its help, the outer sheath can be easily removed from the cable, opening access to the conductive conductors. Depending on the type of cable, various protection options are possible:

• UTP, or unprotected, without a common shield for pairs of wires;
• FTP, or foil, with an aluminum foil screen;
• STP, or secure, with a common shield made of copper mesh, in addition, each twisted pair is surrounded by a separate shield;
• S/FTP, or foil, shielded with a common foil shield, in addition, each pair is additionally enclosed in a shield.

In addition, twisted pair cables are divided into categories based on the number of pairs combined into one cable. The most common type used for computer networks is the CAT5e category. It consists of 4 pairs of wires of different colors. Data transfer speed - up to 1 Gb/s when using all pairs. You can see such a cable used as a telephone wire of category CAT1 or CAT2, that is, consisting of 1 or 2 pairs of wires.

Telephone cables and wires

Telephone wires are divided into 2 main types. The first ones are intended for laying several (up to 400) subscriber lines. The second type is used for wiring in a separate apartment or house.

TPPep- basic type of cable for laying telephone lines, designed for a large number of subscribers. The cable consists of two wires twisted into pairs. TPG made of soft copper wire, cross-section 0.4 or 0.5 mm², covered with polyethylene insulation. In some types of cable, pairs are combined into groups of 5 or 10 pairs. The outer shell is also polyethylene or vinyl. The letters “e” and “p” in the name stand for film screen.

There are varieties of cable armored with tapes, or filled, in which the space between the sheath and the cores is occupied by a hydrophobic seal. In a word, this is a cable for telephone communication in an apartment building; it is intended for installation in almost all conditions: underground, in cable ducts or by air. To conduct a telephone line to an individual subscriber and distribute it indoors, the following types of telephone wires are used.

TRV - single or double pair telephone distribution wire. This is a flat wire with a divided base, a copper core, single-wire, with a cross-section of 0.4 or 0.5 mm². Number of cores - 2 or 4. PVC insulation. Designed for conducting telephone lines indoors. Operates at temperatures from –10 to +40 °C. Humidity should not exceed 80% at a temperature of +30 °C.

TRP- the characteristics coincide with the expansion valve. The only difference is the insulation; for TRP it is made of polyethylene. Compared to expansion valves, the wire is more resistant to the external environment and can be laid outside buildings.

SHTLP -telephone flat cord with copper stranded conductors. The core insulation is made of polyethylene. Insulated TPGs are covered with a PVC sheath. Number of cores - 2 or 4, cross-section - from 0.08 to 0.12 mm². Used for conducting lines indoors and in telephone sets. Highly flexible wire.

PRPPM -flat wire with a dividing base and single-wire copper conductors with insulation and polyethylene sheath. There is a modification of PRPVM, the shell of which is made of PVC. Number of cores - 2, core cross-section - 0.9 or 1.2 mm². It is used when laying a telephone line outdoors, on aerial supports, in the ground and along the walls of buildings. Resistant to temperature influences, operating conditions - from –60 to +60 °C.

Special types of cables and wires

For the installation of electrical systems in places where the conditions are very different from usual, special cables are used that have increased resistance to the external environment. Such places include baths, ovens and cellars. In general, anywhere where it is too hot, humid or cold and there is also a possibility of mechanical damage. It is clear that PVS or VVG cannot be installed in such places, not to mention PUNP or ShVVP.

RKGM - power installation single-core wire of increased heat resistance, flexible. Copper core, multi-wire, cross-section - from 0.75 to 120 mm². Insulation made of silicone rubber, fiberglass shell impregnated with heat-resistant enamel or varnish. This wire is designed for rated voltage up to 660 V and frequency up to 400 Hz. Resistant to vibration, high humidity (up to 100% at a temperature of +35 °C), heat-resistant (operating temperature range - from –60 to +180 °C). In addition, the wire is protected from the harmful effects of varnishes, solvents and fungal mold. An ideal conductor for rooms with high temperatures (boiler rooms and furnaces), suitable for electrical installations in baths, saunas, and oven connections.

PNSV - single core heating wire. TPZh single-wire steel, blued or galvanized steel. Core cross-section - 1.2; 1.4; 2 and 3 mm². PVC or polyethylene insulation. Rated voltage - up to 380 V, frequency - 50 Hz. The wire is heat-resistant: operating temperature range is from –50 to +80 °C, resistant to alkalis and moisture-resistant (tolerates immersion in water). It is used as a heating element: in domestic conditions, heated floors are installed using PNSV.

VPP - single-core copper wire. The core is multi-wire, enclosed in polyethylene insulation, the sheath is also made of polyethylene or PVC. Core cross-section - from 1.2 to 25 mm². Rated voltage - 380 or 660 V, frequency - 50 Hz. The wire is resistant to pressure changes. Operating temperature range - from –40 to +80 °C. It is used for motors of artesian wells immersed in water under high pressure conditions.

A very interesting power option. Under the transparent outer shell along the power TPG there are additional wires with LEDs of different colors connected in series. They are located at a distance of 2 cm from each other and burn with a constant, fairly strong light. Such a cable performs not only decorative functions, although it can be used to create entire light paintings. In addition to aesthetic purposes, it is very convenient for connecting to portable electrical mechanisms. Most often, LED cables are used to connect stage equipment. It is useful because if it breaks, you don’t have to look for the damage site: the diodes in this area will stop glowing. Such cables are manufactured by Duralight. In addition to power wires, there are computer glowing cables. With the help of such wires you can create very interesting design solutions, turning the cable into a lighting element.

In addition to LED cables there are electroluminescent. They glow evenly along their entire length. Using such cables you can create luminous inscriptions and even entire paintings. This is an excellent alternative to the flexible neon tubes that these designer decorations are usually made from. Besides electroluminescent cable cheaper than neon tubes and not limited in length.