Written by our factory technical team, this guide is prepared for electrical contractors and installation engineers to clarify the differences among our full range of electrical installation cables, including BV, RV, AVVR and RVV series. Many installers tend to select wires only by cross-sectional size without distinguishing conductor structure, rated voltage and core count. Improper cable selection can lead to overheating, insulation aging, safety hazards and project non-compliance. Below we break down each cable model, specification and suitable application scenarios to help you pick the correct cable for your site.

First, let’s sort out the product lineup. Our electrical installation cables follow IEC 60227 standards. The solid single-core BV cables include 60227 IEC 01(BV), 60227 IEC 05(BV), 60227 IEC 07(BV-90). Flexible single-core RV cables cover 60227 IEC 02(RV), 60227 IEC 06(RV), 60227 IEC 08(RV-90). Multi-core flexible cables contain AVVR, 60227 IEC 52(RVV), 60227 IEC 53(RVV), 60227 IEC 56(RVV-90), 60227 IEC 57(RVV-90), and extended RVV versions with up to 41 cores. Rated voltage options include 300/300V, 300/500V and 450/750V, with nominal cross-sections ranging from 0.12 mm² up to 400 mm².

BV cables are single-core solid copper wires, the most widely used fixed wiring cables. 60227 IEC 01(BV) is rated 450/750V, with cross-section from 1.5 mm² to 400 mm². It is designed for heavy-duty fixed installation: main power distribution circuits, building trunk wiring, industrial power panels and high-current fixed circuits. 60227 IEC 05(BV) is 300/500V, 0.5–1 mm², ideal for light fixed wiring such as lighting branches and small socket circuits. The BV-90 variant (60227 IEC 07) is heat-resistant up to 90°C, suitable for enclosed conduit spaces with poor heat dissipation. Since BV uses rigid solid conductors, it is perfect for permanent concealed wiring inside walls, conduits and junction boxes where no frequent bending is required.

RV cables are single-core flexible stranded wires, sharing similar voltage grades with BV but with soft conductors. 60227 IEC 02(RV) at 450/750V supports 1.5–240 mm², used for distribution cabinet internal wiring and places requiring slight bending during assembly. 60227 IEC 06(RV) (300/500V, 0.5–1 mm²) is common for control panel signal wiring. RV-90 (60227 IEC 08) offers high temperature resistance. Compared with BV solid wire, RV is easier to route and terminate inside electrical cabinets, but it is not recommended for buried concealed wiring without protection.

AVVR is a thin multi-core flexible cable rated 300/300V, with 2 to 30 cores and tiny cross-section of 0.12–0.4 mm². Its small size and great flexibility make it the go-to choice for low-power control lines, sensor connections, doorbell wiring and small household appliance internal leads. Important reminder: AVVR only carries low current and low voltage, never use it as main power supply cable.

RVV multi-core round flexible cables are the workhorse for movable power and control wiring. Standard RVV types: 60227 IEC 52 (300/300V, 2–3 cores, 0.5–0.75 mm²) for small power cords and portable devices; 60227 IEC 53 (300/500V, 2–5 cores, 0.75–2.5 mm²) for general movable equipment, workshop handheld tools and outdoor temporary power. RVV-90 models are heat-resistant versions for high ambient temperature environments. We also supply custom RVV with 6 to 41 cores, widely used for complex automation control signal transmission. RVV has an integrated outer sheath to protect inner cores, good for exposed wiring and mobile equipment.

A frequent mistake on site is mixing up solid BV and flexible RV/RVV. Using soft RVV for permanent wall concealed wiring will increase the risk of conductor dislocation and short circuit over time. Conversely, using rigid BV for equipment moving connections will cause conductor breakage from repeated bending. Voltage rating is another key point: 300/300V cables can only be used for low-power control circuits, while 450/750V BV is required for main AC power loops.

To sum up: choose BV solid wire for permanent fixed concealed power wiring; select single-core RV for cabinet internal wiring needing flexibility; pick AVVR for miniature low-current control signals; use RVV multi-core flexible cables for movable power cords and multi-channel control wiring. RVV-90 and BV-90 are reserved for high-temperature installation conditions. Always match voltage rating, cross-section and conductor type according to load current, installation method and working environment, to guarantee long-term electrical safety and compliance of your project.