1. Introduction 简介

The tunnelling and underground mining industries have traditionally relied on heavy-duty rubber-sheathed cables manufactured according to DIN VDE 0250 standards. However, a significant shift is occurring as polyurethane (PUR) sheathed cables, designated with the VDE code “11Y” and “12Y” (for TPE-E variants), are increasingly specified for demanding tunnel boring machine (TBM) applications and underground operations.

隧道和地下采矿行业传统上依赖于按照DIN VDE 0250标准生产的重型橡胶护套电缆。然而，随着聚氨酯（PUR）护套电缆（VDE代码为”11Y”，TPE-E变体为”12Y”）在隧道掘进机（TBM）和地下作业等高要求应用中越来越多被指定使用，一个重大转变正在发生。

According to technical documentation from SAB Bröckskes GmbH & Co KG, PUR is classified as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) that exhibits mechanical characteristics similar to rubber at certain temperatures, combining thermoplastic and elastic properties that make it particularly suitable for demanding industrial applications.

根据SAB Bröckskes GmbH & Co KG的技术文档，PUR被归类为热塑性弹性体（TPE），在特定温度下表现出类似橡胶的机械特性，结合了热塑性和弹性特性，使其特别适合高要求的工业应用。

2. Understanding VDE Cable Designations 了解VDE电缆标识

The German DIN VDE standards provide a systematic nomenclature for cable materials. Understanding these designations is essential for proper cable specification in tunnelling projects.

德国DIN VDE标准为电缆材料提供了系统的命名规则。了解这些标识对于隧道项目中正确的电缆规格选择至关重要。

Source: HELUKABEL Technical Documentation

Reference: HELUKABEL Code Designation Explanations

The “(N)” prefix in cable designations such as (N)SHTÖU or (N)12Y indicates cables manufactured according to VDE standards with copper conductors as the default specification.

电缆标识中的”(N)”前缀，如(N)SHTÖU或(N)12Y，表示按照VDE标准生产的电缆，默认使用铜导体。

3. Material Comparison: PUR vs Rubber 材料对比：PUR与橡胶

The fundamental differences between polyurethane (PUR) and traditional rubber compounds significantly impact cable performance in tunnelling environments.

聚氨酯（PUR）与传统橡胶化合物之间的根本差异显著影响着电缆在隧道环境中的性能。

Sources:

• Eland Cables – Benefits of PUR Cables
• SAB Bröckskes – PUR Technical Data

3.1 Polyether vs Polyester-Based PUR 聚醚基与聚酯基PUR

An important distinction exists between polyether-based and polyester-based polyurethane compounds. For tunnelling applications where moisture exposure is common, polyether-based PUR is strongly recommended due to its superior hydrolysis resistance.

聚醚基和聚酯基聚氨酯化合物之间存在重要区别。对于常见潮湿环境的隧道应用，强烈建议使用聚醚基PUR，因为它具有优越的耐水解性能。

Reference: PUR Cable Technical Properties

4. Technical Parameters 技术参数

The following specifications represent typical values for PUR-sheathed cables used in tunnelling and TBM applications.

以下规格代表用于隧道和TBM应用的PUR护套电缆的典型参数值。

Sources:

• ÜNTEL – TBM Cable Specifications
• Halley Cables – PUR Control Cable Data

5. Advantages in Tunnelling Applications 隧道应用优势

PUR-sheathed cables offer multiple advantages in the demanding tunnelling environment, making them increasingly preferred over traditional rubber cables.

PUR护套电缆在高要求的隧道环境中提供多重优势，使其越来越受到青睐，逐渐取代传统橡胶电缆。

5.1 Superior Mechanical Performance 优越的机械性能

Tunnelling cables face extreme mechanical stress from continuous reeling and unreeling operations, abrasion against rock surfaces and tunnel walls, impact from falling debris and equipment, crushing loads from heavy machinery, and repeated flexing during TBM operations. PUR sheathing provides exceptional resistance to all these stress factors, with documented abrasion resistance up to 50% better than standard rubber compounds.

隧道电缆面临来自持续卷绕和展开操作、与岩石表面和隧道壁的摩擦、落石和设备的冲击、重型机械的挤压负载以及TBM操作期间的反复弯曲等极端机械应力。PUR护套对所有这些应力因素提供卓越的抵抗力，其耐磨性能比标准橡胶化合物高出50%。

5.2 Chemical Resistance in Underground Environments 地下环境中的耐化学性

Underground tunnelling environments expose cables to hydraulic fluids and lubricants, cutting oils from TBM operations, groundwater with varying mineral content, and cleaning agents and concrete additives. PUR demonstrates excellent resistance to mineral oils, greases, and many industrial chemicals, maintaining cable integrity throughout the project lifecycle.

地下隧道环境使电缆暴露于液压油和润滑剂、TBM操作中的切削油、含有不同矿物质的地下水，以及清洁剂和混凝土添加剂。PUR对矿物油、润滑脂和许多工业化学品表现出优异的抵抗力，在整个项目周期内保持电缆完整性。

5.3 Extended Service Life 延长的使用寿命

According to research documented by Eland Cables and industry sources, PUR-sheathed cables can provide service life extensions of up to 60% compared to equivalent rubber-sheathed cables in demanding underground applications. This translates to significant cost savings through reduced cable replacement frequency and minimized operational downtime.

根据Eland Cables和行业资料的研究记录，在高要求的地下应用中，PUR护套电缆与同等橡胶护套电缆相比，使用寿命可延长高达60%。这通过减少电缆更换频率和最小化运营停机时间转化为显著的成本节约。

Reference: DIN VDE 0250 Reeling Cable Service Life Analysis

6. TBM Cable Applications TBM电缆应用

Tunnel boring machines represent one of the most demanding applications for electrical cables, requiring high-power cables for reeling power supply, reliable power delivery over extended lengths often exceeding 1km, continuous operation under extreme mechanical stress, and compatibility with monitoring and communication systems.

隧道掘进机代表了电缆最苛刻的应用之一，需要用于卷筒供电的大功率电缆、通常超过1公里的长距离可靠供电、极端机械应力下的连续运行，以及与监控和通信系统的兼容性。

Sources:

• Prysmian Group – Mining & Tunnelling Cables
• Tratos Group – Mining & Tunnelling Cable Range

6.1 Reeling System Requirements 卷筒系统要求

TBM reeling cables must withstand thousands of reeling cycles during tunnel construction. PUR sheathing provides the necessary flexibility and mechanical durability to maintain electrical integrity throughout these demanding operations. Key specifications include Class 5 or Class 6 flexible tinned copper conductors per IEC 60228, EPR (3GI3) or XLPE insulation for electrical performance, semiconductive screening for medium voltage applications, anti-twist elements between inner and outer sheath, and concentric copper conductors for grounding and EMC protection.

TBM卷筒电缆必须在隧道施工期间承受数千次卷绕循环。PUR护套提供必要的柔韧性和机械耐久性，以在这些高要求的操作中保持电气完整性。关键规格包括：符合IEC 60228的5类或6类柔性镀锡铜导体、用于电气性能的EPR（3GI3）或XLPE绝缘、中压应用的半导电屏蔽、内外护套之间的防扭元件，以及用于接地和EMC保护的同心铜导体。

Reference: Mining, Drilling & Tunnelling Cable Solutions

7. Applicable Standards 适用标准

PUR-sheathed cables for tunnelling applications must comply with multiple international and national standards to ensure safety and performance.

用于隧道应用的PUR护套电缆必须符合多项国际和国家标准，以确保安全和性能。

Sources:

• Eland Cables – DIN VDE 0250 Standard Overview
• Eland Cables – IEC 60502 Standard Overview

8. Environmental Considerations 环保考量

The environmental advantages of PUR over traditional rubber compounds are becoming increasingly important in modern tunnelling projects.

PUR相对于传统橡胶化合物的环保优势在现代隧道项目中变得越来越重要。

8.1 Halogen-Free Options 无卤选项

PUR cables can be formulated as halogen-free, low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) products. This is critical for tunnel applications where fire safety requirements mandate minimal smoke production and absence of toxic halogen gases (chlorine, bromine, fluorine) during combustion events.

PUR电缆可以配制成无卤、低烟无卤（LSZH）产品。这对于防火安全要求规定在燃烧事件中最小化烟雾产生和不产生有毒卤素气体（氯、溴、氟）的隧道应用至关重要。

Reference: Eland Cables – LSZH Cable Information

8.2 Recyclability 可回收性

As a thermoplastic material, PUR can be melted and reprocessed without losing its fundamental properties. This contrasts with traditional thermoset rubber compounds used in conventional mining cables, which require vulcanization and cannot be recycled. This characteristic supports circular economy initiatives and reduces end-of-life environmental impact.

作为热塑性材料，PUR可以在不失去其基本特性的情况下熔化和再加工。这与传统采矿电缆中使用的需要硫化且无法回收的热固性橡胶化合物形成对比。这一特性支持循环经济倡议，减少产品生命周期结束时的环境影响。

Reference: Banner Engineering – PVC vs PUR Cable Comparison

9. Conclusion 结论

The shift from standard VDE rubber cables to polyurethane (PUR) sheathed cables in tunnelling applications represents a significant advancement in cable technology. The superior mechanical properties of PUR, including exceptional abrasion resistance, notch resistance, and oil resistance, combined with improved low-temperature flexibility and extended service life, make PUR cables an economically advantageous choice despite higher initial costs.

从标准VDE橡胶电缆向隧道应用中的聚氨酯（PUR）护套电缆的转变代表了电缆技术的重大进步。PUR优越的机械性能，包括卓越的耐磨性、抗切口性和耐油性，加上改进的低温柔韧性和延长的使用寿命，使PUR电缆尽管初始成本较高，仍是经济上有利的选择。

For tunnel boring machine applications and other demanding underground operations, the selection of polyether-based PUR cables (VDE designation 11Y) provides optimal hydrolysis resistance and long-term reliability. Combined with LSZH formulations for enhanced fire safety, PUR-sheathed cables meet the stringent requirements of modern tunnelling projects while supporting environmental sustainability goals.

对于隧道掘进机应用和其他高要求的地下作业，选择聚醚基PUR电缆（VDE标识11Y）提供最佳的耐水解性和长期可靠性。结合用于增强防火安全的LSZH配方，PUR护套电缆满足现代隧道项目的严格要求，同时支持环境可持续发展目标。

Anhui Feichun Special Cable Co., Ltd. provides comprehensive solutions for tunnelling, mining, and TBM cable applications, including custom cable designs manufactured according to DIN VDE 0250, IEC 60502, and other international standards.

安徽飞纯特种电缆有限公司为隧道、采矿和TBM电缆应用提供全面的解决方案，包括按照DIN VDE 0250、IEC 60502和其他国际标准生产的定制电缆设计。

10. Contact Information 联系方式

Anhui Feichun Special Cable Co., Ltd.
安徽飞纯特种电缆有限公司

We provide technical support for DIN VDE 0250 cables, mining and reeling applications, tunnel boring machine cables, and custom cable solutions for demanding industrial environments.

我们为DIN VDE 0250电缆、采矿和卷筒应用、隧道掘进机电缆以及高要求工业环境的定制电缆解决方案提供技术支持。