Cable current-carrying capacity is the maximum current a power cable can carry continuously without its conductor temperature exceeding the permitted limit. The NYY cable current carrying capacity tables below give ampere ratings in ground and in air for 1.5–300 mm² cross-sections. For YVV (NYY) 0.6/1 kV PVC-insulated copper-conductor power cables manufactured to TS 212, this limit is a conductor temperature of 70 °C; the current that can be carried depends on the cross-section, the number of cores and whether the cable is laid in soil or in air.
Quick access: Single-core · Multi-core · Reduced neutral · Cable sizing
What Is YVV (NYY) Cable?
YVV cable is a low voltage power cable with PVC-insulated copper conductors, cores sheathed together and a black PVC outer sheath. Known internationally by the abbreviation NYY, it is manufactured to TS 212 and has a rated voltage of 0.6/1 kV. Thanks to its mechanical strength and resistance to moisture and chemicals, it is the most widely used cable type in low voltage distribution installations.
Where Is YVV (NYY) Cable Used?
YVV cables can be used in almost any environment where energy is carried from the distribution point to the point of consumption. Because they can be buried directly in the ground and withstand outdoor conditions, they are especially suited to field applications.
Underground and Cable Ducts
Used for main power lines, buried directly in the ground or pulled through concrete ducts, conduits and cable trays.
Indoors and Outdoors
Safely installed indoors and outdoors, including open areas exposed to moisture, sunlight and mechanical stress.
Underwater Crossings
Can be used in fresh water; with special manufacturing, it can also be used in salt water environments.
Industrial and Energy Facilities
Used for main feeders and sub-distribution lines in power plants, switchyards, factories and organized industrial zones.
Cable Construction
In single-core YVV cables, cross-sections up to 10 mm² are solid (single-wire) and cross-sections above 10 mm² are stranded. In multi-core types the cores are twisted together; a common sheath is applied over the twisted bundle and a black PVC outer sheath forms the outermost layer. This layered construction provides both electrical insulation and mechanical protection against impact and moisture.
Copper conductor
Solid or stranded electrolytic copper.
PVC insulation
Insulation layer surrounding each core individually.
Common sheath
Holds the twisted cores together.
Black outer sheath
Provides protection against UV, moisture and impact.
Current-carrying capacity depends on how the cable is installed.
A cable of a given cross-section laid alone in air operates close to the table value, whereas laid side by side with several circuits on a tray it is limited to a lower current because of grouping.That is why the values in the tables below are assessed together with ambient temperature and grouping correction factors. Leaving air gaps between circuits and tying cables neatly are the most practical ways to preserve capacity.Maintaining the phase sequence and labeling cable ends matter as much for ease of maintenance as for capacity.The tray fill ratio also affects capacity; on routes where the tray is completely full, heat dissipation is harder, so extra margin is allowed during planning.
Single-Core YVV (NYY) Current-Carrying Capacity
The values below show the current-carrying capacities of single-core YVV (NYY) cables under reference conditions. Use the In soil and In air columns according to the installation environment.
| Cross-section (mm²) | Wires | Conductor Ø (mm) | Sheath (mm) | Outer Ø (mm) | Bending Ø (mm) | Resistance (Ω/km) | In soil (A) | In air (A) | Weight (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1×1.5 | 1 | 1.38 | 1.5 | 8 | 11 | 12.1 | 37 | 26 | 65 |
| 1×2.5 | 1 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 8.4 | 11 | 7.28 | 50 | 35 | 80 |
| 1×4 | 1 | 2.26 | 1.5 | 8.9 | 12 | 4.56 | 65 | 46 | 110 |
| 1×6 | 1 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 9.4 | 13 | 3.03 | 83 | 58 | 140 |
| 1×10 | 7 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 10.7 | 14 | 1.83 | 110 | 80 | 195 |
| 1×16 | 7 | 5.2 | 1.5 | 11.7 | 15 | 1.15 | 145 | 105 | 270 |
| 1×25 | 7 | 6.4 | 1.5 | 12.9 | 18 | 0.727 | 190 | 140 | 370 |
| 1×35 | 19 | 7.7 | 1.5 | 14.1 | 20 | 0.524 | 235 | 175 | 480 |
| 1×50 | 19 | 9.2 | 1.5 | 15.06 | 23 | 0.387 | 280 | 215 | 640 |
| 1×70 | 19 | 11 | 1.5 | 17.2 | 26 | 0.268 | 350 | 270 | 850 |
| 1×95 | 19 | 12.7 | 1.6 | 19.4 | 29 | 0.193 | 420 | 335 | 1115 |
| 1×120 | 37 | 14.4 | 1.6 | 21.4 | 30 | 0.153 | 480 | 390 | 1340 |
| 1×150 | 37 | 16.1 | 1.8 | 23 | 33 | 0.124 | 540 | 445 | 1660 |
| 1×185 | 37 | 18 | 2 | 25.7 | 36 | 0.0991 | 620 | 510 | 2030 |
| 1×240 | 61 | 20.5 | 2.2 | 29 | 44 | 0.0754 | 770 | 620 | 2650 |
| 1×300 | 61 | 22.7 | 2.4 | 32 | 48 | 0.0601 | 820 | 710 | 3370 |
Multi-Core YVV (NYY) Current-Carrying Capacity
In two-, three- and four-core YVV cables the cores heat each other, so the current that can be carried is lower than for a single-core cable of the same cross-section.
| Cross-section (mm²) | Wires | Conductor Ø (mm) | Sheath (mm) | Outer Ø (mm) | Bending Ø (mm) | Resistance (Ω/km) | In soil (A) | In air (A) | Weight (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2×1.5 | 1 | 1.38 | 0.8 | 11 | 14 | 12.1 | 30 | 21 | 170 |
| 2×2.5 | 1 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 13 | 16 | 7.28 | 41 | 29 | 220 |
| 2×4 | 1 | 2.26 | 1 | 15 | 17 | 4.56 | 53 | 38 | 290 |
| 2×6 | 1 | 2.8 | 1 | 15 | 18 | 3.03 | 66 | 48 | 350 |
| 2×10 | 7 | 4.1 | 1 | 17 | 21 | 1.83 | 88 | 66 | 480 |
| 3×1.5 | 1 | 1.38 | 0.8 | 12 | 15 | 12.1 | 27 | 18 | 190 |
| 3×2.5 | 1 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 13 | 16 | 7.28 | 36 | 25 | 260 |
| 3×4 | 1 | 2.26 | 1 | 15 | 19 | 4.56 | 46 | 34 | 340 |
| 3×6 | 1 | 2.8 | 1 | 16 | 20 | 3.03 | 58 | 44 | 420 |
| 3×10 | 7 | 4.1 | 1 | 17 | 21 | 1.83 | 77 | 60 | 580 |
| 4×1.5 | 1 | 1.38 | 0.8 | 13 | 16 | 12.1 | 27 | 18 | 230 |
| 4×2.5 | 1 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 14 | 17 | 7.28 | 36 | 25 | 300 |
| 4×4 | 1 | 2.26 | 1 | 16 | 19 | 4.56 | 46 | 34 | 410 |
| 4×6 | 1 | 2.8 | 1 | 17 | 21 | 3.03 | 58 | 44 | 510 |
| 4×10 | 7 | 4.1 | 1 | 20 | 23 | 1.83 | 77 | 60 | 780 |
| 4×16 | 7 | 5.2 | 1 | 23 | 27 | 1.15 | 100 | 80 | 1100 |
YVV (NYY) Cables with Reduced Neutral Conductor
With balanced three-phase loads the current in the neutral conductor is low, so the neutral cross-section can be smaller than the phase cross-section. In the notation 3×25/16, 25 mm² is the phase cross-section and 16 mm² the neutral cross-section.
| Cross-section (mm²) | Wires | Conductor Ø (mm) | Sheath (mm) | Outer Ø (mm) | Bending Ø (mm) | Resistance (Ω/km) | In soil (A) | In air (A) | Weight (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3×25/16 | 7 | 6.4 | 1.5 | 27 | 33 | 0.727 | 130 | 105 | 1420 |
| 3×35/16 | 19 | 7.7 | 1.5 | 30 | 36 | 0.524 | 155 | 130 | 1790 |
| 3×50/25 | 19 | 9.2 | 1.5 | 36 | 44 | 0.387 | 185 | 160 | 2290 |
| 3×70/35 | 19 | 11 | 1.5 | 40 | 49 | 0.268 | 230 | 200 | 3066 |
| 3×95/50 | 19 | 12.7 | 1.6 | 45 | 55 | 0.193 | 275 | 245 | 4097 |
| 3×120/70 | 37 | 14.4 | 1.6 | 50 | 61 | 0.153 | 315 | 285 | 5700 |
| 3×150/70 | 37 | 16.1 | 1.8 | 52 | 69 | 0.124 | 355 | 325 | 6132 |
| 3×185/95 | 37 | 18 | 2 | 59 | 77 | 0.0991 | 400 | 370 | 7625 |
| 3×240/120 | 61/37 | 20.5 | 2.2 | 66 | 82 | 0.0754 | 460 | 435 | 9950 |
| 3×300/150 | 61/37 | 22.7 | 2.4 | 73 | 92 | 0.0601 | 520 | 500 | 12500 |
Table values apply to reference conditions
The current values above assume standard ambient temperature, standard soil thermal resistivity and a single cable installation. In an actual project, correction factors must be applied for ambient temperature, laying depth, soil type, number of cables laid side by side and harmonic loads. Devpan’s engineering team can calculate the cross-section specifically for your project.Contact us for a cross-section calculation
How to Select a Cable Cross-Section
- Determine the operating current. Calculate the continuous operating current from the rated power of the installation or outgoing feeder, using the voltage and power factor.
- Choose the installation environment. Will the cable be buried, pulled through a duct or run in air? Use the appropriate table column accordingly.
- Apply correction factors. Derate the table value for ambient temperature, grouping and laying depth.
- Check the voltage drop. Calculate the voltage drop from the route length and the resistance value in the table; if it exceeds the limit, increase the cross-section.
- Verify short-circuit withstand. Make sure the cross-section can withstand the short-circuit current for the tripping time of the protective device.
- Coordinate with the protective device. The selected cross-section must be assessed together with the rated current of the circuit breaker/fuse in the switchboard and the selectivity plan.
Cable Size Calculator (NYY)
Enter the load, installation conditions and route length; the calculator suggests the smallest cross-section that satisfies both current-carrying capacity and voltage drop.
For preliminary sizing. Assumptions: reference temperature 20 °C in soil and 30 °C in air; PVC insulation (70 °C); grouped cables in a single touching layer (IEC 60364-5-52); voltage drop with conductor resistance at 70 °C and X ≈ 0.08 Ω/km. Short-circuit withstand, protection coordination and harmonics must be checked for each project.
Request a sizing check for your project- Cable type: YVV (NYY) – PVC-insulated, PVC-sheathed power cable with copper conductors
- Standard: TS 212
- Rated voltage: 0.6/1 kV
- Maximum conductor temperature: 70 °C
- Conductor construction: in single-core cables, solid up to 10 mm² and stranded above 10 mm²
- Cross-section range: 1.5 mm² – 300 mm² (single-core), 3×25/16 – 3×300/150 (reduced neutral)
- Current values: given separately for installation in soil and in air; a cable laid in soil usually carries more current because it dissipates heat better.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cable Current-Carrying Capacities
What is cable current-carrying capacity?
Cable current-carrying capacity is the maximum current a power cable can conduct continuously without its conductor temperature exceeding the permitted limit (70 °C for YVV/NYY cables). The value depends on the cross-section, number of cores, installation environment and ambient temperature.
Are YVV and NYY the same cable?
Yes. YVV is the Turkish designation used in the TS 212 standard; NYY is the international abbreviation of the same cable, originating from VDE. Both describe a PVC-insulated, PVC-sheathed 0.6/1 kV power cable with copper conductors.
Where is YVV (NYY) cable used?
It is used as a power cable underground, in cable ducts, indoors and outdoors, in fresh water (in salt water with special manufacturing), and in power plants, industrial facilities and switchyards.
Does a cable carry more current in soil or in air?
A cable laid in soil usually carries more current, because soil removes the heat generated in the cable more effectively than air. For example, a 4×16 mm² YVV cable carries 100 A in soil and 80 A in air.
What is the maximum conductor temperature of YVV cable?
The maximum conductor temperature in continuous operation is 70 °C. The permitted limit during a short circuit is higher and applies only for a short time.
What is the conductor construction of YVV cable?
In single-core cables, cross-sections up to 10 mm² are solid and those above 10 mm² are stranded. A common sheath covers the twisted cores, and a black PVC outer sheath forms the outermost layer.
How many amps does a 4×16 mm² YVV cable carry?
According to TS 212 table values, a 4×16 mm² YVV (NYY) cable carries 100 A in soil and 80 A in air. Its resistance is 1.15 Ω/km, its outer diameter 23 mm and its weight approximately 1,100 kg/km.
Are the current values in the table valid under all conditions?
No. The table values apply to reference conditions. Correction factors must be applied for ambient temperature, soil thermal resistivity, laying depth, the number of cables laid side by side and harmonic loads.
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