Variable Speed Drive Cable
STANDARDS
National : CSA C22.2 N° 123; CSA C22.2 N° 174
DESCRIPTION
Modern drive technology has enhanced the performance of industrial motors. Decreased switching time of the electronics in Variable Frequency, Pulse Width Modulation or Vector drives, means specialized cables connecting the drive unit and the motor become critical to the performance of these systems. VFD cable is specially constructed to meet the challenges of modern adjustable speed drive systems.
Drive manufacturers recommend the VFD cable construction, with the corrugated continuous aluminum sheath and 3 bonding conductors.
The three conductor construction virtually eliminates magnetic fields outside of the cable, so induced voltage from one power cable to another or cross talk to control/instrumentation cables is also reduced. The continuous aluminum sheath (as opposed to interlocked armour) acts as an effective shield for high frequency "noise" that may still be produced and could affect adjacent control and instrumentation cables. This sheath, in combination with the three grounding conductors, also acts as a long-term low resistance path to the ground. This will eliminate standing voltages that may be created on the motor frame and also reduce bearing currents due to this standing voltage or to common mode voltage.
Application
VFD cable is recommended for industrial, commercial and utility installations including outdoor wet locations. VFD can be installed in tray, conduit or direct buried, strapped to walls or surface mounted. Although VFD can be installed in tray or conduit, mechanical protection is NOT required, as VFD is impact and crush resistant. Cable temperature rating is 90ºC to -40ºC. VFD is flame, oil and UV resistant. Certification to standard C22.2 No. 174 allows installation in hazardous locations.
| VFD SPECIFICATIONS | |||||||||||||
| Size AWG or kcmil | Bonding Conductor (Note 8) | Cable Core | Aluminum Sheath | PVC Jacket | Approx Net Cable Weight (Note 1) | Connectors (Catalogue No.N) (Note 5) | Minimum Bending Radius | Ampacity (A) 30°C Ambient (Notes 2, 4) | |||||
| Nominal Diameter | Nominal Diameter | Nominal Diameter | Under Tension | Trained (Note 6) | |||||||||
| # x AWG | mm | mm | mm | kg/km | Type D | Type W | mm | mm | 60ºC | 75ºC | 90ºC | ||
| 12 (7) (Note 3) | 3 x #18 | 9.9 | 15 | 17.7 | 350 | 16D2 | 16W2 | 210 | 135 | 25 | 25 | 30 | |
| 10 (7) (Note 3) | 3 x #16 | 11.2 | 15.8 | 18.4 | 425 | 16D2 | 16W2 | 225 | 145 | 30 | 35 | 40 | |
| 8 (7) | 3 x #14 | 12.3 | 19.1 | 21.8 | 590 | 20D3 | 20W3 | 270 | 175 | 40 | 50 | 55 | |
| 6 (7) | 3 x #12 | 15.9 | 21.1 | 23.7 | 805 | 25D3 | 25W3 | 300 | 190 | 55 | 65 | 75 | |
| 4 (7) | 3 x #12 | 18.3 | 24.6 | 27.2 | 1125 | 25D3 | 25W3 | 345 | 225 | 70 | 85 | 95 | |
| 3 (7) | 3 x #10 | 19.7 | 27.9 | 31.1 | 1490 | 30D4 | 30W4 | 395 | 255 | 85 | 100 | 115 | |
| 2 (7) | 3 x #10 | 21.3 | 29.5 | 32.1 | 1665 | 30D4 | 30W4 | 415 | 265 | 95 | 115 | 130 | |
| 1 (18) | 3 x #10 | 25.2 | 33.9 | 36.5 | 2080 | 35D5 | 35W5 | 475 | 305 | 110 | 130 | 145 | |
| 1/0 (18) | 3 x #10 | 27.3 | 35.3 | 37.9 | 2420 | 35D5 | 35W5 | 495 | 320 | 125 | 150 | 170 | |
| 2/0 (18) | 3 x #10 | 29.4 | 39.6 | 43 | 2990 | 40D5 | 40W5 | 555 | 360 | 145 | 175 | 195 | |
| 3/0 (18) | 3 x #8 | 32 | 41.3 | 44.7 | 3470 | 40D5 | 40W5 | 580 | 375 | 165 | 200 | 225 | |
| 4/0 (18) | 3 x #8 | 34.9 | 45 | 48.4 | 4320 | 45D6 | 45W6 | 630 | 405 | 195 | 230 | 260 | |
| 250 (36) | 3 x #8 | 38.5 | 49.6 | 52.9 | 4975 | 50D8 | 50W8 | 695 | 450 | 215 | 255 | 290 | |
| 350 (36) | 3 x #8 | 43.7 | 52.1 | 55.5 | 6460 | (Note 7) | (Note 7) | 730 | 470 | 260 | 310 | 350 | |
| 500 (36) | 3 x #6 | 50.3 | 60.2 | 64.4 | 9030 | (Note 7) | (Note 7) | 845 | 545 | 320 | 380 | 430 | |
| Notes: | |||||||||||||
| 1) Where stated, “nominal” and “approximate” values are provided for information purposes only | |||||||||||||
| and are subject to standard manufacturing tolerances. | |||||||||||||
| 2) Based on 2012 CEC Table 2, for not more than 3 current carrying conductors in a cable or raceway. | |||||||||||||
| 3) The overcurrent protection shall not exceed 20 amperes for 12 AWG, and 30 amperes for 10 AWG | |||||||||||||
| after any corrections factors for ambient temperature and number of conductors have been applied | |||||||||||||
| (2012 CEC Rule 14-104(2)), or as provided for by other Rules of the 2012 CEC. | |||||||||||||
| 4) The maximum conductor temperature (used to determine the maximum conductor ampacity) shall be | |||||||||||||
| based on the lowest temperature rating of the electrical equipment, any wire connector, or cable | |||||||||||||
| (2012 CEC Rule 4-006). | |||||||||||||
| 5) Type D connectors are for use in dry locations only. Type W connectors are for use in dry or wet locations, | |||||||||||||
| and are approved for use in hazardous locations (Class II, Divisions 1 and 2, Groups E, F, and G, and Class III, | |||||||||||||
| Divisions 1 and 2). | |||||||||||||
| 6) The minimum bending radius is 9x the nominal sheath diameter for a trained cable (fixed installation -- | |||||||||||||
| 2012 CEC Rule 12-712(3)). | |||||||||||||
| 7) Use any TECK90 connector suitable for armour and jacket diameter, as well as the installation location. | |||||||||||||
| 8) Size of each bonding conductor. Total area of 3 conductors meets or exceeds bonding conductor size | |||||||||||||
| in 2012 CEC Table 16. | |||||||||||||
| VFD SOLUTIONS FOR DRIVE PROBLEMS | |||||||||||||
| Problem: | |||||||||||||
| High frequency noise interferes with data and control signals, causing production system malfunctions. | |||||||||||||
| VFD Sheath | |||||||||||||
| The bendable heavy wall, continuously corrugated, impervious aluminum sheath provides an excellent shield. | |||||||||||||
| Problem: | |||||||||||||
| High resistance path to ground leaves drives and motors vulnerable to damage and can also cause a safety | |||||||||||||
| hazard. | |||||||||||||
| VFD Sheath and Connectors | |||||||||||||
| The continuously corrugated, corrosion-resistant aluminum sheath gives 100% coverage and provides a | |||||||||||||
| long term low resistance path to ground. VFD Type "D" and "W" VFD connectors assure a long term | |||||||||||||
| low resistance 360º contact with the sheath offering the very best high frequency shield available throughout | |||||||||||||
| the entire drive system. | |||||||||||||
| Problem: | |||||||||||||
| Common mode currents impair drive unit electronic performance and shorten the drive lifespan. | |||||||||||||
| VFD Sectored Grounds | |||||||||||||
| Three bare copper bonding conductors (in place of one larger bonding conductor), provide the best | |||||||||||||
| cancellation and lowest net injected ground current into the drive system. | |||||||||||||
| Problem: | |||||||||||||
| Bearing currents cause motor burnout. | |||||||||||||
| VFD Sectored Grounds | |||||||||||||
| Total cross-sectional area of the 3 bare bonding conductors meets or exceeds Table #16 Canadian Electrical Code | |||||||||||||
| requirements. Combined with the low resistance sheath and connectors, this construction ensures a balanced, low | |||||||||||||
| resistance path to the ground to reduce the chance of motor failure due to bearing currents. | |||||||||||||
| Problem: | |||||||||||||
| High voltage spikes damage cable and cause system failure, resulting in expensive operational downtime. | |||||||||||||
| VFD Insulation | |||||||||||||
| 1000 Volt rated crosslinked polyethylene insulation guarantees high dielectric strength to withstand | |||||||||||||
| high voltage spikes of 2 to 3 times normal voltage. | |||||||||||||
| Problem: | |||||||||||||
| Ground loops, and stray currents picked up along the cable route injecting stray currents into the drive | |||||||||||||
| electronics result in drive failure. | |||||||||||||
| VFD Jacket | |||||||||||||
| A PVC jacket rated FT4 and AG14 ensures cables are grounded at the terminations only, preventing | |||||||||||||
| the pick up of stray currents. The black PVC jacket is UV resistant, suitable for outdoor use. | |||||||||||||