For those of you who work in the electrical field, of course you are familiar with various types of electrical cables with their respective sizes and uses. In general, this type of cable is distinguished based on the ability to conduct current which is influenced by the cross-sectional area, insulator, and also the conductor material used.
Electrical cable is a medium used to distribute electrical energy which consists of insulators and conductors. The insulator is a wrapping material made of rubber or plastic, while the conductor is made of copper fiber material.
The ability to conduct current in an electric cable is determined by the KHA in amperes. Then the electric voltage is measured using units of volts which are expressed in units of watts.
In general, there are three types of power cables that are currently widely used, namely NYA, NYY, and NYM cables. The difference between NYA, NYY, and NYM cables is certainly difficult for the layman to see.
However, this does not apply to people who are accustomed to using the three types of cables to install electrical installations. Below are the differences in NYA, NYY, and NYM cables that you need to know.
What is Electrical Cable?
In general, electrical cables are a medium for conducting electric current. Electrical cables consist of insulators and conductors.
Conductors are made of copper or aluminum. The conductor is the part of the cable that is useful for conducting electric current, while the insulator is the cable wrapping material which is usually made from thermoplastic material.
Insulators cannot conduct electricity, because their function is only as protection. Thanks to the insulator, you will remain safe when carrying out activities that come into contact with cables.
Types of Electrical Cables
In the world of electricity or lightning distribution, there are various types of electrical cables/conductors along with the sizes, functions, benefits and uses of each type. Basically, cable types are classified based on their current-carrying ability.
The current-carrying ability of an electrical cable is influenced by the cross-sectional area, conductor and insulator materials used, as well as several other factors. Apart from being used to deliver electricity, cables are also used to transmit frequencies.
Among the many types of electrical cables, there are several that often confuse technicians, namely NYA, NYM, and NYY type cables. Indeed, each other's names are a little similar so it is difficult for us to differentiate them. Even though each type of cable has quite significant differences.
1. NYA Cable
NYA cables are widely used for home installations and power systems. Usually the size of the cable used for home installation is 1.5 mm2 or 2.5 mm2.
This type of cable is coated with PVC insulation and is single-core. The insulation color code on this cable is red, blue, yellow, and black.
This cable is often applied in housing because it has a low price. However, NYA cables have weaknesses, namely they are easily bitten by mice, easily deformed, and not waterproof. Therefore, to be safer, you need to install PVC pipes so that they are not directly touched or bitten by rats. The abbreviation for the NYA cable type, ie.
- N = Copper core cable
- Y = PVC Insulation
- A = Single wire
2. NYY Cable
NYY cables have an insulating layer with black PVC material and have 2, 3, or 4 cores. These cables are widely used for embedded installations or known as ground cables.
The advantages of NYY cables are that the insulation layer is much stronger and the insulation is made of a stiff material that mice don't like.
In addition, NYY cables also have a high level of resistance. However, the installation must still be protected with PVC pipes. As for the length of the NYY cable type, namely.
- N = Copper core cable
- Y = PVC Insulation
- Y = PVC insulation outer sheath
3. NYM Cable
NYM cables are often used for electrical installations in homes and buildings. This cable has more than one core and is coated with gray or white PVC insulation. NYM cable has two layers of insulation. So, of course the level of security is better than the NYA cable.
Not only that, this type of cable can be used in dry or wet environments, but cannot be planted. The abbreviation for the NYM cable type, ie.
- N = Copper core cable
- Y = PVC Insulation
- M = more than one cable core
4. NYRGBY Cable
The abbreviation for NYRGBY cable is:
- N = Copper core cable
- Y = PVC insulation
- R = Round steel wire protector
- Gb = Wrapped around a steel plate
- Y = PVC insulation
Now we're on to NYRGBY cable. This cable is PVC insulated with a single copper core with more than one core. This cable is covered in round steel wire protection. This cable is designed for permanent installation in the ground, or buried without the need for protection such as PVC pipes or galvanized pipes.
This underground installation is a maximum of approximately 1 meter. This cable has a very strong insulator, making this cable more durable compared to other cables. However, if this cable is crossed onto a highway, it is still recommended to use additional protection such as iron pipes or PVC pipes.
5. NYAF cable
This type of cable has a fibrous copper core, with a single core insulated by a single layer of PVC insulator. This is a cable that has high flexibility because its copper core is in the form of fibers.
This type of cable is suitable for installation in electrical panels that require many curves. However, NYAF cables should not be used in open environments that are wet or dry because they are easily peeled off.
6. NYYHY Cable
This type of cable has one or more fibrous copper cores and has an outer sheath in the form of an insulating material made of PVC. This is a type of cable that is often used inside the house because it is flexible so it is easy to install.
7. NYMHY Cable
This type of cable has more than one fibrous copper core with an outer insulation material in the form of PVC. This cable is also often used for household scale electrical installations under 900 watts. The NYMHY cable consists of three parts, namely the conductor, inner insulator, and outer protector which is also made of insulating material.
8. NYMHYO Cable
This type of cable has more than one fibrous copper core which is insulated with PVC insulator material and has an outer sheath. This cable is often used in audio equipment, such as sound systems, loudspeaker cables, etc. NYMHYO cables are not designed for large current electrical installations and are only used indoors because these cables do not have a weather-resistant outer sheath.
9. BC Cable
BC or bare core cable is a cable that does not have an insulator layer, so it is more often used in lightning protection installations and in grounding installations. However, it is recommended that BC cables be used using protective materials such as PVC pipes.
10. ACSR cable
ACSR cable is a cable made of aluminum with a steel wire core and is usually used in large-scale electrical current installations such as at electricity companies. This cable functions as a conductor of large current electric voltage between electricity distribution towers.
This cable does not have an insulator layer, with the aim that the main core cable can immediately reduce its temperature when carrying such a large current.
Safety Guide When Repairing Electrical Equipment
Various equipment that uses electrical energy is susceptible to causing accidents due to touch or negligence when repairing electrical equipment. Therefore, it is important to understand how electricity and its supporting components work. Here are some tips regarding the safety and security of working with electricity that you need to know.
1. Get to know the electrical equipment to be repaired
Avoid carelessly repairing electrical equipment that you don't know or don't understand how it works. Be sure to read the repair manual before working on electrical equipment.
2. Use protection
Wear protection when repairing electrical equipment, for example rubber sandals, rubber gloves, and good electrical equipment equipped with insulators.
3. Disconnect electrical equipment from the power source
Avoid repairing electrical equipment that is still connected to a power source. Make sure you have unplugged the socket or cut off the electricity before repairing it.
How to Choose Electrical Cables for Your Home
Electrical cables are an absolute necessity in the house. With its main function as a conductor of electricity, electrical cables have many uses in your home.
Apart from being a source of electricity for various electronic equipment such as televisions, refrigerators and air conditioners, electrical cables also function as radio frequency conductors before they are transmitted through the antenna. Without a cable to conduct radio frequency, you cannot enjoy television broadcasts or a satellite dish at home, even if the device is turned on.
It cannot be done haphazardly, the use of electrical cables at home must be planned as well as possible from the start. The aim is that the installed installation can function properly and provide comfort and safety in operation.
Closing
So, there are indeed striking differences between NYY cables and NYM cables, making these two types of cables have different uses.
That's an explanation of the difference between NYA, NYY, and NYM cables that you can know. After listening to the explanation above, of course you will know more about the differences between the three types of power cables and know their respective functions.