BS 7870-4.10 Copper MDPE Single Core Cable

What is BS 7870-4.10 19/33 (36)kV Copper Single Core MDPE Cable?

The BS 7870-4.10 19/33 (36)kV Copper Single Core MDPE Cable is a single-core copper conductor medium-voltage power cable manufactured in strict adherence to British Standard BS 7870 Part 4 Section 10 and international specification IEC 60502-2. Operating at a rated system voltage of 19/33 (36)kV, it provides high-voltage capacity and mechanical reliability across primary utility distribution grids, switching substations, renewable energy collector systems, and heavy industrial facilities.

The cable incorporates a Class 2 stranded circular copper conductor triple-extruded with a semi-conductive conductor screen, dry-cured XLPE insulation, and a fully bonded semi-conductive insulation screen that maintains molecular bonding to eliminate interfacial micro-voids. Longitudinal water tightness is achieved through dual waterblocking barriers: an inner semi-conductive waterblocking tape beneath the concentric copper screening wires and an outer non-conductive waterblocking tape above them. Encased in an extruded black Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) outer jacket, the cable delivers UV resistance, halogen-free environmental safety (IEC 60754), and resistance against mechanical abrasion, tearing, and moisture permeation during direct burial in unprepared soil trenches or single-way duct installations.

BS 7870-4.10 19/33 (36)kV Copper Single Core MDPE Cable Construction

• Conductor: Class 2 Stranded Annealed Copper conductor.
• Conductor Screen: Semi-conductive Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) extruded compound.
• Insulation: High-grade Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) compound providing dielectric strength up to +90°C continuous operating temperature.
• Insulation Screen: Semi-conductive Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) extruded compound (Fully bonded type).
• Inner Longitudinal Waterblock: Semi-conductive waterblocking tape applied beneath the metallic screen.
• Metallic Screen: Plain copper wires (wire number and diameter configured to meet specified earth fault ratings), with optional helically applied copper equalising tapes.
• Outer Longitudinal Waterblock: Non-conductive waterblocking tape applied over the metallic screen.
• Outer Sheath: Heavy-duty, UV-resistant Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) compound.
• Sheath Colour: Black.

Applications

BS 7870-4.10 single-core copper MDPE medium-voltage cables are engineered for primary electrical energy transmission across public utility and industrial environments:

• Direct Burial in Ground: Heavy-duty subsurface trench installation directly in soil without auxiliary conduit protection, utilizing dual waterblocking tapes and the impermeable MDPE jacket.
• Power Supply & Substation Infrastructure: Primary 33kV interconnections routing electrical power between distribution supply stations, regional substations, and step-down transformer units.
• Utility Power Distribution Networks: Primary 33kV distribution circuits operated by regional distribution network operators (DNOs) and municipal power boards.
• Single-Way Ducting & Underground Pipes: Pulled through subterranean PVC or PE pipe raceways, tunnels, and road crossings where low jacket friction and tensile endurance are critical.
• Industrial Manufacturing Complexes & Renewables: Main incoming feeder circuits for chemical facilities, refineries, and collector lines connecting wind turbine and utility-scale solar PV step-up transformers to the grid.

Specifications & Dimensions

Huadong Cable Group manufactures BS 7870-4.10 Copper Single Core MDPE 19/33 (36)kV cables across cross-sectional areas from 70mm² up to 1000mm² (70, 95, 120, 150, 185, 240, 300, 400, 500, 630, 800, and 1000mm²) in strict adherence to BS 7870-4.10 and IEC 60502-2. Conductor diameters range from 9.8mm to 38.0mm, diameters over insulation span from 27.0mm to 57.3mm, and overall outer diameters range from 34.1mm to 71.0mm, with nominal unit weights between 1,560 kg/km and 12,200 kg/km and maximum permissible pulling tensions from 350 kg up to 5,000 kg. Operating reliably at a continuous conductor operating temperature of +90°C and a short-circuit thermal limit of +250°C, maximum copper conductor DC resistance at 20°C ranges from 0.2680 Ω/km (70mm²) down to 0.0176 Ω/km (1000mm²). In trefoil configuration, continuous current carrying capacity reaches up to 1,430A in air (25°C), 1,010A buried (15°C), and 920A in single-way ducts for 1000mm² cables, with conductor 1-second short-circuit current withstand up to 143.8 kA, a 35mm² copper screen short-circuit rating of 4.8 kA, and a 50mm² copper screen rating of 8.2 kA. Standard minimum installation bending radius is 20 times the overall cable diameter in full alignment with British Standards.

Standards

Design & Material Standards: BS 7870-4.10, IEC 60502-2
Halogen Content: Halogen-free according to IEC 60754
Environmental & Weathering: UV Resistant; impermeable MDPE outer jacket
Voltage & Electrical Ratings: Voltage Rating Uo/U (Um): 19/33 (36)kV
Thermal Ratings: Conductor maximum operating temperature: +90°C; Maximum short-circuit temperature: +250°C
Mechanical Bending: Minimum Bending Radius: 20 × overall diameter
Regulatory Compliance: RoHS Directive 2015/65/EU, REACH Regulation EC 1907/2006, CE Marked

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the primary difference between the MDPE (D61) and LSZH (D60) versions of BS 7870-4.10 33kV cables?
A: The MDPE sheathed cable (Group D61) utilizes a tough Medium Density Polyethylene outer jacket optimized for outdoor resistance, direct burial moisture impermeability, and low-friction duct pulling, whereas the LSZH version (Group D60) incorporates a thermoplastic Low Smoke Zero Halogen jacket designed specifically for enclosed spaces requiring restricted flame spread and minimal toxic smoke emission.

Q: How do the dual waterblocking tapes protect the cable in wet underground conditions?
A: The inner semi-conductive waterblocking tape beneath the copper wire screen equalizes radial electric fields while swelling upon contact with moisture to arrest longitudinal travel along the core interface, and the outer non-conductive waterblocking tape prevents water from tracking beneath the MDPE outer sheath.

Q: What is the purpose of the fully bonded semi-conductive insulation screen?
A: The fully bonded semi-conductive screen forms an intimate molecular bond with the XLPE insulation during triple continuous vulcanization, eliminating microscopic gas voids, minimizing electrical stress concentrations, and keeping partial discharge activity to negligible levels under 33kV operating conditions.

Q: What commercial payment terms does Huadong Cable accept for international project orders?
A: We accept standard international commercial payment terms, primarily Telegraphic Transfer (T/T, with 30% advance deposit and 70% against shipping documents) and 100% Irrevocable Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight.

BS 7870-4.10 Copper MDPE Single Core Cable – Why Choose Huadong Cable?

Huadong Cable Group manufactures BS 7870-4.10 19/33 (36)kV Copper Single Core MDPE cables in strict compliance with British Standard BS 7870-4.10 and IEC 60502-2 specifications. Utilizing high-purity electrolytic copper rod, our advanced drawing and stranding equipment produces Class 2 stranded conductors that ensure tight dimensional tolerance, optimal compaction density, and minimum electrical DC resistance. On our triple-extrusion catenary continuous vulcanization (CCV) lines, the semi-conductive conductor screen, high-cleanliness XLPE insulation, and fully bonded semi-conductive insulation screen are applied simultaneously under pressurized dry nitrogen vulcanization, eliminating microscopic voids and keeping partial discharge levels well below standard limits.

Backed by more than 20 years of precision cable engineering expertise, Huadong Cable Group operates testing laboratories accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 and quality management systems certified to ISO 9001 and CE frameworks. Direct factory manufacturing eliminates middleman trading markups, allowing us to provide competitive factory pricing, 100% routine electrical and spark testing verified by certified Mill Test Certificates (MTC), continuous drum cuts packaged on heavy-duty ISPM 15 heat-treated export wooden reels, and dependable logistics for international electric utilities, infrastructure developers, and industrial EPC contractors worldwide.