What Does XLPE Cable Mean?

XLPE insulated cable is one of the most popular cable forms for high performance electrical projects. Because they do not melt easily when transmitting high voltages; they do not corrode when exposed to corrosive acids, gases and salts; and because they are a high-performance, long-lasting insulation choice, XLPE underground cables are also an excellent choice for outdoor power transmission.

So, what exactly is XLPE cable and what does XLPE mean?

Cables sometimes have multiple names to identify the same cable. PVC XLPE cable is one such example. Depending on the manufacturer, XLPE wire may also be identified as PEX or XPE cable. The three abbreviations mean the same thing: XLPE cable.

To understand what XLPE cable means, it is first necessary to understand what the various parts of the abbreviation "XLPE" mean. In this case, "PE" refers to polyethylene - the basic material XLPE cable manufacturers use to produce cables. And "XL" refers to cross-linking technology, which is a technique used by XLPE cable manufacturers when producing XLPE cords.

So when we put these abbreviations together, we know that XLPE cables refer to cables produced through a process of vulcanizing or cross-linking polyethylene strands that alter their molecular structure.