Rubber Cable Guide | Selection, Types, Applications, and Common Mistakes

Rubber cables are widely used in outdoor emergency power supply, mobile equipment, cranes, and other applications due to their flexibility, wear resistance, and weather resistance. Proper selection is critical to the safety, economy, and service life of equipment.

1. Classification of Rubber Cables and Analysis of Popular Models in China

General Rubber Cables

According to the Chinese national standard GB/T5013-2008, rubber cables are divided into three major categories:

• Heavy-duty rubber cables (YC/YCW)
  Suitable for heavy-duty applications such as port cranes and floodlights. Compared to YC, YCW offers enhanced weather resistance and suitability for outdoor environments with oil contamination.

• Medium-duty rubber cables (YZ/YZW)
  More suitable for agricultural electrical applications, with YZW featuring IP67 waterproof performance.

• Light-duty rubber cables (YQ/YQW)
  Suitable for small equipment, with YQW capable of withstanding low-temperature bending at -40°C due to its special formulation.

Special Rubber Cables

• Waterproof-specific: JHS/JHSB
  Features a double-layer rubber sealed structure, passing a 3040Pa water pressure test for 2 hours.

• Welding-specific: YH/YHF
  Cable sizes range from 16 to 120 mm², meeting the 450-750 V operating voltage requirements of welding machines.

• Mine-safe type: MCP/MYPTJ
  Complies with MT818 standards, equipped with a semiconductive shielding layer and metal braided layer, suitable for 0.66/1.14 kV coal mining systems.

2. Key Selection Parameters

1) Voltage Rating

• Low Voltage (300/300V–450/750V): Household appliances, power tools, small to medium-sized industrial equipment.

• Medium to High Voltage (6/10kV): Mining machines, gantry cranes, high-power mobile equipment(gantry cranes)..

2) Operating Temperature

• Standard Type: ≤65°C (YZ/YZ/YC)

• High-Temperature Resistant Type: ≤90°C, suitable for high-temperature environments such as steel mills and chemical plants.

3) Mechanical Properties

• Tensile Strength: YC and YCW can withstand significant mechanical forces.

• Bending Radius: Minimum bending radius ≥6D to prevent jacket cracking.

4) Jacket Material

• Standard rubber: Suitable for normal temperature and dry environments

• Neoprene rubber: Excellent weather resistance, suitable for outdoor use and environments exposed to oil contamination

• EPDM rubber: High-temperature resistant, suitable for high-temperature equipment

3. Application-Specific Selection Recommendations

1) Household Appliances and Small Equipment

• Recommended model: YQ/YQW (300/300V)

• Applications: Electric fans, vacuum cleaners, kettles

• Criteria: Flexibility is prioritized, cross-sectional area ≤ 2.5 mm², no weather resistance required.

2) Construction Sites and Agricultural Machinery

• Recommended model: YZ/YZW (450/750V)

• Applications: Drills, cutters, irrigation pumps

• Criteria: Balances flexibility and tensile strength, cross-sectional area > 4 mm², outdoor applications use YZW (weather-resistant)

3) Port Machinery and Large Equipment

• Recommended model: YC/YCW (450/750V)

• Applications: Cranes, excavators, floodlights

• Criteria: Balance flexibility and tensile strength, cross-sectional area > 4mm², outdoor use: YZW (weather-resistant)

4) Waterproof and Submersible Equipment

• Recommended model: JHS/JHSB (450/750V)

• Applications: Submersible pumps, outdoor stage lighting

• Criteria: Waterproof layer design, cross-sectional area greater than 2.5mm², use JHSB (double-layer waterproof) for long-term immersion in water

5) Welding Machines and High-Temperature Equipment

• Recommended models: YH/YHF, YC3307 (6/10kV)

• Applications: Welding machine, metallurgical furnaces

• Criteria: High-temperature resistant insulation layer; YH single-core cable for welding machines, YC3307 for coal mining machines.

4. Common Misconceptions and Solutions

1) Ignoring Environmental Factors

• Issue: Using YZ cables (without W weather-resistant sheath) outdoors, leading to sheath aging and cracking.

• Solution: Outdoor applications must use YZW/YCW (with W-type weather-resistant sheath).

2) Cable Size Too Small

• Issue: Using a 2.5mm² cable to power a 5kW welding machine, causing the cable to overheat.

• Solution: Check the welding machine’s nameplate for the current rating and consult the corresponding cable size.

3) Failure to Distinguish Voltage Ratings

• Issue: Using 300/300V YQ cables for 450/750V equipment, posing a high risk of insulation breakdown.

• Solution: Strictly match the cable rating to the equipment’s rated voltage (e.g., YC for 750V applications).

4) Ignoring Bending Radius

• Issue: Cable installation with a bending radius less than 6D, causing jacket cracking.

• Solution: Ensure sufficient bending space during installation; heavy-duty cables should have a minimum radius of ≥10D.

Conclusion: Why Cable Selection Matters

The selection of rubber cables requires comprehensive consideration of voltage ratings, mechanical properties, environmental conditions, and cost-effectiveness. This not only ensures safe equipment operation but also extends cable lifespan and reduces maintenance costs.

KMCABLE has years of experience in cable production and export, and is familiar with various rubber cable models both domestically and internationally. If you have procurement needs, please feel free to contact us.