| NORMAL STRUCTURE OF TRAILING CABLE |
| Component | Description |
| 1. Conductor | Ultra-fine stranded bare copper or tinned copper wire: Key to high flexibility. Made of many very fine copper strands, usually Class 5 (flexible conductor) or Class 6 (super flexible conductor) to withstand frequent bending, twisting, and stretching without breaking. |
| 2. Insulation | Elastomer materials commonly used: • EPR (Ethylene Propylene Rubber): Excellent heat resistance, ozone resistance, weather resistance, and electrical insulation. • HEPR (Hard Ethylene Propylene Rubber): Enhanced mechanical strength based on EPR. • EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate): Good elasticity and low temperature resistance. • XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene): Used in medium and high voltage cables, provides excellent electrical performance and heat resistance. |
| 3. Filling | Textile or rubber fillers: In multi-core cables, non-absorbent fillers or extrusion rubber are used between insulated cores to maintain cable roundness and provide cushioning and support. |
| 4. Shielding | Conductive layer / Shielding: For medium/high voltage cables, semiconductive layers (shields) are placed between conductor and insulation, and outside insulation, to equalize electric field, reduce partial discharge, and improve electrical performance and cable life. Some cables shield individual cores to reduce electromagnetic interference. |
| 5. Earth Conductor and/or Pilot Core | Earth wire: Essential, usually placed alongside the main power cores for safety grounding. Pilot core/control core: Many heavy-duty or high-voltage trailing cables include one or more smaller pilot cores used for grounding continuity monitoring systems or remote control signals. If grounding continuity is lost, the pilot core triggers protection devices to cut power, greatly enhancing safety. |
| 6. Outer Sheath | High-strength elastomer materials: Key to withstand harsh environments.Common materials: • CPE (Chlorinated Polyethylene)• PCP (Polychloroprene, commonly called Neoprene) • PUR (Polyurethane): Excellent abrasion, cut, oil, chemical, and tear resistance. • TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): Similar to PUR but easier to process. The outer sheath is usually thick and tough, resistant to wear, compression, impact, oil, chemicals, UV, and harsh weather. |
| 7. Reinforcement (Optional) | Tensile elements: For applications requiring high tensile strength, textile fibers (e.g., Kevlar) or steel wire ropes may be integrated in the cable core or beneath the sheath to distribute stress and protect conductors.Internal braiding reinforcement: Some cables have internal braid layers to improve resistance to twisting and stretching. |