KGN cable: technical characteristics, scope of application, connection

Manufacturers of cable products produce many certified products, which are mainly classified according to their intended purpose.

Thus, the KGN power cable has a narrow specification and is mainly used for switching mobile electrical installations. For example, transformers and generators that move on special self-propelled rollers or rails. KGN, in fact, is a modification of the conventional flexible cable KG, constructed from copper conductors. The main difference between KGN and CG is its own scope of application.

Initially, this wire was produced specifically for river and sea vessels, as well as warships. Instead of the polyvinyl chloride sheath usual for many cable products, rubber insulation is used here. This allows you to increase the cable’s resistance to high moisture, salt content, oils, chemicals and other aggressive substances. The main disadvantage of KGN is considered to be increased vulnerability to ultraviolet sunlight. With prolonged exposure, rubber becomes harder, loses flexibility and soon begins to decompose.

Explanation of abbreviation, cable marking

The absence of the letter “A” in the name means that the product has copper conductors. Consequently, the power “K” - cable is “G” - flexible and is equipped with an “N” - zero core. Another interpretation of “N” is a shell made of nairite rubber. Rubber insulation does not propagate fire.

KGN cable with three power and grounding conductors of different colors

The marking includes digital values ​​from 2 to 5, which indicate the number of current-carrying copper stranded conductors indicating the value of their cross-section. For example, KGN 3x6 means the presence of three insulated conductors with a cross-sectional area of ​​6 mm² each.

The main cable sizes are presented in the table:

There are more than 70 manufactured standard sizes of KGN with a range of power core cross-sections from 1 mm² - min, to 120 mm² - max .

Explanation and design characteristics

The marking of any cable product is based on the materials of manufacture, conditions of use and technical and operational characteristics. In the case of KGN, when decrypting, we get the following result:

• K – power cable;
• G – flexible;
• N – nairite rubber (external insulation).

Nairite rubber is familiar to many under another name - vulcanized rubber. Vulcanization uses zinc and magnesium oxides, and the main advantage of the product is its high resistance to many reagents, including solvents, petroleum products, acids, vegetable or mineral oils. Additional advantages of nairite rubber are increased strength and resistance to mechanical abrasion. Even when heated to 95 degrees. Celsius outer shell retains its positive qualities and does not support combustion.

When marking a cable, after the KGN there may be a hyphen and a few more letters that indicate the climatic version. The KGN-T wire is successfully used in tropical conditions, since it can cope with the effects of mold fungi. The KGN-HL cable can be used at critically low temperatures. The presence of the ls prefix means low release of harmful toxic substances when heated.

In addition to letter markings, digital markings are used. The first number indicates the number of cores in the cable, the second is separated from the first using the multiplication sign and indicates the cross-section of the individual conductors. For example, if you see the marking KGN-T 2×3, you can decipher it as a flexible power cable with nairite insulation, two cores of 3 sq. mm each, designed for use in the tropics.

Each core in a KGN cable is made from many small wires. Typically, tinned tin or its mixture with lead are used for their manufacture. The tin content in such mixtures should be from 40%. The complex composite design of the KGN involves the use of several components:

1. Stranded core with a flexibility class of at least five. In cross-section it has a round cross-section.
2. The cores are insulated with nairite or butadiene rubber.
3. A layer of polyethylene terephthalate is placed between the tin (copper) and the shell. This is necessary to prevent sticking between these materials.
4. The outer shell is made of polychloroprene rubber RSHN-1.
5. An additional film of polyethylene terephthalate or talc, which prevents sticking of other rubber compounds (core insulation and outer shell).

All of the listed intermediate layers are a characteristic feature of KGN, which distinguishes it from other types of wires. On the other hand, this leads to an increase in the cost of the cable due to the presence of specific parameters. The KGN can be used in industrial, administrative and residential facilities, provided that the sun's rays do not fall on it. On the other hand, there are no aggressive environments in residential and administrative buildings, so the use of this modification is impractical. Instead of KGN, it is better to take the same KG.

The twisting pitch of the cores in the KGN should not exceed 16 of its own diameters. Often the design includes one or two conductors of reduced cross-section, used as neutral and grounding conductors. In this case, the marking includes additional designations, and the number of reduced cores and their cross-section are indicated through the addition sign. For example, KGN-T 2×3 + 2×1 consists of two cores with a cross-section of 3 square meters. mm and two 1 sq. mm.

The maximum permissible number of cores for KGN is five (regardless of the diameter), the minimum is one. The cross-sectional area of ​​individual conductors ranges from 0.75 to 120 square meters. mm.

Purpose, scope of application

The cable and wire products in question are designed to provide electrical energy to moving consumers (machines and mechanisms) from AC networks of 660 V, frequency up to 400 Hz, or DC - up to 1000 V. Resistance of the insulating coating to moisture, lubricants and various aggressive substances , allow the product to be used in mines, basements, objects with high humidity, ships, as well as in agriculture. Wires with a small cross-section can be used to connect household and household electrical appliances.

KGN is ideal for connecting both domestic and industrial facilities

KGN can be used for electrical wiring, but it should be taken into account that it does not allow sharp bending angles ( min radius should not be lower than 8 diameters) . Outdoor installation is allowed: the permissible temperature range ranges from -30°C to +50°C. Additional ease of use is created by different colors of the conductors. The grounding conductor is always yellow with green gaps, the neutral conductor is blue. If there is no “0”, blue is considered a power color.

Explanation of the name

Everything is standard here:

• K - the product belongs to the cable class;
• G - “naked”, that is, without armor, also this letter in the index means flexibility;
• N - nairit. The insulation material used is nairite rubber or, in more modern versions of the cable, butadiene (butadiene-nitrile) rubber. In both cases, the cable markings are the same.

It is important to know:

Nitrile butadiene rubbers, like nairite rubber, are intended primarily to impart oil and gasoline resistance to insulation (as well as resistance to many other aggressive environments), which makes them invaluable in the production of a wide variety of technological products - from wire insulation to technical gaskets , seals and sleeves. At the same time, nairite rubber is inferior in oil resistance to butadiene rubber, but has a number of other useful qualities, for example, resistance to acids and alkalis and combustion resistance.

Device, cable design elements

The product consists of the following main and auxiliary components that ensure its functionality:

• current-carrying conductor, multi-wire, copper, round;
• each conductor has its own rubber insulation;
• separation film (PET-E) winding;
• general insulating sealed shell made of hose rubber (oil resistant), which prevents the spread of combustion.

The wires inside the sheath have a twist. The twist pitch is no more than 16 outer diameters of the cable. The electrical resistance of flexible wire cores corresponds to classes 4 and 5 according to GOST 22483.

Colors of cores for cables of brands KG, KG-HL, KG-T, KGN, KPG, KPGS, KPGSN

Cable performance parameters

The cable has high technical characteristics that ensure its reliable operation in various conditions:

• the insulation resistance of the cores and the general protective sheath per 1 km of length at a temperature of 20°C is 50 MHz;
• applied test voltage AC 2.5 kW at 50 Hz, for 5 minutes;
• permissible tensile force per 1 mm² of core cross-section – 19.6 N/mm²;
• operation is allowed at temperatures -30-+50°C;
• construction length of products with a cross-section of current-carrying conductors up to 35 mm² - 150 m; and at 50 mm² and above – 125 m (can be reduced at the request of the customer);
• storage and transportation of cable and wire products is carried out on wooden drums, and in some cases - in coils (no more than 30 kg);
• guaranteed operational period – 6 months from the date of installation;
• working life – at least 4 years.
• cable fire hazard class – 01.7.2.4.

Storage and transportation of KGN cable should be carried out on wooden drums

Technical characteristics of the cable and description of the KGN

We list the main technical and operational parameters of a flexible cable with nairite rubber insulation:

• the ability to connect to an AC or DC network;
• maximum permissible frequency (AC) – 400 Hz;
• maximum permissible AC voltage – 660, DC – 1000 V;
• operating temperature range for UHL (standard version) – from -30 to +50 degrees. Celsius, tropical version – from -10 to +55;
• The maximum permissible heating temperature of the conductors is +75 degrees. Celsius;
• The minimum permissible gasket temperature is minus 15 degrees. Celsius (if it is lower, the product will have to be heated);
• the maximum permissible bending radius is eight outer diameters;
• moderate fire resistance;
• does not support combustion when installed alone;
• construction length - directly depends on the cross-sectional area (the smaller this parameter, the longer the cable).

For the construction length, let's give an example: if you take a wire with a cross-section of 35 square meters. mm, then its length should be no less than 150 m, 155 sq. mm – 100 m.

The disadvantage of the cable is its short service life, and the warranty service is six months from the date of commissioning. The actual service life is two and a half years.

Important! The Western analogue of the KGN cable is NSSHOU.

Manufacturers of cable and wire products KGN

The most well-known manufacturers of the cable in question in Russia are the following companies:

1. LLC "GK "Sevkabel", St. Petersburg, tel. (812) 329-00-80. Several production workshops that make up the plant are equipped with the latest technological equipment, allowing production orders to be completed in the shortest possible time.
2. JSC "Sibkabel", Tomsk, tel. +7 (3822) 70-08-00. The enterprise is one of the leading manufacturers of cable and wire products in the country. The main production consists of 5 workshops, in which about 20,000 different brands of products are manufactured.
3. JSC “Electrocable “Kalchuginsky plant”, Vladimir region, Kolchugino, tel.. The enterprise was founded in 1871 and to this day is a powerful competitive production. Thanks to the availability of large areas for storing finished products, the company is able to provide the most popular brands of cables to its customers at any time.
4. Kamsky Kabel LLC, Perm, tel. +7(342)274-74-72. The entire range of manufactured products is of high quality, thanks to a modern testing facility that provides comprehensive testing of its products. Products comply not only with Russian standards, but also with national standards of partner countries.
5. LLC "Rybinskkakbel", Rybinsk, tel. +7 (4855) 29-77-77. The company produces more than 35,000 standard sizes and brands of copper and aluminum cables and wires. All products comply with GOST and have a quality guarantee. Clients are provided with flexible payment terms and deadlines for order fulfillment.

Each of the listed enterprises has a reputation as a reliable partner and quality supplier.

Selection of cable by number of cores and cross-section

In 380 V and 660 V networks, three-core cables are in demand, as well as those with grounding or auxiliary conductors, which can be involved in controlling electrical equipment. The cross-sections of the conductors used are calculated based on the current strength and the applied load - the power of the consumer or several consumers powered through them.

Correct calculation of the cross-section of the cable cores is the key to its successful operation

For ease of calculation, the necessary indicators are summarized in the table:

When using conductors with a smaller cross-section than required for certain power ratings, they can become hot, which can cause insulation damage and failure..

Core markings

Multi-wire conductors of KGN type cables can be color or digitally marked. If digital is present, then the insulation of all cores will be the same color, but the following markings will be applied to it:

• 0 - ground;
• 1..5 - neutral and phase conductors.

If the marking is traditional color, then, accordingly:

• EARTH - yellow-green color;
• ZERO - blue;
• PHASE - black, brown, blue.

Red, white, gray, as well as green and yellow, if they are separately, are not used in KGN wires manufactured in accordance with general rules and GOSTs. Thus, their presence is a sure way to identify a fake, or, in any case, it indicates the fact that the cable was produced by a little-known company according to its own specifications. To trust him or not is a personal matter for everyone.

But it is worth noting that the color marking of single- and double-core cables is not regulated in any way. They can be any color.

Features of cable installation

The structure of the cable, its double insulation, general tightness, and flexibility allow it to be used openly without being placed in cable ducts. When placed on a wall or ceiling, to avoid sagging, frequent fixation with hangers or garters is recommended.

Considering the moisture resistance of the shell, use in objects with high humidity is allowed, as well as temporary placement of the product on the floor, ground or soil of the mine. In this case, it is necessary to take measures to prevent squeezing or excessive bending of the conductor, which can lead to a violation of the sheath or conductivity.

Telpher connected through a CPG using a cable collection device

Connecting electrical appliances must be accompanied by careful crimping of the cable to prevent it from being pulled out, especially when switching moving mechanisms. If possible and under appropriate conditions, cable collection devices should be used.

Taking into account the relatively short working life of the product, its use in hidden wiring (plasterboard partitions, under suspended ceilings, plastic, plywood and other decorative structures) is not recommended. Compared to PPV and PRKA wires, which have a service life of more than 10 years, and in practice - all 20, GKN has a 4-year service life.

Practical advice: No matter how reliable the cable insulation is, in rooms with high humidity, protection devices must be used - automatic switches and RCDs.

Insulation and sheath thicknesses for KOG-1 cables, mm

Cable selection (step-by-step instructions)

When purchasing cable and wire products, as well as after transportation or before installation, it is necessary to check for wire breaks or insulation damage. This can be done using a homemade “dialer”, which is assembled from the simplest elements: batteries, a low-power light bulb and a thin wire.

A simple do-it-yourself device for checking the integrity of cable cores

1. The light bulb is soldered to the “+” of the battery
2. A wire is soldered to the base of the light bulb, the same wire is mounted to the negative contact of the battery
3. When the wires are shorted at both ends of one of the cable cores (for example, blue), the light should light up. This indicates that the conductor is intact
4. In the same way, the absence of insulation violation between the cores is checked, only when one wire comes into contact with the selected core, the second wire touches all ends of the cable in turn. When the light comes on, it indicates a short circuit.

Practical advice: The same actions can be performed with a multimeter tester, setting the switch to the “diode test” position. If the circuit is shorted, a buzzer will sound.