Wire SIP-4 4x16 is a self-supporting, insulated cable equipped with four current-conducting aluminum elements with an area of 16 mm 2. Light-stabilized cross-linked polyethylene is used as the main insulating layer. The main purpose of the conductor is the installation of power lines. The high popularity of the product is due to its excellent technical characteristics. Most often it is used when connecting individual consumers, premises and construction sites.
The advantages of the wire include:
- long period of trouble-free operation;
- possibility of operation under temperature changes and in aggressive environments;
- its installation can be carried out without disconnecting the line;
- resistance to mechanical stress.
OKPO: 355332.
Decoding
Peculiarities
The conductor can only be connected in loops and on supports; making connections in spans is unacceptable. This is due to excessive consumption of material, because... the remaining cable sections are almost impossible to use. When under load, it is difficult to separate individual cable cores. The wire also creates certain inconveniences when arranging connecting, branch and anchor clamps.
Maximum laying length without device additional supports– 40 m for a two-core conductor with a cross-section of the current-carrying part 16 mm 2. This narrows the scope of use of the product. It is impossible to determine which of the cores is intended for laying the “zero”, because all conductive elements have the same cross-section and are made of aluminum wire. Self-supporting insulated wire SIP-4 4x16 is not equipped with reinforcing elements designed to protect against breakage due to heavy ice and other loads.
When installing anchor and suspended reinforcement elements, it is necessary to use tools such as a torque wrench and a mounting clamp. With their help, the line is tensioned. During operation, the load may be unevenly distributed across the cross-section of the aluminum core. This allows the hotter core to transfer heat to the less heated ones, but the specific elongation of the warmest part will be greater.
In order to reduce the risk of failure of wires, supports and fittings, the consumer provides for the possibility of primary destruction individual parts anchor and suspended reinforcement elements.
Application
Wire design
- The current-conducting core is made of aluminum according to GOST SIP-4 4x16; the cores can be round or sector-shaped and consist of several wires, the bundle of which is compacted. The core for laying the “zero” is made of an alloy of aluminum and other metal, has a round shape and consists of round wires.
- The insulating coating of all four cores is cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), the material is light-stabilized. Reliable manufacturers use polymers such as the Austrian Borealis Visico LE4421/LE4472 or the English Ael Compounds Sioplas-type compound 523/493.
- A twisted bundle of wires covered with an insulating layer is wound onto a core intended for connection zero phase. She is the carrier. The twist winds to the right.
Specifications
Specifications SIP-4 4x16 are presented:
Normal operating conditions allow exposure to ultraviolet radiation, precipitation and temperatures of +70 degrees.
Overall weight and weight
Price
You can purchase a cable from us at a low price without sacrificing quality. We work with proven factories that have been gaining a reputation as a reliable manufacturer for decades. In addition, we are responsible for the goods provided by our company, therefore, before sending an order, we always test cable and wire products.
To 4x16, you need to fill out a form on the website or send us a request by e-mail. After this, our employees will begin to arrange a profitable commercial offer. You can purchase a cable from the existing assortment or pre-order. We will contact the manufacturer to ensure the lowest possible cost. Our company sells products wholesale and retail, works with individuals and legal entities.
The price of SIP-4 4x16 wire depends on the order volume, current promotions and special offers, delivery method and a number of other factors. It is determined individually for each client. Discounts are provided to regular customers.
What does the abbreviation SIP mean? This abbreviation stands for self-supporting insulated wire. It is a wire, not a cable as some people mistakenly call it.
It must be manufactured in accordance with GOST 31946-2012 ().
SIP always consists of aluminum cores or aluminum alloy(phase conductors), or a steel core and an aluminum shell (zero load-bearing conductor). SIP wires are never copper. Its minimum cross-section starts from 16mm2.
This is absolutely not a new invention, as some believe, and it has been known for more than 50 years.
For the first time, SIP was used in countries North America, and then in Western Europe back in the 1960s.
Advantages of using SIP
Compared to bare power lines, a self-supporting insulated wire has a lot of advantages:
- high reliability
Due to continuous insulation, interphase short circuits and subsequent wire breaks are excluded. Accordingly, such a sad picture as numerous splits in spans will no longer be observed on the line. 
- supports of smaller dimensions can be used
For example, instead of SV-110 and SV-95 supports, take SV-85 racks. Or even use wooden ones. 
- distances from self-supporting insulated wires to buildings and structures are reduced compared to bare 0.4 kV overhead lines
Accordingly appears more options use of power lines in dense residential areas. 
- lower losses during power transmission due to low inductive reactance
For example, for a wire with a cross-section of 70 mm2, the inductive reactance of a SIP is almost 4 times less! 
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Using a special set of tools, you can service energized SIPs without interrupting the supply of electricity to consumers
- trouble-free operation subject to compliance proper maintenance from 30 years or more
- No extra costs for traverses, insulators, hooks, caps, clamps for traverses
- safety of work near SIP lines of third-party mechanisms
The likelihood that a truck crane operating in the security zone of a power line will touch the wires with an arrow and become energized is minimal. 
Types and brands of SIP wires
Today there are four main SIP systems in use:
In the SIP cores there is one uninsulated conductor, which is also the supporting wire. There is also a variety of this brand, SIP-1A.
The main difference between SIP-1A and SIP-1 and SIP-2 is the wire insulation material.
In SIP-1A, the insulation is cheaper and is made of thermoplastic polyethylene, while in SIP-1, SIP-2 it is made of cross-linked polyethylene with improved heat resistance qualities. Accordingly, the permissible load currents increase. 
For power lines up to 35 kV inclusive. The wires are no longer twisted into one bundle and go separately to each phase.
Here all 4 wires carry the mechanical load simultaneously. Both neutral and phase conductors are insulated, and the load on them is distributed equally.
Features of different brands of self-supporting insulated wires
Wire SIP 4
SIP cores consist of twisted aluminum conductors followed by compaction. All conductors are of the same cross-section and with the same insulation. Each core is covered with insulation made of light-stabilized or thermoplastic polyethylene.
SIP marking
Phase marking must be applied to the insulation. This is carried out either using a colored longitudinal mark or strip, or using digital markings.
From personal experience operation, I advise you to better purchase SIP with digital marking, although it is less common.
I once purchased a wire where the markings were made with solid thin colored lines. After 3 years of operation, the entire SIP, which hung on the street, which is more than 300 meters, became unusable. 
The SIP simply burst and cracked, precisely along the colored stripe along the entire length of the line. The black insulation itself was like new. Apparently it was a product from a low-quality manufacturer. But I think that with the numbers in isolation, this would not have happened.
The problem was precisely in the low-quality dye, which had normal properties and did not protect the wire sheath from ultraviolet exposure.
- Possible cross-sections of cores for SIP-4 are from 16 to 150mm2.
- Maximum number lived in a bundle – 6 pieces
All major technical specifications- sections, maximum loads current, resistance, weight of SIP-4 wire are presented in the tables below: 
Ice formation on SIP wires
Ice formation and snow adhesion on SIP-4 wires are minimized. If wet snow or ice still sticks to the wire, it is automatically reset within a short period of time. This is achieved by disrupting the state of equilibrium from additional load in the form of adhered ice and snow.
Here short video, clearly showing ice formation on SIP-3 and its absence on SIP-4, and the wires are suspended on the same supports!
The insulation resistance of SIP-4 must be the same for all cores and be at least 0.5 mOhm.
SIP 4 testing is carried out with a 1000 Volt megohmmeter. All phase conductors are tested against each other and against the neutral conductor. High-voltage factory tests of wires are carried out in water, with a voltage from 2.5 kV to 4 kV, depending on the brand of SIP. 
Varieties of SIP-4
For increased loads while maintaining the same cross-section, you can use SIPs-4 wire. Its insulation can withstand high heating temperatures. Accordingly, the rated throughput current increases due to this. The letter "c" stands for light-stabilized cross-linked polyethylene. 
On sale you can find several types of SIP-4 wires. The most common of them:
- previously indicated SIPs-4
With insulation made of cross-linked polyethylene or, more scientifically, weather-resistant polyethylene with cross-linked molecular bonds. In addition to increased current loads, it is also tested at higher high voltages than other brands of SIP.
High-voltage testing for SIPs-4 is carried out at U=4kV. Other brands must withstand high voltage not less than 2.5 sq. Moreover, SIPs-4 made of cross-linked polyethylene is more stable in its physical properties to pushing.
- wire SIPn-4
The letter “n” means flame retardant. You need to buy it for installing SIP indoors.
- wire SIPt-4
The letter “t” is thermoplastic polyethylene. It means that in the event of a short circuit and heating to the melting temperature, the core insulation will not “flow”, but will go into a viscous-fluid state. After disconnecting the short circuit and cooling, the insulation should again return to its shape.
SIP wire 1
technical characteristics and differences
SIP-1 consists of aluminum stranded current-carrying conductors of a round shape. The neutral core acts as a supporting conductor. It is made from a steel core, around which wires made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy are arranged in compacted layers.
On top of ONLY the current-carrying conductors is insulation made of light-stabilized polyethylene. The zero core remains bare, not insulated.
All insulated cores are twisted around the neutral wire. The SIP-1 wire can be either two-core or four-core, with a cross-section of up to 240 mm2. Also, wires with additional insulated conductors up to 25 mm2 can be woven into SIP-1, intended, for example, for street lighting.
SIP wire 2
technical characteristics and differences
In SIP-2 wires, the zero load-bearing core is also made of a steel core with aluminum wires on the outside. The difference between SIP-2 and SIP-1 is the presence of insulation on the zero load-bearing core. The insulation of the phase conductors is the same and is made of light-stabilized cross-linked polyethylene.
Table of technical characteristics, load currents, weight, active resistance for SIP-2: 
SIP wire 3
technical characteristics and differences
SIP-3 is produced with a cross-section from 25mm2 to 240mm2. Its insulation is made of cross-linked polyethylene. Inside the core there is a steel core, around which aluminum wires are twisted.
Sip-3, designed for suspension on overhead lines with voltages up to 20 kV, has an insulation thickness of 2.3 mm. Wires designed for installation on 35 kV overhead lines have larger insulation - 3.5 mm thick.
Wire SIP 5
technical characteristics and differences from SIP 4
SIP-5 is very similar to SIP-4. Even a specialist will not immediately distinguish these brands of wires. Its main difference is the different core insulation. Namely, silanol-crosslinked light-stabilized polyethylene.
SIP-5 is also produced with the “ng” brand, which means non-flammable. Choose this particular SIP option if you need to install it inside the house, directly to the switchboard or into the meter itself.
As already mentioned, self-supporting wires a lot of advantages over conventional bare overhead power lines. Moreover, this is not only beneficial in terms of reliability, but also effective from an economic point of view. Using new technologies and fittings, line routes can be designed according to completely different schemes. 
Here comparison table costs for installing a 0.4 kV overhead line with a length of 1 km using bare wires and SIP grades various systems. The analysis was carried out by ZAO Scientific Research Center StarInfo (taken from here).
The table shows the cost part as a percentage for each element of the overhead line and directly for the installation itself. And at the end the conclusion is summed up. Again, the percentage shows the difference in the installation cost of one system or another. The costs of installing a 0.4 kV overhead overhead line with bare wires are conventionally taken as 100%.
| Expenses | 4Ax70 | SIP-1 3x70+95 | SIP-2 3x70+95 | SIP-4 4x70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The wire | 23,4% | 43,24% | 47,28% | 39,45% |
| Supports | 27,78% | 23,39% | 21,51% | 24,39% |
| Linear fittings | 5,42% | 6,27% | 6,29% | 7,89% |
| Preparation of the route | 5,42% | 0,93% | 0,85% | 0,97% |
| Installation work | 29,95% | 18,68% | 17,17% | 19,48% |
| Other costs | 8,03% | 7,49% | 6,9% | 7,82% |
| Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Expenses | 4Ax70 | SIP-1 3x70+95 | SIP-2 3x70+95 | SIP-4 4x70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difference in installation costs (based on the costs of overhead lines 0.4 kV) | 100% | 106,91% (+6,91%) | 116,26% (+16,26%) | 102,5% (+2,5%) |
As can be seen from the final results, the transition from an overhead line to SIP-4 is not a costly undertaking and is comparable to the construction of the same overhead line with bare wires. But in further operation, all the advantages that a self-supporting insulated wire has, will only save your money and resources.
Self-supporting insulated wire SIP-4 2x16 is used only for powering electrical receivers and end consumers. Not used in overhead power lines. There is no load-bearing neutral conductor in the conductor design, only current-carrying conductors. Wire SIP-4 2x16 can also be used in lighting networks in public areas.
OKPO code: 35 5332.
Explanation of the name
Explanation of SIP-4 2x16: self-supporting insulated wire; number of aluminum cores 2-4; square cross section is 16 square millimeters.
Features and Benefits
- SIP-4 2x16 wire eliminates the risk of a short circuit;
- Feasibility study: to reduce costs for renovation work. Due to which operating costs are reduced;
- Long service life. If the manufacturers' requirements are met, the working period is at least 40 years;
- The overall dimensions of the suspension have been reduced.
Application
Wire SIP-4 2x16-0.6/1 is used in air networks with a rated operating voltage of 20 and 35 kV at an industrial frequency of 50 Hz, room category 2 and 3 according to GOST 15150-69. Self-supporting insulated wire SIP-4 2x16 can be used in climatic zones with marks Y and X (moderate and cold climate). Can also work in chemically aggressive environments in areas industrial facilities and saline coastal marine and other areas.
Normal operation is ensured provided that working temperature is within the acceptable range. SIP-4 is an environmentally friendly product and does not emit chemically harmful substances into the environment. active substances above the maximum permissible concentration level.
Wire composition
- Cable SIP-4 2x16 is made of aluminum core, the twist pitch does not exceed 45 cm.
- The number of conductors varies from 2 to 4;
- The veins have round shape, compacted and stranded;
- The material of the supporting zero core is aluminum alloy. Twisted from round conductors;
- Twisting of insulated conductors occurs around the supporting conductor;
- The insulating material, which is present on the neutral core and as a protective sheath of the wires, is light-stabilized cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE insulation).
Specifications
Main characteristics of cable SIP-4 2x16 mm2:
- Rated operating voltage – 0.6/1 kV;
- The maximum permissible operating temperature during emergency and thermal overloads is 130˚С;
- SIP-4 wire 12x16 mm 2 has a bending radius of no more than 7.5 times the cable diameter;
- The manufacturer's warranty is valid for 3 years from the date of commissioning of the conductors. No later than 6 months from the date of manufacture;
- Scope of tests and verifications. Conductors must withstand a test alternating voltage with an industrial frequency of 50 Hz over the entire construction length for 5 minutes after being held in water, the temperature of which varies in the range of 20±10 ˚С for 10 minutes. For self-supporting insulated conductors - 4 kV, protected for a rated voltage of 20 kV - withstand 6 kV, for 35 kV - 10 kV. The breakdown test alternating voltage with a frequency of 50 Hz of the protective insulating shells of conductors after being held in water at a temperature of 20±5 ˚С for more than 1 hour is: for conductors with an operating voltage of 20 kV - more than 24 kV, for 35 kV - more than 40 kV;
- Climatic version type B, room category 1,2,3 according to GOST 15150-69;
- Permissible operating temperatures range from -60˚С to 50˚С;
- Installation and repair work is carried out at a temperature environment not lower than -20˚С;
- The specific ohmic resistance of current-carrying conductors at a temperature of 20˚C per 1 km of conductor is determined according to GOST 22483-77;
- Specific volume resistivity insulating material at a long-term permissible heating temperature of the conductor more than 1·1012 Ohm∙cm;
- During operation, the conductors withstand permissible temperature for heating no more than 90˚С;
- Current-carrying conductors during operation in mode short circuits withstand permissible heating temperatures of no more than 250 degrees Celsius;
- Conductors withstand intense ultraviolet radiation and aggressive environmental influences, including temperature +(70±2)°С, -(40±2)°С;
- Increased moisture resistance;
- The service life is approximately 40 years.
Mounted open. What does this mean? The power line consisted of four open wires: 1st, 2nd and 3rd phases, plus the 4th “zero”. The wires were stretched between insulators mounted on support pillars, at such a distance as to prevent
The scheme was not ideal. Firstly, in strong wind conditions the wires sometimes overlapped, throwing out showers of sparks. Such “fireworks” could easily cut off power to small settlements. Secondly, wet air- not the best insulator, so power losses were significant.
Later, for laying overhead power lines, special self-supporting cables began to be used, such as SIP 4 4x16, the technical characteristics of which make it possible to avoid both electricity losses and prevent minor accidents.
Let's decipher the markings
What do the letters and numbers mean in the cable designation? Like any wire, SIP 4 4x16 technical characteristics can be read by markings.
Self-supporting
Not every wire can be used for laying air lines. When tensioned, the insulation material and the metal from which the current-carrying conductors are made experience significant loads. The strength of the cable must be such that it does not break under the influence of its own weight, tensile force and external factors.
Insulated wire
The number “4” immediately following the abbreviation SIP indicates the type of wire construction (there are five types of SIP products in total).
The cable has four separate conductors insulated from each other with a cross section of 16 mm 2 each.
Device
How does the SIP 4 4x16 wire work? The technical characteristics of any power cable depend on the design, location of the main elements and the material from which they are made. Each SIP core consists of seven separate wires, with the six outer ones wrapped around one central one. The central element is made of a special aluminum alloy, which has high tensile strength, and the outer elements are made of aluminum.
Each of the four cores is packaged in its own polyvinyl chloride insulating sleeve. And finally, all four cores are covered with one common sheath made of the same material.
Specifications
For the SIP 4 4x16 product, the technical characteristics are determined by its purpose: it is enough to transmit current high power, allow the possibility of installing power lines over the air without additional supporting devices and withstand any atmospheric influences. The last problem is solved by using special heat-stabilized polyvinyl chloride in the manufacture of wire insulation, which is resistant to both temperature changes and ultraviolet solar radiation.
The technical characteristics declared by the manufacturer for SIP 4 4x16, the power of the transmitted current, look like this:
Working temperature range: from - 55 °C to + 55 °C;
Installation at air temperatures from − 21 °C and above;
Temperature increase during operation up to + 95 °C;
The maximum permitted voltage is up to 1 kV;
The estimated service life of a wire not exposed to a short circuit is at least 45 years;
Permissible power of powered consumers: at a voltage of 380V - 38 kW, at a voltage of 220V - 66 kW.
Application area
Laying overhead lines for a small street and a branch system from the support directly to the house - these are the main areas of application of SIP 4 4x16. The technical characteristics of this cable allow it to be used in any climatic zone Russia, including for power supply to coastal structures, when the aggressive effects of sea salt water damage even power lines.
Today, insulated wires are gradually replacing the old bare counterparts. First of all, this is due to the safety of their use and ease of installation. SIP cables are popular in the construction of power transmission lines. IN home use The sip wire has found its application in 4 different modifications.
SIP wires belong to cable products. They are designed to replace bare wires used in the construction of power lines. The lettering printed on the wires states that these are self-supporting insulated wires. According to GOST, several types of products are produced, designated by numbers, depending on the brand of the product. After the numbers there may be a letter designation. Its decoding indicates the material of manufacture of the current-carrying conductors and the presence of insulation neutral wire. The use of SIP for highways created a new designation - VLI. This letter decoding indicates isolated overhead lines.
Each brand differs in its design. This different diameter cores, the number of current-carrying wires and the presence of a neutral core, the material of manufacture of cores and insulation. The only thing that all wires have in common is the presence of insulation. According to GOST, they are designated as wires, but in fact it turns out that they are cables.
Wire brands
The design of the product and the materials used for manufacturing divide self-supporting insulated wire into the following main types:
Brief technical characteristics of SIP cable different brands are presented in the table:
Existing markings and their explanation
The cable marking is indicated by letters, numbers and insulation color. Using the example of the digital and letter designation of the SIP-1 cable, let’s see how it is decoded:
SIP-1 3x70+1x95-0.6/ TU 16-705.500-2006
The SIP-1 brand cable has 3 main cores. Their cross section is 70 square meters. mm. Plus one uninsulated carrier core. Its cross-section is 95 square meters. mm. The cores are designed for a rated voltage of 0.6/1 kV.
Taking an excerpt from GOST 31946-2012, let's see how markings of letters, numbers and colored insulation are applied to SIP-4:
- phase conductors are indicated by longitudinal stripes or numbers pressed onto the insulation, printed or embossed;
- no markings are applied to the insulation of the neutral core;
- instead of letters and numbers, the designation can be applied with a colored stripe more than 1 mm wide;
- Additional cores for lighting are marked B1, B2 or B3;
- Markings with numbers or letters are applied along the core every 50 cm;
- designations have standard dimensions: the width of 1 designation element is at least 2 mm, height is 5 mm;
- additional cores of control circuits may not be marked;
- The applied marking must be resistant to UV radiation throughout its entire service life.
Decoding all designation elements allows you to quickly navigate in choosing the required cable to perform certain jobs.
Main characteristics of the wire
The technical characteristics of the cable must comply with GOSTR 52373-2005. It indicates that a self-supporting insulated wire is intended for power lines up to 1 kV and above, but not more than 35 kV. The core cross-section ranges from 16 to 240 square meters. mm. On main sections, the diameter of the cable must exceed the cross-section of the cores of the outgoing lines. Technical characteristics allow SIPs to be used in street lighting networks. For these purposes, there are enough cores whose cross-section does not exceed 16 or 25 mm.
GOST displays the characteristics of the main limit values. If some parameters do not correspond, such a cable cannot be used. According to GOST, the SIP characteristic displays the following main parameters;
- maximum permissible load. The larger the cross-section of the core, the higher this indicator;
- maximum operating temperature;
- temperature limit emergency mode. According to GOST, it reaches 130 o C;
- permissible bending radius. It should not be less than 10 outer diameters of the core;
- 3 year manufacturer's warranty;
- The service life, if all requirements are met, is at least 40 years.
Some characteristics, for example, the weight of an identical cable different manufacturer, may differ. But they should not go beyond the limits reflected in GOST.
SIP fittings
The SIP cable has its own components designed for quick and safe installation. Linear fittings are presented in a wide range:
- Piercing clamps are compatible with any type of cable. The clamps provide a tight connection due to the fact that the insulation from the core is not removed. After installing the clamps over the insulation, tighten the fixing bolts. At this time, the piercing teeth, passing through the insulation, come into contact with the metal of the core;
- Branch fittings are used to provide tension support for the cores. The clamps have a mechanism whose operating principle simplifies the process of installing and dismantling the cable without special equipment. The tensioner can be used to suspend the cable from any surface;
- support and anchor fasteners are designed to secure the clamps. Bandage tape is used along with hooks and clamps. Any fastener is resistant to corrosion and temperature changes.
Scope of application 2x16 and 4x16
In everyday life, the most popular cables are 2x16 and 4x16. Thus, 4x16 wire is used for 0.6/1 kV overhead lines and for overhead branches to the building entrance. 4x16 cable can be laid along the walls of buildings and other structures.
SIP cable 2x16 is used to reduce the cross-section on branches when moving from power lines to internal wiring premises. As a branch, 2x16 SIP is well suited for a summer house or country house.
Despite all the insulation, SIP is light in weight, which is convenient for installation. You can calculate the weight of a specific brand using tables. For example, the weight of SIP-4 with two cores:
The use of insulated wires instead of bare ones allows you to avoid short circuits and injuries due to current when the line breaks. At home, a cable can be laid by a person even with little qualifications.
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