RVVP 3x2.5mm² Shielded Control Cable, 300/500V Flexible Copper Cable for Industrial Automation

RVVP 3x2.5mm² Shielded Control Cable, 300/500V Flexible Copper Cable for Industrial Automation 

Cable Designation & Meaning

Construction: Three 2.5 mm² fine-stranded copper conductors, PVC insulation on each core, laid up together, tinned copper braid shield (≥80% coverage) over the laid-up cores, PVC outer sheath.

Applicable Standards

• GB/T 5023.5-2008 / IEC 60227-5 — Polyvinyl chloride insulated cables — Flexible cables (cords)
• GB/T 3956-2008 / IEC 60228 — Conductors of insulated cables (Class 5 flexible)
• GB/T 18380.3 / IEC 60332-3 — Flame retardant (Category A/B/C as specified)
• GB/T 5023.2-2008 / IEC 60227-2 — Test methods

RVVP 3×2.5 mm² — Flexible Shielded Power+Control Cable — Specification 

1. Overview & Ratings

RVVP 3×2.5 is a 3-core shielded power+control cable rated 300/500 V. It uses pure annealed bare copper (not tinned) for both the conductor and braid, maximizing conductivity. The three 2.5 mm² cores are laid up in a triangular formation and handle 3-phase motor feeds, medium power distribution, and larger solenoid valves. The braid suppresses EMI/RFI from nearby VFDs and servo drives. OD ≈ 12.0 mm, ≈ 140 kg/km (est.), ≈ 16–22 A. Max conductor temperature 70 °C, -15 to +70 °C. Intended for dry indoor power and control circuits; for damp or outdoor duty, specify tinned copper variant.

2. Construction Stack (Inner → Outer, expanded)

3. Electrical Characteristics

DC resistance ≤ 7.98 Ω/km at 20 °C per GB/T 3956 Class 5 pure copper — roughly 59% lower than 1.0 mm², making it suitable for 3-phase motor feeds and medium power circuits. Rated voltage 300/500 V. Estimated ampacity ≈ 16–22 A in free air at 30 °C. Insulation resistance ≥ 20 MΩ·km. Routine AC withstand test at 2000 V for 5 minutes. Typical capacitance ≈ 180 pF/m at 1 kHz. The pure copper braid provides ≈ 60–70 dB shielding at 30–1000 MHz. Voltage drop ≈ 0.80 V per 100 m at 10 A — suitable for 3-phase motor runs up to 50 m.

Insulation & Sheath Data

Electrical Parameters

Reference values: RVVP 3×2.5 at 16 A per core, 24 V DC → max load ≈ 384 W​ per core (low-power device supply). At 230 V AC → max load ≈ 3,680 VA​ per core (light power use).

4. Thermal & Flame Behaviour

Operating range -15 to +70 °C continuous. Short-circuit withstand up to 160 °C for ≤ 5 seconds. PVC insulation and jacket are flame-retardant per IEC 60332-1. The cable is halogen-containing (PVC), emitting HCl gas on burning — avoid in enclosed switchrooms. For public or enclosed spaces, specify LSZH alternatives. The 1.1 mm Type ST jacket is oil- and abrasion-resistant for machine and panel wiring. Note: bare pure copper oxidizes in humid environments — install in dry indoor or conduit-protected locations. UV resistance is limited.

Temperature Characteristics

Fire Performance (RVVP — PVC, Non-Low-Smoke)

5. Installation Practice & Handling

Minimum bending radius ≥ 6×OD ≈ 72 mm for fixed installation; 12×OD ≈ 144 mm for drag-chain applications. The 12.0 mm OD and 140 kg/km make the cable robust for power and control runs. When terminating, connect the braid shield to earth at one end (or both ends per system design) using a shield gland or drain wire. Use ferrules on the 50-strand conductors. Route the cable away from high-power motor cables by at least 300 mm. After installation, verify insulation resistance, shield continuity and 3-phase polarity before energizing.

6. Typical Service Applications

3-phase motor power feeds from control panel to motor, medium power distribution to auxiliary equipment, larger solenoid valve and actuator power, 3-wire power circuits over longer runs, and interconnection between control panels and field instruments. The 2.5 mm² cross-section carries enough current for small-to-medium motor circuits while the braid shield suppresses EMI from nearby VFDs and servo drives. Particularly suitable for packaging machines, textile machinery, and production lines where motor power and control signals share the same cable. Not for: mains AC power distribution, high-speed fieldbus, direct burial, or outdoor UV-exposed runs.

7. Testing & Quality Assurance Regime

Routine tests (100% production): DC resistance, AC voltage withstand (2000 V/5 min), insulation resistance, conductor construction, wall thickness, dimensional check, print legibility, mass per length, visual appearance, and packing. Type tests (per batch / material change): shield coverage, heat aging (100 °C/7 days), cold bend (-15 °C), jacket tensile, flame retardancy, and shielding effectiveness. Every coil ships with mill test certificate, ROHS and REACH declarations. The 300/500 V rating uses a 2000 V withstand test.

Cable Parameters

Cable Test Parameters

Cable Cross Section Structure

Construction Description

8. Factory Advantages

Pure annealed copper conductor at 50×0.25 mm stranding delivers maximum conductivity with Class 5 flexibility. Low DC resistance (7.98 Ω/km) supports 3-phase motor feeds and medium power circuits. 0.8 mm insulation and 1.1 mm jacket provide robust dielectric and mechanical protection. Pure copper braid at ≈ 85% coverage provides low transfer impedance. 3-core triangular lay-up combines 3-phase power in one shielded cable. Colour-coded cores prevent wiring errors. 100% routine electrical QA on every reel. Cut-to-length on coils with sealed ends. Full traceability with MTC and certification support for industrial machinery tenders.

9. Packaging, Storage & Logistics

Cut to customer-specified length on export-grade coils, with both ends heat-sealed to prevent moisture ingress. Coils wrapped in waterproof film and corrugated cardboard, labelled with product type, core count, cross-section, length, weight, production date and reel number. Standard lengths 100/200/500/1000 m. Store dry indoor, -10 to +40 °C, below 75% RH, away from direct sunlight and chemical solvents. FOB Shanghai/Nanjing/Qingdao; CIF and DAP available. Sample lead time 5–7 days; bulk production 15–25 days.

10. Procurement Specification

State cable designation "RVVP 3×2.5 pure copper", required length per coil, and core colour preference (e.g. brown/black/grey for 3-phase). Request the routine AC withstand test record (2000 V) and shield coverage certificate for the specific batch. Note that this is a pure copper (bare) power+control variant for dry indoor use — for damp or outdoor applications, specify the tinned copper variant. Specify any regional certification requirements (UL 2464, CE, etc.) at order time. Payment: 30% T/T deposit, balance against B/L copy. Documents: MTC, ROHS/REACH, COO, commercial invoice, packing list.

11. Cable Industry FAQ

Q1: Why choose 2.5 mm² over 1.0 mm²? Lower DC resistance (7.98 vs 19.5 Ω/km), higher ampacity (16–22 A vs 6–8 A), and enough current for 3-phase motor feeds and medium power circuits.

Q2: Can it power small 3-phase motors? Yes — the 2.5 mm² core can carry 16–22 A, enough for small-to-medium 3-phase motors (up to ~5 HP) and larger solenoid valves.

Q3: How long can the motor run be? At 24 V DC and 10 A load, voltage drop is ≈ 0.80 V per 100 m — suitable for motor runs up to 50 m with acceptable voltage loss.

Q4: What is the voltage rating? 300/500 V, suitable for low-voltage power and control circuits.

Q5: Why pure copper instead of tinned? Bare pure copper has higher conductivity than tinned copper, ideal for power circuits where every ohm matters.

Q6: Is it suitable for outdoor use? No — limited UV resistance and bare copper oxidize in humidity. Use indoors or in UV-protected conduits.

Q7: How do you ground the shield? Connect braid to earth at one end (or both ends per system design) using a shield gland or drain wire.

Q8: What is the bending radius? ≥ 6×OD ≈ 72 mm for fixed; 12× for moving applications.

Q9: What is the temperature range? -15 to +70 °C continuous.

Q10: What proof ships? Routine AC test record (2000 V) + shield coverage certificate + MTC.

Q11: When should I step up to 3×4.0? For larger motors, longer runs (50+ m), or higher current loads (25+ A), step up to RVVP 3×4.0 mm².