Electrical cables are the primary method of transmitting electricity to our homes and industries, they…
Water Resistant Cables: Types and Classification
Electrical cables are used in various applications or installations, particularly in adverse conditions where water is present, hence the need for water resistant electrical cables. AD protection (against water) is a measure as to what extent a water-resistant electrical cable can be exposed to moisture and remain safe and functional, according to UNE 20460-3:1996 standard.
CLASSIFICATION OF WATER RESISTANT CABLES ACCORDING TO WATER PROTECTION
AD1 PROTECTION: THE PROBABILITY OF PRESENCE IN WATER IS NEGLIGIBLE
Suitable for a location in which the walls do not generally show traces of water, but can appear in small periods, for example, in the form of steam and which dries quickly thanks to good ventilation.
AD2 PROTECTION: POSSIBILITY OF VERTICAL DROPS OF WATER FALLING
Can be used in instances where water vapour occasionally condenses in the form of water drops or when vapour may occasionally be present.
PROTECTION AD3: POSSIBILITY OF WATER DROPLETS FALLING AT AN ANGLE OF MORE THAN 60º TO THE VERTICAL
Location in which water vapour appears as a continuous film on the walls and/or floors.
Top Cable has the following cables with AD3 protection:
AD4 PROTECTION: possibility of water jets in all directions.
Used in locations where the equipment may be subject to water projections; applies, for example, to certain luminaires or cabinets installed outdoors.
AD5 PROTECTION: POSSIBILITY OF WATER JETS IN ANY DIRECTION
For settings where hoses are regularly used in the presence of water (patios, car washes).
Top Cable has the following following cables with AD5 protection:
AD6 PROTECTION: AGAINST WATER RESISTANT IN ELECTRIC CABLES. POSSIBILITY OF WATER WAVES
Designed for use at the edge of the water, including beaches, docks and rivers.
Top Cable has the following cables with AD6 protection:
AD7 PROTECTION AGAINST WATER RESISTANT IN ELECTRIC CABLES: POSSIBILITY OF INTERMITTENT, PARTIAL OR TOTAL FLOODING BY WATER
To be used in locations susceptible to flooding and/or where the water can reach a maximum of 150 mm above the highest point of the equipment, the lowest part of the equipment can be more than one metre below the surface of the water.
Top Cable has the following cables with the AD7 protection:
– TOXFREE ZH Xtrem H07ZZ-F (AS)
AD8 PROTECTION AGAINST WATER RESISTANT IN ELECTRIC CABLES: POSSIBILITY OF PERMANENT AND TOTAL WATER FLOODING
Locations such as swimming pools, where the electrical equipment is completely covered with water and permanently subjected to a pressure of more than 1 bar.
IMMERSION WATER-RESISTANT CABLES
Top Cable has the following cables with the AD8 protection:
If you need additional or specific information about any other cable, you can contact our sales representatives.
GET SUPPORT FINDING THE RIGHT WATER RESISTANT CABLE FOR YOUR PROJECT
Not sure which water resistant cable you need? At Top Cable, our experts can guide you from confusion to connection. With decades of industry experience and a full range of high-performance cables, we’ll help you choose the perfect solution for your project-saving you time, money, and unnecessary headaches.
From the first question to the final connection, we’re here to make sure you get it right the first time.
WATER RESISTANT CABLE FAQS
What is a water resistant cable?
Water-resistant cables are specifically designed to be used in scenarios where water is present, posing a potential threat to functionality and safety. Water-resistant electrical cables facilitate the normal function of systems in these conditions, with their level of water resistance measured by the AD protection scale.
Is a water-resistant electrical cable fully waterproof?
Waterproof and water-resistant are two separate terms, often mistaken for one another. Waterproof by definition is used to describe when something definitively and categorically keeps water out, whilst water-resistance can still be prone to letting water permeate.
In the case of water-resistant cables, please refer to the AD scale for water-resistance, which enables you to determine what level of water-resistance in a cable you require, based on the installation scenario.
Can water-resistant cables be used outdoors?
The likelihood of the presence of water in the outdoors means that water-resistant cables are often deployed in outdoor environments, as they are able to resist moisture at varying levels, to ensure that systems can remain functional and safe.
Are water-resistant cables safe for indoor use?
The insulation used in water-resistant electrical cables enables them to be safely used in indoor environments, similar to other variants of cable. Through insulating the cable and protecting the user, water-resistant cables prevent electricity from escaping and causing harm.
