Cable decoding: power wire marking table and color designation

When choosing a cable, it is taken into account what kind of cut the conductors have. Only after that the type of cable or cord that is needed is determined. The selection provides for where and how the cord will be used. Decoding the cable when choosing the right product is of great importance. The operating voltage is determined from the type of shell, lack of screen or armor. All the necessary information can be found on the cable label.

Wire marking

In order for a person to immediately find out which cord is in front of him, a special design for marking wires and cables has been introduced. All currently existing manufactories (of which wire products are composed) have a certain set of letters. For example, V is polyvinyl, P is polyethylene, and P is rubber. Depending on which position the letter is located, it is classified from what material the products are made. In the marking, insulation comes first, then protection, and only then armor.

If, when designating the brand of cables and their decoding, the initial letter is A, then this means that there is aluminum or a pass. The symbol "skip" in another way denotes "copper". If any other letter is in the initial position, but not A, then this means that the conductors are made of copper raw materials.

Protection, insulation and armor

It is necessary to understand what the symbols "armor", "protection" and "isolation" mean. Insulation is a material used to protect copper or aluminum veins. This layer performs a specific task, it prevents the wires from being bridged among themselves. Typically, dielectric materials are used for this, for example, vtoroplast, rubber, PVC or polymer. For a long time, paper was used for this purpose, but now this type of isolation has been abandoned.

The inner containment shell is located under the armor or outer shell. The shell is necessary so that the connection is not damaged, as well as to increase the protective properties against temperature or mechanical action, as well as against moisture. A protective sheath is not always available.

The armor of the cord is a micro-tape made of steel, whether zinc-plated or not. Plain or round wire braids can be used as armor. Not all cords have this sheath. It is necessary to increase the mechanical strength. Armored materials are used in cases where there is an increased risk of a defect or there are constantly acting loads. Such wires are used for laying in the ground, under water or on poles. If an internal liner is used, then it does not require an additional protective layer. This is because there are no critical loads.

The outer sheath or protective layer of the cord is the protective sheath that sits on the outside. It protects guides or armor. Usually the same materials are used here as for isolation. But the material used may vary. Usually three membranes are located after decoding the wire material. As a rule, they are in second, third or fourth place. To correctly determine the type of wire, it is necessary to determine the decoding of the main materials, as well as you will need an explanation of the letter that is in a certain position, called "insulation", "armor" or "protection":

1. Core material. A - aluminum. If there is no identifying letter, then it consists of copper raw materials.
2. The second position means what the insulation is made of.
3. B - polyvinyl chloride.
4. P - polyethylene.
5. PVC is cross-linked polyethylene.
6. P is rubber.
7. F - fluoroplastic.
8. K - flexible cable.
9. PI - membrane waterproofing, which is used for prefabricated cords.
10. P - polyethylene.
11. PS is a self-extinguishing polyethylene.
12. K is a control cable.
13. HP is a non-flammable rubber.
14. Space - lack of a protective layer for the cable.
15. The third position is the type of containment, if present.
16. The letter A stands for aluminum.
17. VVC is a PVC cord.
18. P is a polyethylene cable.
19. C - lead material.
20. P is rubber.
21. PP is a reinforced polyethylene hose.
22. The fourth location is the type of armor.
23. SB is lead armor.
24. BL is an armor, which consists of two metal belts with a pillow, which are located under the plastic material.
25. BB are two metal strips.
26. P is a flat iron wire.
27. The gap is metal wires that are protected by tape and steel.
28. BBG is a profiled steel tape.
29. YES is a two-material steel braid.
30. BN are tapes with a fire-resistant protective sheath on top.
31. The fifth position is the appearance of the outer cover or the location of the cable.
32. G is a protection against rust or waterproofing, if the letter G is not present, that is, a barrier against heavy loads.
33. If the extreme letter is B, then this means paper insulation, and if there are any other letters after it, then this means PVC.
34. ShP is a protection of a polyvinyl hose.
35. H is a flame retardant material.
36. ШП - protection in the form of a polyethylene hose.
37. E - shielded protection, which is usually made of aluminum foil.
38. ShPS is a self-extinguishing polyethylene.
39. O is an insulated cord, where the wires are connected by winding.

Explanation of numeric values

The decryption of the cable contains a number of numbers. They usually represent the operating voltage that the wire can withstand. If there are no numbers, then the usual voltage of 220 volts is used, and the numbers indicate the cross-section and the number of cores.

When explaining the marking of the cable, the number of cores is at the initial place, and if there is an "X" sign, then this is the section. If the wire is of the same value, and it is only one, then there is the designation "0" or the sign "+", and after that there is the second pair of numbers. This part of the label is simple to explain. To make it clearer, you need to disassemble a specific sample. VVG cords are usually used. Their explanation is as follows:

1. The letter A is not in the key place - this means that the wire is copper.
2. The letter B is in the foremost position, which means that the waterproofing of PVC veins.
3. In 2nd place is the letter B, which means that the shell is protected by PVC.
4. The letter G is the lack of a protective cover.

This cord is considered to be the most suitable for indoor wiring in a dwelling or house. Such a cord is inexpensive in price, it is on sale in several variations. The wire is manufactured by a huge number of manufacturers. Numerical values ​​are often used when marking the cord. What do they mean:

1. VVG 3 x 4 + 1 X 2.5 - this is explained as follows: three working wires with a separation of 4 mm and 1 separation of 2.5 mm.
2. VVG 3 x 4 - there are 3 conductors with 4 mm separation.
3. VVG 2.2.5 are two conductors with a 2.5 mm separation.

Based on the presented decoding, other numerical values ​​can also be explained. In all cases, the decryption is the same.

Thermal regime in accordance with GOST

Almost no one pays attention to the final part of the designation of cords. Usually, the extreme part means the operating mode or the lowest temperature when marking power cables. The names are affixed in accordance with TU or GOST. Usually the cord is made according to these parameters. The temperature information of the material is of great importance, especially if the cable is used for outdoor installation. This information is important for regions with low or high temperatures.

The decoding of the cable marking is of great importance, so this parameter should not be overlooked. Remarks about TU or GOST are rarely put when marking the cord. Very few manufacturers reckon with the standards, so this information is simply not written.

Examples of designations

When examples of labeling are considered, everything seems clear, but when the knowledge gained is used in practice, then a person often has difficulties. Usually the difficulty is that certain data are indicated without special designations. Usually everything is clear with the initial position, if the letter A is in the first place, then the cord is made of aluminum material, and if the second letter is made of copper. For example, the decryption of APVPU2G is explained as follows:

1. A is an aluminum material.
2. BMW is a cross-linked polyethylene conductor connection.
3. PU is the inner protective film.
4. 2 G - paired waterproofing.

Explanation of the abbreviation MKESH - the letter A is missing at the initial place, which means that the material is made of copper. MK is an installation cable. E - the cord is shielded with aluminum foil. Ш is an external protection with a PVC sleeve. As follows from the considered example, the purpose of the cord may be in the first place. With a brand of wires, the following letters may be found:

1. PCB is a transmission system cord, usually it is not used for circuitry and not power.
2. MK is a prefabricated cable.
3. G is an elastic stranded one.
4. K - control cable.

Some manufacturers omit the designation of a protective membrane or armor when releasing products. Usually this designation is found on products that are intended for installation in difficult conditions. In this case, confusion can arise. As a rule, it should be spelled out here. For example, B - this means the type of armor, G - this is waterproofing, W - this is a protective shell, which is made of a pressed sleeve.

All remaining positions are deciphered depending on their location. But only professionals will need a deep study of the decryption. For a household craftsman, it is necessary to know the basic arrangement of letters and numbers, and the specifics of the cord can be read in its description. Typically, cable labeling and its explanation is not an easy matter.

Decoding the cords

Cords are decoded using the same technique as cables. Usually the first position means the material of the veins. If the initial line contains the letter A, then the raw material is made of aluminum, and if there is no A, then copper. In second place, there is usually the letter P, which means "wire", and if PP, then this is a flat wire. Ш is a cord. In the first case, it is single-core, and in the second - from two or three cores. More recently, a new type has emerged called "heating wire". It is classified by NP. In the third position, the letters represent the raw material of the insulation. Usually such designations are common:

1. This is Nayrite.
2. P - polyethylene.
3. P - rubber.
4. M - oil resistant rubber.
5. L - varnished cotton shell.
6. B - PVC.
7. О - cover made of impregnated cotton material.

The next position contains information on the purpose of the wire. G is flexible, C is connecting, T is for laying in pipes. Usually after these letters there are numbers that indicate the number of conductors, marked with one number, and their subsequent section, which is explained by the second number. For a more detailed explanation of the marking, see the designation table.

The explanation is based on the color of the cable. When an abbreviation is prescribed, the main thing is to understand where the cable is and where the wire is. If the letter P is in second place, then this may mean polyethylene insulation. In this case, the number of letters should be taken into account, usually the cord is indicated by four letters, and the cable is indicated by a large number. This is not the main sign, but it often helps to determine. Decoding wires is easier than decoding cables. This can be understood from an example:

1. APPVA is an aluminum core material. PP - flat wire. B - vinyl protection.
2. PNSV. The letter A is not in the foreground, which means that the material is made of copper. PN is a heating cord. C - round steel conductor. B is the surface layer of PVC.

Care must be taken when recognizing markings. If there are doubts about the correctness of the decoding, then you need to look at the documentation that comes with cables, cords and wires.