What is a 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cable?

A 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cable consists of three full-size copper phase conductors and one reduced-size neutral conductor. It has high mechanical strength, excellent electrical properties, and durability, making it ideal for industrial, commercial, and underground power distribution.

How are 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cables manufactured?

These cables are made with stranded copper conductors for efficient conductivity, XLPE insulation for heat and electrical resistance, galvanized steel strip armouring for mechanical protection, and a PVC outer sheath for moisture and abrasion resistance.

What are the advantages of XLPE insulation in armoured cables?

XLPE insulation offers higher temperature resistance (up to 90°C), greater chemical and oil resistance, improved dielectric strength, reduced power loss, and a longer service life compared to PVC insulation.

What is the difference between a conventional power cable and a 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cable?

Conventional power cables often use aluminum conductors, PVC insulation, and limited or no armouring, making them less durable. In contrast, 3.5 Core XLPE Armoured Cables use high-grade copper conductors, XLPE insulation, galvanized steel armouring, and flame-retardant sheath options, providing higher safety, durability, and performance.

What are the installation guidelines for 3.5 Core XLPE Armoured Cables?

Installation should follow recommended bending radius, safety precautions, and proper selection of underground, overhead, or surface installation methods. Following these guidelines ensures extended cable lifespan and reliable performance.

Where are 3.5 Core XLPE Armoured Cables used?

They are widely used in power plants, oil and gas industries, rail networks, commercial complexes, underground cabling, heavy machinery, shopping malls, offices, and housing complexes.

Why should I choose Solsquare armoured cables?

Solsquare armoured cables use EC grade copper conductors for excellent conductivity, XLPE insulation for thermal performance, galvanized steel armouring for protection, and undergo strict quality testing. They also offer custom solutions for special project requirements.

Are 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cables cost-effective?

Yes. The reduced-size neutral conductor lowers the overall weight and cost while still ensuring efficient power distribution in three-phase systems, making them an economical yet reliable solution.

Can 3.5 Core XLPE Armoured Cables be used outdoors?

Yes, these cables are weatherproof and UV-resistant. With PVC or FRLS sheath options, they can withstand moisture, sunlight, and harsh outdoor conditions, making them suitable for external installations.

All About 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cables

Electrical power systems require those cables which not only perform well in the context of conducting electricity, but also have enough strength to resist externally applied forces as well as the stress generated by the environment. The 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Power Cable is one of the solutions. This type of cable has a high mechanical strength, excellent electrical properties and is also electromechanically strong and durable; hence it is widely used in both industrial and commercial applications, and also underground.

This blog is going to give you all the details you should know about 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cables- including how they are made, their technical specification, main advantages, and possible areas of usage.

What is Armoured Cable?

Armoured cables have a metal sheath to protect against physical damage or runs of violent weather, and are mainly used in industrial applications. The armouring offers an extra shield of strength and guards the cable against mechanical damage, exterior threats and external pressures.

Besides the protection, the metallic sheath also sustains the electrical continuity of the safety ground thus armoured cables can be deployed in tough conditions like underground installations and industrial environments where there are unfavorable conditions.

Understanding Solsquare Single & Multicore Cables

Explore the applications, advantages, and benefits of Solsquare’s single-core and multicore cable solutions for homes, industries, and solar setups.

Manufacture Of 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cable

3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cables manufactured by Solsquare are produced with accuracy to optimize the following: performance, durability, and safety. Breaking the construction:

1. Conductor

Material: Stranded wires (Class 2)
Advantages: Good heat conductor and electricity conductor thus power transmitted is efficient.

2. Insulation

Material: XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene Compound)
Advantages: Offers high insulation resistance, withstands heat and has good electrical properties.

3. Armouring

Construction: 1 Layer of Galvanized steel (GS) flat strips
Attributes: Safeguards the cable against mechanical loads, shocks and mechanical loads.

4. Outer Sheath

Material: PVC Type ST-2 (FR type / FRLS type options available)
Function: Serves as an extra protection against moisture, abrasion and surrounding conditions.

3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cable vs. Conventional Power Cable

Feature	Conventional Power Cable	3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cable
Conductor Material	Copper/Aluminium	High-grade Stranded Copper
Insulation	PVC	XLPE - higher temp resistance
Armouring	None / Limited	Galvanized Steel Armouring
Safety	Basic	Flame-retardant options available
Applications	Limited	Industrial, underground, outdoor, residential
Durability	Lower	High mechanical & chemical resistance

Why select Solsquare Cables?

They are constructed out of EC grade copper conductors to have good conductivity.
Insulation is done using XLPE which enhances enhanced thermal performance and durability.
Armouring is a guard against environmental forces and mechanical stress.
High quality testing ensures that enterprise the industry standards are followed to the latter.
We have tailor-made solutions to special project requirements.

Benefits of XLPE Insulation in Armoured Cables

Wider temperature tolerance (90°C as opposed to 70°C in PVC).
Greater chemical and oil resistance.
Greater service life.
Increased dielectric strength (less power loss).

When selecting power cables for critical applications

The efficiency, durability, and affordability of cables make 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cables a great choice in many industries, exactly as they are selected when cables have to be efficient and SAFE in critical applications. The 3.5 core cable has reduced the size of the neutral as observed in standard 4-core cables; this reduces the total weight and cost of the cable and serves to ensure optimal division of current in three-phase systems.

Installation Instructions 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cable

Recommended Radius of Bending
Underground vs overhead vs installation
Cabling safety precaution
Ways of enhancing the life span of cables.

Industry uses of 3.5 Core XLPE Armoured Cables

Power plants
The Oil & Gas industry
Rail networks
Commercial complexes

FAQs

1. What is meant by 3.5 core cable?

A 3.5 core cable consists of three full size phase copper ( R, Y, B ) and one reduced size neutral conductor. The comparatively lower amount of current carried by the neutral makes it not have to be the same size as the phase conductors, so the design is cost-efficient but still does not lose its performance.

2. What is the greatest difference between XLPE and PVC insulation?

XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene): Is more resistant to higher operating temperatures (up to 90 degree C.), has better thermal stability and chemical resistance, than and does not include1 as long life. PVC ( Polyvinyl Chloride ): Only up to lower temperatures (below 70 o C) and have lower life spans in tough conditions.This predisposes XLPE insulation towards more heavy-duty and long-term usage.

3. Where are 3.5 core armoured cables employed?

They are common in:

• Underground working, cabling (sewers, transport tunnels, buried ducts).
• Industry (power distribution, heavy machinery).
• Shopping malls, offices and high-rise buildings.
• Housing (apartment blocks, housing complexes).

4. Why are not aluminum cables used in these applications?

Copper is a superior conductor of electricity and heat as compared to aluminum. It has superior conductivity, greater flexibility and a longer service life hence its usage as copper-based armoured cables is desired in the critical power applications.

5. What is safer about armoured cables compared to shrink cables?

The galvanized steel armouring provides extra protection against:
• Mechanical stress (impressing, hitting).
• Rodents and accidental damage.
• Environmental factors, e.g., soil pressure in underground applications.

6. Is it possible to use 3.5 core XLPE armoured cables outside?

Yes, they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. They are moisture, sunshine, and weatherproof, with PVC or FRLS sheath making them excellent for outdoor installations on walls and exposed areas.

Conclusion

The 3.5 Core Copper XLPE Armoured Cable is not just a power conductor: it is a solution made strong, safety and reliability in mind. Due to its high construction strength, excellent electrical values, and survivability in harsh environments, it is the most popular in underground, industrial, and high power transmission and distribution kinds of systems.

Selecting Solsquare armoured cables, you not only guarantee optimal power transfer but also reliability and security of this advanced safety and durability.