Power cables are used to transmit and distribute high-power electrical energy within the main lines of power systems. Control cables transmit electrical energy directly from the power distribution points of the power system to the power connections of various electrical equipment. Power cables generally have rated voltages ranging from 1 kV to 330 kV and above, while control cables are primarily rated at 450/750 V. When manufacturing power and control cables of the same specifications, the insulation and sheath thickness of power cables are thicker than those of control cables. Control cables are cables for electrical equipment and, along with power cables, are two of the five major cable categories.
1. The standard for control cables is 9330, while the standard for power cables is GB12706.
2. The insulation core of control cables is generally black with white lettering. Low-voltage power cables are generally color-coded: 2-core cables...red and light blue; 3-core cables...red, yellow, and green; 4-core cables...red, yellow, green, and light blue. Red, yellow, and green represent the main conductors, while light blue represents the neutral conductor. In terms of cable core count, power cables generally have a maximum of 5 cores, depending on grid requirements. Control cables, used for transmitting control signals, have more cores, with some having 61 cores, but can also be manufactured to meet user requirements.
3. The cross-section of control cables generally does not exceed 10 square meters. Power cables, primarily used for power transmission, generally have larger cross-sections.
4. Power cables can generally be larger, up to 500 square meters (the range of conventional manufacturers). Larger cross-sections are generally produced by relatively few manufacturers. Control cables generally have smaller cross-sections, generally not exceeding 10 square meters.
