{"id":4169,"date":"2019-01-09T08:37:18","date_gmt":"2019-01-09T08:37:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/?p=4169"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:51:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:51:01","slug":"process-cable-isolation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/process-cable-isolation\/","title":{"rendered":"Medium voltage cable insulation process"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cable insulation consists of placing a sheath over the conductor to prevent current leakage. In the case of the insulation of a Medium Voltage cable, a type of thermosetting insulation is normally chosen. More specifically, among Top Cable&#8217;s range of cables, XLPE <a href=\"https:\/\/es.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Polietileno_reticulado\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cross-linked_polyethylene\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cross-linked Polyethylene<\/a>) and EPR <a href=\"https:\/\/es.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Caucho_etileno-propileno-dieno\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ethylene_propylene_rubber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ethylene Propylene Propylene<\/a>) predominate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-18377 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/bobinas-mt.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"979\" height=\"567\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-18377 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/bobinas-mt.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/bobinas-mt.jpg 979w, https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/bobinas-mt-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/bobinas-mt-768x445.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 979px) 100vw, 979px\" \/><\/noscript><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 ez-toc-wrap-left-text counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a6b63a0215e7\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">INDEX<\/span>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #444444;color:#444444\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #444444;color:#444444\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a6b63a0215e7\" checked \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/process-cable-isolation\/#cable-insulation-into-seven-steps\" >CABLE INSULATION INTO SEVEN STEPS<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/process-cable-isolation\/#1-input-power-supply\" >1. Input power supply<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/process-cable-isolation\/#2-conductor-accumulation\" >2. Conductor accumulation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/process-cable-isolation\/#3-polymer-feeding-triple-extrusion-thickness-control\" >3. Polymer feeding + triple extrusion + thickness control<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/process-cable-isolation\/#4-cross-linking\" >4. Cross-linking<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/process-cable-isolation\/#5-cooling-and-6-return-of-the-cable\" >5. Cooling and 6. Return of the cable<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/process-cable-isolation\/#7-collection-and-testing\" >7. Collection and testing<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"cable-insulation-into-seven-steps\"><\/span>CABLE INSULATION INTO SEVEN STEPS<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/medium-voltage-cables\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Top Cable&#8217;s range of Medium Voltage<\/a> cables is manufactured to the highest international standards, and the cable insulation process is divided into seven steps: in-feed, polymer feed, triple extrusion, thickness control, cross-linking, cooling and collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-input-power-supply\"><\/span>1. Input power supply <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The driver input coils supply the line uninterruptedly, by means of an input accumulator, ensuring continuous, non-stop operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-conductor-accumulation\"><\/span>2. Conductor accumulation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Allows incoming splices to be made without stopping the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-3914 lazyload\" alt=\"TOP_CABLE_FASES_CABLE_MT_3\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Fotos-MT-Maquinas_15.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-3914 lazyload\" alt=\"TOP_CABLE_FASES_CABLE_MT_3\" src=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Fotos-MT-Maquinas_15.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Fotos-MT-Maquinas_15.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Fotos-MT-Maquinas_15-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Fotos-MT-Maquinas_15-624x468.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/noscript><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-polymer-feeding-triple-extrusion-thickness-control\"><\/span>3. Polymer feeding + triple extrusion + thickness control<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The feeding of the polymers is carried out entirely through a clean and closed circuit (clean room), ensuring the purity of the materials from the supply packaging to the hopper of the machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Extrusion is done through a triple-layer die, allowing perfect contact between the semiconductors, insulation and the total absence of foreign elements between them. Compared to single and double extrusion systems, triple extrusion eliminates the possibility of moisture\/dust particles entering any of the three layers, allowing Top Cable to produce quality cables that guarantee high tolerance and meet all related specifications and tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The thicknesses of each extruded layer are continuously monitored by an X-ray measuring head, ensuring both standardised thicknesses and perfect concentricity of the layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-cross-linking\"><\/span>4. Cross-linking<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cross-linking of cable insulation and semiconductors is carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere, in order to eliminate the risk of water absorption, through nine independent temperature zones which allow the cross-linking process to be perfectly adjusted to the characteristics of each material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-18207 lazyload\" alt=\"Cable insulation\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/top-cable-024.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-18207 lazyload\" alt=\"Cable insulation\" src=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/top-cable-024.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/top-cable-024.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/top-cable-024-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/top-cable-024-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/top-cable-024-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/noscript><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-cooling-and-6-return-of-the-cable\"><\/span>5. Cooling and 6. Return of the cable<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final part of the catenary tube is dedicated to the controlled cooling of the already cross-linked cable, ensuring its optimum temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7-collection-and-testing\"><\/span>7. Collection and testing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The insulated cable is collected on double winders with an automatic distributor, by means of an auxiliary pull track, which ensures perfect winding, loop by loop and free of excessive tensions. The cable is then subjected to exhaustive laboratory tests to verify its subsequent operation at full performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-18195 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/cate-1024x425.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"425\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-18195 lazyload\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/cate-1024x425.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/cate-1024x425.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/cate-300x125.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/cate-768x319.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/cate.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once these seven steps have been completed, the cable insulation process can be considered to be complete. Top Cable&#8217;s X-VOLT\u00ae range, approved by the main companies in the sector, adapts to the medium voltage requirements of industry, power generation and distribution companies, and infrastructures in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you would like more information about our range of medium voltage cables, you can consult all the cables available <a href=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/medium-voltage-cables\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/contact\/\/\">contact<\/a> our sales team to resolve any queries you may have.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The cable insulation consists of placing a sheath over the conductor to prevent current leakage. In the case of the insulation of a Medium Voltage cable, a type of thermosetting insulation is normally chosen. More specifically, among Top Cable&#8217;s range of cables, XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene) and EPR (Ethylene Propylene Propylene) predominate. CABLE INSULATION INTO SEVEN [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":18222,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[588],"tags":[889],"class_list":["post-4169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-cable-en","tag-medium-voltage"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4169"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4169\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33799,"href":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4169\/revisions\/33799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.topcable.com\/blog-electric-cable\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}