Medium Voltage 12/20kV Copper Tape Screen 3x120mm2 XLPE Insulated Cable

Product Overview

Medium voltage feeders punish weak insulation design. This 12/20kV three core cable uses a triple extrusion process, where the semi conductive conductor screen, the XLPE insulation and the semi conductive insulation screen are applied in one pass inside a dry nitrogen curing tube. No dust, no moisture and no interface voids, which is exactly what partial discharge testing looks for at commissioning.

The 133 percent insulation level gives this cable a thicker XLPE wall than the basic 100 percent design, so it can be applied on solidly earthed systems and on networks where transient overvoltages are expected. A copper tape screen carries capacitive charging current and fault current, and provides a low impedance return path that keeps touch voltages inside limits.

Each 3x120mm2 core set is screened, assembled with fillers, taped, armoured and sheathed, then submitted to partial discharge testing at 1.73 U0 plus ten percent for sixty minutes before the drum is accepted. The result: a medium voltage XLPE insulated cable that can go straight into a ring main unit without a rework list.

Technical Specifications

Key Advantages

• Triple extrusion in dry cure removes the voids that cause partial discharge at joints.
• 133 percent insulation level allows use on networks with high earth fault transients.
• Copper tape screen gives a low impedance fault return and stable charging current capacity.
• Every drum is partial discharge tested below five picocoulombs before shipment.
• Compacted copper conductor keeps the cable diameter and drum weight practical for site handling.

Typical Applications

• Ring main unit feeders in industrial and commercial sites
• Wind farm and solar plant 20kV collector circuits
• Utility substation and switchgear interconnections
• Mining and cement plant medium voltage reticulation
• Airport and port substation distribution

Quality Assurance and Test Data

Manufacturing and testing follow IEC 60502-2 with KEMA and CESI type test evidence available. Partial discharge, dissipation factor and impulse testing are arranged per batch, and our engineers can attend commissioning if your utility requires joint inspection. On 12/20kV work the copper tape screen is the part commissioning engineers inspect first, and this medium voltage design uses an overlapping tape with a copper wire drain option.

Ordering and Delivery Notes

For 12/20kV projects the order usually follows the single line diagram and the switchgear cable box drawing. We check the 3x120mm2 copper screen tail length, the earthing lug position and the drum length against your route before manufacturing, because a medium voltage cable that is 5 m short becomes a jointed feeder. Terminations, screen bonding links and a commissioning guide are available with the same delivery.

Selection and Test Summary

• On a 12/20kV medium voltage feeder the screen current is a design input, and the copper tape screen section is confirmed from your fault level.
• The 3x120mm2 assembly with a copper tape screen suits ring main units where the cable box space is limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the 133 percent insulation level actually change?
A: It increases the specified insulation wall thickness relative to the basic level, so the cable withstands higher transient overvoltages and suits solidly earthed networks.

Q: Why is copper tape screen preferred over copper wire screen?
A: Copper tape provides a continuous, low resistance fault path and is easier to terminate with standard kits, while wire screens are used where higher fault current requires more copper.

Q: Can the 12/20kV cable be direct buried?
A: Yes, with the steel tape armour and graphite coated sheath it is rated for direct burial, duct and trough installation.

Q: Do you provide terminations for this cable?
A: We supply heat shrink and cold shrink termination kits matched to the 120mm2 copper section, tested to the same standard as the cable.

Q: Do you provide screen bonding links for the 12/20kV feeder?
A: Yes, we supply copper tape screen bonding links, constant force springs and a bonding schedule that matches the copper tape screen section used in this 3x120mm2 cable.

Send your single line diagram, fault level and route plan, and our medium voltage engineers will confirm the screen section, drum plan and delivered price for this 12/20kV cable.