A covered conductor is an overhead line conductor with an insulating XLPE covering bonded over it. It is not a fully insulated cable — but the covering is enough to stop the faults that dominate overhead-line outages: conductor clash in wind, tree branches, creepers, birds and animals.
When MVCC is the right choice
- Lines through forest, vegetation and wildlife corridors — transient tree contact stops tripping the line.
- Congested residential and roadside routes, and road/rail/river crossings.
- Coastal, polluted and high-wind zones — the anti-tracking outer layer resists salt, humidity and pollution.
- Where right-of-way is tight: phase spacing can be reduced, cutting tower costs.
Construction (five layers)
- Stranded, longitudinally water-blocked conductor — AAAC, ACSR, ACSS or AL59 ACS
- Extruded semi-conducting screen
- Inner XLPE insulation (carbon-free)
- Outer UV-protected, anti-tracking black XLPE/HDPE
- All three polymer layers co-extruded and bonded
Ratings and standards
APAR covered conductors are available at 11, 22, 33, 66, 110 and 132 kV, in 100–400 mm², manufactured to SS-EN 50397-1, BS EN 50182, IS 398-2, IS 398-4 and IEC 61089, and type tested at CPRI Bengaluru and ERDA Vadodara. Standard operation is up to 95°C; the AL59 ACS conductor runs to 105°C and carries 15–20% more current than ACSR at the same sag.
Spans of 60–70 m are self-supporting — unlike ABC, no messenger carries the weight. Accessories (piercing connectors, clamps, sleeves) comply with EN 50397-2. Details on the covered conductors product page.