Why must single-core cables be equipped with AWA?
If you’re working on a high-current single-core system and still habitually use steel wire armor, the eddy currents generated by electromagnetic induction will make your cables incredibly hot, wasting electricity that ultimately benefits your profits.
Our AWA cables specifically solve three major headaches:
- Cable overheating: Aluminum wire is a non-magnetic material, fundamentally eliminating eddy current losses. The cable doesn’t overheat, directly doubling its lifespan.
- Construction hassles: Steel wire armor is bulky and rigid, making it difficult for workers to drag or bend. Our AWA cables are much lighter. While aluminum wire is more expensive, the saved labor and installation costs are enough to buy several spools of cable.
- Rust and corrosion: Especially for coastal projects or damp tunnels, aluminum wire has inherent rust-resistant properties, so you don’t have to worry about the armor layer deteriorating after a few years.
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- Stop searching around aimlessly, just send us your specification sheet.
- We can send you samples so you can take them home and compare them with others to check the purity of the aluminum wire and the toughness of the sheath.
- Even if you don’t order from us, we’re happy to help you check the technical parameters so the construction team can accept the project.
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What is AWA cable?
AWA stands for aluminum wire armor , which is the armoring method for single-core cables.
The structure is as follows:
Conductor: Usually made of copper or aluminum.
Insulation: Commonly used is XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene), which has good temperature resistance.
Inner bedding: PVC or low-smoke halogen-free material.
Armor layer: Aluminum wires .
Outer Sheath: Usually made of black PVC or LSZH.
Why must AWA be used for single-core cables?
Core principle:
In an AC circuit, a single-core cable generates an alternating magnetic field when energized. If steel wire armor (SWA/STA) is used, steel, being a magnetic material, will induce currents—i.e., “eddy currents”—in the armor layer.
This leads to two consequences:
Overheating: The steel strip or wire will continuously heat up, causing a decrease in the cable’s current carrying capacity and accelerating insulation aging and breakdown.
High power loss: This results in unnecessary line losses and increases operating costs.
Solution:
AWA (Aluminum Wire Armor) uses non-magnetic aluminum. It breaks the magnetic circuit, eliminating eddy current and hysteresis losses. In short: you can use SWA in multi-core cables; but in single-core cables, always use AWA.
Parameter Table for 0.6/1kV Single-Core AWA Cable
| Cross-sectional area (mm²) | Conductor diameter (approximately mm) | Insulation thickness (mm) | Armored aluminum wire diameter (mm) | Outer diameter (approx. mm) | Weight (approx. kg/km) | Air carrying capacity (A)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 8.1 | 1.0 | 1.25 | 17.5 | 450 | 210 |
| 70 | 9.7 | 1.1 | 1.25 | 19.5 | 580 | 265 |
| 95 | 11.4 | 1.1 | 1.25 | 21.5 | 750 | 325 |
| 120 | 12.9 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 24.5 | 980 | 380 |
| 150 | 14.3 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 26.5 | 1150 | 435 |
| 185 | 16.1 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 29.0 | 1400 | 500 |
| 240 | 18.5 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 32.5 | 1850 | 590 |
| 300 | 20.8 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 36.5 | 2350 | 680 |
| 400 | 23.8 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 41.0 | 2950 | 790 |
| 500 | 26.8 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 45.5 | 3750 | 900 |
| 630 | 30.3 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 52.0 | 4850 | 1040 |
Difference between AWA and SWA cables
| project | AWA Cable (Aluminum Wire Armor) | SWA cable (steel wire armor) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable number of cores | single core | Multi-core |
| Armor materials | Aluminum wire (non-magnetic) | Galvanized steel wire (magnetic) |
| Eddy current loss | Almost none | Significant when using a single core |
| weight | Lighter | heavier |
| Mechanical strength | good | higher |
| Typical application scenarios | Single-core low-voltage and medium-voltage AC lines | Multi-core low-voltage and medium-voltage AC lines |
Key advantages of AWA cables
1. No eddy current loss, low heat generation: In single-core AC systems, AWA cables do not generate additional heat due to the armor layer, resulting in low overall cable temperature rise and high current carrying capacity.
2. Lightweight, easy to transport and lay: Compared to SWA cables of the same specifications, AWA cables are 20%-30% lighter, reducing transportation costs and construction difficulty.
3. Excellent corrosion resistance: A dense oxide film naturally forms on the surface of the aluminum wire, providing excellent corrosion resistance, especially suitable for humid environments or environments containing chemically corrosive substances.
4. Good electrical conductivity and heat dissipation: When needed, the aluminum wire armor layer can be used as a grounding wire, and the good thermal conductivity of aluminum helps dissipate heat from the cable.
5. Compliant with international standards: Common standards include BS5467, IEC60502, AS/NZS 5000.1, etc., ensuring product quality.
How to correctly select and install AWA cables?
1. Determine the number of cores and voltage rating. For single-core cables, AWA is preferred; for three-core or multi-core cables, SWA is recommended.
2. Calculate current carrying capacity. Refer to IEC or national standards and verify based on the laying method (direct burial, cable trench, overhead).
3. Pay attention to grounding requirements. Aluminum wire armor can be used as a grounding conductor, but reliable grounding at the ends must be ensured to avoid excessive contact resistance.
4. Installation precautions:
1. The bending radius should not be less than 15D (D is the cable outer diameter).
2. For direct burial, it is recommended to add a protective pipe or cover with a layer of sand.
3. Avoid mixing with steel wire armored cables in the same circuit to prevent electromagnetic interference.
FAQ
Q1: What are the differences between AWA and SWA cables?
A: SWA (steel wire armor) is used in multi-core cables and is magnetic; AWA (aluminum wire armor) is used in single-core cables, is non-magnetic, and prevents eddy current heating.
Q2: Why is AWA usually chosen over SWA for single-core cables?
A: In AC circuits, steel wire armor (SWA) generates eddy currents due to the magnetic field, leading to additional heat generation and energy loss. Aluminum wire, being a non-magnetic material, does not generate eddy currents; therefore, single-core cable standards (such as BS5467 and IEC60502) typically require the use of AWA.