PVC Covered AAC and ACSR Conductors
BS 6485 PVC-covered conductors use a stranded AAC or ACSR metallic conductor with a black PVC covering for specified low-voltage overhead lines. They are used on routes such as power-line crossings above telecommunications circuits and on sections exposed to birds, vegetation or corrosive atmospheres. Separate AAC and steel-reinforced ACSR constructions are available with their corresponding conductor sizes, resistance, breaking load, finished diameter and delivery requirements.
Product Overview
AAC and ACSR versions serve different mechanical duties beneath the same general type of black PVC covering. AAC provides an all-aluminium current path with lower mass, while ACSR adds galvanised steel reinforcement for spans or loading conditions that require greater tensile capability. The change in metallic conductor also affects resistance, weight, diameter and fitting compatibility.
This product is a covered overhead conductor supported on insulators, not a fully insulated or touch-safe cable. Its use is most relevant where the project or an existing installation retains a BS 6485-type PVC construction. Replacement selection should consider the original conductor family, size, measured diameter, route loading, PVC requirement and existing fittings rather than treating PE or XLPE covered wire as an automatic equivalent.
Key Features
- AAC conductor option:Stranded AAC cores provide the current-carrying aluminium area with relatively low conductor mass, benefiting overhead sections whose mechanical design does not require a steel-reinforced member.
- ACSR reinforcement:ACSR core options add galvanised steel reinforcement beneath the aluminium strands, increasing tensile capability for routes where span or loading imposes greater mechanical demand.
- Black PVC covering:The black PVC layer supplies the covering construction associated with the cited BS 6485 technical specification and provides a protective surface against the defined contact and environmental exposure.
- Separate AAC and ACSR schedules:Separate AAC and ACSR schedules retain each core’s diameter, resistance, mass and breaking load, helping buyers avoid selecting a mechanically different product from nominal area alone.
Product Applications
- Low-voltage overhead crossings above telecommunications circuits where the project specification retains a PVC-covered conductor design
- Overhead sections exposed to birds, vegetation or corrosive atmosphere where the covering is one part of the contact-risk strategy
- Maintenance and replacement of established BS 6485-type AAC or ACSR circuits using documented core, covering and hardware details
Technical Specifications
PVC-Covered Aluminium Stranded Conductors — BS 6485
| Nominal Area | Calcu- lated Area | Wires | Approx. Overall Diameter | Nominal Breaking Load | Nominal DC Resistance at 20°C | Approx. Weight | Approx. Overall Diameter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Dia. | |||||||
| mm² | mm² | mm | mm | kN | Ohm/km | kg/km | mm | |
| 22 | 23.33 | 7 | 2.06 | 6.2 | 3.99 | 1.227 | 64 | 8.4 |
| 25 | 26.44 | 3 | 3.35 | 7.2 | 4.11 | 1.081 | 73 | 9.2 |
| 25 | 26.8 | 7 | 2.21 | 6.6 | 4.59 | 1.066 | 73 | 8.8 |
| 30 | 31.6 | 3 | 3.66 | 7.9 | 4.86 | 0.9082 | 86 | 10.1 |
| 35 | 37 | 7 | 2.59 | 7.8 | 6.03 | 0.7762 | 101 | 10.0 |
| 40 | 42.8 | 7 | 2.79 | 8.4 | 6.87 | 0.6689 | 117 | 10.6 |
| 50 | 52.83 | 7 | 3.10 | 9.3 | 8.28 | 0.5419 | 145 | 11.5 |
| 60 | 63.55 | 7 | 3.40 | 10.2 | 9.90 | 0.4505 | 174 | 12.4 |
| 70 | 73.55 | 7 | 3.66 | 11 | 11.34 | 0.3581 | 202 | 13.2 |
| 75 | 78.5 | 7 | 3.78 | 11.4 | 11.94 | 0.3644 | 215 | 13.6 |
| 80 | 84.1 | 7 | 3.91 | 11.7 | 12.78 | 0.3406 | 230 | 13.9 |
| 90 | 95.6 | 7 | 4.17 | 12.5 | 14.53 | 0.2994 | 262 | 14.7 |
| 100 | 106 | 7 | 4.39 | 13.21 | 16.00 | 0.2702 | 290 | 15.4 |
| 100 | 106.6 | 19 | 2.67 | 13.4 | 17.42 | 0.2704 | 293 | 15.6 |
| 125 | 132 | 7 | 4.90 | 14.7 | 19.94 | 0.2169 | 361 | 16.9 |
| 150 | 157.9 | 7 | 5.36 | 16.1 | 23.85 | 0.1813 | 432 | 18.3 |
| 150 | 157.6 | 19 | 3.25 | 16.3 | 27.70 | 0.1825 | 434 | 18.5 |
| 175 | 186 | 19 | 3.53 | 17.7 | 28.63 | 0.1547 | 512 | 19.9 |
| 200 | 213.2 | 19 | 3.78 | 18.9 | 32.40 | 0.1349 | 587 | 21.1 |
| 225 | 236.9 | 19 | 3.99 | 20 | 36.01 | 0.1211 | 652 | 22.2 |
| 250 | 265.7 | 19 | 4.22 | 21.1 | 40.40 | 0.1083 | 731 | 23.3 |
| 300 | 322.7 | 19 | 4.65 | 23.3 | 48.70 | 0.08916 | 888 | 25.5 |
| 350 | 373.2 | 19 | 5.00 | 25 | 56.37 | 0.07711 | 1027 | 27.2 |
| 400 | 373.3 | 37 | 3.58 | 25.1 | 57.45 | 0.07741 | 1029 | 27.3 |
| 400 | 428.5 | 19 | 5.36 | 26.8 | 64.73 | 0.0671 | 1179 | 29.0 |
| 450 | 415.2 | 37 | 3.78 | 26.5 | 63.10 | 0.06944 | 1145 | 28.7 |
| 450 | 485.9 | 37 | 4.09 | 28.6 | 74.01 | 0.05931 | 1342 | 30.8 |
| 500 | 529.5 | 37 | 4.27 | 29.9 | 79.98 | 0.5441 | 1460 | 32.1 |
| 600 | 628.6 | 37 | 4.65 | 32.6 | 94.95 | 0.04588 | 1733 | 34.8 |
| 750 | 794.8 | 37 | 5.23 | 36.6 | 120.10 | 0.03627 | 2191 | 38.8 |
PVC-Covered Aluminium Conductors, Steel Reinforced — BS 6485
| Nominal Cross-Section | Conductor Structure | D.C. Resistance at 20 | Breaking Load | Approx. Overall Diameter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mm2 | No./mm | Ω/km | kN | mm | |
| Aluminum | Steel | ||||
| 25 | 6/2.36 | 1/2.36 | 1.093 | 9.61 | 10.7 |
| 50 | 6/3.35 | 1/3.35 | 0.5426 | 18.35 | 14.1 |
| 100 | 6/4.72 | 7/1.57 | 0.2733 | 32.7 | 18.2 |
| 150 | 30/2.59 | 7/2.59 | 0.1828 | 69.2 | 22.2 |
| 150 | 18/3.35 | 1/3.35 | 0.1815 | 35.7 | 20.8 |
| 175 | 30/2.79 | 7/2.79 | 0.1576 | 79.8 | 23.6 |
| 175 | 18/3.61 | 1/3.61 | 0.1563 | 41.1 | 22.1 |
| 200 | 3/30 | 7/3 | 0.1363 | 92.25 | 25 |
| 200 | 18/3.86 | 1/3.86 | 0.1367 | 46.55 | 23.3 |
Request the Complete Data Sheet
From Production to Delivery
From raw material preparation to final shipmen, every stage is caretuly controled to ensure consistent conductor quality, reliable pertormance,and sae delivery. Our roduction,
inspection, packaging, and logistics processes are managed in accordance with applicable standards and project requirements.
Production
The specified AAC or ACSR core is stranded to its product construction, cleaned and prepared, then extruded with black PVC to form the covering required for the selected overhead conductor.
Inspection
Inspection checks core material and stranding, PVC thickness and surface, overall dimensions, resistance, breaking load and the tests stated in the applicable purchase specification for the ordered construction.
Packaging
The finished conductor is wound at a suitable bend radius and protected against cuts, crushing and prolonged contamination, with drum size and delivery length planned around the customer’s route sections.
Shipping
Each drum identifies AAC or ACSR, conductor size, PVC covering, cited standard, length and manufacturing lot, helping the receiving team maintain separation between the all-aluminium and reinforced variants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PVC covered aluminium conductor a fully insulated cable?
It is a covered overhead conductor and should not be treated as touch-safe. We will describe it that way in the quotation and identify the AAC or ACSR core and PVC layer, helping your project team apply the correct clearances, insulators and operating procedures.
When would this PVC construction be selected instead of PE or XLPE?
PVC is selected where the project specification or an existing BS 6485 installation requires this construction. Provide the standard edition and existing asset details, and we will quote the corresponding PVC-covered conductor without treating PE or XLPE as an automatic replacement.
Can the covering eliminate faults caused by trees or birds?
The covering can reduce some contact-related risks, but performance still depends on contact duration, abrasion, voltage, clearances and vegetation management. We can help you document the intended environment and product construction clearly, while your line design retains the wider protection and maintenance measures.
Should I specify an AAC or ACSR core?
AAC suits an all-aluminium mechanical design; ACSR provides steel reinforcement for higher tensile duty. Share the existing conductor or route loading, and we can present the relevant table values and price the selected core with its corresponding PVC dimensions and packing.
Can you support a replacement for an older BS 6485 conductor?
Yes, when the existing construction can be identified. A code, data sheet, conductor size, measured diameter or clear photographs are useful. We can compare them with the technical specification tables and prepare an offer that states the proposed AAC or ACSR core, although final suitability remains a project engineering decision.
What information should accompany my PVC-covered conductor enquiry?
Please provide voltage, application, standard and edition, AAC or ACSR construction, conductor size, PVC requirement, quantity, drum lengths, route environment, fittings and inspection documents. If the request is for replacement work, include the available records from the existing line.
Request for Free Consultation
Contact Information
Send us your cable requirements and our team will respond quickly with product recommendations, technical support and quotation details.
