Does PVC Flex Cable Resist UV and Water?

PVC is one of the most popular and widely used cables providing insulation and sheathing. In the 1950s, PVC flex cables were introduced to replace rubber insulated and sheathed cables. They were used for household wiring because of their easy handling. PVC is considered flexible and durable, as it can easily last for more than 25 to 30 years serving our home wiring.

Advantages of PVC flex cables

Provide versatility

PVC is considered a versatile material that can be developed into high-quality cables and wires in synergy with plasticizers, lubricants, and stabilizers. When used as a thermoplastic material, PVC is easy to process and recycle. When used in combination with other robust materials, it can provide better protection against aging.

Fire retardant 

PVC insulation or sheathing can ensure that ordinary cables have fire resistance or fire resistance. In most applications, the fire resistance of cables is very important. PVC is not only fire-resistant, but can also be made into acid-resistant, alkali-resistant, oil-resistant and other chemical substances. Different additives such as plasticizers can make it more durable and able to resist many dangerous factors that cause losses to human life and household appliances.

Light weight and easy to process 

PVC insulated cables are lighter than other cables, reducing the difficulty of manual operation. It also provides a smaller bending radius, making installation and storage easy.

Better short-circuit current rating 

Compared with ordinary wires and cables, PVC flex cables provide better current circuits. PVC can withstand temperatures up to 1600 degrees Celsius.

Are PVC flex cables UV resistant and waterproof?

In general, PVC flex cables have good UV resistance, but not excellent. Therefore, it is not recommended to use pure PVC sheathed cables for outdoor wiring. PVC is relatively resistant to UV radiation, but prolonged exposure to UV radiation is harmful. Over time, the cable will lose its flexibility and cracks will appear on the surface of the cable. It is always recommended for users to use outdoor PVC flex cables for outdoor wiring. Outdoor-grade PVC shielded cables contain stabilization compounds added to the PVC to make them more UV resistant.

Are you interested in waterproof cables? Well, PVC is mainly waterproof, but this largely depends on how long it stays in water. For example, PVC sheathed cables can come into contact with water and dry quickly without causing any harm. However, if you are planning for underwater installation, it is not advisable to use ordinary PVC flex cables, as water will erode the PVC insulation layer if given enough time.