What are the key features of a paper insulated copper cable?

Main Features of Paper-Insulated Copper Cable (PCC)

1. Excellent Electrical Performance

• High Insulation Strength: The paper insulation, when impregnated with insulating oil, provides excellent insulation strength, making it suitable for high-voltage and ultra-high-voltage transmission systems.

• Low Dielectric Loss: The dielectric loss tangent of the paper insulation is low, reducing energy losses and improving transmission efficiency.

• Good Heat Resistance: The paper insulation maintains stable electrical properties at higher temperatures, ensuring reliable operation over long periods.

2. Superior Mechanical Properties

• Good Flexibility: Paper-insulated copper cables are flexible, making them easy to install in complex environments and allowing for bending without damage.

• High Tensile Strength: Copper conductors have high tensile strength, enabling the cable to withstand significant mechanical stress, suitable for long-distance overhead or underground installations.

• Strong Corrosion Resistance: Copper conductors exhibit excellent corrosion resistance, especially in humid or corrosive environments, extending the cable's service life.

3. Excellent Thermal Stability

• Heat Resistance: The paper insulation, after special treatment, can operate stably at high temperatures, typically up to 90°C or higher.

• Good Heat Dissipation: The high thermal conductivity of copper allows heat to be efficiently dissipated from the cable's interior to the exterior, preventing overheating and ensuring safe operation.

4. Long Service Life

• Extended Lifespan: Paper-insulated copper cables can last several decades or longer, particularly with proper maintenance. Their durability and reliability make them a preferred choice for many power systems.

• Slow Aging: The paper insulation, when impregnated with oil, ages slowly, maintaining good insulation properties over time.

5. Cost-Effective

• High Cost-Benefit Ratio: Although the initial investment for paper-insulated copper cables may be higher, their long lifespan and low maintenance costs result in lower overall ownership costs, offering good economic value.

• Recyclable Materials: Both the copper conductor and paper insulation are recyclable, aligning with environmental sustainability goals and reducing resource waste.

6. Wide Range of Applications

• High-Voltage and Ultra-High-Voltage Transmission: Paper-insulated copper cables are widely used in high-voltage (e.g., 110kV, 220kV) and ultra-high-voltage (e.g., 500kV and above) transmission systems, especially for long-distance power transmission.

• Underground and Overhead Installations: These cables are suitable for both underground and overhead applications, adapting to various installation environments and requirements.

7. High Safety

• Good Fire Resistance: The impregnated paper insulation has certain fire-resistant properties, maintaining cable integrity in case of fire and reducing safety hazards.

• Low Leakage Risk: With its high insulation strength and low dielectric loss, paper-insulated copper cables have a very low risk of leakage, ensuring safe power transmission.

8. Easy Maintenance

• Simple Inspection and Repair: The relatively simple structure of paper-insulated copper cables allows for easy inspection using conventional electrical testing methods. Potential issues can be detected and repaired promptly.

• Accurate Fault Localization: In the event of a fault, partial discharge detection and other methods can accurately locate the fault point, facilitating quick repairs and minimizing downtime.

Summary

Paper-Insulated Copper Cables (PCC) are characterized by their excellent electrical performance, superior mechanical properties, thermal stability, long service life, cost-effectiveness, wide range of applications, high safety, and ease of maintenance. Despite advancements in modern cable technology, PCC remains widely used due to its reliability and durability, particularly in high-voltage and ultra-high-voltage transmission systems where long-term reliability is crucial.