VCTF Bulk cable Japanese and Taiwanese
In addition to supplying both North American cord and the Harmonised mains flex used in the rest of the world, Morvan Trading also supply all other types, in this case Taiwanese and Japanese VCTF cable. These types must be used in order to be approved in their respective countries. These are available in thermoplastic pvc, high-temperature pvc, and thermoset rubber.
We also supply rewireable plugs and connectors, and ready manufactured moulded mainsleads to Chinese, Japanese and Taiwanese standards. Contact our technical team for more help on specifications, and our sales department can provide pricing.
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VCTF Japanese and Taiwanese cable
Japan and Taiwan use the different mains power cords to the rest of the world. The naming system is different, as is the colour coding and some of the wire sizes.
Inner cores are metric, measured in millimetres squared, but use the same core identifying colours as North American cables, namely black for line, white for neutral, and solid green for the earth; 3 phase 4 core cable adds another red core.
All cords are 60°C temperature rated, except when prefaced by H, when they are 75°C instead. Depending on application, this may also increase the cord’s ampacity by 2A (12A to 14A on 1.25mm and 18A to 20A on 2.0mm). V stands for vinyl, another name for pvc. SF is the code for single-core wire, and TF for a cord made from 2 pieces. FF is flat cord. CTF is ‘cabtyre’ cord. K denotes an oval cable. O adds oil resistance. SB is shielded and braided.
PVC cords are rated at 300V and are set out in JIS C3306 Polyvinyl chloride insulated cords for indoor compact electrical apparatus.
- VSF is single core in 0.5, 0.75, 1.25, 2.0mm sizes, used as panel wire inside the equipment. HVSF is for high-temperature use.
- VFF is 2 core flat in sizes 0.75, 1.25, 2.00mm. It has just a sheath, with no insulation. HVFF is rated at 75C.
- VCTF is a round cord in both 2 core and 3 core, in sizes 0.75, 1.25, and 2.00mm. HVCTF for high temperature and VCTFK for 2 core oval. Anecdotally, VCTF stands for ‘vinyl cab tire flexible’, a direct translation or allusion to the rubber tyres used on taxi wheels.
Rubber cords rated at 300V are set out in JIS C 3301: Rubber insulated flexible cords. Apart from the higher voltage rating, they are heavier duty with more resistance to abrasion and other mechanical stresses.
- NNFF is a 2 core flat cable available in sizes of 0.75 1.25 2.00mm, with HHFF being the high temperature version. Both types are manufactured from chlorinated polyethylene (CPE). The copper cores are laid directly inside the sheath, with no core insulation. It is also possible with a textile braid for use on electric irons, when it is known as HRF.
Rubber cables rated at 600V are in JIS C 3327: 600 V Rubber insulated flexible cords.
- PNCTF is a round cable in 0.75, 1.25, and 2.00mm sizes. The insulation is made from EPR (ethylene propylene rubber) and the jacket or sheath from either CPE or CR (chloroprene rubber, neoprene). PNCTFK is for an oval 2 core version. Taiwan also has the similar RNCTF.
Current ratings on Japanese cable
The relevant standards in Taiwan are Taiwanese Chinese National Standard CNS 60227-2 Polyvinyl chloride insulated cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750V with more information in CNS 3199 Polyvinyl chloride insulated copper wire, and CNS 10917 General rule for cordsets.
Approval for Taiwan is by the Taiwanese Bureau of Standards Metrology and Inspection for BSMI cable. The requirements for Taiwan are essentially the same as Japan, so the same product may hold both sets of approvals. However, the approvals are not interchangeable, and quality certification for Japan is by PSE JET and must be marked ‘PSE’ or ‘PSE JET’. Likewise, for Taiwan it must be marked ‘BSMI’ and have supporting certification.
Only cables conforming to this specification may be used in Japan and Taiwan, and furthermore with the correct approval for the target market.
| CSA in mm sq. |
VCTF (60°C), VCTFK |
Hospital use | HVCTF (75°C) |
| 0.30 | 3A* | – | 3A* |
| 0.50 | 5A | – | 6A |
| 0.75 | 7A | 7A | 8A |
| 1.25 | 12A | 12A | 14A |
| 2.00 | 17A | 15A | 20A |
| 3.50 | ~27A | – |
* cables under 0.5mm are outside the scope of PSE and therefore cannot be used for electrical supply
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