I. General Introduction
The N2XH cable, designed for 0.6/1kV applications, adheres to the VDE 276 - 604 standard. It features a fire - safety - centric design, making it an ideal choice for areas with a high risk of fire and crowded places such as shopping malls, business centers, hotels, schools, and tunnels.
II. Technical Specifications
1. Rated Voltage
The N2XH cable is rated for 0.6/1kV (U₀/U), which is suitable for a wide range of medium - voltage power distribution systems.
2. Conductor
The conductor is made of either solid or stranded copper. For cross - sectional areas of 16mm² and below, solid high - purity oxygen - free copper is used. The copper has a purity of not less than 99.97% and is surface - tinned to prevent oxidation, ensuring excellent electrical conductivity and long - term stability.
For cross - sectional areas above 16mm², stranded copper conductors are applied. They are composed of multiple fine - stranded copper wires, providing enhanced flexibility while maintaining high - quality electrical performance. The stranded conductors comply with IEC 60228 Class 1 (for solid) and Class 2 (for stranded) standards.
3. Insulation
The insulation material is cross - linked polyethylene (XLPE). XLPE offers excellent electrical insulation properties. It can withstand a long - term operating temperature of 90℃. In case of a short - circuit, the cable can endure a temperature of up to 250℃ for a maximum of 5 seconds without significant damage to the insulation, ensuring reliable operation under abnormal conditions.
4. Filler
A special low - smoke, fire - retardant, and halogen - free (LSFOH) filler is used. This filler has an oxygen index of not less than 35%, which means it is highly resistant to combustion. When exposed to fire, it helps suppress the spread of flames. Additionally, its smoke density is less than or equal to 40% as measured according to IEC 61034 - 2, minimizing the obstruction of vision in case of a fire.
5. Sheath
The sheath is also made of a special LSFOH material. It has a Shore hardness of A 85 ± 5, providing good mechanical protection for the inner components of the cable. Moreover, it meets the UL 746C outdoor use standard for weather resistance, ensuring the cable can be used in various environmental conditions, both indoors and outdoors.
III. Fire - Safety - Centric Design
The use of LSFOH materials in both the filler and sheath is a key feature of the N2XH cable. In the event of a fire, these materials play crucial roles. They effectively suppress the spread of flames, reducing the risk of the fire escalating. The low - smoke emission characteristic is especially important in crowded or enclosed areas. With a light transmittance of not less than 60% at 4% (tested according to ASTM E662 standard), it helps maintain visibility for people to evacuate safely. Furthermore, the cable releases no toxic halogen - containing gases, as the HCl release amount is less than or equal to 5mg/g (in line with IEC 61249 - 2 - 11), far below the limit of 90mg/g specified in the EU RoHS directive. This significantly reduces the harm to human health and the environment during a fire.
