Infrastructure cables

We know that nothing can happen without electricity. This is why LAPP infrastructure cables are so indispensable. Our portfolio includes installation cables, power cables and medium-voltage cables. The products are essential for in-wall cabling in private, public and industrial buildings and for energy distribution via underground distribution networks.

What are infrastructure cables and how are they used?

Regardless of the type of energy, it must journey from where it is generated to where the user requires it. Infrastructure cables take on this task. These are therefore cables for distributing or supplying energy. As standard, they supply residential or industrial buildings with electricity (house supply, entry and distribution) and distribute energy from distribution networks to the buildings.

Most products in this field can be laid underground and are therefore considered cables rather than wires

What is the difference between a cable and a wire?

> Read here.

How do infrastructure cables differ?

Depending on whether an infrastructure cable is used for standard-compliant electrical installation in buildings or for comprehensive power supply in distribution networks, different voltage classes and installation types are required. Almost all LAPP infrastructure cables are standard-compliant cables.

 We differentiate between infrastructure cables as follows:

  1. Installation cables
  2. Power cables
  3. Medium-voltage cables

Why buy infrastructure cables from LAPP?

Benefit from high product availability, quick delivery times and the expertise of our professionals!

 

What are installation cables?

What is an
NYM cable?

A commonly used type of installation cable for 300/500V applications.

Not to be confused with the NYY power cable for underground installation.

Installation cables such as the NYM or the halogen-free NHXMH have a nominal voltage of 300/500 V and are used for internal wiring in buildings. They can be installed directly on, in or under plaster as well as in intermediate walls or in concrete, provided there is no subsequent pouring, shaking or tamping. Installation under plaster may be carried out directly in the brickwork without a conduit. This is quick, as only narrow wall slots have to be milled. However, a conduit is often suitable for pulling or replacing cables with little effort. Installation cables can be used outdoors under consideration of sunlight levels (PVC outer sheath), but are not suitable for direct burial and are therefore considered wires. The LAPP installation cables are standard-compliant cables in accordance with VDE.

What are power cables?

Power cables have a nominal voltage of 0.6/1 kV and are used to connect buildings and industrial plants to the power supply and to distribute energy in power stations and converter stations.

The power cables NYY, NYCY, NYCWY and NAYY with resistant PVC insulation and sheath material are intended for direct burial.

The halogen-free power cables N2XH and N2XCH are used for energy distribution within buildings with a high concentration of people and valuable assets. Like installation cables, they are intended for laying on, in and under plaster, in brickwork and in non-moving concrete.

Since high currents flow through power cables, the products are available in large cross-sections (e.g. NYY up to 240 mm²).

Relevant standards: DIN VDE 0276-603, DIN VDE 0276-604

What is an
NYY cable?

A commonly used type of power cable for 600/1000 V applications.

Not to be confused with the NYM cable for in-house electrical installation!


What are medium-voltage cables?

Medium-voltage cables distribute energy in local grids of energy supply companies or in larger Industrial plants that operate with medium voltage. The LAPP medium-voltage cables are available in the voltage classes 6/10 kV, 12/20 kV or 18/30 kV and are produced with different insulation thicknesses and conductor cross-sections up to 1000 mm². They are installed fixed in water, air or earth. The cross-linked conductive layers above and below the core insulation prevent partial discharges and enable constant operational safety.

Relevant standard: DIN VDE 0276-620

Suitability for underground installation of infrastructure cables: what is a cable for direct burial?

A cable for direct burial is a cable suitable for underground installation. This designation underlines its direct burial suitability properties. Its robust outer sheath provides special mechanical protection against damage caused, for example, by sharp-edged stones and the ingress of water or chemical substances. Cables for direct burial must be installed deep underground, depending on aspects such as their nominal voltage. Depending on their usage purpose, they are also pulled through conduits, covered with sand and/or additionally protected with warning tape and plastic plates.

Important: Depending on the type of cable for direct burial, it is either suitable for power supply or signal transmission. The cables for direct burial from the infrastructure cable product group are used exclusively for power supply.

Conductor materials of infrastructure cables: aluminium or copper? 

Since large conductor cross-sections require a lot of conductor material, some power cables and medium-voltage cables use the light metal aluminium instead of copper. Aluminium conductors are cheaper and lighter than copper conductors. However, they do not conduct the current quite as well. That being said, using conductor cross-sections one or two sizes above what is required for copper conductors will allow them to achieve the same conductivity as copper. Copper conductors therefore have a higher current rating and a lower voltage drop compared to aluminium conductors and measured at the conductor cross-section.

Our insulated copper or aluminium conductors are single-wire or multi-wire, round or sector-shaped (RE = single-wire round conductor, RM = multi-wire round conductor and SM = multi-wire sector conductor).

Suitable accessories

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