Detailed Introduction to 16mm, 25mm Green-Yellow Copper Earth Wire
I. From the Perspective of the Product Itself
(I) Specification Parameters
The specification parameters of 16mm² and 25mm² green-yellow
Copper Earth Wires are crucial for ensuring reliable grounding protection in various electrical systems. Each parameter has undergone precise calculation and strict standardization to meet the safety requirements of different scenarios.
The cross-sectional area of the conductor is the most core specification difference between the two earth wires. The conductor of the 16mm² earth wire is stranded by multiple fine
Copper Wires with a diameter of 0.28mm, and the total cross-sectional area is strictly controlled at 16±0.8mm². This precise size control ensures the stability of its conductive performance. The 25mm² earth wire is stranded by more and slightly thicker copper wires, with a total cross-sectional area of 25±1.2mm². The larger cross-sectional area enables it to carry a larger current.
DC resistance is an important indicator to measure the conductive performance of the conductor. At a normal temperature of 20℃, the conductor DC resistance of the 16mm² earth wire is ≤1.15Ω/km, and that of the 25mm² earth wire is ≤0.74Ω/km. A lower DC resistance means less loss during current transmission, allowing leakage current to be conducted into the ground more quickly, thereby triggering protective devices more timely and reducing the risk of electric shock.
Short-time current withstand capacity is an important performance parameter for earth wires to cope with sudden leakage. The 16mm² earth wire can withstand a current of 1500A for 1 second, and the 25mm² earth wire can withstand 2500A for the same duration. This characteristic ensures that in the event of faults such as short circuits or severe leakage, the earth wire will not fuse due to the instantaneous large current, and can continue to play a grounding protection role, buying time for fault troubleshooting and handling.
The thickness of the insulation layer is also clearly specified. The
PVC Insulation layer thickness of the 16mm² earth wire is 1.0±0.1mm, and that of the 25mm² earth wire is 1.2±0.1mm. An appropriate insulation layer thickness not only provides good insulation protection to prevent current on the earth wire from leaking to other objects, but also enhances the mechanical strength of the earth wire, making it more wear-resistant during laying and use.
In terms of outer diameter, the outer diameter of the 16mm² earth wire is approximately 8.5mm, and that of the 25mm² earth wire is approximately 10.5mm. This size design enables it to fit common pipes and trunking, facilitating laying in different installation environments. At the same time, the minimum bending radius of both earth wires is 6 times the outer diameter. The minimum bending radius of the 16mm² earth wire is 51mm, and that of the 25mm² earth wire is 63mm. The small bending radius ensures that the earth wire can be flexibly laid in narrow spaces, adapting to complex wiring environments.
In addition, the rated temperature range of the earth wire is -20℃ to 70℃. Within this temperature range, all its performances can remain stable, adapting to climate conditions in different regions and temperature changes in various industrial and civil environments. The insulation resistance is ≥100MΩ, ensuring the reliable insulation performance of the insulation layer and avoiding insulation failure.
(II) Characteristic Applications
16mm² and 25mm² green-yellow copper earth wires play an important role in grounding protection in different fields and scenarios by virtue of their respective specification characteristics, providing strong guarantees for the safety of electrical equipment and personnel.
Due to its moderate cross-sectional area and current-carrying capacity, the 16mm² earth wire is widely used in the civil construction field. In residential buildings, it is often used for connecting the grounding bar of residential distribution boxes, introducing leakage current in the distribution box into the ground to ensure household electricity safety. Safety grounding of household appliances such as air conditioner outdoor units, electric water heaters, and refrigerators also mostly uses 16mm² earth wires. If these appliances leak during use, the earth wire can quickly conduct the current into the ground, avoiding electric shock accidents when the human body comes into contact.
In commercial buildings, 16mm² earth wires can be used as floor grounding trunks, connecting the grounding terminals of electrical equipment on each floor to form a unified grounding network. For example, office equipment such as computers, printers, and copiers in office buildings are connected to the floor grounding trunk through 16mm² earth wires to ensure the normal operation of the equipment and personnel safety. In addition, 16mm² earth wires are often used for grounding of lighting systems and small power equipment in small shopping malls and hotels.
In the industrial field, 16mm² earth wires are suitable for small and medium-sized power distribution systems and grounding of industrial equipment with power ≤50kW. For example, the shells of mechanical equipment such as lathes and milling machines in small processing plants are grounded through 16mm² earth wires to prevent the equipment from harming operators due to leakage. At the same time, some small control cabinets and distribution boxes also use this specification of earth wire for grounding.
Due to its larger cross-sectional area and higher short-time current withstand capacity, 25mm² earth wires play a key role in large industrial and power systems. In large factories, the shell grounding of high-power equipment (power above 50kW) such as large motors, fans, and pumps must use 25mm² earth wires. These equipment have large current during operation, and in case of leakage, an earth wire capable of carrying large current is needed to safely conduct it into the ground.
In the construction of substation grounding grids, 25mm² earth wires are an ideal choice for main lines. The grounding grid is an important guarantee for the safe operation of the substation. Through 25mm² earth wires, various equipment grounding terminals in the substation are connected and connected to the grounding body, forming a low-impedance grounding system, which can effectively release lightning shocks and short-circuit currents during equipment failures.
The grounding system of new energy charging piles is also inseparable from 25mm² earth wires. With the popularization of new energy vehicles, the safe operation of charging piles is crucial. 25mm² earth wires can ensure that when leakage occurs during the charging process of the charging pile, the current is timely conducted into the ground to protect the safety of vehicles and charging personnel. In addition, main lines of grounding systems in places with high requirements for power stability such as large data centers and communication base stations also mostly use 25mm² earth wires.
Whether it is 16mm² or 25mm² earth wires, during use, they need to be reliably connected to grounding bodies (such as galvanized angle steel, copper rods, grounding grids, etc.) to form a complete grounding loop, and the grounding resistance must be ≤4Ω to give full play to their grounding protection role.
(III) Material and Style
In terms of material selection and style design, 16mm² and 25mm² green-yellow copper earth wires fully consider the functional requirements of grounding protection and the characteristics of the use environment, ensuring that they have excellent performance and practicality.
The
Conductor Material is high-purity electrolytic copper with a purity of ≥99.95%. This copper material has extremely high conductivity and can quickly conduct leakage current, which is the core guarantee for effective grounding protection. High-purity electrolytic copper undergoes multiple refining processes to remove impurities, reducing resistance during current transmission and ensuring that leakage current can be conducted into the ground at the fastest speed.
In order to balance the
Flexibility and mechanical strength of the conductor, the conductor is made by multi-strand stranding process. The 16mm² earth wire is stranded by 70 fine copper wires with a diameter of 0.28mm, and the 25mm² earth wire is stranded by 120 fine copper wires with a diameter of 0.32mm. The multi-strand stranding structure makes the earth wire have good flexibility, facilitating bending and laying in narrow spaces and complex paths, reducing construction difficulty. At the same time, the stranding structure also enhances the mechanical strength of the conductor, making it not easy to break when subjected to external forces such as stretching and bending, and prolonging the service life.
The insulation layer is made of weather-resistant PVC (polyvinyl chloride) material, which has many characteristics suitable for grounding protection scenarios. Firstly, the PVC insulation layer has good insulation performance with an insulation resistance of ≥100MΩ, which can effectively isolate the current path between the conductor and the outside world, prevent current on the earth wire from leaking to other objects, and ensure the safety of the grounding system. Secondly, it has a wide temperature resistance range and can work stably in the environment of -20℃ to 70℃, adapting to climate conditions in different regions and temperature changes in industrial environments.
The PVC insulation layer also has excellent acid and alkali corrosion resistance, ultraviolet resistance, and mechanical wear resistance. In industrial environments with humidity, dust, and slight corrosive gases, or in outdoor exposed scenarios, the insulation layer can effectively resist erosion from external factors, maintain stable performance, and extend the service life of the earth wire. In addition, PVC material has good flame retardant performance, which can delay combustion in case of fire and reduce safety hazards.
In terms of style design, both earth wires have a single-core structure, which is simple and intuitive, facilitating installation and connection. The most notable feature is its green-yellow insulation layer. This color combination strictly follows the international standard IEC 60446, which is a special identifier for grounding lines. It can be clearly distinguished from phase lines (such as black, brown, gray) and neutral lines (such as blue), effectively avoiding misoperation during wiring and improving the reliability of the grounding system.
The appearance of the earth wire is round with a smooth surface, facilitating pipe 穿 and laying. Its outer diameter varies according to specifications, with 16mm² being approximately 8.5mm and 25mm² being approximately 10.5mm. The appropriate outer diameter not only ensures the thickness and strength of the insulation layer, but also fits common pipes and trunking, meeting the needs of different installation scenarios.
(IV) Production Process
The production process of 16mm² and 25mm² green-yellow copper earth wires is rigorous and complex. Every link from raw material processing to finished product inspection is strictly controlled to ensure that product quality meets relevant standards and usage requirements.
Conductor manufacturing is the first and key step in the production process. Firstly, high-purity electrolytic copper ingots are selected as raw materials and put into a melting furnace for high-temperature melting. The temperature is controlled at about 1100℃ to completely melt the copper ingots into copper water. During the melting process, appropriate deoxidizers are added to remove oxygen and other impurities in the copper water, improving the purity of copper.
The molten copper is cast into copper rods through a continuous caster, and the diameter of the copper rods is determined according to the final conductor specifications. For the conductors of 16mm² and 25mm² earth wires, the copper rods need to be further drawn into copper wires with smaller diameters. The wire drawing process is carried out on a wire drawing machine. The copper rod passes through a series of dies with different apertures and is drawn into fine copper wires with the required diameter (the copper wire diameter of 16mm² earth wire is 0.28mm, and that of 25mm² is 0.32mm). During the wire drawing process, it is necessary to accurately control the wire drawing speed and die temperature to ensure that the diameter of the copper wire is uniform, the surface is smooth, and defects such as burrs and cracks are avoided.
After wire drawing, the copper wire needs to be annealed. The copper wire is put into an annealing furnace, heated to 300-400℃ under the protection of inert gas, and then slowly cooled after being insulated for a period of time. Annealing treatment can eliminate the internal stress generated in the copper wire during the wire drawing process, improve the flexibility and conductivity of the copper wire, and make the copper wire easier to strand and lay.
Next is the conductor stranding process. According to the requirements of different specifications of earth wires, multiple strands of fine copper wires are stranded according to the specified stranding direction and pitch. Stranding is carried out on a special stranding machine. The 16mm² earth wire is stranded by 70 copper wires, and the 25mm² by 120 copper wires. During the stranding process, it is necessary to ensure that each strand of copper wire is evenly stressed and tightly stranded, avoiding loose strands, broken strands, etc., to ensure the conductive performance and mechanical strength of the conductor. The
Stranded Conductor needs to undergo appearance and size inspection to ensure that it meets the design requirements.
Insulation layer extrusion is a key step to endow the earth wire with insulation performance. The stranded conductor is fed into the extruder, and a layer of PVC insulation is extruded outside the conductor. Before extrusion, PVC raw materials need to undergo strict screening and drying treatment to remove impurities and moisture to ensure the quality of the insulation layer. The temperature control of the extruder is crucial. Generally, the barrel temperature is set at 160-180℃ to fully melt and plasticize the PVC material.
During the extrusion process, the molten PVC material is evenly coated on the surface of the conductor through a die to form an insulation layer with uniform thickness (the insulation layer thickness of 16mm² earth wire is 1.0mm, and that of 25mm² is 1.2mm). In order to form a green-yellow insulation layer, a two-color extrusion process is adopted. Yellow and green PVC materials are extruded at the same time and compounded in the die to form a uniform two-color insulation layer, ensuring that the colors are clear and the boundaries are distinct, meeting the requirements of international standard identification.
The extruded earth wire is quickly cooled through a cooling water tank to shape the PVC insulation layer. During the cooling process, the water temperature should be controlled to avoid internal stress or cracks in the insulation layer due to too fast cooling speed. After cooling, the earth wire needs to be printed. The product specifications, model, implementation standard, production batch number and other information are printed on the surface of the insulation layer by a printing machine. The printing should be clear and firm, facilitating product identification and traceability.
After printing, the earth wire undergoes a series of performance tests, including insulation resistance test, voltage withstand test, conductor DC resistance test, mechanical performance test, etc. The insulation resistance test must ensure ≥100MΩ; the voltage withstand test does not break down under 2000V AC voltage for 1 minute; the conductor DC resistance test must meet the standards of 16mm² ≤1.15Ω/km and 25mm² ≤0.74Ω/km; the mechanical performance test checks the tensile strength and elongation at break of the insulation layer to ensure that it has sufficient mechanical strength.
Qualified earth wires are cut according to the specified length (usually 100 meters, 200 meters or 500 meters) and wound on cable reels. During the winding process, it is necessary to ensure that the earth wires are arranged neatly to avoid twisting and 缠绕，facilitating transportation and laying. Finally, the finished products are packaged and labeled to complete the entire production process.
II. From the Perspective of General Product Information
(I) Packaging
The packaging design of 16mm² and 25mm² green-yellow copper earth wires fully considers product protection, transportation, storage and customer convenience, ensuring that the products are not damaged during circulation and remain in good condition.
For long-length earth wires (such as 100 meters, 200 meters, 500 meters), cable reel packaging is usually adopted. The cable reel is made of high-strength wood or plastic materials, which has sufficient compression and impact resistance, and can bear the weight of the earth wire and external impact during transportation. The diameter of the cable reel is determined according to the length and specification of the earth wire, generally 500mm-1000mm, to ensure that the earth wire can be neatly wound on it, avoiding looseness, distortion or mutual friction.
After the earth wire is wound on the cable reel, a layer of moisture-proof film is covered on its surface to prevent the earth wire from getting damp during storage and transportation, which affects the insulation performance. Both sides of the cable reel are equipped with baffles, on which clear product information is printed, including product name, specification (16mm² or 25mm²), length, color, implementation standard, production batch number, manufacturer name and contact information, etc., to facilitate customers to quickly identify and accept the products.
For short-length earth wires (such as 10 meters, 20 meters, 50 meters), plastic woven bags or cartons are mostly used for packaging. Plastic woven bags have good wear resistance and air permeability, which can protect the earth wire from dust, moisture and slight collision. The carton is made of strong corrugated paper, and partitions can be placed inside as needed to avoid entanglement of multiple earth wires. Detailed product information is also printed on the package for customers' access and management.
In order to meet export needs, the packaging will also comply with international transportation standards. Fumigated wooden cable reels are used to prevent the spread of diseases and pests; clear English labels and internationally accepted transportation marks, such as moisture-proof, upward, stacking limit, etc., are marked on the packaging to ensure that the products are safe and intact during international transportation.
During the packaging process, packaging specifications are strictly followed to ensure that the earth wire is firmly fixed in the package. For earth wires packaged with cable reels, the tension is controlled during winding to make the earth wires arrange closely, and the two ends of the cable reel are fixed with ropes or steel belts to prevent displacement during transportation. For small packaged earth wires, the quantity is reasonably arranged to avoid excessive extrusion.
(II) Transportation
The transportation process of 16mm² and 25mm² green-yellow copper earth wires strictly abides by relevant regulations and standards to ensure that the products are delivered to the destination safely and timely.
For domestic transportation, road transport is widely used for its flexibility, especially for medium and short distances. Vehicles are typically enclosed vans to shield the earth wires from direct sunlight, rain, and dust. When loading, cable reels or packaged earth wires are arranged neatly in the carriage and secured with ropes or steel straps to prevent collisions, shifts, or falls due to bumps during transportation. For heavier cable reels, forklifts are used for loading and unloading to ensure operational safety.
Rail transport is preferred for long-distance, large-volume shipments, offering advantages like high capacity, low cost, and stability. Earth wires are loaded into containers or covered railcars, which provide robust protection. During loading, proper arrangement and securing of goods are emphasized to avoid mutual compression and collisions. Real-time monitoring of the shipment status is done via railway freight tracking systems to keep track of the goods' location and estimated arrival time.
For export shipments, sea and air transport are the main options. Sea transport is suitable for large quantities and long distances with relatively low costs but longer transit times. During sea transport, earth wires are packaged robustly with effective moisture-proof measures to prevent seawater erosion and dampness. Cable reels are fixed inside containers to avoid damage from shaking during voyages.
Air transport is chosen for urgent orders or small-volume shipments, ensuring quick delivery but at a higher cost. It must comply with airline regulations regarding packaging, weight, and dimensions. Packages are reinforced to prevent product damage caused by pressure changes and vibrations during transport.
Regardless of the transport mode, extreme temperatures, severe vibrations, and mechanical impacts on the earth wires must be avoided. Protective measures are taken in case of harsh weather. Cooperation with reputable logistics companies is maintained, with detailed transport contracts signed to clarify responsibilities. After shipment, customers are promptly informed of transport details such as the logistics company name, waybill number, and estimated arrival time to facilitate tracking.
(III) Shipment
The shipment process for 16mm² and 25mm² green-yellow copper earth wires is streamlined and efficient, ensuring accurate and timely delivery.
Upon receiving an order, the sales team verifies details including specifications, quantity, delivery address, timeline, and packaging requirements to ensure accuracy. Validated orders are entered into the system and forwarded to the warehouse and production departments.
The warehouse checks inventory upon receiving the order. For in-stock items, staff pick the earth wires according to the order, conducting strict inspections on appearance, packaging, and labels. Inspections cover color (green-yellow), clarity of printing, integrity of the insulation layer, and absence of conductor strand breaks.
If stock is insufficient, the production department is notified to arrange manufacturing based on order priorities. The production schedule is adjusted to meet delivery deadlines, with quality checks throughout production.
After picking and inspection, the earth wires are packaged as per standards. For large orders, cable reels are wrapped in moisture-proof film and labeled. Smaller quantities use woven bags or cartons with clear product info.
The warehouse coordinates with logistics companies to schedule pickup, providing shipment details for proper handling. A comprehensive shipment record is maintained, including product specs, quantity, waybill numbers, and departure time for traceability.
Customers receive shipment notifications with tracking info, enabling them to monitor the delivery progress. The sales team follows up to address any issues promptly, ensuring a smooth delivery experience.
(IV) Samples
Providing samples of 16mm² and 25mm² green-yellow copper earth wires is an important service to help customers verify quality and suitability.
Sample requests are processed promptly upon customer inquiry. Standard samples (1-2 meters in length) are prepared, cut from production batches to ensure representativeness. They include the complete structure: conductor, insulation layer, and clear printing of specs and standards.
Samples are packaged in small cartons or sealed bags to prevent damage during transport. Each sample is labeled with product details, batch number, and production date for traceability.
Customers may request samples for testing, such as conductivity, insulation resistance, and flame retardancy. Test reports from accredited labs can be provided upon request, covering parameters like DC resistance, insulation resistance, and voltage withstand performance.
Sample delivery uses express services for timely arrival, with tracking info provided. The sales team follows up to assist with sample evaluation and address technical questions, facilitating informed purchasing decisions.
(V) After-Sales Service
Comprehensive after-sales service ensures customer satisfaction and addresses any issues with 16mm² and 25mm² green-yellow copper earth wires.
A dedicated after-sales team handles inquiries and complaints promptly, typically responding within 24 hours. For quality issues like insulation defects or conductor damage, the team investigates by checking production records and shipment details.
If the issue is confirmed to be manufacturing-related, replacement or refund is offered per the warranty policy. The warranty period is usually 12-24 months from delivery, covering defects in materials and workmanship.
Technical support is provided, including guidance on installation, connection methods, and grounding system design. The team assists with on-site troubleshooting if needed, ensuring proper use of the earth wires.
Feedback from customers is actively collected to improve product quality and service. Regular follow-ups are conducted to check product performance, fostering long-term partnerships.
Training materials such as installation manuals and maintenance guides are provided to help customers use the earth wires correctly, reducing operational issues and ensuring optimal performance in grounding systems.
English
Español
Portugues
Pусский
Français
العربية
ไทย
Türk dili
Indonesia
Điện thoại
Thư