1. Executive Summary 概述

Reeling and trailing cables operating in Arctic mining sites, Scandinavian ports, Canadian open-pit mines, and high-altitude construction zones routinely face sustained ambient temperatures of −30 °C to −50 °C. At these temperatures, standard rubber compounds undergo a dramatic loss of flexibility — the polymer chains lose their segmental mobility as the material approaches its glass transition temperature (Tg). A cable that bends easily at +20 °C can become rigid enough to crack at −40 °C if its sheath and insulation compounds are not specifically formulated for cold service. （在北极矿区、斯堪的纳维亚港口、加拿大露天矿山和高海拔施工区域运行的卷筒和拖缆经常面对 −30 °C 至 −50 °C 的持续低温环境。在这些温度下，标准橡胶化合物会急剧丧失柔性——聚合物链在材料接近玻璃化转变温度（Tg）时失去链段运动能力。）

This technical bulletin compares two prominent German-engineered reeling cable families — the Nexans RHEYCORD® (R) series (NSHTOEU-J, 0.6/1 kV) and the (N)TSCGEWÖU medium-voltage reeling cable (3.6/6 kV to 18/30 kV) — specifically in terms of their cold-flexibility performance at −40 °C and below. Both cable types are manufactured to DIN VDE 0250 and are widely specified for cranes, mining equipment, tunnel boring machines, and port machinery. Anhui Feichun Special Cable Co., Ltd. produces functionally equivalent cables to both families with enhanced cold-flexibility options, and this article provides the technical data engineers need to evaluate substitution for extreme-cold applications. （本文比较两大知名德国工程卷筒电缆系列 — Nexans RHEYCORD® (R) 系列（NSHTOEU-J，0.6/1 kV）与 (N)TSCGEWÖU 中压卷筒电缆（3.6/6 kV 至 18/30 kV）— 特别关注其在 −40 °C 及以下温度的低温柔性表现。安徽飞纯特种电缆有限公司生产两系列的功能等效产品，并提供增强型耐寒选项。）

2. Why Cold Flexibility Is Critical for Reeling Cables 低温柔性对卷筒电缆为何至关重要

2.1 The Physics of Polymer Stiffening 聚合物硬化的物理机理

Every elastomeric compound — whether EPR (ethylene propylene rubber), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), PCP (polychloroprene), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) — has a characteristic glass transition temperature (Tg). Below Tg, the amorphous polymer transitions from a rubbery, flexible state to a glassy, brittle state. For standard EPR/EPDM compounds used in cable insulation, Tg typically lies between −50 °C and −60 °C, providing a useful flexibility margin down to approximately −40 °C. Standard PCP (Neoprene) sheath compounds, however, have a higher Tg of approximately −35 °C to −40 °C, meaning they begin to stiffen significantly at temperatures that the insulation can still tolerate. This mismatch between insulation and sheath cold performance is the root cause of many cold-weather cable failures. （每种弹性体化合物都有其特征玻璃化转变温度（Tg）。标准 EPR/EPDM 绝缘料的 Tg 通常在 −50 °C 至 −60 °C 之间，但标准 PCP（氯丁橡胶）护套料的 Tg 约为 −35 °C 至 −40 °C，这一不匹配是许多低温电缆故障的根本原因。）

2.2 Mechanical Consequences of Cold Stiffness 低温硬化的机械后果

When a reeling cable winds onto or unwinds from a drum at −40 °C, it undergoes repeated bending at a radius as tight as 10–15 times the cable’s outer diameter. If the sheath compound has become semi-rigid, three failure modes emerge: micro-cracking of the outer sheath surface (allowing moisture ingress and corrosion of internal braids and screens), delamination between insulation layers and the conductor bedding, and in severe cases, brittle fracture of the sheath during high-speed reeling. All three failure modes compromise the cable’s electrical integrity, mechanical strength, and remaining service life. The economic consequences are severe — an unplanned cable replacement on a ship-to-shore crane or a mining excavator can cost upwards of USD 50,000 including crane downtime. （当卷筒电缆在 −40 °C 下卷收或释放时，会以低至 10–15 倍外径的弯曲半径反复弯曲。护套化合物变得半刚性后，会出现三种失效模式：外护套微裂纹、绝缘层分层脱粘，以及高速卷收时的脆性断裂。非计划更换电缆的成本可能超过 50,000 美元。）

2.3 IEC Cold-Performance Test Framework IEC 低温性能测试框架

The IEC 60811 series provides three standardized tests to evaluate cable performance at low temperatures. IEC 60811-504 (Cold Bend Test) assesses whether insulation and sheath materials crack when wound around a mandrel at the specified test temperature — the cable sample is conditioned in a cryogenic chamber for a minimum of 16 hours, then wound according to specified turns while still at test temperature. IEC 60811-505 (Cold Elongation Test) applies to cables with outer diameter exceeding 12.5 mm, measuring whether the material can achieve at least 20% elongation before rupture at the test temperature. IEC 60811-506 (Cold Impact Test) drops a weighted hammer from 100 mm height onto the conditioned cable to verify resistance to mechanical shock at low temperature. A cable rated for “−40 °C mobile service” must pass all three tests at −40 °C without any visible cracking. （IEC 60811 系列提供三项标准化低温测试：IEC 60811-504（低温弯曲测试）、IEC 60811-505（低温拉伸测试）和 IEC 60811-506（低温冲击测试）。标注 “−40 °C 移动使用” 的电缆必须在 −40 °C 下通过所有三项测试且无可见裂纹。）

3. Nexans RHEYCORD® (R) NSHTOEU-J — Technical Overview Nexans RHEYCORD® (R) NSHTOEU-J 技术概述

The Nexans RHEYCORD® NSHTOEU-J is a rubber-sheathed reeling cable rated at 0.6/1 (1.2) kV, designed for control and power supply applications under high mechanical stress with simultaneous tensile and torsional loading. It is manufactured in accordance with DIN VDE 0250 Part 814 and carries VDE approval (UL File ZMHX.E305416). The “RTS” variant — RHEYCORD® (RTS) (N)SHTOEU-J — is the extra heavy-duty version with enhanced torsional resistance, intended for spreader reeling and hoisting systems on STS cranes. （Nexans RHEYCORD® NSHTOEU-J 是额定 0.6/1 (1.2) kV 的橡胶护套卷筒电缆，符合 DIN VDE 0250 Part 814。”RTS” 变型为超重型版本，具有增强的抗扭性能。）

4. (N)TSCGEWÖU — Medium-Voltage Cold-Resistant Reeling Cable (N)TSCGEWÖU — 中压耐寒卷筒电缆技术概述

The (N)TSCGEWÖU is a medium-voltage reeling cable manufactured to DIN VDE 0250 Part 813, designed for power supply to tunnel boring machines, mining excavators, mobile crushers, and heavy material handling equipment. The German designation decodes as: (N) = national standard, T = thermosetting compound, SC = semi-conductive screen, GE = galvanized steel (earth braid), W = weather/moisture resistant, ÖU = oil-resistant outer sheath. These cables operate at voltages from 3.6/6 kV to 18/30 kV and must withstand extreme mechanical stresses including tensile loads up to 30 N/mm², torsion, and multi-plane deflection. （(N)TSCGEWÖU 是按 DIN VDE 0250 Part 813 制造的中压卷筒电缆，用于盾构机、矿用挖掘机和重型物料搬运设备的供电。电压等级从 3.6/6 kV 到 18/30 kV。）

Critically, the (N)TSCGEWÖU is available in a cold-resistant “K” variant — designated (N)TSCGEWÖU-K — which employs specially compounded elastomers with depressed glass transition temperatures for both insulation and sheath layers. The Tratos MTO®-TDM datasheet documents the “K” variant as being suitable for a temperature range of −60 °C to +60 °C in mobile service, representing a substantial improvement over the standard variant’s −25 °C mobile service limit. （(N)TSCGEWÖU 提供耐寒 “K” 变型——(N)TSCGEWÖU-K——采用特殊配方的低 Tg 弹性体。Tratos 的技术数据表记录 “K” 变型移动使用温度范围为 −60 °C 至 +60 °C。）

5. Head-to-Head Cold-Flexibility Comparison at −40 °C −40 °C 低温柔性正面对比

The following table presents a direct parameter-by-parameter comparison of the two cable families at the critical −40 °C threshold, along with Feichun’s equivalent cold-grade offerings. （下表在关键的 −40 °C 阈值下逐项对比两大电缆系列，并列出飞纯的等效耐寒产品参数。）

6. Compound Engineering: How Cold-Grade Compounds Achieve −40 °C Flexibility 化合物工程：耐寒配方如何实现 −40 °C 柔性

The key to cold-flexible reeling cable performance lies in the formulation of both the insulation and sheath compounds. Standard EPR/EPDM insulation already has a naturally low Tg (around −55 °C), providing reasonable cold flexibility. The challenge is the outer sheath — standard chlorinated rubber (CR) compound 5GM5, which uses polychloroprene (Neoprene) as its base polymer, has a Tg of approximately −38 °C and becomes noticeably stiff below −30 °C. （耐寒卷筒电缆性能的关键在于绝缘和护套化合物的配方。标准 EPR/EPDM 绝缘已具有较低的 Tg（约 −55 °C），但外护套标准氯化橡胶 5GM5 的 Tg 约为 −38 °C，在 −30 °C 以下明显变硬。）

Cold-grade compounds (designated with the “-K” suffix in VDE nomenclature) achieve their enhanced low-temperature performance through several strategies. First, base polymer selection shifts from standard polychloroprene to blends incorporating polybutadiene rubber (BR) or ethylene-propylene terpolymer, which have intrinsically lower Tg values. Second, plasticizer systems are reformulated with low-pour-point ester plasticizers that maintain flexibility to −60 °C. Third, filler loading is optimized — reducing carbon black content from 40–50 phr (parts per hundred rubber) to 25–35 phr decreases compound stiffness at low temperatures while maintaining adequate abrasion resistance through nano-structured fillers. （耐寒化合物通过几种策略实现低温性能增强：基础聚合物从标准 CR 转为含聚丁二烯橡胶（BR）或乙丙三元共聚物的共混物；增塑剂体系采用低倾点酯类增塑剂；炭黑填充量从 40–50 phr 降至 25–35 phr，通过纳米结构填料保持耐磨性。）

7. Application Scenarios Requiring −40 °C Cold Flexibility 需要 −40 °C 低温柔性的应用场景

7.1 Arctic & Sub-Arctic Port Cranes 北极和亚北极港口起重机

Ports in northern Russia (Murmansk, Sabetta), northern Canada (Churchill), and Scandinavia (Narvik, Hammerfest) operate STS and RMG cranes year-round at temperatures that regularly reach −35 °C to −45 °C. The RHEYCORD® standard cable, rated for mobile service only to −25 °C, is insufficient for these environments. The (N)TSCGEWÖU-K or Feichun FC-CORD-K provides the necessary cold-flexibility performance for continuous crane operation through Arctic winters. （俄罗斯北部、加拿大北部和斯堪的纳维亚的港口全年在 −35 °C 至 −45 °C 下运行 STS 和 RMG 起重机。标准 RHEYCORD® 的 −25 °C 移动使用限值不足以满足需求。）

7.2 Open-Pit Mining in Cold Climates 寒冷气候露天矿山

Open-pit copper, iron ore, and diamond mines in Siberia, northern Canada (Diavik, Ekati), and northern Chile (high-altitude Atacama) expose reeling cables on draglines, electric shovels, and mobile crushers to sustained sub-zero temperatures. Electric rope shovels operating at −40 °C require reeling cables that can withstand tensile loads up to 30 N/mm² while maintaining full flexibility. The (N)TSCGEWÖU-K, with its medium-voltage rating and cold-grade compounds, is specifically engineered for this application. （西伯利亚、加拿大北部和智利高海拔矿山的露天开采将拖缆暴露在持续零下温度中。−40 °C 下运行的电铲需要能承受高达 30 N/mm² 拉伸载荷同时保持充分柔性的卷筒电缆。）

7.3 Tunnel Boring Machines in Mountain Passes 山区隧道掘进机

TBM operations in high-altitude tunnel projects (Alpine tunnels, Himalayan infrastructure) begin with portal areas that may experience ambient temperatures of −30 °C to −40 °C during winter construction seasons. The trailing cable from the portal reel to the TBM cutterhead must remain flexible for continuous feeding as the machine advances. The (N)TSCGEWÖU-K, with voltage ratings up to 12/20 kV and cold-flexible compounds, is the standard choice for these installations. （高海拔隧道项目（阿尔卑斯隧道、喜马拉雅基础设施）的洞口区域在冬季施工期间可能经历 −30 °C 至 −40 °C 的环境温度。从洞口卷筒到盾构刀盘的拖缆必须保持柔性以供连续送缆。）

7.4 Stacker-Reclaimers & Conveyor Systems 堆取料机与输送机系统

Bulk material handling facilities in cold-climate regions — coal terminals, iron ore stockyards, and grain terminals — rely on stacker-reclaimers with long reeling cable runs (200–400 m). At −40 °C, a standard reeling cable would stiffen to the point where the reeling drum motor cannot achieve proper cable tension, leading to uneven winding, cable damage, and potential system shutdown. （寒冷气候地区的散货物料处理设施依赖具有长卷筒电缆距离（200–400 m）的堆取料机。在 −40 °C 下，标准卷筒电缆会硬化到卷筒电机无法正常张紧的程度。）

8. Feichun Cold-Grade Reeling Cable Solutions 飞纯耐寒卷筒电缆解决方案

* Current ratings per DIN VDE 0298 Part 4, ambient 30 °C, conductor 90 °C. Hybrid power + control + OFE configurations available on request. （* 载流量按 DIN VDE 0298 Part 4，环境 30 °C，导体 90 °C。混合动力/控制/光纤配置可定制。）

9. IEC 60811 Low-Temperature Test Data Comparison IEC 60811 低温测试数据对比

10. Cold-Weather Installation & Operational Guidance 低温安装与操作指南

Pre-Warming Protocol 预热程序： Even cold-grade cables benefit from pre-warming before initial installation in extreme cold. If the cable has been stored outdoors at temperatures below −20 °C, it should be moved to a heated enclosure (above +5 °C) for a minimum of 24 hours before unspooling and routing through cable guides or festoon trolleys. This allows residual internal stresses from manufacturing and coiling to relax, reducing the risk of micro-cracking during first-use bending. （即使耐寒等级电缆在极端低温下首次安装前也应预热。若电缆在 −20 °C 以下户外存放，安装前应移至 +5 °C 以上的加热空间至少 24 小时。）

Drum Diameter Selection 卷筒直径选择： At −40 °C, the minimum bending radius of even cold-grade compounds increases by approximately 20–30% compared to room-temperature values. Engineers should specify drum diameters at least 15× the cable outer diameter for cold-service applications, compared to the standard 10–12× at ambient temperature. Feichun provides detailed drum diameter calculation tables for each cold-grade product upon request. （在 −40 °C 下，即使耐寒化合物的最小弯曲半径也比室温值增大约 20–30%。工程师应为低温应用指定至少 15 倍电缆外径的卷筒直径。）

Reeling Speed Reduction 卷收速度降低： While cold-grade cables are rated for operation at −40 °C to −60 °C, reducing the maximum reeling speed by 30–50% at temperatures below −35 °C significantly extends cable service life. This reduces the strain rate on cold-stiffened compounds, allowing the elastomer molecules more time to deform plastically rather than fracturing. （尽管耐寒电缆额定在 −40 °C 至 −60 °C 下使用，在 −35 °C 以下将最大卷收速度降低 30–50% 可显著延长电缆使用寿命。）

11. Why Specify Feichun Cold-Grade Reeling Cables 为何选择飞纯耐寒卷筒电缆

Verified Cold Performance 经验证的低温性能： Every production batch of Feichun FC-K series cables undergoes mandatory IEC 60811-504, -505, and -506 testing at the rated cold temperature. Test certificates accompany each shipment, eliminating the uncertainty of relying solely on compound supplier claims. （每批飞纯 FC-K 系列电缆均按额定低温进行强制性 IEC 60811-504/505/506 测试。测试证书随货提供。）

Dimensional Drop-In Compatibility 尺寸即插即用兼容性： The FC-CORD-K matches the outer diameter envelope of the Nexans RHEYCORD® NSHTOEU-J, and the FC-TSCGEWÖU-K matches the (N)TSCGEWÖU series, ensuring direct replacement on existing drum systems, cable guides, and festoon trolleys without mechanical modification. （FC-CORD-K 的外径尺寸与 Nexans RHEYCORD® NSHTOEU-J 匹配，FC-TSCGEWÖU-K 与 (N)TSCGEWÖU 系列匹配，确保在现有卷筒系统上直接替换。）

Accelerated Delivery 加速交付： Cold-grade reeling cables from European manufacturers typically have lead times of 14–24 weeks due to specialized compounding requirements and low production volumes. Feichun’s integrated production facility in Anhui Province — with dedicated cold-compound mixing lines — achieves standard lead times of 3–6 weeks for cold-grade products. （欧洲制造商的耐寒卷筒电缆交货期通常为 14–24 周。飞纯安徽省一体化生产设施配备专用耐寒配料混炼线，标准交期为 3–6 周。）

Custom Cold Formulations 定制耐寒配方： For applications requiring operation below −60 °C (e.g., LNG terminal cranes, Antarctic research station power systems), Feichun’s compound engineering team can develop bespoke formulations incorporating silicone-modified elastomers with Tg values approaching −80 °C. （对于需要在 −60 °C 以下运行的应用（如 LNG 终端起重机、南极科考站电力系统），飞纯化合物工程团队可开发 Tg 接近 −80 °C 的硅改性弹性体定制配方。）

12. Applicable Standards & Compliance 适用标准与合规

13. References & Further Reading 参考文献

14. Contact & Technical Inquiry 联系与技术咨询

For cold-grade reeling cable datasheets, IEC 60811 test certificates, compound Tg verification data, or project-specific engineering for Arctic and cold-climate applications, please contact Anhui Feichun Special Cable Co., Ltd.: （如需耐寒卷筒电缆数据表、IEC 60811 测试证书、化合物 Tg 验证数据或北极和寒冷气候应用的项目定制工程支持，请联系安徽飞纯特种电缆有限公司：）