Published: 2025-07-16 13:44:24
Recently, Shanghai cable companies have noticed the frequent breakage of cable outgoing lines in winter, causing numerous difficulties for power supply and related industries. In the cold winter, especially when temperatures drop sharply, the problem of cable outgoing wire breakage becomes increasingly prominent.
From the perspective of material properties, low temperature has a significant impact on cable materials. Typically, the outer insulation of wires and cables is mostly made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or rubber materials. When the ambient temperature drops below zero degrees, these materials quickly harden, making the entire cable body hard and brittle. This change in material properties makes the cable sheath prone to peeling and damage even under slight external force. For example, in northern regions, outdoor temperatures in winter often stay below zero, and ground temperatures are even lower. If cables are placed outdoors or laid directly on the ground, the probability of the outer sheath peeling increases significantly. In addition, low temperatures increase the resistance of metal conductors, leading to power loss and reduced power transmission efficiency, which in turn lowers the energy efficiency of wires and cables.
External forces are also an important cause of cable outlet breakage. In winter, frequent wind and snow cause cables to accumulate under the weight of wind and snow. As snow accumulation and ice increase, the cable's weight continues to grow, which may cause the cable to sag. When the weight exceeds the cable's capacity, it can cause cable breakage or disconnection. At the same time, impact or compression from frozen ground or other objects can also cause the outer sheath to crack, leading to internal circuit breakage. For example, if a vehicle accidentally squeezes a cable buried in a shallow underground area while driving on icy roads, it may cause damage.
In addition, cables also face severe tests during freeze-thaw cycles. When daytime temperatures are relatively high in winter, the ice and snow on the cables melt, and at night, when the temperature drops, the melted snow water refreezes into ice. This repeated freezing and thawing process puts stress on the cable materials, and over time, the outer sheath of the cable may crack, and the internal wires are also prone to breaking.
If there are deficiencies in construction and maintenance, they can also cause cable outlet breakage problems in winter. During the installation and laying of some cables, construction personnel did not fully consider the low-temperature conditions in winter and chose cable types unsuitable for low-temperature environments. For example, some ordinary cables experience a sharp decrease in performance at low temperatures but were used in outdoor environments in cold regions. Additionally, during construction, if the bending radius of the cable does not meet the requirements, the bending sections are prone to breakage in winter when the cable becomes hard and brittle due to low temperatures. In daily maintenance, if the cable is not regularly inspected and potential problems, such as minor damage to the outer sheath, are not detected in time, these small issues may develop into serious cable outlet breakage faults in winter due to the combined effects of low temperatures and external forces.
Shanghai Suoqi reminds that relevant departments and enterprises need to attach great importance to the issue of cable lead breakage in winter. When selecting cables, the local minimum winter environmental temperature should be fully considered, and cold-resistant cables suitable for the conditions should be chosen; during construction, operations should be carried out strictly according to standards to ensure the quality of cable installation; daily maintenance and inspection of cables should be strengthened, snow and ice on the cables should be cleared in a timely manner, and any problems should be addressed promptly to ensure the normal operation of cables in winter and reduce losses caused by cable lead breakage.