NEC Cable Specifications

[kingtutley]

I have been reviewing a bunch of specifications for a power plant that my company is helping to engineer and I am getting confused reviewing the one on medium voltage cables.

I have 2 separate specifications (I am functioning as owner's engineer here). I have a spec from the actual engineering firm and a spec from my client. I have to take the engineering spec and make sure that it not only meets NEC but also my client's spec. Not really a big deal.

Now the problem. This is my first time reviewing a cable spec and I don't understand all these acronyms in the NEC. For instance, my client requires a cross-linked polyethylene insulation on their cables (XLPE), no problem. I have relayed that to the engineer, but the problem for me is the NEC. XLPE is not in the NEC anywhere. How do I take the names that I am familiar with (XLPE, EPR etc.) and crosscheck them against the NEC (THHN, THW-2, etc)?

 

[dpc]

None of those NEC types are going to apply to MV cables. They are for 600 V insulation. NEC requires MV-90 or MV-105 for medium voltage cables. Just makes sure the cable is UL labeled and the local inspector will be happy. Most of them wouldn't know a MV cable from garden hose anyway.