KUIN Cable: Universal Solution for Control, Monitoring and Measurement
Products under the abbreviation KUIN are widely used in modern industry to build reliable automation, signaling and communication systems. In this article we will examine in detail what KUIN cable is, its construction, technical parameters and main applications.
1. Name decoding and general description
Decoding of the abbreviation KUIN — Universal Instrumentation Cable (according to some sources — “control, management, instrumentation”). This fully corresponds to its purpose. This conductor is intended for use in control, monitoring and signaling circuits, as well as for inter-instrument connections. It can be used to form digital information buses and as measuring wires for resistance thermometers, for which the cores are twisted into “pairs”, “triples” and “quads” according to 2‑wire, 3‑wire and 4‑wire schemes.
Such products can be operated in mobile and fixed installations, indoors and outdoors. They are rated for a nominal voltage of up to 690 V AC at 50/60 Hz or up to 1000 V DC.
2. Construction features
KUIN cable has a flexible construction and is produced with stranded copper conductors (tinning is possible, indicated by the letter “l”). According to GOST 22483, conductors can be of flexibility classes 3, 4 or 5, with the “-G” version corresponding to high flexibility (class 5). The nominal cross‑section of the conductors varies from 0.20 to 6 mm², the number of conductors — from 1 to 61 in a common twist.
Insulated conductors can be twisted into a common core, into pairs (“x2”), triples (“x3”) or quads (“x4”). The insulation is made of various materials: PVC compound “V”, halogen‑free polymer composition “P”, cross‑linked polyolefin “Ps” or thermoplastic elastomer “T”. Conductor marking is colour‑coded or numbered. Cables with a common twist may have a separate grounding conductor (PE) of yellow‑green colour.
For protection against electromagnetic interference, each conductor, pair, triple or quad can have an individual shield (aluminium foil, copper braid, etc.). A common shield over all conductors is also possible.
3. Protection and special versions
The construction includes a water‑blocking tape that prevents longitudinal water propagation. Over it or over the common shield, an extruded separation layer can be applied, which fills the gaps and gives the cable a round shape. This is critical for use in hazardous areas: the filling prevents gas mixture from penetrating inside, in accordance with GOST IEC 60079-14-2013.
Cables can have armour made of galvanized steel wires (“K”) or tapes (“B”).
There are many special versions, indicated by additional indices:
- HL — cold‑resistant version (installation down to –30°C).
- EHL — extreme cold‑resistant (installation down to –40°C).
- UF — resistance to ultraviolet and atmospheric influences.
- M — oil‑ and petrol‑resistant.
- X — resistance to chemically aggressive environments.
- T — increased heat resistance (up to +200°C).
- ZG — protection against rodents, ants, termites.
KUIN cable is produced in various climatic versions (UHL, T), with different placement categories. In terms of fire safety, versions ng (flame retardant) and ng‑LS (low smoke and gas emission) are available, as well as fire‑resistant “FR” versions that maintain operability under fire conditions for at least 180 minutes.
4. Technical characteristics
The main parameters of KUIN products are summarized in the table.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Rated voltage | AC: up to 690 V (50/60 Hz); DC: up to 1000 V |
| Insulation resistance | from 10 MΩ·km (PVC) to 500 MΩ·km (cross‑linked polyolefin) |
| Operating temperature | from –70°C to +200°C (depending on material and version) |
| Minimum installation temperature | from –15°C to –40°C (depending on version) |
| Bending radius | not less than 7.5–10 outer diameters |
| Fire resistance (FR) | not less than 180 min (PO1) |
| Service life | not less than 25 years |
5. Designation examples and popular sizes
The ordering designation system allows you to flexibly select the required product. For example, the notation “KUIN ng(A)-LS 2×2×1.5l EmVK” is decoded as: KUIN cable, flame retardant, low smoke and gas emission, with two pairs of tinned copper conductors with a cross‑section of 1.5 mm², each pair has an individual shield made of copper braid, common armour made of steel wires.
The most popular are products with a number of cores from 4 to 37, as well as with pair twisting. Conductors for control circuits HL 5×1 (cold‑resistant version, 5 cores with a cross‑section of 1 mm²) are often used; they operate reliably at low temperatures. For systems requiring increased noise immunity, shielded versions are used, for example 10×1 with a common shield. Such conductors are in demand in industrial automation and energy facilities.
6. Applications
Thanks to their versatility and wide range of versions, these products are used in various industries:
- Industrial automation: connecting sensors, actuators, controllers.
- Power engineering: control, protection and signaling circuits at substations and power plants, including nuclear power facilities (safety classes 2, 3 and 4).
- Oil & gas and chemical industry: installation in hazardous areas of all classes (according to GOST IEC 60079-14).
- Transport and infrastructure: use in subway facilities, tunnels, railway stations.
- Security systems: as part of fire and burglar alarms, public address systems.
KUIN cable can be laid stationary and mobile, indoors and outdoors, on shelves, in trays, boxes, channels, tunnels, in the ground (trenches), as well as in places exposed to stray currents.
7. Certification and regulatory framework
KUIN products are manufactured according to TU 3581-010-76960731-2008 (and also TU 3581-031-76960731-2014 for special series) and fully comply with the requirements of:
- GOST 22483 — for current‑carrying conductors.
- GOST IEC 60079-14 — for use in hazardous areas.
- TR CU 012/2011 — on the safety of equipment for explosive environments.
- Federal Law No. 123‑FZ “Technical Regulation on Fire Safety Requirements”.
- GOST R 53315-2009 — fire safety requirements for cable products.
The presence of these certificates guarantees high quality and safety of the products.
8. Conclusion
KUIN cable is a modern, high‑tech solution for a wide range of tasks in automation, monitoring and communications. Its versatility, variety of construction versions and climatic modifications (including HL and ng‑LS) allow you to choose the optimal option for any operating conditions — from harsh climates to hazardous areas. High‑quality KUIN products from trusted manufacturers, presented in the catalogue, will ensure the durability and reliability of your systems. You can view the range and buy KUIN cable on our website. Other types of cable and wire products are presented in the general catalogue.
