There are single-core and multi-core types of wires and cables. Some users may be confused about the difference between 3+2 core and 4+1 core, as both seem to have five cores. Let's explain the meaning and difference between 3+2 and 4+1 core wires and cables.
I. The Difference Between Wires and Cables
Wires are composed of one or several flexible conductors, covered with a soft protective layer.
Cables are made up of one or several insulated conductors, wrapped with a tough outer layer made of metal or rubber.
The 3+2 and 4+1 on cables indicate the number of cores in a cable. A cable may contain 2, 3, 3+2, 4+1, or 5 insulated conductors, respectively called 2-core, 3-core, 3+2-core, 4+1-core, and 5-core cables. Let's take the power cable YJV as an example.
II. YJV 3+2 Core
In a 3+2 cable, the "3" represents three phase lines (L1, L2, and L3 phase lines, which have the largest diameters), and the diameters of these three lines are the same. The "2" represents the neutral line and the PE line. One line is used to connect the neutral line (N neutral line, which has a smaller diameter compared to L1, L2, and L3), and the other line is used to connect the ground line (PE ground protection line, which also has a smaller diameter compared to L1, L2, and L3).
III. YJV 4+1 Core Cable
In a 4+1 cable, the "4" indicates that the diameters of the three phase lines and the neutral line are the same, while the "1" represents that the PE grounding line has a separate diameter. A 4+1 cable consists of four wires, among which one wire is used to connect the live wire (L1 phase line), one wire is used to connect the neutral line (N neutral line), and one wire is used to connect the grounding line (PE grounding protection line).
