On construction sites, instrument cables are fine as long as nothing goes wrong, but when something does, it’s a major problem.
They might be deformed from being buried underground, or their signals might start jumping erratically when a large motor is running nearby. The worst headaches are when they’re chewed through by rats or corroded by chemicals. In these situations, the loss from an hour’s downtime could be enough to buy a whole year’s worth of cables.
If you’re struggling with these issues, or looking for a reliable Chinese manufacturer to order a batch of armored instrument cables, take two minutes to look at us.
Who are we?
We are a source cable manufacturer from China. We don’t play games; we don’t rely on low prices and low quality to win orders. In the cable industry, we deeply understand: instrument cables are the “nerves” of a system. If the nerves break or transmit incorrect signals, even the most expensive equipment is useless.
We have consistently served demanding industries such as petrochemicals, power plants, metallurgy, and wastewater treatment. We understand your operating conditions and your challenges.
Why do customers choose to cooperate with us?
- No middlemen, no hidden costs: We are the factory, and specifications, lengths, and sheath materials can all be customized to your requirements.
- We don’t compromise on quality: Every spool of cable undergoes electrical performance testing before leaving the factory, and all reports are complete. We know that reputation is far more valuable than the cost of materials.
- Fast quotes, stable delivery: Just provide your specifications, and we can give you a fair price on the same day.
Since you’ve already read this far, why not add us on social media or send us your technical requirements?
Even if this transaction doesn’t go through, it’s still good to have a knowledgeable friend.
What are armored instrument cables?
Armored instrument cables are ordinary instrument cables with an added metal protective layer (armor layer).
This armor is usually steel tape or steel wire. Its purpose is not for conductivity, but rather to:
1. Protect against mechanical damage (resistance to compression, tension, and impact)
2. Protect against rodents (rats cannot gnaw through the steel tape)
3. Protect against termites (for direct burial)
Common standards include:
Chinese Standards: GB/T 9330, GB/T 17650, etc.
American Standards: UL 2250, ICEA S-73-532
British Standards: BS 5308
The structure of armored instrument cables
From the inside out, typically consists of the following parts:
1. Conductor: Multi-strand finely stranded tin-plated or bare copper wire (commonly 0.5-1.5mm²)
2. Insulation: Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or low-smoke halogen-free materials
3. Paired stranding + shielding/total shielding: Each pair of cores is individually stranded and shielded with aluminum-plastic composite tape, plus a total shielding layer (copper wire braid or aluminum tape)
4. Inner sheath: PVC or LSZH material
5. Armor layer: Steel tape armor (double steel tape wrapping) or steel wire armor (suitable for applications requiring high tensile strength)
6. Outer sheath: PVC, LSZH, or special oil-resistant and weather-resistant materials
| Classification | Specific parameters | illustrate |
|---|---|---|
| Conductor specifications | 0.5mm²/0.75mm²/1.0mm²/1.5mm²/2.5mm²; 16AWG/14AWG (American standard) | The thicker the wire, the greater the current carrying capacity and the longer the signal transmission distance. |
| Core Count Configuration | 2-core/4-core/6-core/8-core/12-core/16-core/24-core; in pairs/in groups (e.g., 3 cores per group) | Select the number of cores as needed; it is recommended to reserve 1-2 spare cores. |
| Insulating material | PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) / XLPE (XLPE) / FEP (Fluoroplastics) | PVC is low in cost; XLPE has good high-temperature resistance; FEP is suitable for highly corrosive environments. |
| Shielding type | Copper wire braided shielding / aluminum foil wrapped shielding / copper tape wrapped shielding; sub-shielding + overall shielding | In environments with strong electromagnetic interference, it is recommended to choose a structure with separate shielding and overall shielding. |
| armor structure | Steel belt armor (22) / Steel wire armor (32/42) / Stainless steel armor | Steel belt armor focuses on compressive strength; steel wire armor focuses on tensile strength; stainless steel armor has good corrosion resistance. |
| Outer sheath material | PVC/PE (Polyethylene)/LSZH (Low Smoke Halogen-Free) | PVC is selected for general applications; LSZH is selected for low-smoke, halogen-free applications; PE is selected for underground installations. |
| Rated voltage | 300/500V/450/750V/0.6/1kV | Instrument signal transmission commonly uses 300/500V, while control circuits commonly use 450/750V. |
| Operating temperature | -40℃~70℃(PVC); -40℃~90℃(XLPE); -60℃~200℃(FEP) | The appropriate cable should be selected based on the ambient temperature. |
| Certification Standards | GB/T 9330 (Chinese National Standard) / BS 5308 (British Standard) / UL 2250 (American Standard) / IEC 60227 (International Standard) | Export projects must meet the certification standards of the target region; explosion-proof scenarios require additional IA intrinsic safety certification. |
Typical parameters of BS 5308 Armored Cable
| Core count/log | Conductor cross-section (mm²) | Insulation thickness (mm) | Inner sheath thickness (mm) | Armor thickness (mm) | Outer sheath thickness (mm) | Approximate outer diameter (mm) | Approximate weight (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 pairs | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 11.1 | 255 |
| 4 pairs | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 11.6 | 305 |
| 6 pairs | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 13.2 | 360 |
| 10 pairs | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 16.0 | 510 |
| 20 pairs | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.25 | 1.6 | 19.9 | 960 |
| 40 pairs | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 25.3 | 1440 |
Different Armor Types and Differences
SWA (Steel Wire Armor): The stiffest and strongest steel wire armor, suitable for vertical shafts or long-distance underground burial.
STA (Steel Tape Armor): Relatively soft and flexible steel tape armor, suitable for cable tray installation, rodent and pressure protection.
AWA (Aluminum Wire Armor): Good corrosion resistance (rust-free), suitable for non-magnetic environments.
Common Armored Instrument Cable Models
| standard | Common models | structure | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese National Standard (GB) | KYJVP22 | Cross-linked + copper mesh + double steel belt + PVC | High cost performance, widely used in China |
| Chinese National Standard (GB) | KYJVP32 | Cross-linked + copper mesh + fine steel wire + PVC | Tensile strength ratio 22 |
| British Standard/European Standard (BS/IEC) | SWA / STA | XLPE + shielding + steel tape/wire + PVC | Globally applicable , the preferred choice for petrochemical industries |
| British Standard/European Standard (BS/IEC) | BS 5467 | Single Core Armored | Single-core armored wire, specifically designed for grounding. |
| Japanese and Korean standards (JIS/KS) | CVV-SWA | PEX+PVC+steel strip | The insulation is PEX (peroxide), which is softer. |
| US Standard (UL/NEC) | TC-ER | XLPE + Shielding + Steel Wire + PE | Oil-resistant and sun-resistant Tray cable |
| US Standard (UL/NEC) | PLTC | PVC + shielding + steel wire + PVC | Power limited, no ER required |
Selection Guide: Common Purchasing Mistakes
Choose armor type based on environment: Steel tape armor is suitable for underground and conduit installations, focusing on pressure protection; steel wire armor is mostly used for vertical installations or scenarios with tensile requirements, offering stronger tensile strength; for environments with strong electromagnetic interference, copper wire braided armor is a better choice for superior shielding.
Confirm core wire specifications and material: Select the appropriate number of cores and wire diameter based on the type of transmitted signal (analog/digital). For weak signals, multi-strand stranded core wires are recommended to reduce signal loss. For special high-temperature environments, silver-plated core wires can be selected to improve high-temperature resistance and conductivity.
Pay attention to the outer sheath material: PVC outer sheaths are suitable for general factory areas due to their moderate cost. For high-temperature and corrosive environments, fluoroplastic (F46) outer sheaths are preferred due to their excellent temperature and corrosion resistance.
Verify certification standards: Prioritize products that have passed ISO9001 quality management system certification and comply with GB/T standards. For explosion-proof applications, armored instrument cables with explosion-proof certification must be selected to ensure safe use.