Armored Cable
The armored electric cable is an electrical cable designed to resist mechanical stress and external influences. It consists of a copper or aluminum conductor, insulated in XLPE or PVC, and protected by metal armor — made of steel wire (SWA), steel ribbons (STA) or aluminum (AWA / ATA). These cables ensure great robustness, long life and excellent safety, making them ideal for industrial installations, underground or outdoors.
At ZMS Cable, we produce a wide range of SWA armored cables, STA, ATA et AWA, compliant with international IEC standards, BS and NF. Our cables are customizable according to customer requirements — armor type, section, tension nominale, outer sheath — to ensure a technical solution perfectly suited to each installation environment.
To choose the right armored cable, it is not enough to evaluate the mechanical resistance. Our engineers recommend also analyze the installation conditions (humidity, corrosion, charge au sol) to select between steel or aluminum armor, guaranteeing the longevity and security of your network.
Types of armored cables available from ZMS Cable
SWA cable - Câble Armé en Fil d'Acier
The SWA cable (Steel Wire Armoured) is a cable reinforced with galvanized steel wires, ensuring maximum mechanical protection against shock, crushing and external constraints. It has a core composed of insulated conductors, protected by helically wound steel wire armor, guaranteeing robustness and durability while maintaining a certain flexibility compared to STA cables.
Expert council : For the underground installations or installations with high physical constraints, SWA cable is recommended, because it offers superior resistance to traction and crushing, unlike the STA, ATA or AWA, while remaining more flexible than STA cable.
Key Application : Ideal for underground trenches and industrial sites with high mechanical constraints.
Drivers : copper, aluminium
Isolation : PVC, PE, XLPE, Rubber
Sheath : PVC, PE, LSZH, Rubber
Rated temperature : 60℃~105℃
| surface transversale (mm²) | In general Diameter(mm) | Weight(kg/km) | courant nominal(A) | Calculated DC Resistance at 20℃(ohm/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2×1.5 | 11.06 | 243 | 38 | 12.1 |
| 2×2.5 | 12.4 | 355 | 49 | 7.41 |
| 2×4.0 | 13.38 | 393 | 65 | 4.61 |
| 2×6.0 | 14.38 | 450 | 81 | 3.08 |
| 2×10 | 16.18 | 590 | 109 | 1.83 |
| 2×16 | 19.06 | 897 | 141 | 1.15 |
| 2×25 | 20 | 1050 | 183 | 0.727 |
STA cable - Câble Armé en Ruban d'Acier
The STA cable (Steel Tape Armoured) is a cable reinforced with steel ribbons. It has a core composed of insulated conductors, surrounded by a layer of steel tape wound in a helical pattern, providing high mechanical protection but with reduced flexibility compared to SWA cable.
Expert council : For industrial installations on cable trays or straight paths where side protection is essential and flexibility less critical, STA cable is recommended.
Key Application : Ideal for industrial installations requiring significant mechanical protection with limited flexibility.
Drivers : copper, aluminium
Isolation : PVC, PE, XLPE, Rubber
Sheath : PVC, PE, LSZH, Rubber
| surface transversale (mm²) | In general Diameter(mm) | Weight(kg/km) | courant nominal(A) | Calculated DC Resistance at 20℃(ohm/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3×1.5 | 12.17 | 341 | 32 | 12.1 |
| 3×2.5 | 13.55 | 374 | 42 | 7.41 |
| 3×4.0 | 14.68 | 458 | 55 | 4.61 |
| 3×6.0 | 15.87 | 558 | 69 | 3.08 |
| 3×10 | 18.63 | 841 | 92 | 1.83 |
| 3×16 | 20.78 | 1070 | 119 | 1.15 |
| 2×25 | 24.9 | 1625 | 152 | 0.727 |
AWA cable - Câble Armé en Fil d'Aluminium
The AWA cable (Aluminium Wire Armoured) is a aluminum wire armored cable, comparable to STA cable but using aluminum wire to provide reliable and lighter mechanical protection. It has a core of insulated conductors, surrounded by a layer of helically wound aluminum wire, guaranteeing a high degree of protection against shocks and external stresses.
Expert council : In installations where cable weight is an important criterion, or when looking for armor lighter and corrosion resistant, AWA cable offers an advantageous alternative to traditional STA.
Key Application : Ideal for power distribution networks and installations where light armor is required, anti-corrosion and mechanically robust.
Driver : Copper, aluminium.
Isolation : Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE)
Inner sheath : Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
| surface transversale (mm²) | In general Diameter(mm) | Weight(kg/km) | courant nominal(A) | Calculated DC Resistance at 20℃(ohm/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2×1.5 | 11.06 | 243 | 38 | 12.1 |
| 2×2.5 | 12.4 | 355 | 49 | 7.41 |
| 2×4.0 | 13.38 | 393 | 65 | 4.61 |
| 2×6.0 | 14.38 | 450 | 81 | 3.08 |
| 2×10 | 16.18 | 590 | 109 | 1.83 |
| 2×16 | 19.06 | 897 | 141 | 1.15 |
| 2×25 | 20 | 1050 | 183 | 0.727 |
ATA cable - Câble Armé à Ruban d'Aluminium
The ATA cable (Aluminium Tape Armoured) is a cable reinforced with aluminum ribbons, providing lightweight mechanical protection and excellent corrosion resistance. It has a core composed of insulated conductors, wrapped in armor made of helically arranged aluminum ribbons, ensuring robustness while reducing the overall weight of the cable.
Expert council : For installations in humid or corrosive areas, ATA cable is recommended, because its aluminum armor combines mechanical protection and resistance to oxidation, unlike steel armor.
Key Application : The ATA is ideal for outdoor and marine installations where lightweight and corrosion resistance are essential.
Driver : copper, aluminium.
Isolation : PVC, PE, XLPE, RUBBER.
Inner sheath : PVC, PE, LSZH
| surface transversale (mm²) | In general Diameter(mm) | Weight(kg/km) | courant nominal(A) | Calculated DC Resistance at 20℃(ohm/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3×1.5 | 12.17 | 341 | 32 | 12.1 |
| 3×2.5 | 13.55 | 374 | 42 | 7.41 |
| 3×4.0 | 14.68 | 458 | 55 | 4.61 |
| 3×6.0 | 15.87 | 558 | 69 | 3.08 |
| 3×10 | 18.63 | 841 | 92 | 1.83 |
| 3×16 | 20.78 | 1070 | 119 | 1.15 |
| 2×25 | 24.9 | 1625 | 152 | 0.727 |
Technical specifications of ZMS CABLE armored cable
Pour telecommunications projects or requiring protected optical fibers, ZMS also offers a complete range of armored optical fibers, detailed on our page dedicated to armored optical cables. This section will allow you to discover the models, characteristics and applications specific to communication networks.
Comparison of Armored Cables : SWA, STA, AWA and ATA
| Characteristic / Type | SWA (Steel Wire Armored Cable) | STA (Armed cable in steel ribbon) | AWA (Aluminum Wire Armored Cable) | ATA (Aluminum Tape Armored Cable) |
| Armor Material | Galvanized steel son | Galvanized steel tapes | Fils d’aluminium | Aluminum tapes |
| Armor structure | Helical | Helical | Helical | Helical |
| Mechanical resistance | High, excellent tensile strength | Very high, good resistance to compression and shock | Average | Average, good compressive strength |
| Corrosion resistance | Good, requires rust protection | Good, requires rust protection | Excellent, aluminum is naturally resistant to corrosion | Excellent, aluminum is naturally resistant to corrosion |
| Flexibility | Average | Average, slightly stiff | Good | Average, slightly stiff |
| Weight | Heavy | Heavy | Light | Light, slightly higher rigidity than AWA |
| Application scenarios | Outside, buried, industrial sites | Haute tension, installations requiring strong mechanical protection | Coastal areas, light industries, low/medium voltage lines | Standard exterior lines |
| Ease of installation | Average | Slightly stiff, installation to be planned carefully | Relatively easy | Relatively easy, slightly higher rigidity |
| Expert council | Steel wire armor provides high mechanical protection, suitable for buried cables or industrial environments with high mechanical stress. | Steel tape armor is suitable for installations requiring high mechanical protection but where flexibility is not critical, such as distribution or telecom networks. | Aluminum wire armor is lightweight and corrosion resistant, suitable for low/medium voltage lines and light industrial or outdoor environments, facilitating installation. | Aluminum tape armor is corrosion resistant, suitable for economical outdoor or low corrosion installations ; for marine or highly corrosive environments, provide a special covering or sheath. |
Services and Logistics ZMS CABLE
Custom manufacturing (OEM / ODM)
ZMS designs and produces tailor-made cables according to your technical specifications, with customization of the marking, Colors and packaging. Our products can be adapted to meet international standards (GB, IEC, BS, NFC, ASTM, FROM, etc.) and the specific requirements of each project.
Certified quality
All cables are tested before shipment and comply with CE certifications, IEC and ISO. Detailed test reports can be provided upon request to ensure the reliability and safety of your installations.
Packaging and protection
ZMS cables are carefully packaged on wooden spools, corrugated cardboard boxes or metal drums. Ends are tightly sealed with plastic wrap or BOPP to prevent moisture. Exterior marking can be personalized with waterproof materials.
Transport and delivery
We offer flexible and fast logistics solutions to more than 130 pays :
- Maritime : 20ft or 40ft containers depending on volume.
- Land : Local or regional delivery.
- Air : Option available for rush orders.
We also provide all necessary export documents : commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and customs documents.
Technical support and customer service
Our engineers and advisors support you in choosing the cables best suited to your installations. We offer comprehensive consulting services, including technical assistance and project management, to ensure every step of your order is covered professionally.
Services d’installation
ZMS offers two options for your electrical projects :
- Option A (led by ZMS) : Sending engineers and a supervision team to site to provide technical advice, installers and final tests. Travel expenses, accommodation, per diem and translation are to be expected.
- Option B (local subcontracting) : Collaboration with qualified local companies for installation, with technical training, On-site supervision and compliance verification provided by ZMS.
