Nov. 12, 2026
An accurate low voltage cable quotation starts with a clear specification. Send the cable voltage, conductor material, core arrangement, cross-section, insulation, armour, sheath, required standard, quantity and delivery destination. A project bill of quantities (BOQ) or approved datasheet helps a supplier identify missing information before pricing the order.
This guide is for contractors, distributors and project buyers sourcing 0.6/1kV low voltage power cables. Use it to prepare a request for quotation (RFQ) that different suppliers can answer on the same basis.
| RFQ item | Information to provide | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Rated voltage and system | For example, 0.6/1kV; identify AC or DC and the project system requirements. | The voltage marking alone does not describe every service condition. |
| Conductor | Copper or aluminium, conductor class and any specified construction. | Material and conductor design affect electrical performance, connections and price. |
| Cores and cross-section | Write every conductor size, such as 4 × 95 mm² or 3 × 95 + 1 × 50 mm². | Equal-size and reduced-size conductor arrangements are different products. |
| Insulation and outer sheath | State XLPE, PVC or the materials specified by the project. | Insulation and sheath are separate layers with different functions. |
| Armour | Unarmoured, steel tape armour (STA), steel wire armour (SWA), or another specified design. | “Armoured cable” does not identify the armour construction. |
| Standard and tests | Standard number and edition, project specification, and additional test requirements. | A supplier needs a defined basis for its technical offer. |
| Quantity and drums | Total metres per item, preferred continuous lengths and drum restrictions. | Production planning and packing depend on both total quantity and individual lengths. |
| Delivery information | Destination country and port or site, required date and requested delivery scope. | A cable-only offer and a delivered offer include different costs and activities. |
A request for “4 core 95mm2 armoured cable” leaves several decisions open. The supplier still needs to know whether the conductor is copper or aluminium, which insulation and sheath are required, and whether the armour is steel tape or steel wire.
A more useful line item is: 0.6/1kV, copper conductor, 4 × 95 mm², XLPE insulation, steel tape armour, PVC outer sheath, followed by the required conductor class, standard, tests, quantity and delivery information. This is a specification example, not a recommendation for every installation.
If the approved drawing uses a local cable designation, attach its datasheet. Codes such as YJV, N2XY, CV and CXV should be checked against the required construction and standard rather than treated as automatic substitutes.
For an already approved design, send the approved specification. If you need help narrowing the options, explain whether the cable will run on a tray, in a duct or underground, and describe the mechanical and environmental conditions.
For hot locations, provide the design ambient temperature, grouping and installation method.
For wet routes, distinguish occasional moisture, waterlogged ground and continuous immersion.
For long feeders, include the route length, load, system voltage, phase arrangement and permitted voltage drop.
For buildings with specified fire performance, identify the required tests for flame spread, smoke, halogen emissions or circuit integrity.
Cable size and suitability require the project's electrical and installation checks. An RFQ should record these requirements so that a lower-priced alternative does not silently change the design.
IEC 60502-1:2021 covers construction, dimensional and test requirements for specified extruded-insulation power cables used in fixed installations. Referencing a standard in an enquiry is a request for a matching technical offer; it is not proof that a particular product has been tested or approved.
Ask for a datasheet identifying the offered construction and for the relevant supporting test documentation. Include any customer or project approval requirements before the order is priced. Where a supplier proposes an alternative, request a clear list of differences for review.
Use the following fields in an email or BOQ. Complete known requirements and mark undecided items for clarification.
Project and destination: country, port or delivery site.
Cable item/reference: drawing or BOQ line number.
Rated voltage and system: voltage rating, AC/DC and project details.
Conductor: copper/aluminium and required class.
Core arrangement: number of cores and each cross-section.
Construction: insulation / armour / outer sheath.
Standard and project specification: number, edition and attached documents.
Service conditions: installation method and environmental requirements.
Quantity: total metres per item and requested drum lengths.
Documents and inspection: datasheets, reports and required inspection stages.
Commercial information: requested currency, delivery scope and quotation validity.
Schedule: required dispatch or arrival date, clearly distinguished.
Yes. Start with the application, voltage, quantity and any available drawing or cable marking. Identify the missing details. A preliminary quotation should state its assumptions and be revised after the specification is agreed.
A BOQ is a useful starting point when every cable item has a clear reference and quantity. Attach the corresponding technical specification; a short BOQ description may omit armour type, conductor class or test requirements.
Request a consistent unit price and a line total, together with the offered drum lengths. Confirm whether packing and delivery are included. This makes different offers easier to compare.
Ask for the compliant base offer first and list alternatives separately. Changes to conductor material, cross-section or construction need technical review before acceptance.
Browse our low voltage power cable range, then send your LV cable RFQ to Honglin Cable with the specification, quantity and destination. If you have a BOQ or datasheet, mention it in your enquiry so the relevant items can be reviewed together.
For further preparation, read our LV cable guide, cable quotation comparison guide and project procurement checklist.
