A wire of the PV-3 brand with a cross section of 6 mm is considered a universal solution both for connecting power units and devices, and for organizing grounding lines. In order not to confuse these communications with each other, a color difference is provided. The advantage of the PV-3 1x6 wire is increased flexibility, which facilitates installation in hard-to-reach places.
Design features and decoding of marking
PV-3 wire is a one-piece construction of stranded copper core and insulation made of polyvinyl chloride. At the same time, GOST allows a single-wire design, but it is not found in stores due to several disadvantages, including low flexibility and increased fragility.
Marking:
- P - wire;
- B - PVC insulation;
- 3 - class of flexibility of the copper conductor of the wire.
The insulation can be either one-color or two-color. A common type of mixed color is yellow-green. This is how wires are marked for organizing grounding loops. Due to the multi-wire structure of the core, the product has a high conductivity.
Specifications
The yellow-green wire PV-3 1x6 has sufficient durability to be used in extreme conditions. Its insulation is able to withstand temperatures from -60 to +70 degrees Celsius. It is immune to steam or condensation.
The polyvinyl chloride from which the insulation is made is not susceptible to mold. It does not burn, but melts, which makes it possible to avoid a fire when the permissible load is exceeded and the core overheats. The advantages of insulation are strength, durability and unattractiveness to rodents. The standard service life is 15 years, after which the properties of the wire may change for the worse, and it must be replaced.
With a cross section of a vein of 6 sq. mm. PV-3 can withstand a current of up to 46 A, if laid separately, and up to 35 A, if there are four conductors next to it. The weight of one meter of such a wire with a cross section of 6 mm2 is 0.07 kg.
The core is made of copper only. According to GOST, the use of bimetallic conductors is unacceptable.
Application area
PV-3 can be used in the organization of household and industrial electrical networks. Its versatility and unpretentiousness make it possible to use it when installing apartment wiring, factory communications, for connecting electrical equipment in the garage, etc. Resistance to steam, moisture and condensation makes it possible to use this wire in baths, saunas and other rooms with high temperature and humidity.
Double insulation provides for the use of PV3 1x25 wire when laying networks with voltages up to 1000 V only indoors. It is not able to receive heat from the copper core, so the probability of its melting during overload tends to zero. Its disadvantage is the lack of resistance to direct sunlight, therefore outdoor installation is prohibited.
Separately, it is worth noting the possibility of using a wire during the assembly of electrical cabinets. Its flexibility and resistance to temperature is the best fit for creating short jumpers between power blocks.In this case, the ends must be crimped using the lugs corresponding to the cross-section in order to avoid heating the core at the point of contact. When using clamp connections, loop terminals are installed at the ends of the wire.
Differences between PV-3 and PGV
The markings differ from each other only in that they are described in different GOSTs, one of which is outdated. Therefore, PV-3 and PuGV are one and the same wire with different names. The first is described in GOST 6323-79, which has already been abolished. The second one replaced him, his characteristics are included in GOST R 53768-2010. The main difference between the PGV wire and PV-3 can be considered a higher flexibility class (fifth), which appeared in the new PGV. In stores, PV-3 is found less and less, due to the fact that it is no longer produced by enterprises.
When the PGV is released, some changes are made to the insulation composition, which increase its reliability. In the new modification, additional components have appeared that have a pungent chemical odor that scares off rats and mice.
PVC received additional resistance to abrasion, which makes it possible to use this wire in some movable structures for short-term use.
Wire laying conditions
Considering the versatility of PV-3, it is difficult to talk about any restrictions during its installation. It must be used in permanent installations, as constant movement and bending can damage the copper conductor. Laying can be carried out in special cable channels, sleeves, trays and grooves. Bends up to 90 degrees are allowed with a radius of 5d. When installing several PV-3 wires with a cross section of 6 mm2, the maximum permissible current is simultaneously reduced. This point should be taken into account when designing communications.
The wire can be used to organize temporary networks without additional external protection. At the same time, it must be fixed with brackets or clips to fixed parts of equipment or a wall. Long-term operation in this mode can lead to damage to the insulation and a violation of its properties, as a result of which a breakdown is possible.
Checking upon purchase
The flooding of the market with fake cable products forces us to carefully check PV-3 wires before purchasing. To buy a quality product, you need to follow a few simple tips:
- Choose products that are labeled with an indication of the corresponding GOST, and not TU. Manufacturers seek to tailor specifications to reduce costs and release products that do not comply with standards.
- The information printed on the insulation must be exactly the same as on the coil tag. If there are discrepancies, the products may be counterfeit or non-compliant with GOST.
- The cross section must be checked with a vernier caliper, as some manufacturers intentionally produce a "truncated" wire.
- The seller is obliged to provide a certificate of conformity, which will contain information regarding the test of the wire for breakdown, as well as for the resistance of the core.
If desired, you can additionally check the resistance using a high-precision ohmmeter. Knowing the length of the wire, determining compliance with the declared characteristics will not be difficult.
