Introduction | 简介

In harsh industrial environments, particularly in mining, tunneling, and heavy-duty applications, cables must maintain their mechanical and electrical integrity under extreme temperature conditions. The (N)TSCGEWÖU cable, a medium-voltage flexible power cable designed for monospiral drum and trailing operations, undergoes rigorous cold impact testing to ensure reliability in sub-zero environments. This technical document explains the standardized cold impact test procedure at -40°C that certifies these cables as “cold resistant” according to VDE (Verband der Elektrotechnik) guidelines and international standards.

在恶劣的工业环境中，特别是在采矿、隧道和重型应用中，电缆必须在极端温度条件下保持其机械和电气完整性。(N)TSCGEWÖU电缆是一种专为单螺旋卷筒和拖曳操作设计的中压柔性电力电缆，需经过严格的低温冲击测试以确保在零度以下环境中的可靠性。本技术文件解释了根据VDE标准和国际标准在-40°C下进行的标准化低温冲击测试程序，该程序用于认证这些电缆的”耐寒”性能。

Understanding (N)TSCGEWÖU Cables | 了解(N)TSCGEWÖU电缆

The (N)TSCGEWÖU cable designation follows VDE naming conventions, where each letter represents specific cable characteristics. These medium-voltage cables are specifically engineered for power distribution to heavy-duty equipment in mining and industrial applications, available in voltage ratings of 3.6/6kV, 6/10kV, 8.7/15kV, and 12/20kV. The cable features tinned copper conductors (Class 5 according to DIN VDE 0295), rubber insulation (3GI3 compound per DIN VDE 0207 Part 20), and a heavy-duty elastomer outer sheath (5GM5 compound per DIN VDE 0207 Part 21).

(N)TSCGEWÖU电缆命名遵循VDE命名规范，其中每个字母代表特定的电缆特性。这些中压电缆专为采矿和工业应用中重型设备的电力分配而设计，电压等级为3.6/6kV、6/10kV、8.7/15kV和12/20kV。电缆具有镀锡铜导体（符合DIN VDE 0295 5类）、橡胶绝缘（符合DIN VDE 0207第20部分的3GI3化合物）和重型弹性体外护套（符合DIN VDE 0207第21部分的5GM5化合物）。

Temperature Rating Specifications | 温度等级规范

The Cold Impact Test Standard: IEC 60811-506 | 低温冲击测试标准：IEC 60811-506

The cold impact test is conducted according to the international standard IEC 60811-506:2012, titled “Electric and optical fibre cables – Test methods for non-metallic materials – Part 506: Mechanical tests – Impact test at low temperature for insulations and sheaths.” This standard establishes procedures for evaluating how cable insulation and sheathing materials perform when subjected to mechanical impact at low temperatures, ensuring they maintain structural integrity without cracking or failing.

低温冲击测试根据国际标准IEC 60811-506:2012进行，标题为”电气和光纤电缆-非金属材料的测试方法-第506部分：机械测试-绝缘和护套的低温冲击测试”。该标准建立了评估电缆绝缘和护套材料在低温下受到机械冲击时性能的程序，确保它们在不开裂或失效的情况下保持结构完整性。

This standard is recognized and adopted by VDE (Verband der Elektrotechnik, Elektronik und Informationstechnik), the German Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies. VDE certification involves rigorous testing and factory audits to ensure cables meet or exceed safety and performance requirements. The cold impact test is a critical component of VDE certification for cables intended for use in cold climates or environments.

该标准得到VDE（德国电气、电子和信息技术协会）的认可和采用。VDE认证涉及严格的测试和工厂审核，以确保电缆达到或超过安全和性能要求。低温冲击测试是用于寒冷气候或环境的电缆VDE认证的关键组成部分。

Cold Impact Test Procedure at -40°C | -40°C低温冲击测试程序

Test Sample Preparation | 测试样品准备

The test requires three pieces of complete cable, each having a length of at least five times the cable diameter with a minimum length of 150mm. Testing must be performed no less than 16 hours after the extrusion or cross-linking process to ensure the cable materials have fully stabilized. This waiting period is critical to obtaining accurate and representative test results.

测试需要三段完整的电缆，每段长度至少为电缆直径的五倍，最小长度为150mm。测试必须在挤出或交联过程后不少于16小时进行，以确保电缆材料已完全稳定。这个等待期对于获得准确和有代表性的测试结果至关重要。

Test Equipment and Setup | 测试设备和设置

The test apparatus consists of a low-temperature chamber capable of maintaining the specified test temperature (-40°C for cold-resistant certification) and specialized impact testing equipment as described in IEC 60811-506. The apparatus is placed on a pad of sponge rubber approximately 40mm thick to simulate realistic installation conditions. Both the test apparatus and cable samples are held in the low-temperature cabinet before and during the test to ensure complete thermal equilibration.

测试装置由能够维持指定测试温度（耐寒认证为-40°C）的低温室和IEC 60811-506中描述的专用冲击测试设备组成。该装置放置在约40mm厚的海绵橡胶垫上，以模拟实际的安装条件。测试装置和电缆样品在测试前和测试期间都保持在低温柜中，以确保完全的热平衡。

Impact Test Parameters | 冲击测试参数

The mass of the impact hammer varies depending on the cable type and size. For power cables in fixed installations, the hammer mass is specified in standardized tables within IEC 60811-506. For flexible cables and telecommunications cables, different hammer mass values apply. The cable sample is subjected to a controlled impact at the specified low temperature, simulating the mechanical stresses that might occur during installation, handling, or operation in cold environments.

冲击锤的质量根据电缆类型和尺寸而变化。对于固定安装中的电力电缆，锤质量在IEC 60811-506的标准表中规定。对于柔性电缆和电信电缆，适用不同的锤质量值。电缆样品在指定的低温下受到受控冲击，模拟在寒冷环境中安装、搬运或操作期间可能发生的机械应力。

Pass/Fail Criteria | 合格/不合格标准

To comply with and pass the cold impact test, the cable insulation or sheathing material must not show any cracks when visually inspected without magnification after the impact test. This requirement ensures that the cable maintains its protective and insulating properties even when subjected to mechanical shock in cold environments. Any visible cracking, splitting, or material failure constitutes a test failure and indicates the cable is not suitable for cold-resistant applications.

为符合并通过低温冲击测试，电缆绝缘或护套材料在冲击测试后在不放大的情况下目视检查时不得显示任何裂纹。此要求确保电缆即使在寒冷环境中受到机械冲击时也能保持其保护和绝缘性能。任何可见的开裂、分裂或材料失效都构成测试失败，并表明电缆不适合耐寒应用。

VDE Certification Process | VDE认证过程

VDE certification is a voluntary but highly valued testing process administered by the VDE Testing and Certification Institute in Germany, which has been conducting independent product testing since 1920. The organization is accredited by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) and tests over 100,000 products annually against DIN, EN, and IEC standards.

VDE认证是由德国VDE测试和认证研究所管理的自愿但高度重视的测试过程，该研究所自1920年以来一直进行独立产品测试。该组织由德国认证机构（DAkkS）认可，每年根据DIN、EN和IEC标准测试超过100,000种产品。

Comprehensive Testing Requirements | 综合测试要求

Beyond the cold impact test, VDE certification for cables includes multiple rigorous assessments:

除低温冲击测试外，电缆的VDE认证还包括多项严格评估：

• Dielectric strength testing to verify electrical insulation performance (介电强度测试以验证电气绝缘性能)
• Insulation resistance measurements at various temperatures (各种温度下的绝缘电阻测量)
• Conductor resistance and elongation checks (导体电阻和伸长率检查)
• Hot set test for cross-linked materials (交联材料的热定型测试)
• Cold bend testing at specified low temperatures (在指定低温下的冷弯测试)
• Thermal aging tests to evaluate long-term durability (热老化测试以评估长期耐用性)
• Flame propagation tests for fire safety (火焰传播测试以确保消防安全)
• Smoke density and toxicity assessments (烟雾密度和毒性评估)
• Mechanical abrasion resistance (机械磨损抵抗力)
• UV, oil, and chemical resistance trials (紫外线、油和化学品抵抗力试验)

Factory Audits and Ongoing Surveillance | 工厂审核和持续监督

The VDE certification process extends beyond laboratory testing. On-site factory inspections verify consistent adherence to the approved design and manufacturing processes. Manufacturers must submit detailed technical documentation and maintain rigorous quality control systems. After initial certification, periodic audits and tests ensure ongoing compliance with VDE standards, guaranteeing that every cable produced maintains the certified performance characteristics.

VDE认证过程超越了实验室测试。现场工厂检查验证对批准的设计和制造过程的一致遵守。制造商必须提交详细的技术文档并维护严格的质量控制系统。在初始认证后，定期审核和测试确保持续符合VDE标准，保证生产的每根电缆都保持认证的性能特性。

Practical Applications and Importance | 实际应用和重要性

Cold-resistant (N)TSCGEWÖU cables certified through VDE cold impact testing are essential for numerous demanding applications:

通过VDE低温冲击测试认证的耐寒(N)TSCGEWÖU电缆对于许多要求严格的应用至关重要：

• Underground Mining Operations (地下采矿作业): Where cables face mechanical stress, moisture, and temperature extremes
• Arctic and Northern Climate Installations (北极和北方气候安装): Oil and gas operations, mining facilities in cold regions
• Tunnel Construction (隧道建设): Where cables must withstand installation stresses in cold underground environments
• Harbor and Marine Applications (港口和海洋应用): Crane operations, dredging equipment, and offshore installations
• Cold Storage Facilities (冷藏设施): Warehouses and industrial refrigeration systems
• Heavy Industrial Equipment (重工业设备): Mobile machinery operating in outdoor winter conditions

Comparison with Other International Standards | 与其他国际标准的比较

While IEC 60811-506 provides the technical test methodology, various regional standards reference or adapt these requirements:

虽然IEC 60811-506提供技术测试方法，但各种区域标准引用或调整这些要求：