Detailed Description
What Is Y Series Rubber Sheathed Cable?
The Y series (YC, YCW, YZ, YZW) is the Chinese national standard family of rubber sheathed flexible cables, defined by GB/T 5013.4 — the Chinese equivalent of IEC 60245-4. The "Y" designation (from Chinese "橡皮" — rubber) identifies cables with EPR (ethylene propylene rubber) core insulation and a CR (neoprene) outer sheath. The Y series is the most widely used flexible rubber cable in China and is the standard specification for construction sites, factories, mines, and mobile equipment throughout Asia.
The Y series code tells you the cable's duty and temperature capability at a glance:
- Y: Rubber insulation (the base designation)
- C: Heavy duty (from Chinese "重型" — heavy type)
- Z: Medium duty (from Chinese "中型" — medium type)
- W: Cold-resistant (from Chinese "耐寒" — cold-resistant, equivalent to the European "arctic grade" designation)
YC vs YZ — Heavy vs Medium Duty
| Parameter | YC (Heavy Duty) | YZ (Medium Duty) |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage rating | 450/750 V | 300/500 V |
| Conductor cross-section | 1.5–150 mm² | 0.75–6 mm² |
| Sheath thickness | 1.5–4.5 mm | 1.2–2.0 mm |
| Core count | 1–5 cores | 2–5 cores |
| Mechanical duty | Heavy — construction sites, mobile machinery, temporary distribution | Medium — portable tools, extension leads, light mobile equipment |
| Equivalent European type | H07RN-F (450/750 V rubber) | H05RN-F (300/500 V rubber) |
| Typical application | 5G10 mm² YC — connecting a 3-phase construction site distribution board | 3G2.5 mm² YZ — power lead for a handheld electric breaker |
| Cost | Higher — thicker sheath, higher voltage rating | Lower — lighter construction |
The choice between YC and YZ is determined by the mechanical environment: if the cable will be walked on, driven over, dragged across concrete, or exposed to construction site hazards, YC is the specification. If the cable connects a tool to a socket outlet and is handled with reasonable care by the operator, YZ is adequate and more economical.
YCW / YZW — The Cold-Resistant Advantage
Standard rubber cable stiffens at low temperatures — the rubber molecules lose mobility, the sheath becomes rigid, and flexing the cable can crack the sheath and expose the conductors. The "W" suffix designates a cold-resistant CR compound formulation that retains flexibility at temperatures down to -40°C (YCW) or -30°C (YZW).
The practical difference: a standard YC cable installed on a winter construction site in Harbin (-30°C in January) will be as stiff as a steel bar — it cannot be uncoiled from the reel without damage, and any attempt to flex it will crack the sheath. A YCW cable at the same temperature can be uncoiled, routed, and connected normally. The cold-resistant compound is a different plasticizer and filler formulation that shifts the rubber's glass transition temperature downward by 15–20°C.
For any outdoor installation in regions where the winter temperature drops below -15°C, specify YCW instead of YC. The cost premium is modest, and the avoided cost of replacing cracked cables after the first winter more than justifies it.
Y Series vs European Harmonized Types
| Y Series (GB/T 5013.4) | European Equivalent (HD 22 / IEC 60245) | Voltage | Duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| YC | H07RN-F / 60245 IEC 66 | 450/750 V | Heavy |
| YCW | H07RN-F cold-resistant variant | 450/750 V | Heavy, cold-resistant |
| YZ | H05RN-F / 60245 IEC 53 | 300/500 V | Medium |
| YZW | H05RN-F cold-resistant variant | 300/500 V | Medium, cold-resistant |
For projects specifying IEC 60245 harmonized types, Yichi can manufacture and certify to either GB/T 5013.4 (with CCC marking) or IEC 60245 (with HAR marking and European national approvals) from the same production line — the cable construction is identical; the certification is what changes.
Why Choose Yichi Y Series Rubber Sheathed Cables
- CCC certified for the Chinese domestic market: YC/YCW/YZ/YZW cables carry the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark, meeting the mandatory safety requirements for rubber sheathed flexible cables sold and installed in China. Export cables for non-Chinese markets can be manufactured to IEC 60245 with HAR marking
- Complete Y series range — one manufacturer, all types: YC, YCW, YZ, YZW across the full voltage and cross-section range — a single supplier for all rubber sheathed flexible cable requirements on the project
- Cold-resistant compounds as standard for W-suffix types: YCW and YZW use a specifically formulated cold-resistant CR compound, not a generic rubber with a "cold resistant" label. The cold-flex performance is verified by low-temperature bend testing per GB/T 5013.2
- EPR insulation — the correct material for rubber cable: All Y series cable cores are EPR insulated. We do not manufacture Y series cable with PVC insulation and a rubber sheath — the core insulation is rubber, as the standard requires, because rubber's compression recovery and cold-flex properties are what the application demands
- In-line spark testing of every core: All insulated cores are spark-tested at 4–6 kV AC before sheathing — any pinhole or thin spot in the core insulation is detected and cut out before the sheath is applied. This is a 100% test, not a sample
- Custom core counts and color codes: Standard 2–5 core configurations in the harmonized color code; custom core counts, cross-section combinations, and non-standard color codes available for OEM equipment manufacturers with specific cable specifications