Access Control Cable RVV 5x1.0mm² PVC Stranded Copper Flexible

Cable Designation & Meaning

Construction: Light PVC sheathed flexible cord, round profile (5-core)

Note: RVV 5×1.0 is a light PVC sheathed flexible cord per GB/T 5023.5 / IEC 60227-5. Conductor is Class 5 fine-stranded flexible copper. 5-core configuration is commonly used for control circuits, instrumentation, and low-to-medium current multi-conductor applications requiring 5 separate conductors. 5-core RVV is normally round profile. This is the second smallest standard gauge in the RVV 300/500 V 5-core series, stepping up from 0.75 mm².

RVV 5×1.0 mm² — Cable Specification & Engineering Data 

1. Product Overview & Rating Summary. RVV 5×1.0 is a five-core flexible PVC-insulated PVC-sheathed cord rated at 300/500 V AC (50 Hz) and 70 °C conductor temperature, built around five equal 1.0 mm² annealed copper Class 5 flexible conductors — each PVC-insulated and collectively jacketed in a second PVC oversheath. Manufactured and type-tested to GB/T 5023.5 (60227 IEC 53) / IEC 60227-5, with flexible conductors per GB/T 3956. Finished diameter is about 11.3 mm and nominal mass about 135 kg/km (≈ 13.5 kg per 100 m), supplied on 100 m reels or cartons. With all five cores energised, the cord carries about 10 A in free air at 25 °C (engineering estimate) — a mid-size multi-core flexible cord for low-power appliance leads, multi-circuit control wiring and small power circuits where five conductors are routed in one sheath, bridging the gap between pure signal wiring and heavier power feeds.

2. Layer-by-Layer Construction (Conductor to Jacket).

3. Electrical Characteristics. Each 1.0 mm² conductor is held to a maximum DC resistance of 19.5 Ω/km at 20 °C, rising to around 24.7 Ω/km at the 70 °C operating point. Every length survives the routine 2.0 kV AC power-frequency proof held for five minutes. Finished-cable insulation resistance remains above 0.011 MΩ·km at 70 °C, and typical figures include per-core capacitance ≈ 120 nF/km and 50 Hz AC impedance ≈ 19.5 Ω/km (R-dominant, reactance negligible at this small cross-section). With all five cores energised, reference loading is about 10 A in free air at 25 °C, and the loop voltage drop at 10 A is about 0.39 V per metre.

Electrical Parameters

Reference values: RVV 5×1.0 — typical current carrying capacity 6–10 A per core depending on bundling, ambient temperature, and reference standard. For 3-phase+N+PE at 400 V, max balanced load ≈ 6.9 kW (10 A per phase). Voltage drop at 10 A is ~17.4 V/km per core (~4.4% per 100 m at 400 V line-to-line, so limit run length to ~45 m for 10 A per phase).

Temperature Characteristics

• Max. conductor operating temp.: 70 °C
• Max. short-circuit temp. (≤5 s): 160 °C
• Emergency overload temp.: 85 °C
• Min. installation ambient temp.: −15 °C (PVC flexible, cold-bend limited)
• Service ambient range: −15 °C to +70 °C (PVC sheath)
• Flame retardant: general PVC (not ZR rated unless specified)

4. Thermal Response & Flame Behaviour. PVC insulation sustains a 70 °C continuous conductor temperature. The cord is rated for service ambients between −15 and +70 °C, must not be uncoiled below 0 °C without pre-conditioning, and uses 25 °C as the reference ambient for ampacity. Flame behaviour meets the single-cable vertical test GB/T 18380.12 (IEC 60332-1), meaning the cord self-extinguishes when the flame source is removed. Because both insulation and sheath are halogenated PVC, the cord emits smoke and hydrogen chloride in a fire; low-smoke zero-halogen projects must specify an LSZH variant.

Fire Performance (RVV)

For low-smoke halogen-free → use RVVZ variants (LSZH sheathed) or H05Z-K

For flame-retardant → specify ZR-RVV (less common)

For higher temp → use silicone rubber or XLPE insulated flex

For heavier duty → use YCW, YZW, or H07RN-F (rubber sheathed, 450/750 V)

5. Installation Practice & Handling. Bends must not fall below 6 times the actual outer diameter — about 68 mm for this size. Termination requires stripping 10–12 mm and always using a ferrule on the flexible Class 5 strands to prevent wire fraying. Reels held below 0 °C in storage must be warmed indoors before uncoiling; pulling tension should stay within 75 N, and the cord must never be used as a pulling rope. The 10 A reference requires derating whenever ambient temperature or bundling deviates from reference conditions. This cord is not for direct burial, outdoor UV exposure or continuous repetitive flexing — for those duties choose an armoured cable, a UV-stabilised jacket or a continuous-flex (trunking) cable respectively.

Mechanical & Installation Parameters

• Minimum bending radius: ≥ 6 × OD (flexible cord) → ≈ 47 mm at Ø7.8 mm
• Max. pulling tension: light, avoid pulling; use strain relief gland
• Direct burial: NOT suitable (light sheath, no armour)
• Conduit ID: ≥ 1.5 × OD → ≥ 12 mm; use 16 mm or 20 mm conduit
• Fixing: cable clips, cable ties; not for tray (light cord)
• Flexing: suitable for light flexing, not continuous flexing (use drag-chain cable for continuous flex)
• Elevation: no limit

6. Typical Service Applications. This five-core 1.0 mm² cord is the mid-size multi-conductor lead for low-power appliance and lighting circuits where five conductors are needed in one sheath: air conditioner indoor-unit interconnects up to about 2 kW, small heater and fan appliance leads, LED panel and strip lighting power + control wiring, door access-control and electric-lock circuits, intercom and video-doorbell power + signal bundles, small pump and solenoid valve control circuits, vending machine and kiosk internal wiring, audio and AV equipment power + signal leads, distribution sub-panel multi-circuit wiring, workshop bench and test-equipment supply cords, small ventilation and exhaust fan leads, security camera power + data bundles, and light-duty industrial control cabinet internal wiring. Approved installation methods include fixed wiring inside appliances, cable trunking and indoor ducting in dry locations, both indoors and in covered sheltered spaces.

7. Testing & Quality Assurance Regime. Routine tests on every length include conductor DC resistance verification (≤ 19.5 Ω/km) at 20 °C, the 2.0 kV AC / 5 min withstand, insulation resistance ≥ 0.011 MΩ·km at 70 °C, conductor continuity across all five cores, and dimensional inspection covering insulation ≥ 0.60 mm, sheath ≥ 1.00 mm and overall diameter ≈ 11.3 mm. Sample and type tests comprise PVC insulation and sheath tensile strength (≥ 10 MPa) with elongation (≥ 100 % insulation / ≥ 125 % sheath), PVC heat deformation at 80 °C, PVC shrinkage at 150 °C, the single-cable vertical flame test, bending and cold-bend tests at −15 °C, and the voltage test after flexing. A factory test certificate accompanies each reel.

Cable Parameters

Cable Test Parameters

Cable Cross Section Structure

Cable Construction Description 

8. Standards & Conformity. Design and production are governed by GB/T 5023.5 and IEC 60227-5 for 300/500 V flexible cords (60227 IEC 53). Conductors satisfy GB/T 3956 / IEC 60228 Class 5 — the 1.0 mm² conductor as 32 wires of 0.20 mm (R ≤ 19.5 Ω/km). Flame behaviour is proven by GB/T 18380.12. General test methods follow GB 5023.1 / GB 5023.3, while surface marking complies with GB/T 6995. Cables can also be supplied to IEC, BS, DIN, UL or VDE requirements on request. Because the PVC jacket contains halogen, tunnels, metro systems, hospitals and other confined public areas call for an LSZH variant.

9. Packaging, Storage & Logistics. Standard delivery is 100 m per reel or carton, with bespoke cut lengths available on request. Each reel carries type, voltage, supplier identity, production year and sequential metre marking per GB/T 6995. Storage should be in dry, covered premises at −15 to +40 °C, shielded from direct sunlight, moisture, oils and sharp objects; reels remain sealed until installation. In cold conditions, condition reels indoors to ≥ 0 °C before uncoiling. During transit, reels must be secured against rolling and impact, and the cord must never be dragged across abrasive ground or sharp edges.

10. Procurement Specification. State "RVV 300/500 V 5×1.0" together with the required length or reel arrangement, insulation colour combination and marking preferences. Specify the sheath colour (black is standard) and the five-core colour-coding (black, red, blue, yellow, yellow-green as standard). Always request the factory test certificate to confirm the actual diameter (≈ 11.3 mm), weight (≈ 135 kg/km) and conductor resistance (≤ 19.5 Ω/km) for the production batch. Where low-smoke zero-halogen or continuous-flex construction is needed, order the LSZH or H05VV5-F variant respectively.

11. Cable Industry FAQ.

• Q1: When should I choose 1.0 mm² instead of 0.75 mm²? Choose 1.0 mm² when the circuit carries up to about 10 A (vs 6 A for 0.75), when voltage drop over longer runs matters, or when the circuit supplies small loads like heaters, pumps or locks rather than pure milliamps signals. 1.0 mm² also offers a slight mechanical margin in abrasive installations.
• Q2: Can this cord power a small 230 V appliance directly? Yes — 10 A at 230 V supports about 2.3 kW, covering most small kitchen appliances, fans, heaters up to 2 kW and LED lighting loads. Always protect the circuit with a suitably rated MCB and confirm the appliance plug and socket rating.
• Q3: Why use five cores when many appliances only need live, neutral and earth? Five cores allow two extra independent circuits in one sheath — e.g. live + neutral + earth for power, plus two cores for switch, sensor or control wiring — reducing conduit fill and separate cable runs.
• Q4: What does Class 5 flexible conductor mean at 1.0 mm²? Class 5 (GB/T 3956) uses 32 thin wires of 0.20 mm rather than a single solid 1.13 mm wire. This gives the cord its flexibility and bend endurance — essential for appliance leads and control wiring that may be flexed during installation.
• Q5: Why is 1.0 mm² rated at about 10 A while power cables carry far more? Cross-section directly determines current-carrying capacity. 1.0 mm² is still a light-duty flexible cord cross-section; 1.5 mm² already carries about 14 A and 2.5 mm² about 24 A. Oversizing unnecessarily increases cost, diameter and copper weight.
• Q6: Can RVV be used outdoors? Not in its standard form: the PVC jacket is not UV-stabilised and will degrade under prolonged sunlight. For outdoor use specify a UV-stabilised jacket or an armoured cable. For burial, use a steel-tape armoured power cable.
• Q7: What is the difference between flexible (Class 5) and solid (Class 1) conductors? Solid Class 1 conductors (single wire) are cheap and rigid, suitable for fixed wall wiring. Flexible Class 5 conductors (many fine wires) bend easily and resist fatigue from repeated movement — essential for appliance leads, patch cords and control cabinet wiring.
• Q8: Why can PVC only run at 70 °C while XLPE runs at 90 °C? PVC is a thermoplastic that softens and deforms at elevated temperature; XLPE is cross-linked into a thermoset network that retains its shape up to 90 °C. This is why RVV (PVC) is limited to 70 °C and YJV (XLPE) to 90 °C.
• Q9: Why does finished diameter vary between manufacturers for the same nominal size? Standards set minimum insulation and sheath thicknesses plus electrical performance, but not a precise overall diameter. Stranding compaction, filler design and sheath tolerance differ between plants — published 5×1.0 figures cluster around 11.3 mm — so the actual measured diameter must be used when sizing glands and clips.
• Q10: Which tests confirm acceptability on delivery and before energisation? At delivery, verify the factory test certificate (conductor resistance ≤ 19.5 Ω/km, 2.0 kV/5 min withstand, dimensions ≈ 11.3 mm), jacket legibility and reel integrity. After installation, complete an insulation-resistance test plus a 2.0 kV AC / 5 min withstand, then confirm all five conductors identified correctly before energising.
• Q11: What service life can be expected? When installed and operated within the stated temperature and voltage limits, PVC flexible cords are designed for a service life of around 10–15 years in dry indoor conditions; sustained overload, repeated flexing beyond the 6 × OD minimum radius, ultraviolet exposure, or operation above 70 °C will materially shorten that life.