Watertight Cable 2×16AWG + 2×20AWG, TPU Sheath, 10mm OD

Product overview

This is a watertight composite cable for subsea use and long-term damp environments. Two power cores and two signal cores share one sheath, so power supply and signal transmission are completed on a single cable, reducing the number of cables and joints required on underwater equipment. That lowers the risk of water ingress and failure and also simplifies deployment and maintenance.

The core is cabled in a single pass, after which a shield layer, a fibre braid strength layer and the extruded sheath are applied in sequence. The strength elements and the conductors are arranged in separate layers, so during towing and lifting the pull is taken by the fibre layer and the conductors carry no direct tensile load, which prevents cores from being stretched or broken. The insulation and the sheath use a low-absorption insulating material and a hydrolysis-resistant elastomer sheath compound respectively, and the finished cable is yellow for underwater observation and location.

The construction balances watertightness, flexibility and mechanical strength, and suits use as a combined power and signal cable for underwater equipment, subsea tethered platforms and survey devices.

Construction and materials

• Conductor: tinned copper. Power core cross-sectional area 1.31mm² (16AWG); signal core multi-wire stranded, cross-sectional area 0.5mm² (20AWG)
• Conductor stranding: same-direction lay, tightly stranded; power core stranded diameter 1.5mm, signal core stranded diameter 0.91mm
• Insulation: PE, 0.55mm thick. Power core insulation diameter 2.6±0.05mm, cores red and blue; signal core insulation 0.45mm thick, diameter 1.8±0.05mm, cores black and white
• Cabling: four cores cabled with same-direction lay, cabled diameter 5.2±0.5mm
• Strength elements: LCP fibre, 4 × 3000D strength yarns laid parallel to the core; outer 16-carrier fibre braid with coverage of approximately 50%
• Shield layer: aluminium foil wrap, applied over the cabled core and under the braid
• Outer sheath: TPU, 2.0mm thick, yellow. Extruded, finished outer diameter 10±0.3mm

Key features

• Watertight and water-blocking: wrap, braid and extruded sheath are applied in layers over the cabled core to form multiple barriers, giving longitudinal water-blocking for long-term immersion
• Independent strength member: strength fibres and conductors are in separate layers, so load is taken by the fibre layer and the risk of core damage or breakage is reduced
• Shielded against interference: the shield layer over the core reduces interference from the power circuit to the signal circuit and supports stable signal transmission
• Flexible and easy to install: the core is cabled with a tight same-direction lay, so the cable is soft and easy to route inside equipment, deploy and coil
• Environmental resistance: the sheath compound resists hydrolysis, abrasion, oil and common chemical media, which suits seawater and damp conditions
• Easy identification: the yellow sheath is highly visible in water, which helps underwater observation, recovery and routine maintenance

Electrical and mechanical performance

• Rated voltage: as stated in the specification document confirmed by both parties
• Operating temperature range: as stated in the specification document confirmed by both parties
• Minimum bending radius: as stated in the specification document confirmed by both parties
• Tensile strength: as stated in the specification document confirmed by both parties
• Insulation resistance and withstand voltage: tested to project requirements, as stated in the specification document confirmed by both parties
• Conductor DC resistance: as stated in the specification document confirmed by both parties

Typical applications

• Subsea observation equipment: power and signal channels for underwater cameras, lighting, acoustic devices and various sensors, where power and data return on one cable are required
• Subsea tethered platforms: used as a tether cable to supply power and return data, keeping the construction stable under repeated lifting and deployment
• Cable-controlled submersibles and subsea working equipment: ROVs, subsea manipulator arms and tooling that need combined power and signal transmission
• Marine engineering monitoring: online monitoring instruments, sampling devices and data acquisition systems permanently installed underwater or in tidal zones
• Shipboard and dock equipment: mobile power and signal connections requiring hydrolysis-resistant and abrasion-resistant cable, such as power for mobile subsea equipment

Installation and use recommendations

• Deployment and pulling: let the strength layer take the tensile load where possible, and avoid pulling directly on the cores or applying excessive force that could damage the conductors
• Bending control: avoid sharp bends when routing and coiling, and do not repeatedly bend the cable at the same point over long periods, which could damage insulation and shield
• Jointing: seal terminations and breakout points so that watertightness continues through the joint
• Fixing: keep clamping force even when fixing the cable with clamps or ties, and avoid locally crushing the sheath
• Storage and transport: store on reels in a cool, dry place, away from prolonged direct sunlight, heavy loads and sharp objects

Selection and customisation notes

• Core count and cross-section, shield type, sheath colour and finished outer diameter can be adjusted to project requirements
• Working depth, operating tension, bending frequency and contact media affect the construction selected and should be stated at the selection stage
• Where higher tensile performance is needed, the specification and arrangement of the strength elements can be adjusted
• Where a smaller diameter or lower weight is needed, the core combination can be reviewed together with the construction
• Terminations, breakouts and reel lengths can be specified to the project, subject to the specification document confirmed by both parties