1. What is a Conductor?

A conductor is an insulated or uninsulated wire—or a bundle of wires—made from one or more strands, designed to transmit electrical energy.

2. What Materials Are Used in Conductors?

The choice of conductor material depends on the cable’s application and voltage level:

• Low-voltage indoor cables: Copper

• Low- and medium-voltage power cables: Copper or aluminum

• High-voltage underground and submarine cables: Copper or aluminum

• High-voltage overhead lines: Steel-core aluminum conductors

How Conductors Are Produced

The manufacturing of high-quality conductors relies on advanced machinery. For instance, Extruder Production Lines play a vital role in applying insulation and sheathing to conductors, ensuring consistent quality and performance.

3. Types of Conductors

Copper conductors used in power cables are typically manufactured according to IEC 60228. Conductors are classified into four categories based on flexibility and structure:

Class 1: Solid Conductors

Made from a single round wire, either bare or metal-coated, typically used in cross-sections from 0.5 mm² to 16 mm².
Common applications: Cables such as H05V-U, H07V-U, and related types.

Class 2: Stranded Conductors

Composed of multiple strands, available in circular or sectoral forms. Cross-sections range widely up to 1200 mm².
The production of these conductors often involves specialized machinery such as Stranding/Bunching Machines to achieve the desired stranding configuration efficiently.

Class 5: Flexible Conductors

Designed for applications requiring frequent bending or movement.
Cables such as H07RN-F and H05RR-F fall under this category.

Class 6: Highly Flexible Conductors

Offer even greater flexibility than Class 5.
Cables such as H01N2-D and H01N2-E are common examples.