Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Cable for Overhead and Underground Power Lines
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Cable for Overhead and Underground Power Lines
Your freedom to choose is your power in a market. A person who is denied this power is virtually lamed but a person who doesn’t use this power well may also suffer from many untoward consequences. It is therefore necessary for a user to take time, master the details, gather a wealth of knowledge before he or she begins the step of choosing the cables. Dealing with electricity has a lot of precautions and many a dangers that a user must be promised of safety. The cables involved are mostly the avenues through which power fatalities may reach a user. Some cables are also not reliable when it comes to service delivery. You are therefore advised to make an appropriate decision for the cable that will never disappoint you. And this I article is going to sail with you as you see the various factors that will influence your choices, then drive to the best path worth following.
Type of system to install
The very first thing to consider is the type of system you want to install. The cables used for single phase systems cannot be used in the three phase installations. The devices or activity which have a heavy demand for voltage will require three phase power distribution. The cables for three phase are always quadraplex, which is to mean, the cable has three phase conductors and one neutral conductor. The single phase system is one phase conductor and a neutral while two phase is two live conductors and a common neutral conductor. The single and duplex cables conduct a volt of 600 volts or less. These two types of cables are for light domestic and commercial work while three phase is suitable for industrial or campus installations.
Type of conductor
Look at the type of conductor used to make the cables. As user you should know which conductor the most efficient for conduction. Aluminum conductors happen to be very good because of its proficient conduction that means all cables made from Aluminum are good especially for three phase underground installation. Copper wires are also good for making service entrance cables, nonmetallic and single phase underground cables.
Cable insulation
The cable insulation is also a determinant factor. A good cable must have a good and reliable insulation system. The insulation systems has to be able to withstand all the stresses and abrasions during the installation. An insulation which can protect the wires from other interference should be your choice. The only way to know whether the cable has a good insulation is when it has the mark of quality which means it has been tested and proven. Some insulations have some lead traces in them, but you ought to know that lead is very dangerous for health. Therefore for ensure you inquire whether the insulator of your cable has no lead.Composite insulators are good for the cables.
As a user, what type of installation do you want to do? There are two types of installation: Overhead and Underground. Some cables have adaptive features for just overhead installation therefore if you want to do underground systems then consider cables for underground. Underground cables have heavy jackets for protection. While the overhead cables are very flexible, these are just some of the distinctive features of the cables. Make it your initiative to choose the cable that will fulfil your demand, use your freedom and leave the shop with something worth your cash.