CSA Type G-BGC and SHC-GC 2000V Portable Mining Cable

Canadian underground potash mines, hard-rock operations and cold-climate open-pit quarries specify two specialized 2000 V portable power constructions under CSA C22.2 No. 96 that differ fundamentally from standard North American Type G-GC and Type SHD-GC cables: Type G-BGC (Balanced Ground-Check) and Type SHC-GC (Shielded Common with Ground-Check). Selecting the exact CSA designation ensures compatibility with mine ground-fault relays and phase-to-ground protection schemes.

In conventional asymmetric 2000 V Type G-GC cables, high phase currents flowing through long trailing lengths induce an unbalanced longitudinal electromotive force (EMF) into the single off-center ground-check conductor, causing nuisance relay trips or circulating stray currents. CSA Type G-BGC resolves this by replacing the single pilot with a geometrically balanced, low-induced-voltage pilot assembly in the third interstice opposite the two split grounding conductors, keeping induced voltage below Canadian mine relay thresholds.

Where provincial mining codes require metallic fault screening at 2000 V without the larger diameter and stiffness of individually shielded Type SHD-GC, CSA Type SHC-GC applies a flexible overall tinned copper braid shield (SHC = Shielded Common) around the complete cabled core assembly beneath the reinforced dual-layer thermoset Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) jacket. Both constructions pass CSA -40 C cold bend and cold impact tests and FT4 flame testing.

Explore the mining and tunneling cable range for related configurations.

CSA Type G-BGC and SHC-GC 2000V Construction

The horizontal sample illustrates the 2000 V CSA C22.2 No. 96 Type G-BGC and Type SHC-GC constructions, highlighting the three rope-lay tinned copper phase conductors with 90 C EPR insulation (Black, White, Red), two split tinned copper grounding conductors, the yellow balanced ground-check (BGC) pilot assembly or single GC pilot, overall tinned copper braid shield (on Type SHC-GC), reinforcing textile braid and -40 C black thermoset CPE jacket.

CSA Type G-BGC and SHC-GC 2000V Code and Designation Breakdown

• CSA C22.2 No. 96: Canadian Standards Association specification governing 2000 V portable power cables for mining and industrial service
• Type G-BGC: Three EPR phase cores, two split grounding conductors and a geometrically balanced ground-check (BGC) pilot assembly to cancel induced EMF voltage
• Type SHC-GC: Three EPR phase cores, two split grounds and an 8 AWG ground-check pilot enclosed within a common overall tinned copper braid shield (SHC = Shielded Common)
• 2000 V (2 kV): Rated continuous phase-to-phase 60 Hz AC portable and trailing mining operating voltage across 8 AWG to 500 kcmil
• -40 °C Cold Impact: CSA C22.2 No. 0.3 Arctic cold bend and cold impact rating for Canadian surface pits and underground potash/hard-rock mines
• FT4 / MSHA CPE Jacket: Dual-layer reinforced thermoset Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) jacket complying with CSA FT1/FT4 and MSHA 30 CFR Part 7 flame resistance

CSA Type G-BGC and SHC-GC 2000V Applications

Specify CSA Type G-BGC or Type SHC-GC 2000 V cables for Canadian underground mines, Arctic surface pits and mobile mining machinery operating up to 2 kV.

• Long trailing feeder runs to underground potash borer miners, continuous miners, shuttle cars and mobile bridge conveyors using sensitive balanced ground-check (BGC) monitoring relays.
• 2000 V portable load centers, mine dewatering skid pumps, jumbo drills and portable crushers requiring CSA C22.2 No. 96 common metallic fault shielding (Type SHC-GC).
• Extreme cold-weather surface mining and Arctic exploration equipment down to -40 C ambient temperature without jacket cracking.
• Direct replacement for Canadian equipment schedules specifying Type G-BGC (unshielded balanced pilot) or Type SHC-GC (common shield), avoiding mismatch with standard Type G-GC or individually shielded Type SHD-BGC.

CSA Type G-BGC and SHC-GC 2000V Model Comparison and Selection Boundary

Select Type G-BGC when induced pilot voltage on long 2000 V runs causes nuisance ground-wire monitor trips; select Type SHC-GC when provincial rules require metallic fault shielding in a compact 2 kV cable.

Related selection resources

• Mining and tunneling cable engineering solutions
• North American portable mining cable comparison and selection guide
• Type G-CGC 2000V round portable mining cable with center ground-check
• Type SHD-PCG 2 kV shielded portable mining power and control cable
• AS/NZS 1802 Type 245F and 241F Electro-Optic Mining Cable

CSA Type G-BGC and SHC-GC 2000V Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Canadian potash and hard-rock mines specify CSA Type G-BGC instead of standard Type G-GC?

On long 2000 V trailing cable runs carrying high phase current, asymmetric single-pilot Type G-GC cables experience longitudinal electromagnetic induction into the off-center pilot wire, which can exceed Canadian ground-wire monitor (GWM) voltage thresholds. CSA Type G-BGC uses a geometrically balanced low-induced-voltage pilot assembly in the third interstice to cancel induced EMF.

How does CSA Type SHC-GC differ from Type SHD-GC at 2000 V?

Type SHC-GC (Shielded Common with Ground-Check) applies one flexible overall tinned copper braid shield around the complete cabled core assembly beneath the reinforced CPE jacket, providing metallic fault containment with a smaller outside diameter and tighter bend radius than individually phase-shielded Type SHD-GC.

Are CSA Type G-BGC and Type SHC-GC rated for -40 °C Arctic surface and underground service?

Yes. Both cables use a reinforced dual-layer thermoset Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) outer jacket and 90 °C EPR insulation that pass CSA C22.2 No. 0.3 cold-bend and cold-impact tests at -40 °C as well as CSA FT1/FT4 and MSHA flame tests.

What are the MOQ and manufacturing lead time for CSA Type G-BGC and Type SHC-GC?

All sizes from 8 AWG to 500 kcmil are manufactured from a 50 m minimum order quantity (MOQ) with a 7 to 45 working day lead time, available in black or high-visibility yellow/orange CPE jackets.

CSA Type G-BGC and SHC-GC 2000V Technical Specifications

CSA Type G-BGC and SHC-GC 2000V Key Specifications

• Standard & Models: CSA C22.2 No. 96-23 Type G-BGC (balanced ground-check) and Type SHC-GC (overall common braid shield)
• Voltage & Size Range: 2000 V (2 kV) AC three-phase; 8 AWG through 500 kcmil rope-lay tinned copper phase conductors
• Ground & Pilot Design: Two split grounding conductors + low-induced-voltage BGC pilot pair (Type G-BGC) or 8 AWG GC pilot (Type SHC-GC)
• Jacket & Cold Rating: Reinforced dual-layer thermoset CPE jacket rated -40 °C CSA cold impact, CSA FT1/FT4 and MSHA flame resistant
• Bend Radius & Supply: 6 x O.D. minimum dynamic bending radius; MOQ 50 m; manufacturing lead time 7 to 45 working days

CSA Type G-BGC 2000 V Balanced Ground-Check Size Schedule (8 AWG–500 kcmil)

CSA Type SHC-GC 2000 V Common-Shielded Size Schedule (8 AWG–500 kcmil)

Ampacities are based on 90 °C conductor temperature and 30 °C ambient air temperature for single three-conductor portable cable in free air per CSA C22.2 No. 96 / CE Code Part I; apply reel-layer derating factors (0.85 for 1 layer, 0.65 for 2 layers, 0.45 for 3 layers, 0.35 for 4 layers) when operated on reeling drums.

Type G-BGC balanced pilot conductors can be supplied as a symmetrical twisted pair or a low-reactance concentric balanced pilot depending on the mine ground-wire monitor (GWM) relay model; specify the relay type when ordering.

High-visibility yellow, orange or black thermoset CPE / Polychloroprene outer jackets are available to match provincial mine color-coding regulations.

ASCII part references for BOM and ERP entry: CSA G-BGC 3x8 AWG, CSA G-BGC 3x6 AWG, CSA G-BGC 3x4 AWG, CSA G-BGC 3x2 AWG, CSA G-BGC 3x1 AWG, CSA G-BGC 3x1/0 AWG, CSA G-BGC 3x2/0 AWG, CSA G-BGC 3x3/0 AWG, CSA G-BGC 3x4/0 AWG, CSA G-BGC 3x250 kcmil, CSA G-BGC 3x350 kcmil, CSA G-BGC 3x500 kcmil, CSA SHC-GC 3x4 AWG, CSA SHC-GC 3x2 AWG, CSA SHC-GC 3x2/0 AWG, CSA SHC-GC 3x4/0 AWG.

CSA Type G-BGC and SHC-GC 2000V Standards and Test References

Certifications and document support

TEBAOFLEX company certificates and quality system documentation

NEMA / ICEA S-75-381 & S-93-639 Medium-Voltage Mining and Shielded Power Cable Standards

IEC Webstore — IEC 60228 Class 5 Conductors and IEC 60332 Flame Testing Standards