Polymeric-Armored Type MV-105 / MP-GC Feeder Cable

Traditional metallic interlocked armor (MC-HL / TECK90) protects medium-voltage mine and industrial feeders against mechanical impact, but adds significant weight, increases bending stiffness, corrodes in acidic mine water and requires specialized armor glands. This Three-Conductor Polymeric-Armored UL Type MV-105 / Mine Power Type MP-GC Feeder Cable replaces metallic armor with a high-strength, high-crush-resistant extruded polymeric protective barrier under a flame-retardant PVC outer sheath.

Each phase core is built to UL 1072 Type MV-105, ICEA S-93-639 / NEMA WC 74 and AEIC CS8 specifications using compact Class B annealed bare copper conductors per ASTM B3 and B496 (2 AWG through 1000 kcmil), an extruded thermoset semi-conducting strand shield (ESS), high-dielectric 105 °C Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) insulation (115 mils for 5 kV 133% / 8 kV 100%, 220 mils for 15 kV 133%, 320 mils for 25 kV 133% and 420 mils for 35 kV 133%), a free-stripping semi-conducting insulation shield (EIS) and an annealed copper tape shield applied with a 25% nominal overlap.

The three shielded phase cores are cabled with three symmetrical split bare copper ground conductors in the interstices and encapsulated by the co-extruded polymeric impact/crush-absorbing armor layer and a sunlight-, chemical- and flame-retardant (UL 1685 / IEEE 1202 / CSA FT4) PVC jacket. Available with optional ICEA S-75-381 and CSA C22.2 No. 96.1 Mine Power Type MP-GC dual rating for surface processing plants, underground main haulageway trays, direct burial and substation duct banks.

Explore the mining and tunneling cable range for related configurations.

Construction

The representative cutaway illustrates the 3-conductor Polymeric-Armored UL Type MV-105 / MP-GC medium-voltage feeder cable, showing the three compact copper phase conductors, 105 °C contrasting EPR insulation between black semi-conducting ESS/EIS layers, 25%-overlap copper tape shields, three split bare copper ground conductors, the thick high-strength polymeric crush-resistant armor layer and the outer flame-retardant black PVC jacket.

Applications

Specify Polymeric-Armored UL Type MV-105 / MP-GC cable where medium-voltage mine and industrial feeders require mechanical crush, impact and chemical protection with smaller diameter, lighter pulling weight and tighter handling radius than metallic-armored cables.

• Mine surface concentrators, crushers, flotation plants, conveyor galleries and substation tie feeders requiring 5 kV to 35 kV (133% insulation level) distribution.
• Open uncovered cable trays, ladder racks, aerial messengers, isolated conduits in air, underground concrete duct banks and direct earth burial per NEC Articles 315 and 392.
• Dual-purpose industrial and mining facilities specifying UL 1072 Type MV-105 with optional ICEA S-75-381 / CSA C22.2 No. 96.1 Mine Power Type MP-GC compliance.
• Corrosive, wet or chemically aggressive environments where non-metallic polymeric armor eliminates galvanic armor corrosion and simplifies cable termination.

Specifications

(1) Conduit in Air ampacities per 2023 NEC Table 315.60(C)(9) for three-conductor copper cable in isolated conduit in air at 90 °C or 105 °C conductor temperature and 40 °C (104 °F) ambient air.

(2) Underground Duct ampacities per 2023 NEC Table 315.60(C)(13) for three-conductor copper cable in underground electrical ducts (one cable per duct, Detail 1, 100% load factor, earth thermal resistivity rho = 90) at 90 °C or 105 °C conductor temperature and 20 °C (68 °F) ambient earth.

(3) Uncovered Tray ampacities per 2023 NEC Section 392.80(B)(1)(2) for three-conductor cables installed with at least one cable O.D. spacing in an uncovered cable tray at 40 °C (104 °F) ambient air (100% of Table 315.60(C)(5) values).

While the EPR dielectric is rated for 105 °C continuous operation, the maximum operating temperature of the installed circuit must not exceed the temperature rating of the medium-voltage terminations and splices.

Standards

NEMA / ICEA S-93-639 (NEMA WC 74) shielded medium-voltage power cable standard