In temporary power supplies, mobile equipment, and construction sites, ordinary building wires (such as BV or BVR) are not suitable due to frequent movement, mechanical stress, and exposure to rough conditions. YC cable is specifically designed for these demanding environments.
1. Model Decoding
Full Name (Chinese Standard):
🔹 Heavy-duty General Purpose Rubber-Sheathed Flexible Cable
🔹 Commonly called: YC flexible rubber cable / YC portable cord
Related family members:
YQ = Light-duty rubber-sheathed cable (轻型)
YZ = Medium-duty rubber-sheathed cable (中型)
YC = Heavy-duty rubber-sheathed cable (重型)
2. Construction
Stranded Copper Conductor → Rubber Insulation → Rubber Filler (if multi-core) → Rubber Outer Sheath|
Component |
Material |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Conductor |
Stranded annealed copper (preferably oxygen-free) |
Flexible, multi-strand |
|
Insulation |
Natural / synthetic rubber compound |
Good flexibility & dielectric strength |
|
Inner filling |
Rubber compound |
Fills interstices in multi-core cables |
|
Outer sheath |
Heavy-duty rubber compound |
Resists abrasion, impact, weathering |
Premium YC cables use natural rubber insulation and sheath with high-conductivity oxygen-free copper strand.
Many low-cost products on the market substitute reclaimed rubber or reduce copper purity — always verify with sample inspection.
3. Technical Data
|
Parameter |
Value |
|---|---|
|
Rated voltage |
U₀/U = 450/750 V |
|
Max continuous conductor temp. |
≤ 60°C |
|
Minimum laying temp. |
≥ −15°C (typical for rubber cables) |
|
Bending characteristic |
Highly flexible, suitable for repeated movement |
|
Mechanical resistance |
Withstands significant external mechanical force (tugging, crushing, abrasion) |
|
Color |
Typically black outer sheath |
4. Typical Applications
YC cables are intended for mobile or portable power connections:
-
Temporary site power on construction sites
-
Portable electric tools (drills, saws, grinders)
-
Mobile electrical equipment & machinery
-
Temporary outdoor event power distribution
-
Shipboard / dockside portable equipment (where rubber flexibility is required)
Key advantage: Unlike PVC-insulated wires, YC cables remain flexible in cold/wet conditions and resist damage from pulling, crushing, and surface abrasion — ideal for temporary and movable installations.
5. Common YC Cable Models / Constructions
YC cables are multi-core flexible cables:
|
Model Example |
Description |
|---|---|
|
YC 2×1.5 |
2-core, 1.5 mm² per core |
|
YC 3×2.5 |
3-core, 2.5 mm² per core |
|
YC 3×4 + 1×2.5 |
3 power cores + 1 smaller earth core |
|
YC 4×2.5 |
4-core, 2.5 mm² per core |
|
YC 5×2.5 |
5-core (common for 3-phase + N + PE) |
-
Conductor sizes: typically from 0.75 mm² up to several tens of mm²
-
Core count: commonly 2, 3, 4, or 5 cores
6. YC vs. YZ vs. YQ (Quick Comparison)
|
Type |
Duty |
Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
|
YQ |
Light-duty |
Small appliances, very light portable devices |
|
YZ |
Medium-duty |
General portable tools, light industrial use |
|
YC |
Heavy-duty |
Construction sites, heavy portable machinery, high mechanical stress |
When in doubt for construction or outdoor temporary power — specify YC.
7. Quality Inspection Tips
When receiving YC cable on site:
-
Check sheath & insulation flexibility — good rubber feels elastic, not stiff or crumbly.
-
Peel & inspect copper — bright purplish-red color; no dark or brittle appearance.
-
Verify stranding — YC must be finely stranded; solid or coarse strands indicate wrong product.
-
Measure cross-section — undersized conductors are common in substandard goods.
-
Confirm marking on sheath — should include "YC", voltage rating (450/750V), and manufacturer info.
Key Takeaways
|
Item |
Summary |
|---|---|
|
YC = Y (Rubber Insulation) + C (Heavy Duty) |
Heavy-duty rubber-sheathed flexible cable |
|
Voltage |
450/750 V |
|
Temp limit |
≤ 60°C conductor operating temperature |
|
Best for |
Construction sites, portable tools, temporary power under mechanical stress |
|
vs. BV/BVR |
Far more flexible & mechanically robust, but not for fixed concealed wiring |
|
Quality check |
Pure rubber sheath + oxygen-free copper strand = genuine YC |
Pro Tip: For outdoor or damp locations where the cable may be walked on, driven over lightly, or dragged — YC is the correct choice. Never substitute with PVC flexible cord (RVV) in heavy mechanical environments; RVV's sheath is not designed for the same level of abrasion or impact.
