#Cable Maximum Voltage Rating and #Mechanical Strength

Tips to choose a cable.
The maximum voltage depends on the material characteristics, the conductor insulation thickness and the outer sheath thickness. The insulation must be sufficiently resistant to prevent even accidental crushing situations, so different uses can have different requirements of project. Norms as UL and CSA (American), IEC (International) and EN (European) set values which are not always equal to each other and sometimes refer only to heavy employment, such as cables for power transmission.

For the transmission of signals inside industrial machinery, it is frequent to use reduced thickness which refers to commercial standards which are not supported by norms, such as cables LiYY and FROR. The advantage of using reduced thickness is particularly evident in the smaller volume occupied by bundles of cables. The reference nominal voltage is generally at least 300 V. On the market there are also low-cost cables in PVC, with extremely reduced thickness, which may not be compatible with the safety standards for specific applications; it is advisable to carefully evaluate the characteristics of the products.
The norm IEC 60204-1 (#Machinery #Safety) recommends the minimum section of the cables according to the application as well, see table 1 on page http://www.shield.net/files/catalogue/support/2.2.pdf. The norm allows smaller sections only if the mechanical protection is sufficiently guaranteed, for example with conduits.