This type of cable can be classified as follows: 1. NEC compounds 2. Elastomers 3. Thermoplastics 4. Thermosettings The rubber and rubber-like insulated cables enjoy their popularity owing to moisture resistance, ease of handling, ease of splicing, and extreme flexibility. Elastomers are materials that can be compressed, stretched, or deformed like rubber and yet retain their original shape. The thermoplastics materials soften when they are reheated, whereas thermosetting-type insulation has very little tendency to soften upon reheating after vulcanization. The earlier oil-based natural rubber compounds have been replaced by synthetic materials, which have better electrical and mechanical characteristics. The following synthetic rubber-like compounds are in use today: Ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) , an elastomer compound: EPR is commonly used in power cables, but is also gaining use in telecommunications and other types of cables. EPR possesses good chemical,...
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