Is your machinery downtime costing you a fortune?
You know the feeling. The production line stops right in the middle of a big order. You check the motors, the sensors, and the PLCs. Everything looks fine. But the cable connecting them all is the hidden killer. It gets stiff, cracks, or the voltage drops too much. Cheap cables burn out. They break under movement. They cause short circuits that fry expensive equipment. You need a cable that moves when the machine moves. You need a cable that lasts ten years, not ten months. You need the reliability of a German-engineered powerhouse. This is why we are talking about the LAPP ÖLFLEX® 100 I 4G25. It is not just a wire. It is the lifeline of your industrial system.
What makes the ÖLFLEX® 100 I series special?
LAPP has been making cables for over 50 years. They know what works in the real world. The ÖLFLEX® 100 I is their classic standard for a reason. It is the “Swiss Army Knife” of industrial cables. It handles power and control signals in one jacket. This specific model, the 4G25, has four cores. Each core is 25 square millimeters. That is a lot of copper. It can carry heavy loads without getting hot.The “I” in the name stands for flexibility. The conductor is not a solid stick. It is made of many tiny copper wires twisted together. This is Class 5 fine-wire stranding according to IEC 60228. You can bend it. You can twist it. You can pull it through tight cable chains. It will not snap. The outer sheath is PVC. It is grey (RAL 7001). It resists oil, acids, and alkalis. If you are in a factory with oil spills or chemical splashes, this jacket protects the heart of the cable.
Let’s look at the copper: Pure and Flexible
Why do we care about “oxygen-free copper”? Impurities in metal cause resistance. Resistance causes heat. Heat melts insulation. The ÖLFLEX® 100 I uses high-purity bare copper. The copper index is about 893 to 960 kg per kilometer. That is a heavy amount of metal. It means the electricity flows easily. You lose less energy on the way.The conductor resistance is only 0.78 Ohms per kilometer at 20 degrees Celsius. That is very low. For you, this means the cable stays cool even under full load. It also means your machines get the exact voltage they need. No flickering lights. No weak motor starts. Just pure, clean power and sharp control signals.
Technical Specifications at a Glance
Here are the hard numbers you need for your datasheet. We keep it simple. No fluff.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | LAPP Kabel (Germany) |
| Series | ÖLFLEX® 100 I |
| Article Number | 38009040 |
| Cable Type | Power and Control Cable |
| Core Configuration | 4 Cores (4G) |
| Cross Section | 25 mm² |
| Conductor Material | Bare Copper (Class 5) |
| Insulation | PVC (Polyvinylchloride) |
| Sheath Color | Grey (RAL 7001) |
| Rated Voltage | 1.1 kV (1100V AC) |
| Test Voltage | 3.0 kV |
| Outer Diameter | 27.2 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 1510 kg/km |
| Bending Radius | 4 x Outer Diameter (Flexible) |
| Certifications | VDE, CE, UKCA, IS 694 |
| Fire Behavior | Flame Retardant (FR) |
Where should you use this cable?
You can use this cable almost anywhere inside a building or a machine. It is perfect for fixed installations. But it is also great for moving parts. Here are the top scenarios:##### Inside Machines and Control CabinetsIf you are building a control panel, use this. The cores are color-coded. It makes wiring easy for your electricians. They don’t have to guess which wire is which. It fits perfectly into terminal blocks. The VDE registration number (7030) means it meets strict German safety standards.##### Heavy Machinery and ConveyorsConveyor belts move. Cables on them get flexed thousands of times. A solid cable would crack in a week. The ÖLFLEX® 100 I flexes. It is designed for “continuous flexing” in cable chains. It handles the mechanical stress of moving parts without breaking the copper inside.##### HVAC and Pump SystemsPumps vibrate. Fans spin. The cable needs to handle vibration. The PVC sheath is tough. It resists abrasion. If you are installing pumps in a damp or wet area, the cable is safe. It is rated for dry and damp spaces. It can even handle temperatures down to -15°C for fixed installations.##### Industrial Power DistributionNeed to send 3-phase power to a motor? This cable does it. With 25mm² cores, it handles high amperage. The included protective conductor (Earth/Ground) keeps your staff safe. If there is a fault, the current has a direct path to the ground.
Why buy the genuine LAPP brand?
You see cheap “4G25” cables online. They look the same. But they are not the same. LAPP tests every batch. They use the right amount of copper. They use high-quality PVC that doesn’t get brittle.Cheap cables often lie about the copper size. They might say 25mm² but only give you 23mm². That small difference causes big heat problems. LAPP is transparent. The copper weight is guaranteed. The certifications are real. When you buy LAPP, you are buying insurance for your project. You avoid fires. You avoid lawsuits. You avoid replacing cables every year.The ÖLFLEX® 100 I is flame-retardant. If a fire starts elsewhere, this cable does not spread it. It is also low smoke. In a fire, you need to see to escape. This cable does not fill the room with black, choking smoke.
Installation Tips for Your Team
Installing this cable is easy if you follow basic rules.
- Bending: Do not bend it sharper than 4 times the diameter. That is about 110mm. Keep the curve smooth.
- Stripping: Use sharp tools. Do not nick the copper strands. A nick creates a hot spot.
- Termination: Use proper ferrules on the ends of the flexible wires. Crimp them tight. This ensures a solid connection.
- Routing: Keep it away from sharp edges. Even PVC can be cut by a sharp metal burr.
It is a robust cable, but treat it right, and it will serve you for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this cable shielded?No, the standard ÖLFLEX® 100 I (article 38009040) is unshielded. If you need shielding for electromagnetic interference (EMI), look for the “CY” version (like ÖLFLEX® 100 CY) which has a copper braid.Can I bury this directly in the ground?It is not armored. For direct burial, you need a cable with steel wire armor (SWA) or to put it inside a conduit pipe. The standard grey PVC resists moisture, but it is not rodent-proof.What is the difference between 100 I and 100 CY?The “CY” version has a copper wire braid shield and often a different sheath compound for high oil resistance. The “I” version is the standard general-purpose cable.Can I use this for outdoor solar panels?It is UV resistant to a degree, but for long-term direct sunlight, we recommend cables specifically rated for UV and weather (like ÖLFLEX® SOLAR). The grey PVC can crack after years of intense sun.
Ready to get the best price?
You have seen the specs. You know the quality. You understand that cutting corners on cables is a mistake. Now it is time to get a quote for your project. Whether you need 100 meters or 10 kilometers, we can supply the genuine LAPP ÖLFLEX® 100 I 4G25.We ship worldwide. We handle the export paperwork. We make sure you get the VDE-certified product, not a knock-off.Click the “Get Quote” button now. Tell us your quantity and your destination port. We will send you a competitive price within 24 hours. Don’t let a bad cable stop your production line. Upgrade to LAPP today.[REQUEST A QUOTE NOW]