In electrical engineering and installation, selecting the correct cable type is critical for safety, performance, and compliance. Below is a quick reference guide to some of the most widely used wire and cable models, their construction, and typical applications.
Building Wires & Flexible Cords (B / R Series)
|
Model |
Description |
Application |
|---|---|---|
|
BV |
Single copper core, PVC insulated wire without sheath (solid conductor). |
Suitable for power installations, household appliances, instruments, and telecommunications equipment with AC rated voltage up to 450/750V. |
|
BVR |
PVC insulated, stranded (flexible) copper wire, commonly known as "soft wire". |
Frequently used in power drive systems, motor connections, and applications involving slight movement due to its high flexibility. |
|
BVV |
Copper core, PVC insulated and PVC sheathed round cable (solid conductor), often called "sheathed wire". Single-core versions are round; twin-core versions are flat. |
Commonly used for surface-mounted (exposed) wiring. |
|
BVVB |
Copper core, PVC insulated and PVC sheathed flat cable. |
Suitable for environments requiring higher mechanical protection and damp conditions; can be installed exposed or concealed. |
Coaxial Cables (for RF & Video Transmission)
|
Model |
Description |
Application |
|---|---|---|
|
SYV |
Solid polyethylene insulated RF coaxial cable. |
Widely used in CCTV surveillance and cable TV (CATV) projects. |
|
RG |
Physically foamed polyethylene insulated cable. |
Commonly deployed in Hybrid Fiber-Coax (HFC) networks for transmitting data and analog signals, as well as video transmission, communication systems, and signal control. |
|
SYWV |
Physically foamed polyethylene insulated CATV system cable. Together with SYV and SYFV, these belong to the video (RF) coaxial cable family. |
Applicable to closed-circuit monitoring and cable television engineering. |
Flexible Control & Signal Cables (R Series)
|
Model |
Description |
Application |
|---|---|---|
|
RVV |
Copper core, PVC insulated and PVC sheathed round flexible connecting cable (stranded). |
Suitable for building intercom, anti-theft alarm, fire protection, and automatic meter reading systems. |
|
RVVP |
Stranded soft copper core, round PVC insulated and PVC sheathed shielded flexible cable (with copper braid/screen). |
Ideal for building intercom, burglar alarms, fire alarm, and AMR projects where electromagnetic interference protection is needed. |
|
BVVP |
Hard copper core, flat PVC insulated and PVC sheathed cable with copper mesh shielding. |
Used where mechanical rigidity and EMI shielding are both required. |
|
RVS |
Copper core, PVC insulated twisted flexible connecting wire (twin twisted). |
Commonly used for household appliances, small power tools, instrumentation, control systems, broadcast audio, fire protection, and lighting control wiring. |
Power Cable
|
Model |
Description |
Application |
|---|---|---|
|
VV (VLV) |
Copper (or Aluminum) core, PVC insulated and PVC sheathed power cable. |
Suitable for indoor, tunnel, and trench installations. Cannot withstand significant external mechanical forces. Direct burial in soil is permitted. |
Quick Nomenclature Recap
Understanding the letter codes helps decode any model at a glance:
-
B = Wiring (fixed installation)
-
R = Flexible / stranded
-
V = PVC insulation (1st V) / PVC sheath (2nd V)
-
L = Aluminum core (absence means Copper)
-
S = Twisted / paired
-
Y = Polyethylene (PE) insulation
-
P = Shielding (screen)
Pro Tip: Always verify the voltage rating, installation environment (wet/dry, buried/exposed), and whether flexibility or shielding is required before finalizing cable selection. When in doubt, consult the relevant national standard or a qualified electrical engineer.
