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Super Detailed!Marine cables – The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Introduction of Marine Cables

Marine cable is a kind of wire and cable used in all kinds of ships, offshore buildings for power, lighting, control, communication transmission. The biggest difference with the land cable is that most of the marine cable using armored structure wire preparation.

Usually marine cables are divided into rated voltage 0.6/1KV cross-linked polyethylene insulated low-voltage halogen-free flame retardant (or fire-resistant) marine power and control cables, as well as rated voltage 150/250V cross-linked polyethylene insulated low-voltage halogen-free flame retardant (or fire-resistant) marine communication cables and so on. The long-term allowable working temperature of general cables is +90℃.

Industrial standards:

iec60092-350, iec60092-353.

iec60092-351, iec60092-359.

iec60228, iec60332-3-22.

iec60331-21, iec60754-1.

IEC60754-2, IEC61034-2.

How does Marine Power Cable compare to Regular Electrical Wire?

A marine power cable has a high operating voltage range when you compare to a regular electrical wire.

The design for marine power cable helps it to adjust to harsh environmental conditions such as salty conditions, high and low temperatures.

Marine power cables usually have more strands of wire than a regular electrical wire for the same gauge size.

Marine power cables are usually flexible due to the vibratory nature of their applications.

What are Marine Power Cables used for?

The function of the marine power cable is to light, power, and control electrical systems within a ship.

This ensures proper functioning of the ship.

What is the Best Insulation Material for Marine Power Cables?

The best insulation material for marine power cables include:

Cross-linked polyethene (XLPE) consists of different linked polyethene. This prevents melting of the polymer as an insulation material. XLPE is ideal for use in marine applications.
Ethylene Propylene (EPR) is a flexible insulation material when you compare to PE and XLPE. However, it has a high dielectric loss when you compare to the two. Its operating temperature is between 90C and 100C.

Are there Specific Conductor Material for Marine Power Cables?


Yes. the conductor material for marine power cable can either be one of the following:

1.Copper
The properties of copper that make it the best conductor for marine power cable include it being relatively cheaper than silver.

It also has high malleability and good conductivity.

It is however costly when you compare to fiber and also subject to corrosion.

2.Fiber
Fiber is an effective option to both aluminum and copper since it does not react with the environment as it has a high conductivity rate.

Fiber material is thin and flexible giving your marine power cable the flexibility during installation.

The limitation to the use of this material is that it is relatively expensive and also with time, the fiber particle disintegrates.

This becomes an environmental and health hazard.

What are the Characteristics of Marine Power Cables?


The following are the characteristics of marine power cables

Flame retardant is a feature that helps reduce the risks of marine power cables catching fire which possess fire risks to the entire vessels.
Fire-resistant. The materials for marine power cables should be inflammable to protect the cables from burning. They should also have a high melting point to accommodate the operating temperature.
Low smoke ensures that in case of a fire outbreak, the cables do not emit much smoke which can be dangerous to the environment.
Halogen-free ensures that marine power cables do not react with the harsh environment that they operate in. such include corrosion. Halogen-free material does not contain elements under a halogen group such as chlorine, fluorine, and iodine.


How do you Choose Marine Power Cables?


You need to consider the following factors when choosing marine power cables.

Amperage which should be able to power up the given equipment. You need to pick the correct size of the marine power cable for it to handle the current passing through it
The marine cables you pick should be able to adapt to the working temperature range and not cause any fault.


Voltage drop is the amount of voltage that your marine cable losses during impedance. A longer cable implies a high voltage drop. For this factor, you need to choose a cable that has a large diameter and minimal resistance.


Where can you Use Marine Power Cable?

You can use marine power cables in marine vessels such as ships, bulk carriers, tankers, cruise ships.

What is the Voltage Rating for Marine Power Cable?


The voltage rating for marine power cable ranges from between 300 V to 500 V depending on the type of marine power cable you are using.

Why are Marine Power Cables Flame Retardant?


Marine power cables are fire retardant so that they can reduce the risk of catching or propagating fire.

This helps to reduce the risks of vessels catching fire.

Which Materials are Used in the Outer Sheath of Marine Power Cable?

The best materials for the outer sheath of the marine power cable are thermosetting compounds.

They include:

1.Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) which offers tough, chemical, weather, and moisture-free material.
2.Polychloroprene (PCP) offers flame and heat resistance as well as oil and weather-resistant material. It is also an abrasion-resistant material.
3.Chloro-sulphurated Polyethylene (CSP) is a super resistance to heat moisture, chemical, and oxidation. It also consists of dielectric properties. However, this material contains halogens.
4.Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) is an ideal material for flexible outer sheath marine cables.


What is the Color Coding for Marine Power Cable?


Color coding for marine power cables includes; black or yellow, light blue, dark blue, green, gray, orange, pink, purple, red, yellow, brown and yellow, yellow and red.

What is Marine Power Cable Cross-section?


Marine power cable cross-section is the exposed area of a marine power cable after cutting straight through it.

How do you Specify Marine Power Cable?

When buying marine power cables, you need to specify the following

1.Manufacturer’s recommendation. Ask your manufacturer on which is the best marine power cable to purchase.
2.An appropriate marine power cable should be able to handle the voltage requirement for your application.
3.Check on the cable strands, the cable size, the glands and termination to ensure they fit your application.
4.A correct marine power cable should be fire retardant, heat, and temperature resistant.
5.Check on the amperage to ensure that you have the correct one for your application.


What is Marine Power Cables Certifications?


Marine power cables certifications that marine power cables receive after undergoing various tests to ensure they are safe for you.

Marine type approval certificates include ABS, CCS, BV, DNV-GL, LR, NK, RINA, KR, IRS, CRS, etc.

The more the number of certifications a marine power cable has, the safer it is for use.

How does High Voltage Marine Power Cable compare to Low Voltage Marine Power Cable?


High Voltage marine power cables are any marine power cables that can handle voltage above 3.6/6kV.

Low voltage marine power cables are cables that can handle a voltage of less than 3.6/6kV.

The outer sheath of high voltage &low voltage marine power cables consists of halogen-free material such as SHF1 & SHF2.

How to Select a Professional Marine Cable Manufacturer In China

Marine Cable, also called ship cable or shipboard cable, is a special cable that used on shipboard for power, lighting, control system and telecommunication. It requires high quality and conformity to the maritime standards. There are lots of marine cable factories in China. But how to select a professional & reliable marine cable manufacturer to cooperate with? Here are some tips.

  1. Type Approval Certificates
    First, we have to check what type-approval certificates the marine cable factory has obtained. Like ABS, BV, CCS, DNV GL, LR, NK, KR, RINA, RS, BKI.The more, the better.
  2. Ask for marine cable catalog
    Second, ask the supplier to send a marine cable catalog to choose the cable type and check specification according to your shipbuilding project. Because China marine cable types are different from the cable types of overseas brands like TMC, JS, Helkama, Draka, Untel, etc.
  3. Ask for a sample before ordering
    Third, before order China marine cable, it is better to ask the manufacturer to send marine cable samples to check the quality if it is really flame retardant, zero halogens, and low smoke or fire resistant cable.
  4. Visit factory if possible
    Last, but not least, pay a visit to the marine shipboard cable manufacturer to see how they work. And talk more in details about warranty, payment terms, production, and delivery.

Welcome to TSTCABLES Cable


If you are looking for a professional marine cable manufacturer, you are in the right place. TSTCABLES is a leading manufacturer of marine cable, ship cable, shipboard cable and offshore cables in China.

For over 20 years, TSTCABLES Cable has specialized in supplying marine cables that meet the ABS, LR, CCS, DNV-GL, RS, BV, RINA, KR and NK classification societies.

So far, TSTCABLES Cable has been a global supplier of the world’s shipbuilding industry, we provide a wide range of marine cables, including electrical cable, VFD cable, EMC cable, control cable, telephone cable and marine wire.

All cables are able to achieve and maintain high performance in harsh conditions of heat, cold, humidity, oil, vibration and salt corrosion, etc. In order to safeguard the safety and health of the crew working on shipboard, TSTCABLES Cable has also developed marine cables with flame retardant, low smoke, zero halogens (LSZH) and fire resistant capabilities.

TSTCABLES marine power cable includes MV cable, MPRX, MPRXCX, LKM-HF, LKSM-HF, MGCG & MGCH cable, M2XH, M2XCH cable, TPYC cable and 657TQ / 658TQ SW4 cable.

All marine power cable types are approved by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Bureau Veritas (BV), China Classification Society (CCS), Lloyd’s Register (LR), Det Norske Veritas & Germanischer Lloyd (DNV GL), Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NK), Registro Italiano Navale (RINA).

TSTCABLES marine cable can achieve and maintain high performance in harsh conditions of heat, cold, humidity and vibration.

To guarantee the safety of mariners working on ship boards, we are also able to supply you with low smoke cable, halogen free cable, lshf cable, oil resistant cable, type P cable, IEC 60332 flame retardant cable and IEC 60331 fire resistant cable.

TSTCABLES sales team persists in dealing with your projects professionally and improving our service to satisfy your requirement.

Where to buy marine power cable at a competitive price, we will be your reliable marine electrical cable supplier from China.

We stock more than 100,000m marine electrical cable at different sizes and can arrange delivery by sea, by air or by railway for your urgent demand.

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