Бронированные и небронированные кабели относятся к типам силовых кабелей., и это два наиболее часто используемых типа силовых кабелей.. Силовые кабели all consist of conductor, изоляция проводника, и внешний защитный слой.
The difference between armored cables and unarmored cables lies in the presence or absence of an armor layer. По сравнению с небронированными кабелями, armored cables have an additional metal protective structure, offering stronger resistance to pressure, влияние, rodents, and tensile strength. They can be used in direct burial, открытый, и суровые промышленные условия.
Based on years of overseas project experience, ZMS Cables has found that most project failures are not due to product quality issues, but rather to incorrect application scenarios and incompatible armor configurations, leading to rework. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of these two types of cables to help customers mitigate risks.
What is armored cable?
What is unarmored cable?
Бронированный кабель is a reinforced power cable with an additional metal armor layer between the cable insulation layer and the outer sheath. Common armor materials are steel tape and steel wire; aluminum tape armor can also be used depending on requirements.
The overall structure of armored cable, from the inside out, includes:
conductor → insulation layer → inner lining layer → metal armor layer → outer sheath.
The metal armor layer does not change the cable’s conductivity but can resist external forces such as compression, влияние, напряжение, and animal bites, while also providing a certain degree of electromagnetic shielding.
Armored cables are mainly used in scenarios such as direct underground burial, outdoor cable trays, industrial plants, road crossings, and deep-buried pipelines.
What is unarmored cable?
Unarmored cable is basic power cable without any metallic armor protection layer.
The standard structure of unarmored cable only includes:
conductor → insulation layer → outer sheath.
Unarmored cable features: Простая структура, Гибкий кабель, небольшой радиус изгиба, простая установка, and lower cost.
Unarmored cables lack mechanical protection and cannot withstand compression, влияние, or strong tension. Unarmored cables are only suitable for low-risk environments such as fully protected indoor conduits, enclosed cable trays, and internal equipment wiring.
Разница между бронированным кабелем и небронированным кабелем
| Тип | Бронированный кабель | Небронированный кабель |
|---|---|---|
| Состав | Metallic armor layer | No armor layer |
| Mechanical Protection | Pressure/impact/tensile resistant, anti-rodent/termite | No protection, easily damaged |
| Установка | Подполье, прямое захоронение, траншеи, Промышленные места | Крытый, cable trays, трубопроводы, protected areas |
| Функции | Hard, heavy | Soft, гибкий, light |
| Lifespan | Highly durable, long-lasting | Ages outdoors easily |
| Расходы | Выше | More economical |
Common types of armored cables
| Armor Type | Abbr. | Состав | Key Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Стальная лента бронированная | СТА | Double steel tape, high crush resistance | Flat direct burial, municipal grids, standard ducts |
| Fine Steel Wire Armored | СВА | Stranded fine wires, Высокая прочность на растяжение | River/mountain crossing, aerial suspension, deep wells |
| Coarse Steel Wire Armored | CWA | Coarse wire reinforced, ultra-high tensile strength | Long-span suspension, добыча, heavy duty |
| Aluminum Tape Armored | АТА | Легкий вес, сопротивление ржавчине, non-magnetic | High-corrosion environments, AC magnetic fields |
Armored Cables vs. Unarmored Cables: How to Choose?
Based on overseas engineering standards and practical field experience, ZMS Cables summarizes a simple selection logic:
Scenarios for Choosing Armored Cables:
- Cables need to be directly buried underground;
- Outdoor open-air, field, or factory grounds;
- Sites with risks of mechanical crushing, digging, or impact;
- Forest areas and rural areas with wildlife bites;
- Crossing rivers, башни, or high-altitude suspension requiring tensile strength.
Scenarios for Choosing Unarmored Cables:
- Entirely indoor installation, using enclosed conduits and sealed cable trays;
- Internal wiring within equipment;
- Construction environment free from external damage;
- Limited project budget with comprehensive protective measures throughout.
Accurate Cable Quotes: Information You Need to Provide as a Customer
Many overseas inquiries suffer from repeated communication and low efficiency, primarily due to incomplete parameters.
We have compiled essential parameters for quick quotes, which engineers can directly refer to when submitting:
- Execution Standard: МЭК / БС / GB and other project-specified standards
- Уровень напряжения: 0.6/1кВ, 10кВ, 35кВ, и т. д..
- Number of Cores and Cross-section: например, 3×95+1×50mm²…
- Armoring Requirements: Steel tape armor / Броня из стальной проволоки / Небронированный
- Материал оболочки: ПВХ / ЧП / LSZH flame retardant and fire resistant…
- Usage Environment: Крытый / Прямое захоронение / На открытом воздухе / Corrosive / Extremely Cold
- Purchase Quantity, Delivery Location, and Delivery Time Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions (Часто задаваемые вопросы)
Q1: Can armored cables be used as shielded cables?
- Armored cables can provide basic electromagnetic shielding, but they cannot replace dedicated shielded cables.
- For high-frequency, precision equipment, and high-voltage metering applications, professionally shielded cables are still required.
Q2: Can unarmored cables be temporarily laid outdoors?
- It is not recommended. Short term exposure will accelerate sheath aging, растрескивание, and water ingress, and will likely lead to insulation failure.
Q3: Must armored cables be grounded?
- Да. Engineering specifications require reliable grounding at both ends of the armor layer to avoid induced voltage and leakage safety hazards.
Q4: Is there a difference in current carrying capacity between the two types of cables?
- Under the same cross-section and material, the current carrying capacity is basically the same. The armor structure does not affect conductivity, only improves mechanical protection.
Why Choose ZMS Armored/Unarmored Cables?
As a cable manufacturer that has long served overseas contractors and EPC contractors, we understand that overseas projects have higher requirements for stability and compliance.
Zms кабель manufactures its full range of armored and unarmored power cables in strict accordance with international standards such as IEC, БС, и ГБ. The materials used in conductors, изоляция, броня, and sheaths are fully controlled, eliminating potential engineering risks such as recycled materials and falsely labeled cross-sections.
Более того, we can provide a complete set of factory test reports, qualification documents, and third-party certifications. We also support customized designs for flame-retardant, огнестойкий, холодный, and corrosion-resistant cables for special environments, matching the needs of various power distribution projects.
Заключение
There is no absolute superiority or inferiority between armored and unarmored cables; it’s all about suitability for the specific application scenario. Unarmored cables are preferred for controlled indoor environments, while armored cables are essential for outdoor direct burial and harsh conditions to ensure long-term stable operation.
If you are unsure whether you require armored construction or how to choose models and standards, please send your project parameters and construction environment. ZMS Cable technical team will provide free professional selection solution and accurate quotation.