Is PVC Cable Suitable For Outdoors And Can Flexible Cable Be Used Outside?

Electrical cables are deemed suitable for outdoor use provided they have adequate protection against direct sunlight and other external extremities. So, the important question is, does Polyvinyl chloride offer adequate protection against external extremities?  In its pure state, PVC cannot provide adequate protection against all external extremities. However, it can be made to be adequately resistant to external adversities through the addition of specific additives. Carbon black is one of the most commonly used additives in the strengthening of PVC cables. Thus, you need to check and confirm that the PVC cable you are interested in buying is an outdoor-rated cable.

When talking about outdoor electrical installations and the suitability of PVC cables, certain things must be considered. Do you intent to install the PVC cable above-ground or underground? If you intend to install the cable underground, it is advisable to go for a more reliable outdoor underground electrical cable. This type of cable is designed to be buried underground just as the name suggests.

Also, when choosing an underground cable, you need to consider the environment you reside in and the possible risks that might exist beneath the ground. For instance, if you reside in a rodent infested area, you need to invest in an outdoor armored electrical cable. This type of cable is strong enough to withstand attacks from rodents.

There is no actual rule that prevents you from using flexible cable outside. Essentially, the same rules apply to flexible as to any other electrical cable. The main question you should ask when considering to buy a particular flexible cable is; is it fit to be used as an outdoor electrical cable? For a cable to be considered to be fit for outside use, at least it has to be weather resistant. Generally, weather resistance entails protection against emblematic ambient temperature range, Ultra-violet light, Ozone and water.

Despite the fact that certain flex-type cables fall within the scope of outdoor-rated cables, certain flex cables cannot withstand external extremities such as UV light.  The best thing to do when shopping for an outdoor electrical cable is to check specifications of your chosen cable to ensure that it is suitable for outdoor use. Where can you find the specifications of a cable? Well, cable specs are normally printed or precast on the cable sheath. If you can’t locate the specs, it is advisable to ask the shop steward for assistance.

While you can always find a flex-type outdoor electrical cable, it is not always advisable to use a flexible cable. When using flexible cable, things might get messy due to the sag between clips. Essentially, you might be forced to buy a lot of clips in order to keep the flexible cable installation neat. If you prefer a neat installation, a rigid cable is better than a flexible cable.