Cables insulated with XLPE and sheathed with HDPE are extremely resilient, increasing the time between replacement and reducing total cost of ownership. They are also able to withstand higher operating temperatures, enhancing safety and increasing grid capacity.

With lower thermal and volume resistivity, over the lifetime of a cable, a combined XLPE / HDPE solution reduces energy loss – and operating costs.

Because XLPE insulation is able to cope with higher levels of electricity transfer, as the world continues to demand more electricity in the future, it gives utilities a better solution for energy transfer.

Compared to alternative solutions, XLPE insulation also offers a 23% higher maximum conductor temperature and a 66% improvement in short circuit temperatures. And with a water absorption rate of less than 0.1mg/cm2, the combined solution is the optimal choice for applications where the cable maybe exposed to the natural environment, and more specifically to moist soil conditions.

Thanks to the increased hardness and impact resistance of HDPE sheathing, the combined solution is also easier, faster and cheaper to install than alternative materials for sheathing.

With a smaller carbon footprint over the lifetime of a cable, a reduction in energy transfer losses and fewer harmful chemicals released in the event of a fire, the combined XLPE / HDPE cable solution is significantly more eco-friendly. What’s more, HDPE can be recycled for use in future cable solutions and, while XLPE can’t yet be reused in cables, it can be combined with virgin material for a variety of alternative applications.