Application
Identify the pump, ROV, dredger, underwater sensor, camera, tow system or subsea machine.
Submersible & underwater cable solutions
Submersible & Underwater Cable Solutions for Pumps, ROVs and Subsea Equipment
TEBAOFLEX provides cable solutions for submersible pumps, ROV systems, dredging equipment, underwater sensors and marine machinery. Cable construction is selected according to operating depth, electrical function, buoyancy, tensile load, movement and exposure to fresh, salt or brackish water.
Selection begins with the operating duty.Water resistance, depth, pressure, movement, tensile load and cable function must be confirmed together.
Four selection inputs
Define the application before choosing the cable
An underwater cable is part of an electrical and mechanical system. A useful enquiry describes where the equipment works, what the cable must transmit, how the route moves and which loads act on the cable.
Depth & Water
State operating depth and exposure to fresh, salt or brackish water, including continuous or intermittent immersion.
Mechanical Duty
Define bending, movement, drag, buoyancy, working load, breaking strength, abrasion and deployment method.
Electrical Function
Confirm power, control, signal, video, coaxial or fibre-optic functions and whether a hybrid construction is required.
Waterproofing alone does not define an underwater cable.
Depth, pressure, mechanical load, cable function and termination design must be considered together for the proposed installation.
Depth, pressure, mechanical load, cable function and termination design must be considered together for the proposed installation.
Equipment first
Cable solutions for underwater equipment and systems
The same water environment can contain very different electrical and mechanical duties. Compare the equipment and installation route before moving to a cable family or model.
Permanent immersion
Submersible Pumps
Power cables for deep-well, dewatering, dredging, mine and industrial pumps must be matched to voltage, depth, water type, cable length and termination.
Dynamic underwater
ROV Systems
Tether and umbilical cables may carry power, control, video, data or fibre while also managing drag, bending, buoyancy and tensile loads.
Heavy-duty power
Dredging Equipment
Dredgers and submerged motors combine medium-voltage power, immersion, movement, abrasion and mechanical handling requirements.
Control & signal
Underwater Sensors & Cameras
Compact control and signal cables require suitable screening, conductor arrangement, water-blocking strategy and connection design.
Tow & survey
Marine Survey Systems
Sonar, towfish and survey sensors can require armoured or strength-member cables that support signal integrity during deployment and retrieval.
Wet & buoyant
Aquaculture & Wet Equipment
Floating systems, aerators, feeders and frequently handled wet equipment may need flexibility, UV resistance, water resistance and controlled buoyancy.
Operating behaviour
Match the cable to the underwater duty
Cable type should follow the real operating behaviour. Permanent immersion, dynamic ROV motion, surface flotation, dredging movement and towing impose different demands even when all routes involve water.
Permanent Submersion
For pumps, motors and fixed subsea machinery. Confirm depth, pressure, insulation stability, water ingress control and termination.
Dynamic Underwater Movement
For ROVs, inspection systems and moving sensors. Review flexibility, repeated bending, drag, tensile load and signal transmission.
Floating / Buoyant Duty
For surface-floating or neutral-buoyancy systems. Specify the required behaviour in water rather than using “floating” as a general term.
Trailing / Dredging Duty
For dredgers, floating docks and heavy underwater machinery. Combine voltage, immersion, abrasion, movement and mechanical load.
Towing / High-Tensile Duty
For sonar, towfish and marine research. Define working load, breaking strength, armour or strength members, signal function and handling route.
Hybrid / Umbilical Duty
For equipment needing power, control, data, fibre or hydraulic elements in one engineered construction.
Pump & motor power
Submersible cable solutions for pumps and underwater motors
Deep-well pumps, mine dewatering pumps, dredging pumps, offshore pumps and industrial water systems can operate under very different depth and movement conditions. Select the construction using the complete motor and installation data rather than treating every water-resistant cable as a submersible pump cable.
- Rated voltage
- Motor power and current
- Operating depth
- Fresh, salt or brackish water
- Total cable length
- Fixed or moving installation
- Termination and connector
- Required documentation
Inspection & control
ROV tether cable solutions for underwater inspection and control
An ROV tether is part of the vehicle’s power, communication and handling system. Electrical elements can include power conductors, control pairs, video or data conductors and fibre optics. Mechanical review should include cable diameter, drag, buoyancy, working load, breaking strength, minimum bending radius, reel or tether-management system and connector.
Electrical Package
Define power, command, sensor, camera, data and fibre requirements, including shielding and system compatibility.
Mechanical Package
Define in-water weight, tensile loading, drag, movement, deployment, recovery and termination loads.
Buoyancy behaviour
Floating and neutral-buoyancy cable applications
A surface-floating cable is designed to remain toward the water surface, while a neutral-buoyancy tether controls its in-water weight to reduce load on an ROV or underwater robot. These objectives require different construction decisions. The design should also consider flexibility, tensile strength, water exposure, abrasion, visibility and repeated deck handling.
- Surface floating behaviour
- Neutral or near-neutral buoyancy
- In-water cable weight
- Tether drag
- Working and breaking load
- Handling and reel dimensions
Heavy underwater power
Submersible power cables for dredging and heavy underwater equipment
Cutter-suction dredgers, dredging pumps, floating dredgers, submerged motors and marine excavation equipment can combine medium-voltage power with immersion, abrasion, dynamic movement and tensile loading. Oil or mechanical exposure around the machine and deck route should also be stated.
Representative starting points include the Dredging Cable -3E and the (N)TSCGECEWOEU medium-voltage submersible cable. Final suitability depends on the selected model, size, route and project specification.
Survey & sonar
Tow cables for sonar and marine survey systems
When the cable also carries towing load, a normal waterproof signal cable is not an equivalent substitute. Towfish, sonar, research sensors and survey packages can require steel armour or other strength members, controlled elongation, abrasion resistance and a coordinated electrical package.
- Working and breaking load
- Tow speed and deployment depth
- Armour or strength-member design
- Signal, coaxial or hybrid elements
- Winch, sheave and bend radius
- Termination and load transfer
Integrated functions
Composite umbilical cables for integrated subsea systems
Subsea machinery and ROV systems may need several services in one route. A project-specific umbilical can combine power cores, control wires, twisted signal pairs, fibre optics and, where required by the confirmed design, strength members or hydraulic elements.
The engineering review should define every circuit and service, pressure or tensile duty, overall diameter, termination interface, handling system and applicable documentation. This keeps the hybrid construction tied to a real equipment architecture rather than a generic “custom cable” claim.
Application matrix
Underwater cable application guide
Use this matrix to identify the cable family to investigate first. It is a selection framework, not a substitute for product data or a project-specific engineering review.
| Equipment / Application | Water Duty | Main Requirement | Recommended Starting Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submersible pump | Continuous immersion | Water resistance, depth and motor power | Submersible power cable |
| Deep-water pump | Deep immersion | Pressure, insulation stability and termination | Depth-rated submersible cable |
| ROV | Dynamic underwater | Buoyancy, signal, tensile load and drag | ROV tether cable |
| Underwater camera | Dynamic or fixed | Signal integrity, screening and compact diameter | Waterproof signal/control cable |
| Dredger | Dynamic immersion | MV power, abrasion, movement and load | MV dredging cable |
| Floating pump | Surface / immersed | Buoyancy and flexible power | Floating power cable |
| Towfish / sonar | Towed | Tensile strength, abrasion and signal | Armoured tow cable |
| Marine survey equipment | Deployed / recovered | Handling, signal and abrasion | Tow or hybrid cable |
| Subsea system | Fixed or dynamic | Power, control, data and optional fluid services | Composite umbilical |
| Aquaculture equipment | Wet / shallow water | Water resistance, flexibility and UV exposure | PUR waterproof cable |
Terminology
Waterproof vs submersible vs floating vs tether cable
These descriptions refer to different operating objectives. Define the required behaviour and load path before selecting the product.
| Cable Type | Primary Behaviour | Typical Application | Critical Selection Input |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof cable | Controls water ingress for its specified duty | Wet industrial equipment | Exposure and immersion condition |
| Submersible cable | Designed for a defined immersion duty | Pump, motor and underwater power | Depth, pressure, voltage and termination |
| Floating cable | Designed to remain toward the water surface | Aquaculture and surface equipment | Buoyancy and surface handling |
| Neutral-buoyancy cable | Controls in-water weight | ROV and underwater robot | In-water weight, drag and tensile load |
| Tow cable | Carries defined tensile or towing load | Sonar, towfish and survey | Working load, breaking load and winch route |
| Umbilical cable | Combines multiple functions | Subsea equipment and ROV systems | Complete electrical, optical, mechanical and fluid package |
Recommended starting points
Submersible and underwater cable families
These representative products cover different water, electrical and mechanical duties. Review the individual product page and submit the full application data before specifying a model.
Permanent immersion
(N)TSCGEWOU
Medium-voltage submersible power cable for the documented fixed underwater duty and selected size.
View product →
Flexible MV power
(N)TSCGECEWOEU
Screened flexible medium-voltage construction for selected mining, dredging and underwater power duties.
View product →Dredging
Dredging Cable -3E
Heavy-duty submersible trailing cable for selected dredging equipment and underwater power routes.
View product →
ROV tether
Buoyant Tether Cable
Buoyant multicore tether construction for selected ROV, control and subsea signal packages.
View product →Floating duty
Floating Cable
A project-selected floating cable solution for marine, aquaculture and surface-supported equipment.
View design guide →
Tow & survey
Armoured Tow Cable
Galvanized steel wire armoured construction for selected sonar, towfish and survey applications.
View product →
Hybrid subsea
Composite Umbilical Cable
Hybrid power, signal and fibre concepts for compatible subsea and ROV equipment architectures.
View product →
Wet equipment
4 Core PUR Waterproof Cable
Low-voltage flexible PUR cable for confirmed wet-equipment and waterproof cable duties.
View product →Operating stresses
What submersible and underwater cables must withstand
Capability depends on the exact construction and project condition. Permitted operating depth and pressure capability must be confirmed for the selected cable rather than assumed across an entire category.
Water Ingress
Sheath, water-blocking elements and terminations must match the immersion duty.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Depth changes pressure and can affect materials, interfaces and connector selection.
Tensile Load
Suspended, towed and deployed cables require a defined load path and safety basis.
Bending & Movement
Dynamic routes require suitable flexibility and a confirmed bend radius.
Abrasion
Seabed contact, machinery and deck handling influence sheath and protection choices.
Water Chemistry
Fresh, salt and brackish water conditions should be stated with other chemical exposure.
UV & Deck Handling
Surface sections may face sunlight, reels, sheaves and repeated deployment.
Electrical Integrity
Power, signal, screening and fibre functions must remain compatible with the system.
Selection workflow
How to select a submersible or underwater cable
Work from equipment and function toward environmental and mechanical details. The resulting specification is more useful than selecting by voltage and conductor size alone.
Equipment
Pump, ROV, dredger, sensor or tow system.
Electrical Function
Power, control, signal, video or fibre.
Water Type
Fresh, salt or brackish water.
Operating Depth
Normal and maximum immersion depth.
Movement
Fixed, moving, trailing or towed route.
Tensile Load
Working load, breaking load and drag.
Buoyancy
Floating, neutral, sinking or not required.
Bending Radius
Cable route, reel, winch and sheaves.
Termination
Connector, gland and load-transfer method.
Documentation
Project standard, drawing, test and approval needs.
Project-specific construction
Engineering and customization for underwater cable projects
When a catalogue product does not fit the route, TEBAOFLEX can review a project-specific construction using confirmed electrical, optical, mechanical and environmental inputs. The purpose is to define a practical cable and documentation boundary, not to make a generic custom-performance claim.
The review should also consider how the cable is manufactured, shipped, installed and terminated. A design that meets the electrical package but cannot pass through the specified connector, bend around the planned sheave or transfer tensile load safely is not a complete solution. Providing interface drawings, reel limits, deployment sequence and destination-market requirements early helps reduce avoidable revisions before production.
- Core count and conductor size
- Power, control and signal combinations
- Twisted pairs, coaxial and fibre elements
- Screening and grounding concept
- Armour or tensile strength members
- Buoyancy and in-water weight
- Sheath material, colour and marking
- Length, reel and termination interface
Technical review
Testing and project documentation for underwater cable systems
The required evidence should follow the selected product and project specification. Confirm the documents, drawings, tests, inspection scope and destination-market compliance requirements before final project order approval.
Construction Review
Check conductor, insulation, screen, strength members, water-blocking elements, sheath, dimensions and marking against the agreed design.
Electrical Documentation
Identify the relevant product data, electrical test records, continuity requirements and signal or fibre documentation for the selected cable.
Mechanical & Water Duty
Where depth, tensile load, buoyancy or dynamic movement is critical, request the applicable test basis and operating limits for the proposed construction.
Technical resources
Continue the underwater cable selection process
Use these guides to compare pump, ROV, floating and underwater-control duties before submitting a complete project enquiry.
Submersible Pump Cables: Deep-Well Power Solutions
Review the electrical and installation information needed for a submersible pump cable enquiry.
Read guide →ROV Cable Solutions for Marine Inspection
Compare tether functions and the mechanical details that influence an ROV cable package.
Read guide →Floating Cable Design for ROVs and Marine Equipment
Understand why buoyancy, tensile strength, abrasion and handling must be considered together.
Read guide →Why ROV Cables Use Orange PUR Sheaths
Review visibility, flexibility and environmental considerations for underwater equipment cables.
Read guide →Buyer questions
Submersible and underwater cable FAQ
These answers clarify the first engineering and purchasing decisions. Final suitability still depends on the exact product, route and project specification.
What is the difference between waterproof and submersible cable?
Waterproof describes resistance to water ingress under a defined condition. A submersible cable is selected for a specific immersion duty that may also involve depth, pressure, power transmission, movement and termination requirements. The terms should not be treated as interchangeable without product data.
How do I choose a cable for a submersible pump?
Provide pump type, voltage, motor power or current, conductor size if known, cable length, operating depth, water type, fixed or moving installation, termination, required documentation and quantity. The cable and termination should be reviewed as one system.
What cable is used for an ROV?
An ROV may use a tether or umbilical carrying power, control, video, data or fibre. Selection also depends on in-water weight, buoyancy, drag, working load, breaking strength, bending radius, tether-management system and connector.
What is the difference between floating and neutral-buoyancy cable?
A floating cable is designed to remain toward the water surface. A neutral-buoyancy cable controls its in-water weight so it places less vertical load on underwater equipment. The required behaviour must be stated with the actual water and mechanical conditions.
How does operating depth affect underwater cable selection?
Depth affects hydrostatic pressure and can influence materials, water-blocking design, interfaces, connectors and terminations. Permitted depth must be verified for the exact cable construction; one product’s depth rating must not be applied to the whole category.
When is an armoured tow cable required?
Armour or another strength-member system may be required when the cable carries towing or suspension load, faces mechanical damage or must transfer load into a termination. Working load, breaking load, route and winch system should be defined.
Can power, signal and fibre optics be combined in one underwater cable?
Yes, a composite umbilical concept can combine compatible power conductors, control wires, signal pairs and fibre optics. Feasibility depends on the circuit package, mechanical duty, overall diameter, termination design, system compatibility and project documentation.
What information is required for an underwater cable quotation?
Send equipment type, cable function, voltage, size, length, water type, operating depth, movement, buoyancy requirement, working and breaking loads, bend radius, connector, required standard, quantity, destination and available drawings.
Project enquiry
Request an underwater cable recommendation
Send the electrical, water and mechanical data together so the technical team can compare a suitable cable family, construction and documentation path.
EquipmentPump, ROV, dredger, sensor or survey system
Cable functionPower, control, signal, video or fibre
Electrical dataVoltage, conductor size, cores, pairs and screen
Water dataFresh, salt or brackish water and operating depth
InstallationFixed, moving, floating, neutral or towed
Mechanical dataWorking load, breaking load, drag and bend radius
InterfaceConnector, termination, reel, winch or sheave
Project detailStandard, documents, length, quantity and destination