EPR (Ethylene Propylene Rubber) cables are a type of electrical cable distinguished by their insulation material, which is a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. EPR insulated cables become the preferred material for medium and high voltage cables. Here are some of the main advantages of EPR cables:
- Excellent insulation and High dielectric strength: EPR cables have a high dielectric strength and a significantly higher dielectric loss than XLPE and WTR-XLPE, which means that they can withstand considerable voltages without breakdowns, thus reducing the risk of electrical failure.
- Ozone and Weather Resistance: EPR has ozone resistance which is important in outdoor applications such as external cables exposed to Ultraviolet rays. Thus ensuring long service life and no premature failure.
- Thermo-mechanical properties: EPR power cables have an operating temperature range of -55°C to 150°C. They maintain their performance in both extremely cold and hot environments. They can handle thermal stresses very well.
- Protection against fast transients: EPR cables are characterized by high frequency losses. It helps to protect electrical equipment from damage caused by fast transients in variable speed drives and power system switchgear.
- High safety: EPR cables can be low smoke and halogen free (LSZH). They emit less smoke during a fire and do not produce toxic halogens, thus increasing the safety of enclosed spaces.
- Long service life: the stability of the material provides long term electrical and mechanical performance and reduces maintenance and replacement costs during the use of the cable.
Especially in the medium and high pressure and demanding environment, EPR shows more outstanding advantages. EPR has good elasticity and flexibility compared with PVC. While the maximum continuous working temperature of PVC is only 70°C, and in the low temperature will become hard and brittle; XLPE although the working temperature is higher (90 °C), but in the very low temperature flexibility is not as good as EPR.
