Rigid and flexible PVC cable are widely used for many different occasions according to people’s preferences. These two kinds of wires are different in their hardness, but most of them are similar in their use environment and voltage. There are just subtle differences between the two in small usage details. Regarding these two kinds of PVC wires, many people want to know the differences between them. This article will introduce this point to you.

There are mainly three different parts to this article:

• What is the rigid PVC cable
• What is the flexible PVC cable
• What’s the difference between rigid and flexible PVC cable

Now, we will introduce the first topic of this article, explaining the concept of rigid and flexible PVC cables.

What is the rigid PVC cable?

Electric wire specifications usually use the conductor section area to express. According to the different conductor structures, PVC wire includes rigid PVC wire and soft PVC wire. Rigid PVC copper wire uses a single solid copper as a conductor. Its biggest feature is solid, it is a little hard to bend, and the conductor is only one strand of copper, this copper diameter changes according to the wire section area. For example, if the cable specification is 1.5mm2, then the copper diameter is 1.38mm, if the cable specification is 4.0mm2, then the copper diameter is 2.25mm, if the cable specification is 10.0mm2, then the copper diameter is 7 strands with 1.35mm. That means, this rigid wire copper strand is thicker, so it can’t be bent any way you want, so in the electric industry, it will have some limitations since a solid conductor.
In the market, the commonly used rigid copper electric wire is BV cable, KVV cable, YJV cable, YJLV cable, etc.

Now, Let’s explain what is soft PVC wire.

What is the flexible PVC cable?

Different from rigid PVC wire, flexible PVC wire conductor includes multi-strands soft thinner copper, this structure makes it soft and flexible. Compare with rigid wire, flexible PVC copper wire can meet bending requirements. In electric installation, it can suitable for any using environment, especially for occasions that need bending, it is easier to install than rigid wire.
In the market, soft copper cable usually includes BVR cable, rvv control cable, rvvp control cable, rv cable, rvs fire alarm cable, etc.

After understanding what is rigid and flexible PVC electric cables, we will enter into the main topic, the differences between them. After knowing this, you will also know how to choose them. Let’s take the commonly used BV solid wire and BVR soft wire as an example.

What’s the difference between rigid and flexible PVC cable?

• The conductor structure is different. As we explained above, the rigid wire conductor is single solid copper thicker core, so it is rigid if compare with flexible cable. On the contrary, a flexible PVC wire conductor is multi-strand soft copper thinner core, so it is flexible and soft.
• The cost is different. Many people like to compare the price at first glance, then we will analyze the cost. Since the difference in the conductor, we can easily know the multi-strand wire is wasting more money, time, and energy than the single core wire, so the cost of the flexible PVC copper wire is higher than the rigid PVC copper wire on the base of the same specification.
• The construction performance is different. Single-strand hard wire is prone to problems at the joint and crimping position; however, the hard wire has strong tensile strength. Multi-strand flexible wires are easier to wear through tubes; in addition, they also have certain advantages in heat dissipation. 
• The working performance is different. The multi-strand flexible wire has a large carrying capacity. However, in terms of sudden load, the rigid cable has a stronger bearing capacity. If in the terms of anti-oxidation and service time, rigid wire is better than flexible wire. If you want the electric wire to have a longer service time, you can choose a rigid electric wire. At the same time, since the flexible electric wire has multi-strand thinner copper wire, thinner copper is susceptible to oxidation if compared with thicker solid electric wire.
• The application also has a little difference. In common situations, the application for them is the same. But if we say at the details, there is also a little difference between them. The hard rigid wire is mostly used in permanent places such as buried walls, buried ground, and outdoors. And flexible wire is mostly used for power connection wires of home appliances and equipment, as well as connections between internal circuit boards and components of electrical appliances.

Here is a picture table that can show their specific differences in performance.

Now, do you understand the differences between rigid and flexible PVC cables? If you still have any problems, please kindly contact Henan Shenbei Industrial Co. Ltd. for consulting.