Industrial Equipment Cable RVV 5x2.5mm² PVC Stranded Copper Flexible

Cable Designation & Meaning

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

Note: RVV 5×2.5 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 3-phase+N+PE distribution, control circuits, and medium-to-high current multi-conductor applications. 5-core RVV is normally round profile. This is the heaviest standard gauge in the RVV 300/500 V 5-core series and is extremely common for portable 3-phase equipment, small machines, and industrial control panels.

RVV 5×2.5 mm² — Cable Specification & Engineering Data

1. Product Overview & Rating Summary. RVV 5×2.5 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 2.5 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 17.7 mm and nominal mass about 280 kg/km (≈ 28 kg per 100 m), supplied on 100 m reels or cartons. With all five cores energised, the cord carries about 24 A in free air at 25 °C (engineering estimate) — the heaviest-duty flexible cord in the RVV 300/50 V range, intended for sub-main power, larger appliance leads and industrial multi-circuit distribution where five conductors are routed in one sheath.

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

3. Electrical Characteristics. Each 2.5 mm² conductor is held to a maximum DC resistance of 7.41 Ω/km at 20 °C, rising to around 9.38 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 0.010 MΩ·km at 70 °C, and typical figures include per-core capacitance ≈ 150 nF/km and 50 Hz AC impedance ≈ 7.41 Ω/km (R-dominant, reactance negligible at this small cross-section). With all five cores energised, reference loading is about 24 A in free air at 25 °C, and the loop voltage drop at 24 A is about 0.36 V per metre.

Electrical Parameters

Reference values: RVV 5×2.5 — typical current carrying capacity 16–25 A per core depending on bundling, ambient temperature, and reference standard. For 3-phase+N+PE at 400 V, max balanced load ≈ 13.9 kW (20 A per phase). Voltage drop at 20 A is ~9.6 V/km per core (~2.4% per 100 m at 400 V line-to-line, so limit run length to ~80 m for 20 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 106 mm for this size. Termination requires stripping 15–18 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 188 N, and the cord must never be used as a pulling rope. The 24 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) → ≈ 66 mm at Ø11.0 mm
• Max. pulling tension: light, avoid pulling; use strain relief gland
• Direct burial: NOT suitable (light sheath, no armour)
• Conduit ID: ≥ 1.5 × OD → ≥ 17 mm; use 25 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 2.5 mm² cord is the heavy-duty multi-conductor lead for sub-main power and larger appliance circuits: electric cooker and oven supply leads up to about 5.5 kW, electric shower and instantaneous heater circuits, small three-phase motor interconnects up to about 4 kW, distribution board sub-mains and multi-circuit busbar drops, workshop and garage power drops feeding multiple 16 A sockets, air-conditioner outdoor-unit interconnects up to about 5 kW, commercial kitchen appliance leads (dishwasher, extraction hood), small welder and battery-charger supply cords, industrial control panel main incoming feeds, agricultural irrigation pump and greenhouse control leads, EV charger auxiliary power and control wiring, stage and exhibition temporary power distribution up to 25 A, and light commercial multi-conductor power feeds. 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 (≤ 7.41 Ω/km) at 20 °C, the 2.0 kV AC / 5 min withstand, insulation resistance ≥ 0.010 MΩ·km at 70 °C, conductor continuity across all five cores, and dimensional inspection covering insulation ≥ 0.80 mm, sheath ≥ 1.50 mm and overall diameter ≈ 17.7 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 2.5 mm² conductor as 50 wires of 0.25 mm (R ≤ 7.41 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 5×2.5" 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 (≈ 17.7 mm), weight (≈ 280 kg/km) and conductor resistance (≤ 7.41 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 2.5 mm² instead of 1.5 mm²? Choose 2.5 mm² when the circuit carries up to about 24 A (vs 14 A for 1.5), when powering cookers, showers or larger motors, or when voltage drop over 30–50 m runs would be marginal on 1.5 mm². It is the standard cross-section for 20 A circuits and sub-mains in many installations.
• Q2: Can this cord power a 5 kW electric cooker? Yes — 24 A at 230 V supports about 5.5 kW, covering most domestic cookers, ovens and instantaneous heaters up to 5 kW. Always protect with a 25 A MCB and confirm the appliance's full-load current plus inrush.
• 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, control or sensor wiring — reducing conduit fill and separate cable runs for cooker, hood and oven combinations.
• Q4: What does Class 5 flexible conductor mean at 2.5 mm²? Class 5 (GB/T 3956) uses 50 thin wires of 0.25 mm rather than a single solid 1.78 mm wire. This gives the cord its flexibility and bend endurance despite the substantial cross-section — essential for appliance leads that may be flexed during installation or servicing.
• Q5: Why is 2.5 mm² rated at about 24 A while power cables carry far more? Cross-section directly determines current-carrying capacity. 2.5 mm² is the upper limit of the RVV 300/50 V flexible cord range; 4.0 mm² already carries about 32 A and 6.0 mm² about 41 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 5×2.5 figures cluster around 17.7 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 ≤ 7.41 Ω/km, 2.0 kV/5 min withstand, dimensions ≈ 17.7 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.