Choosing a high-quality cable VVGng-LS | Which manufacturer is better

FAQ

Question No. 1. How to choose a power wire?

The cable is selected based on the conditions where it will be used.

• for domestic use, a connecting wire is often used, its main advantage is flexibility;
• to connect electrical equipment that is in constant operation, use KG (flexible cable);
• For tension between the supports, a self-supporting insulated wire is used.

Question No. 2. How to select the cross-section of the core in the cable?

For this selection, the power of absolutely all electrical appliances in the house is calculated. After this, all consumed sources are calculated. The total amount received is multiplied by 0.8 (80% of all devices that can be turned on at the same time). Based on the result obtained, the cross-section of the core is selected according to Table 4.

Table 4. Characteristics of electrical wires

Question No. 3. What do the abbreviations in the markings mean: NG, LS, HF?

• NG – non-flammable shell;
• LS – low-smoke circuit, there is a filled space between the cores;
• HF – no energetic oxidizers.

Question No. 4. Do I need to buy certified wires?

Definitely yes. Such products are more reliable, durable and safe.

Sokol-Electro ENGKEH-1-1.97/220-49.2

​Photo: https://market.yandex.ru The model can withstand temperatures up to 180 °C. The fully sealed sheath and explosion-proof design guarantee stable operation of the cable in any conditions. When purchasing, the future owner has the opportunity to choose the voltage - 220 or 380 volts. The minimum bending radius is 20 mm, the standard length of low temperature copper leads is 1000 mm. The stranded core is made of nichrome and braided with fiberglass. Installation does not require special skills or tools.

Heating cable SOKOL-ELECTRO

Advantages:

Flaws:

Kinds

Even if a person carries out surface installation or minor repairs, the first thing he needs to check is the condition of the electrical wiring so that everything is good in all places. To do this you need:

• Check the strength and quality of the connection in the junction box. This is the first thing that is important to pay attention to.
• The second is to tighten all the sockets, since if a lot of time has passed, then the likelihood of them becoming loose is high; it is also important to check the fastening of the screws so that they ensure a tight fit.
• Visually inspect the condition of the electrical element for the presence or possibility of a short circuit. If such a problem is discovered, it must be quickly resolved.

Recently, people have begun to consume three times more electrical energy. Progress does not stand still and now almost every home has a couple of televisions, a refrigerator, a separate freezer, a computer, an electric oven, etc. In addition, in winter, the consumption rate increases even more, as oil radiators are turned on.

Problems with conductive products are common and often cause fires. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to it and try to make timely replacement. When buying a wire, it is important to look at its quality; it should at least visually appear durable and reliable. If you buy good elements once, you can forget about replacing them for more than 40 years.

However, there is one caveat: if a person does not have sufficient knowledge and experience, it is not recommended to begin installation work on their own. It is better to take the time and find a suitable electrician who has extensive experience and experience, and can also advise on a number of important issues. Next, you can start looking for a good option, and there are a number of nuances that are important to consider when purchasing:

• As soon as you notice that the first letter “A” is on the product, this means only one thing: the conductive part is made of aluminum. If the letter is different, the manufacturer indicates what material the surface of the electrical product is made of. So there are several options: “B”, “P”, “P” and “K”, each indicating a specific material. The first three letters are vinyl, polyethylene (PE), rubber. The symbol “K” means the wire is a control wire.
• The second sign in the marking indicates to the buyer that the conductive part is insulated. The designation is written in exactly the same letters as in the previous version, so it’s easy to remember.
• Separate symbols are often used to designate a structure. There are two letters - “ШВ”, which indicate that the wire is completely insulated and protected from external influences. In contrast, the sign "E" means the cable is shielded. In addition, models with the letters “G” and “P” are sold. The first indicates flexibility, and the second indicates the flatness of the product.
• In addition to the markings described above, stores sell products with other designations. For example, you can often find o, which indicates that the cable is made of non-flammable material, so when it burns it will only melt, which reduces the risk of fire spreading. In contrast, the symbols “LS” mean that in the event of a fire, no toxic smoke will be released and the product will not melt.
• In addition, there are various numbers on the cables that indicate the number of cores and their cross-section. At some points it is necessary to pay special attention to this. This is how models are sold that are marked 3x2.5, which indicates: the wire is three-core, and the cross-section of each individual element is 2.5 mm2.

The purpose of a product is indicated by its color. All manufacturers try to follow certain standards to make it easier to navigate during installation. When a wire has a brown, white or red tint, this means only one thing: the cable is a phase. Two colors are used to indicate grounding: green and yellow-green. Zero represents the color blue.

Remembering so many symbols may be difficult for the average user, but it is not necessary to carefully learn them. Such knowledge will be useful only to a novice electrician; for him it makes sense. An ordinary user just needs to write down the necessary options and go shopping to find the right one. In addition, if a person doubts his decision, he can consult with a specialist in the store, who will show more acceptable options.

BEST FOREIGN CABLE MANUFACTURERS

Foreign manufacturers from near and far abroad are introducing the most advanced developments and technologies. Their products can be described as highly reliable, high quality and durable, but the cost is not always suitable for the Russian consumer.

TITANEX

Flexible cables for industrial use of this brand are in demand all over the world. The brand belongs to NEXANS, but the factory facilities are scattered throughout Europe. This giant entered the Russian market more than a decade ago. TITANEX electrical wires are designed for operation in extreme conditions.

pros

• impeccable quality;
• durability;
• own research institutes;
• use of advanced technologies.

Minuses

• none.

ARISTONCAVI

The company is based in Italy and since its founding in 1958 it has grown from 1,600 m2 to 35,000 m2. In addition to production sites, the plant has warehouses and produces rubber-sheathed cables. Today the brand is a recognized leader in the production of highly specialized products for the oil sector, aviation industry and healthcare. Despite the success achieved, the company continues to invest in re-equipment and development of new varieties of cables.

pros

• acceptable prices;
• uniqueness of manufactured goods;
• availability of own developments;
• advanced technologies.

Minuses

• none.

LAPP KABEL

Originally a German company founded in 1957, today it has many branches abroad. Its founder, Oskar Lapp, became the inventor of a technology for mass production of flexible cables called OLFLEX. In 2005, the brand entered the Russian market and offers a huge selection of high-strength wires for various industries, including underwater, heat-resistant cables and products for lifting mechanisms.

pros

• impeccable quality;
• wide range of products;
• unique technologies;
• flexibility and strength.

Minuses

• high cost.

HELUKABEL

The brand, which emerged in 1978, is today a leader among European manufacturers and has factories not only in the European Union, but also in many other countries. The products meet international requirements. All of the company's factories, from Sweden and Holland to India and China, have strict quality control. Cables of this brand are popular among Russian buyers.

pros

• acceptable prices;
• quality control combined with laboratory testing;
• availability of goods for all areas of use;
• many branches around the world.

Minuses

• underdevelopment of the dealer network in the Russian Federation.

NEXANS (Nexans Russia)

This is one of the oldest manufacturers in France, which appeared in the 19th century and over time turned into a transnational corporation. It ranks second in the world in terms of production volumes. In 2008, the concern began supplying cables for household and industrial use to the domestic market, simultaneously opening a branch in the Yaroslavl region and investing about €45 million in factory capacity. In addition to cables for “home” wiring and power lines, the brand offers cutting-edge fireproof products for industrial facilities with increased requirements for fire resistance and fire safety.

pros

• affordable prices due to partial localization of production;
• wide range of models;
• the presence of cables that can withstand extreme operating conditions;
• quality, durability, reliability.

Minuses

• high cost of imported products.

YUZHKABEL

The company was founded in the Ukrainian SSR in 1943 and today has become one of the largest cable manufacturers in the former CCCP. PJSC "YUZHKABEL" supplies products to 20 countries using its own delivery service. The Ukrainian plant produces products for nuclear power plants, the oil production industry, the national economic complex, etc. The catalog contains over 25,000 standard sizes that meet the requirements of ISO-9001.

pros

• excellent quality;
• wide selection of product items;
• affordable price.

Minuses

• there is a risk of stumbling upon a fake.

Comparative characteristics

To decide on a model, you need to carefully study the comparative characteristics of all the accessories included in our TOP.

Table. Comparative characteristics of HDMI cables.

Budget-level twisted pair

Economy class twisted pair cables are represented by the brands Ripo, CabLAN, made in China. Chinese manufacturers are one of the few that can now still offer consumers copper-bonded conductors. Their prices start from only 5 rubles per meter. It all depends on the technical characteristics, purpose and design features of the copper-plated cable. This cable is used for installation in small and low-budget networks. Chinese manufacturers also produce budget network cables with copper cores. The price of such a twisted pair cable is on average 10 rubles per linear meter. Those looking for which twisted pair cable to choose for their home or to lay the best cable for the Internet in an apartment, as a rule, settle on this option.

Methods for identifying counterfeit

The review presents the best manufacturers of cables and wires, which create a huge range, and this does not affect the quality. All products are very well made, from a scientific and technical point of view, meeting basic requirements and standards. Each such manufacturer has extensive experience and a good reputation, and the products have GOST and IEC standards of international level

Naturally, when choosing and purchasing cable products, customers may see cheaper analogues than those from the described manufacturers, but this is most likely a counterfeit of young, Chinese and other companies. It is worth remembering that a reduction in the final price is possible due to deterioration in the quality of the wire itself.

Some manufacturers, in order to reduce the cost of their products, deliberately reduce the diameter of the cable, the degree of its insulation and the dimensions of the sheath. During the production itself, raw materials are used that have already been consumed and undergo secondary processing or low-quality copper. In addition, at the manufacturing factory itself, the equipment does not meet the necessary requirements and standards, and therefore cannot produce high-quality goods. The price of counterfeit cable is reduced, which may please some consumers, but when using it, increased heating occurs, even leading to a fire, which will happen sooner or later.

To exclude counterfeiting and insure yourself, it is recommended to simply weigh the product and conduct a comparative analysis of the data obtained with the standards. Often the most popular and popular brands of cables and wires are counterfeited, and the sheath bears the logos of the manufacturers described. Sometimes PVC shells are completely replaced with rubber ones, which affects the shelf life. During use, moisture can enter cracked rubber, which subsequently causes a short circuit and serious consequences.

How then to choose a high-quality, reliable cable for electrical wiring?

To begin producing cable products, each plant develops technical specifications - this document establishes all the basic requirements for the cable and specifies the procedures by which it can be determined whether these requirements are met. Any cable that you can purchase in a store will be made according to specifications.

In the technical specifications, each manufacturer lays out the required characteristics of the cable it produces, thanks to the specifications, we can determine which cable is of high quality and which is not.

But, as you remember, all cables are made according to specifications, and not according to GOST, therefore, in order to choose a high-quality VVGng-LS cable, it is necessary that the specifications according to which this cable is made fully comply with GOST 31996-2012 or are better than it.

Currently, there are industry specifications TU 16-705.499–2010 “Power cables with plastic insulation for voltage 0.66; 1 and 3 kV", which fully comply with GOST 31996-2012. If the cable is made according to these specifications, IT IS QUALITY, you can buy it. In addition, each manufacturer has the right to create their own specifications, which may be no worse or even better than the requirements of GOST.