With so many different kinds of cables available, it is easy for anyone to feel confused and lost when it comes to choosing the right cable for the right job. Don’t worry though, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the types of cables available in the market and their use.
All you need to do is read on and you’ll soon be able to choose the perfect cable for you. Let’s get started!
| Temperature °C | Voltage rating | Flexibility | Flame Retardancy | Halogen Free | Abrasion Resistance | |
| Tri Rated Cable | 105 | Medium | Low | Low | No | Medium |
| Radox 125 and FR Cables | 125 | Medium | Medium | High | Yes | High |
| Radox 155 Cable | 155 | Medium | Medium | High | No | High |
| Traction Cable Radox GKW | 120 | High | Medium | High | Yes | High |
| Silicone Cables | 180 | Medium |
High |
High | Yes | Low |
| Coiled Cable | 105 | Medium | High | High | No | Medium |
| HR130 | 130 | Medium | High | Medium | No | Medium |
Guide to Cable
Tri-Rated Cable
Tri-rated cables are used for switchgear and control-gear circuitry. You will find them used in houses, offices, or any building with switches. They are commercially cost-effective and can handle a medium amount of voltage (600-1000V Rated).
A BS6321 (British Standard) Tri-rated cable can bear an operating temperature of up to 90°C. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved Tri-rated cables can handle operating temperatures of 105°C. Thanks to their heat and voltage tolerance, you can use Tri-rated cables in motors controller, industrial electrical installations, or any other place you want for general use.
You can use Tri-rated cables for any circuitry with medium voltage level requirements. Keep in mind, however, that these cables are not good flame-retardants and should not be used in places at risk of catching fire. They contain halogens and release poisonous gas upon catching fire.
Radox 125
Radox 125 cables are among the most flexible cables used in the industry. Their voltage rating is similar to Tri-rated cables but has more flexibility. This makes them easier to use for the internal circuitry of electrical appliances. They also have good temperature resistance that makes them ideal for use in heating appliances, sensors, and other machinery with above-average operating temperatures.
Radox 125 cables with 0.25 – 0.75 mm2 thickness can bear voltage between 300-500V. This makes them good for connections between the internal components of appliances. You use a radox 125 cable with thickness between 1-300mm2 for medium voltage circuits with 600-1000V bearing capacity.
Transformer, magnet, and motor windings can also be done with radox 125 cables. They are excellent choices for these high-temperature environments thanks to a temperature tolerance range of -40°C – 125°C or higher in some conditions. Radox 125 cables are good fire retardants and do not contain halogens making them very safe cables.
HR130
HR130 cables are flexible and heat-resistant cables that are best suited for fixed installations. They can bear temperatures as low as -20°C and as high as 130°C. They can also handle voltages as high as 750V AC. With their PVC build and above-average temperature resistance, HR130 wires are perfect for the internal wiring of engine compartments and electrical equipment.
Because they work best when used in fixed installations, they can be used for lighting wiring and small generator internal wirings. HR130 wires are also capable of handling temperatures as high as 160°C for short instances without shorting or catching fire. You can use HR130 wires in any circuitry requiring high-temperature tolerance.
Radox 155 Cable
Radox 155 cables are what you need for any application where you want to maximise safety and minimise the fire hazard. Radox 155 cables are extremely resistant to abrasion and can operate at a temperature range of -55°C – 155°C, making them very robust for both low and high-temperature applications. They also have a medium voltage rating (600-1000V).
Radox 155 cables do not melt even at very high temperatures (up to 280°C) and have excellent flame retardance. All these qualities make them a perfect fit for transformers and class F motors. You can also use them to build solenoids or lighting equipment. You can use radox 155 in any situation where you feel an HR130’s temperature tolerance is insufficient.
Radox 4 GKW-AX
Radox 4 GKW-AX cables are high voltage cables. They can bear a rated voltage of up to 1800V and a temperature tolerance of 120°C. Their design makes them a perfect fit for fixed installations in rail vehicles and buses. They are best used for connecting moving parts of these vehicles both on the inside and outside.
Radox 4 GKW-AX wires are designed to be as light as possible while maintaining their flame retardancy and current-carrying capabilities. They are abrasion-resistant and don’t contain halogens making them very safe to use. They are also more flexible than Tri-rated cables making them easier to work with and install.
Silicone Cables
Silicone cables are very flexible and can operate at very high temperatures (up to 200°C). They do not wear out with age as readily as other wire types and depending on the grade, can bear voltages up to 1000V.
Silicone cables can be manufactured for use in aerospace and space engineering applications. Silicone cables don’t contain halogens and are flame resistant. Add on to that their extreme flexibility and they become the best choice for spacecraft, satellites, and other aviation transport.
Silicone cables are also used in the medical sector in implantable medical devices, sensors, handheld devices, medical robots, and more. What makes silicone such a good fit for these technologies is its flexibility and low toxicity for humans.
Coiled Cable
You must have already come across some coiled cables in your house or surroundings. Their unique coil-like structure makes them aesthetically very appealing and they don’t get tangled up easily.
Coiled cables are very flexible and are mildly resistant to abrasion. Their most common application is for low-voltage appliances such as phone chargers but higher-grade coiled cables are available for your needs as well. Car chargers commonly use coiled cables and they are preferred in the EV industry for their practicality and aesthetic appeal.
Coiled cables are best suited for any application that requires frequent movement of the wire. Coiled cables can easily extend to suit the distance and shrink back readily, making it easy to organise them.