Wires and cables are divided into single-core and multi-core types. Some users who are unfamiliar with the concept may wonder, "What's the difference between 3+2-core and 4+1-core cables, even though they both appear to have 5 cores?" Below, we'll explain the meaning and differences between 3+2 and 4+1-core wires and cables.
1. The Difference Between Wires and Cables
A wire consists of one or more flexible conductors covered in a soft sheath;
A cable consists of one or more insulated conductors covered in a tough outer layer of metal or rubber.
2. The 3+2 and 4+1 markings on wires indicate the number of cores in a cable. A cable may contain two, three, three+2, four+1, or five insulated conductors, respectively called 2-core, 3+2, 4+1, or five-core wires.
3. Below is an example of a YJV power cable.
YJV 3+2 Core
The 3 in a 3+2 cable refers to the three phase conductors (L1, L2, and L3, which have the largest diameters) with the same diameter. The 2 refers to the neutral and PE conductors. One conductor is used for the neutral conductor (N, which has a smaller diameter than L1, L2, and L3), and one conductor is used for the ground conductor (PE, which has a smaller diameter than L1, L2, and L3).
4. YJV 4+1 Core
The 4 in a 4+1 cable refers to the three phase conductors and the neutral conductor with the same diameter. The 1 refers to the PE, which has a single diameter. A 4+1 cable consists of four conductors: one for the live conductor (L1), one for the neutral conductor (N), and one for the ground conductor (PE).
