VFD cables carry power from AC drive systems to AC motors. As a result, these cables must handle not only the overall high power levels of the pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals, but also the extremely high voltage which can occur when standing waves develop on the conductors. This high voltage can cause corona discharges to occur between the conductors of conventional cables, causing damage not only to the cabling itself, but also to the motors, bearings, drives and related equipment. In turn, this damage can cause failure of the entire drive system, resulting in costly production downtime.
In addition to experiencing failures due to corona discharge and adverse environmental conditions, conventional VFD cabling is difficult and expensive to install. Armored cable and lead wire in conduit are cumbersome and require extremely large installation bending radii, making installation both time consuming and labor intensive. Yet they still do not solve noise and corona discharge problems, nor do they effectively address the high levels of noise generated by VFDs.
VFD Cables – Features and Benefits
Only Belden’s VFD cables series of 1000V UL flexible motor supply cables in gauge sizes from 16-4/0 provide the robust construction required to deliver superior electrical performance and reliability, even in the most demanding industrial environments.
Our heavy, industrial grade XLPE insulation provides:
- More stable electrical performance than PVC
- Lower capacitance, resulting in: – Longer cable runs
– Reduced peak motor terminal voltage for extended motor life
– Reduced likelihood of corona discharge
– Reduced magnitude of standing waves
– Increased efficiency of power transfer
- Are more flexible for ease of installation
- Provide better vibration resistance
- Are numbered for ease of identification
- Oil resistant
- Sunlight resistant
- MSHA
- 1000V UL Flexible Motor Supply
- 600V UL 1277 Type TC-ER
- CSA AWM I/II A/B FT4
- 900C Wet/Dry
- Class I & II; Division 2 Hazardous Locations
- UL 1685 Vertical Tray Flame Test
- IEEE 1202/383 Vertical Tray Flame Test at 70,000 BTU/hour
- UL Direct Burial
- RoHS Compliant
- CE Approved
Belden Variable Frequency Drive cables are available in various standard lengths. Armored versions are also available. They are tested and approved for use by Rockwell Automation for the following AC drives: PowerFlex Series, Series 1305, Series 1336 Plus and Plus II, Series 1336 Impact and Series 1336 Force Field-Oriented Control.
Belden VFD Cable is also appropriate for drives manufactured by: AA Electric, ABB, Baldor, Cutler-Hammer, Emerson Process Management, Fivestar Electric Motors, General Electric, Hitachi, Magnetek, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Motion Industries, Quality Drive Systems, Robicon, Siemens, Square D, Toshiba and TB Woods.
VFD Cable with (3) Stranded Tinned Copper Conductors + Full-size Insulated Ground, Overall Beldfoil® + 85% Tinned Cooper Braid Shield, Full-size Drain Wire, XLPE Insulated Circuit Conductors, PVC Jacket; 1000V UL
29500 16 AWG Stranded (26x30) Tinned Copper Conductors
29501 14 AWG Stranded (41x30) Tinned Copper Conductors
29502 12 AWG Stranded (65x30) Tinned Copper Conductors
29503 10 AWG Stranded (105x30) Tinned Copper Conductors
29504 8 AWG Stranded (7x19x29) Tinned Copper Conductors
29505 6 AWG Stranded (7x19x27) Tinned Copper Conductors
29506 4 AWG Stranded (7x19x25) Tinned Copper Conductors
29507 2 AWG Stranded (7x19x23) Tinned Copper Conductors
VFD Cable with Signal Pair for Brake, (3) Stranded Tinned Copper Conductors + Full-size PVC Ground, Overall Beldfoil + 85% Tinned Copper Braid Shield, (1) 16 AWG Shielded Signal Pair for Brake with Drain Wire, XLPE Insulated Circuit Conductors, Black PVC Jacket; 1000V UL
29510 16 AWG Circuit Conductors, 16 AWG Signal Pair
29511 14 AWG Circuit Conductors, 16 AWG Signal Pair
29512 12 AWG Circuit Conductors, 16 AWG Signal Pair
29513 10 AWG Circuit Conductors, 16 AWG Signal Pair
VFD Cable – Symmetrical Design with (3) Stranded Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors + (3) Symmetrical Bare Copper Grounds, 2 Spiral Copper Tape Shields (100% Coverage), XLPE Insulation, Black PVC Jacket; 1000V UL
29520 16 AWG Stranded (7x24) Tinned Copper Conductors
29521 14 AWG Stranded (7x22) Tinned Copper Conductors
29522 12 AWG Stranded (7x20) Tinned Copper Conductors
29523 10 AWG Stranded (7x18) Tinned Copper Conductors
29524 8 AWG Stranded (7x16) Tinned Copper Conductors
29525 6 AWG Stranded (7x14) Tinned Copper Conductors
29526 4 AWG Stranded (7x12) Tinned Copper Conductors
29527 2 AWG Stranded (7x10) Tinned Copper Conductors
29528 1 AWG Stranded (7x19x22) Tinned Copper Conductors
29529 1/0 AWG Stranded (7x19x21) Tinned Copper Conductors
29530 2/0 AWG Stranded (7x19x20) Tinned Copper Conductors
29531 3/0 AWG Stranded (7x19x19) Tinned Copper Conductors
29532 4/0 AWG Stranded (7x29x18) Tinned Copper Conductors
Interlocked Armor VFD Cables with (3) Stranded Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors + 3 Symmetrical Bare Copper Grounds, 2 Spiral Copper Tape Shields (100% Coverage), XLPE Insulation, Black PVC Inner & Outer Jackets; 600V UL
Aluminum Armored
1229520 16 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229521 14 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229522 12 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229523 10 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229524 8 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229525 6 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229526 4 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229527 2 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229528 1 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229529 1/0 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229530 2/0 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229531 3/0 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1229532 4/0 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
Steel Armored
1329520 16 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329521 14 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329522 12 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329523 10 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329524 8 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329525 6 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329526 4 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329527 2 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329528 1 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329529 1/0 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329530 2/0 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329531 3/0 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
1329532 4/0 AWG Tinned Copper Circuit Conductors
In addition to our full line of VFD Cables, Belden offers the following standard cables for encoder applications. Encoder cables help feed information to the microprocessor regarding both the speed and the position of the rotor. Signal cable can be used for brake or thermal contact applications.
| Part No. | Pairs | AWG |
| 8970 (Power Supply) | 1 | 18 |
| 9729 (Encoder) | 2 | 24 |
| 9730 (Encoder) | 3 | 24 |
| 89730 (Encoder) | 3 | 24 |
| 9728 (Encoder) | 4 | 24 |
| 9892 (Encoder) | 4 | 20 |
| 9860 (Signal) | 1 | 16 |
Belden cables are manufactured in ISO 9001:2000 certified facilities utilizing the most advanced equipment, systems, controls and processes available. As a result, the cables provide superior performance – even under a variety of hostile environmental conditions. Belden also formulates many of its own insulations and jacket compounds for a wide variety of cable types and manufactures its cable jackets in a wide range of colors. For the utmost in protection, Belden offers interlocking steel or aluminum armor (see list above), as well as continuous armor constructions. Smooth or corrugated or corrugated protective metal tapes are also available, as are a host of custom cable designs (orders subject to minimum quantities). Consult with Belden on your particular application.