CABLE INDUSTRY
Superior performance and stable properties over time with electrically conductive PRE-ELEC® plastics
Global Trends
Underground cable infrastructure helps transform energy systems into more climate-resilient by minimizing storm damage.
In warm climates like Australia and California, insulating the overhead line cables can diminish the risk of ground and forest fires.
Various green energy solutions will require a significant amount of cabling.
Longevity and safety
With voltage levels of (typically) over 6 kV, a cable with a semiconductor and insulation screen has a longer service life as the screen protects the insulation from premature breaks caused by high electrical stresses. Premix’s plastic compounds are produced by adding carbon black to the selected plastic formulations.
Carbon black has established its position as the most widely used electrically conductive filler. Carbon black offers a superior price-performance ratio and stable properties over time.
Solutions offered by the PRE-ELEC® portfolio
In medium voltage cables, a semiconductive screen around the conductor and insulation is a must. Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE) is a commonly used thermoplastic in medium voltage cables, but it can be replaced with Premix's Polypropylene (PP) -based PRE-ELEC® compounds.
Benefits of using polypropylene — The PP-based components are conveniently recyclable. Producing them creates lower CO2 emissions (up to -40%). The energy-intensive crosslinking stage can be skipped in production. Cables made with PP offer a higher service temperature.
Cables with voltages of over 6 kV need to have a conductor (and insulation) screen made of semiconductive plastic. Without this semiconductive layer, excessively high electrical stresses may be directed at the insulation, and premature breaks can occur.
Overhead line cables
Underground cables