Application & Operating Conditions
Type SHD-GC 8000 V trailing cable is the primary medium-voltage mobile power lifeline for 6.6 kV, 6.9 kV, and 7.2 kV open-pit electric mining shovels, walking draglines, overburden drills, floating dredges, and portable pit skid substations. Built to ICEA S-75-381 / NEMA WC 58, its uniform 150 mil (3.81 mm) discharge-resistant EPR wall and heavy 205–295 mil reinforced CPE or TPU sheath withstand crushing haul-road crossings, rocky bench dragging, and extreme solar UV or Arctic pit winters.
Electric Rope & Hydraulic Shovels
Delivers continuous 7.2 kV trailing power from pit skid breakers to shovel cable reels, resisting high-tension drag over sharp iron-ore, copper, and coal bench rock.
Walking Draglines & Cutter Dredges
High-coverage tinned copper phase shields and wet-rated 90°C EPR dielectric maintain corona-free stability across wet pit floors, tailing ponds, and barge pontoons.
High-Visibility Red / Orange TPU Option
Extra-tough colored TPU outer sheathing enhances visual contrast against grey/brown pit muck while cutting weight by up to 740 kg/km on long 300–500 m trail lengths.
7.2 kV Open-Pit Standard: North American and international surface mines operating 6.6 kV or 7.2 kV shovel fleets standardize on 8,000 V Type SHD-GC (150 mil EPR) to maintain full phase-to-ground fault margin under ungrounded or impedance-grounded neutral systems.
Cable Construction (ICEA S-75-381 Type SHD-GC 8000 V)
Constructed with heavy-wall 150 mil EPR medium-voltage insulation, dual semi-conducting stress-control layers, individual tinned copper braid shields, and an extra-heavy reinforced thermoset CPE or polyurethane TPU sheath.
| Layer / Component | Material & ICEA S-75-381 / NEMA WC 58 Engineering Specification |
|---|---|
| 1. Power Conductors (3×) | Flexible rope-lay stranded annealed tinned copper conductors, 4 AWG (259 strands) through 500 kcmil (1,221 strands), per ASTM B172 and ASTM B33. |
| 2. Conductor Stress Shield | Extruded thermosetting semi-conducting layer applied smoothly over each stranded tinned copper phase conductor. |
| 3. 8 kV EPR Insulation | 150 mil (3.81 mm) corona-, moisture-, and ozone-resistant +90°C Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) dielectric across all conductor sizes. |
| 4. Insulation Screen & Braid | Extruded/taped semi-conducting insulation shield covered by a tinned copper and color-coded nylon phase-identification braid shield over each power core. |
| 5. Grounds (2×) & GC Pilot (1×) | Two uninsulated flexible tinned copper grounding conductors (8 AWG to 4/0 AWG) laid in two interstices, plus one 8 AWG yellow polypropylene-insulated ground-check core. |
| 6. Outer Jacket (CPE or TPU) | Torsion-stabilized integral fill and reinforcing yarn beneath a 205–295 mil mold-cured black CPE jacket or high-visibility red/orange/black extra-tough TPU jacket. |
Type SHD-GC 8kV shovel cable cutaway: 3 phases with semi-con shields, 150 mil EPR wall, tinned copper braid screens, 2 bare grounds, 8 AWG yellow GC, and heavy CPE/TPU jacket.
Technical Characteristics
Verified 8,000 V electrical, thermal, bending, and environmental performance parameters.
| Parameter | ICEA S-75-381 / NEMA WC 58 Rated Value |
|---|---|
| Rated System Voltage | 8,000 V AC maximum phase-to-phase (standard for 6.6 kV, 6.9 kV & 7.2 kV shovel/dragline grids) |
| Conductor Operating Temp. | +90°C continuous | +130°C emergency overload | +250°C short circuit |
| Cold-Climate Flexibility | -40°C cold bend (CPE) | -50°C Arctic pit grade (TPU option) |
| Minimum Bending Radius | 6 × overall cable diameter (static routing); 8–10 × OD on shovel cable reels and sheaves |
| Nominal Insulation & Jacket Wall | 150 mil (3.81 mm) EPR insulation; 205–295 mil (5.21–7.49 mm) heavy outer jacket |
| Governing Standards | ICEA S-75-381 / NEMA WC 58; ASTM B172 & ASTM B33; CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 96; MSHA flame-resistant reference |
8000 V Shovel & Dragline Specifications (CPE vs. TPU, 4 AWG to 500 kcmil)
Complete dual-unit dimensional, grounding, weight, and 40°C continuous ampacity data across all 10 standard 8 kV Type SHD-GC sizes.
Table 1: Type SHD-GC 3/C 8000 V — Reinforced Mold-Cured CPE Jacket (4 AWG to 500 kcmil)
| Power Cores | Area (mm²) | Power Strands | Grounding 2 × AWG (Strands) | GC Pilot | Insul. / Jkt (mil) | Nominal OD (in / mm) | Approx. Weight (lb/kft / kg/km) | Ampacity 40°C (A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 4 AWG | 21.15 | 259 | 2 × 8 (133) | 8 AWG | 150 / 205 | 1.94 / 49.3 | 2,180 / 3,244 | 122 |
| 3 × 2 AWG | 33.62 | 259 | 2 × 6 (133) | 8 AWG | 150 / 220 | 2.12 / 53.8 | 2,830 / 4,211 | 159 |
| 3 × 1 AWG | 42.41 | 259 | 2 × 5 (133) | 8 AWG | 150 / 220 | 2.21 / 56.1 | 3,350 / 4,985 | 184 |
| 3 × 1/0 AWG | 53.49 | 266 | 2 × 4 (259) | 8 AWG | 150 / 220 | 2.32 / 58.9 | 3,590 / 5,342 | 211 |
| 3 × 2/0 AWG | 67.43 | 323 | 2 × 3 (259) | 8 AWG | 150 / 235 | 2.46 / 62.5 | 4,190 / 6,235 | 243 |
| 3 × 3/0 AWG | 85.01 | 418 | 2 × 2 (259) | 8 AWG | 150 / 250 | 2.62 / 66.5 | 5,075 / 7,552 | 279 |
| 3 × 4/0 AWG | 107.2 | 532 | 2 × 1 (259) | 8 AWG | 150 / 250 | 2.75 / 69.8 | 5,660 / 8,423 | 321 |
| 3 × 250 kcmil | 126.7 | 627 | 2 × 1/0 (266) | 8 AWG | 150 / 250 | 2.89 / 73.4 | 6,740 / 10,030 | 355 |
| 3 × 350 kcmil | 177.3 | 888 | 2 × 2/0 (323) | 8 AWG | 150 / 280 | 3.20 / 81.3 | 8,460 / 12,590 | 435 |
| 3 × 500 kcmil | 253.4 | 1221 | 2 × 4/0 (532) | 8 AWG | 150 / 295 | 3.56 / 90.4 | 10,700 / 15,923 | 536 |
Table 2: Type SHD-GC 3/C 8000 V — Extra-Tough TPU Shovel & Dragline Jacket (4 AWG to 500 kcmil)
| Power Cores | Area (mm²) | Power Strands | Grounding 2 × AWG (Strands) | GC Pilot | Insul. / Jkt (mil) | Nominal OD (in / mm) | Approx. Weight (lb/kft / kg/km) | Ampacity 40°C (A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 4 AWG | 21.15 | 259 | 2 × 8 (133) | 8 AWG | 150 / 205 | 1.94 / 49.3 | 2,019 / 3,005 | 122 |
| 3 × 2 AWG | 33.62 | 259 | 2 × 6 (133) | 8 AWG | 150 / 220 | 2.12 / 53.8 | 2,603 / 3,874 | 159 |
| 3 × 1 AWG | 42.41 | 259 | 2 × 5 (133) | 8 AWG | 150 / 220 | 2.21 / 56.1 | 2,913 / 4,335 | 184 |
| 3 × 1/0 AWG | 53.49 | 266 | 2 × 4 (259) | 8 AWG | 150 / 220 | 2.32 / 58.9 | 3,351 / 4,987 | 211 |
| 3 × 2/0 AWG | 67.43 | 323 | 2 × 3 (259) | 8 AWG | 150 / 235 | 2.46 / 62.5 | 3,946 / 5,872 | 243 |
| 3 × 3/0 AWG | 85.01 | 418 | 2 × 2 (259) | 8 AWG | 150 / 250 | 2.62 / 66.5 | 4,582 / 6,819 | 279 |
| 3 × 4/0 AWG | 107.2 | 532 | 2 × 1 (259) | 8 AWG | 150 / 250 | 2.75 / 69.8 | 5,321 / 7,918 | 321 |
| 3 × 250 kcmil | 126.7 | 627 | 2 × 1/0 (266) | 8 AWG | 150 / 250 | 2.89 / 73.4 | 6,101 / 9,079 | 355 |
| 3 × 350 kcmil | 177.3 | 888 | 2 × 2/0 (323) | 8 AWG | 150 / 280 | 3.20 / 81.3 | 7,696 / 11,453 | 435 |
| 3 × 500 kcmil | 253.4 | 1221 | 2 × 4/0 (532) | 8 AWG | 150 / 295 | 3.56 / 90.4 | 10,199 / 15,178 | 536 |
North American Open-Pit & Underground Cable Selection
Compare 8kV shovel/dragline trailing cables against 2kV–5kV mining equipment cables.
| Mining Cable Model | Voltage Class, Ground / Shield Architecture & Primary Mining Duty |
|---|---|
| DLO 2kV Locomotive Power Lead | Single-core 2000 V flexible Class I tinned copper lead (14 AWG–1111.1 kcmil, UL RHH/RHW-2 & CSA RW90) for diesel-electric traction motors, VFD cabinets, haul trucks, and mine switchgear. |
| Type G-GC 2kV Round Portable | Unshielded 3-core 2000 V trailing cable with 2 grounding cores and 1 yellow PP ground-check core (8 AWG–500 kcmil) for blast-hole drills, continuous miners, shuttle cars, and dewatering pumps. |
| Type SHD-GC 2kV Shielded | Individually metallic-braid-shielded 3-core 2000 V trailing cable (CPE, extra-tough TPU, or night-luminous jacket) for high-fault underground continuous miners, roof bolters, and longwall shearers. |
| Type SHD-GC 5kV Shielded | Medium-voltage 5000 V trailing cable with extruded semi-conducting stress control, 110–120 mil EPR insulation, tinned copper braid shields, and CPE or TPU jacket for longwall miners and shovels. |
| Type SHD-GC 8kV Shovel & Dragline | Medium-voltage 8000 V trailing cable with 150 mil (3.81 mm) EPR dielectric, extruded semi-con shields, and heavy-duty CPE or TPU jacket for electric rope shovels, walking draglines, and dredges. |
| Type SHD-GC 15kV & 25kV Dragline | High-voltage 210 mil (15kV) and 260 mil (25kV) EPR shielded trailing cable with dual semi-con stress screens and CPE or high-visibility TPU jacket for ultra-class walking draglines and pit substations. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Engineering FAQs for open-pit electrical superintendents and mining shovel maintenance teams.
Which conductor sizes are most commonly used for 7.2 kV electric rope shovels and blast-hole drills?
Large rotary blast-hole drills typically specify 3 × #2 AWG or 3 × 1/0 AWG Type SHD-GC 8kV, while electric rope shovels and hydraulic excavators typically run 3 × 2/0 AWG, 3 × 4/0 AWG, or 3 × 350 kcmil depending on transformer kVA and trail distance.
Why choose colored TPU over black CPE for open-pit shovel trailing cables?
High-visibility red, yellow, or orange TPU stands out clearly against haul-road dust and snow, offers superior cut-through resistance on sharp blasted granite/iron ore, remains flexible down to -50°C, and reduces mechanical handling weight.
Do you also manufacture 15 kV and 25 kV Type SHD-GC for ultra-class walking draglines?
Yes. In addition to 2 kV, 5 kV, and 8 kV, TEBAOFLEX manufactures 15,000 V (210 mil EPR) and 25,000 V (260 mil EPR) Type SHD-GC trailing cables per ICEA S-75-381 for primary pit draglines and mobile substations.
Request a Type SHD-GC 8kV Shovel & Dragline Cable Quote
Send us your 6.6 kV / 7.2 kV / 8 kV conductor size (4 AWG to 500 kcmil), CPE or high-visibility TPU jacket requirement, and pit drum length for a tailored engineering quote.
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