Sets options for general properties that identify and characterize the cable. An asterisk beside a property name indicates required data.
Reference cable
Requires you to specify an item tag that uniquely identifies the reference cable. The item tag appears beside the cable in the Reference Data Explorer. You must enter a string in this box to define the cable.
Description
Allows you to type a description of the cable, for information only.
Cable category
Displays the purpose for which the cable is used. The cable category can be power, control, grounding, or instrumentation. The software automatically assigns the cable category according to the folder in which you create the cable in the Reference Data Explorer, and you cannot change this value.
Cable specification
Requires you to select the cable specification, which identifies the cable type and properties, and groups cables that have common properties. You must select a value for this property. You can define and customize cable specifications in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Cable usage
Allows you to specify a value for this property to further categorize the cable, for example, for control voltage definitions, level definitions, and so forth. You can define and customize cable usages in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Armor type
Allows you to specify the type of armor used to protect the cable from its environment. For example, types of armor include non-armored, steel, or lead. You can define and customize armor types in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Outer jacket insulation
Allows you to specify the material used for the cable jacket. For example, insulation materials include PVC and polyethylene. You can define and customize insulation materials in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Notes
Allows you to type user notes, for example if you want to provide additional information regarding special features of the cable.
Construction
Describes the physical characteristics related to the construction of the cable. When the reference item is a non- sized power cable, you can edit the data; otherwise, the items are read-only. The available values depend on the conductor arrangement you select.
Conductor arrangement
Requires you to select an option for a new reference cable that defines the number and arrangement of the conductors in the cable (not applicable for instrumentation cables). Your selection affects how you can modify the cable construction. The following standard options are available:
Single core cable
Creates a current-carrying cable with a single core. For this option, you can specify an arrangement of any number of single-core conductors, for example, 3 single-core cables, but you cannot specify any additional conductors.
2-core cable
Creates a cable with two current-carrying conductors and no additional conductors. You cannot modify the cable construction for this option.
2+1-core cable
Creates a cable with two current-carrying conductors and one additional conductor. You cannot modify the cable construction for this option.
3-core cable
Creates a cable with three current-carrying conductors and no additional conductors. You cannot modify the cable construction for this option.
3+1-core cable
Creates a cable with three current-carrying conductors and one additional conductor. You cannot modify the cable construction for this option.
3+2-core cable
Creates a cable with three current-carrying conductors and two additional conductors. You cannot modify the cable construction for this option.
Multicore cable
Creates a cable with multiple conductors. For this option, you can specify any number of conductors and additional conductors.
You can change the names of the standard conductor arrangement items in the Data
Dictionary Manager. However, the software performs calculations according to the position
in the list of the item that you select.
Current-carrying conductors
For the Multicore conductor arrangement, allows you to specify the number of conductors within the cable used for carrying the current (not applicable for instrumentation cables). For all other conductor arrangements, specifies the number of power-carrying conductors depending on the specific conductor arrangement that you have selected.
Size
Allows you to select a standard size for the current- carrying conductors. You can define and customize the available cable sizes in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Neutral conductors
Allows you to specify the number of neutral conductors. The availability of this setting depends on the conductor arrangement that you select.
Size
Allows you to select a standard size for the neutral-conductors. You can define and customize the available cable sizes in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Grounding conductors
Allows you to specify the number of grounding conductors. The availability of this setting depends on the conductor arrangement that you select.
Size
Allows you to select a standard size for the grounding-conductors. You can define and customize the available cable sizes in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Cable formation
Displays computed information based on the total number and the size of the conductors or cable sets specified.
Set type
Allows you to select a standard value that represents the arrangement of the wires in the set, such as Wire, Pair, Pair w/Shield, Triad, Triad w/Shield, and so forth. You can select values of this property for a new cable only; you cannot select a different value for an existing or duplicated cable. Available for instrumentation cables only.
The value Other is available for future use. If you do not want this value to appear in the list,
make it invisible in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Number of sets
Allows you to type the number of cable sets that the cable contains. Select the ellipsis
button 
to open the Cable Set Properties Dialog where you can modify the set definitions if required. Available for instrumentation
cables only.
Material
Requires you to specify the conductor material used for the current-carrying conductors or cable sets. The software automatically copies to plant power cables the values in the Conductor Material Coefficients lookup table that are appropriate for the selected conductor material; these values are required for short circuit cable sizing. You can define and customize conductor materials in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Insulation
Requires you to specify the material used for insulating the current-carrying conductors or cable sets. For example, insulation materials include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene. The software automatically copies to plant power cables the values in the Conductor Insulation Temperatures lookup table that are appropriate for the selected insulation material; these values are required for short circuit cable sizing. You can define and customize insulation materials in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Overall shield
Allows you to specify an overall shield for the cable. When you select this option, you need to specify the size and material of the overall shield. Available for instrumentation cables only.
Communication wire
Allows you to specify a communication wire for the cable.Available for instrumentation cables only.
Color pattern
Allows you to select a color pattern for the cable from one of the patterns available.
Select the ellipsis button to define or modify a color pattern.
Insulation voltage rating
Requires you to select a standard voltage rating that corresponds to the manufacturer voltage rating for the cable. You can define and customize the available voltage ratings, including units, in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Insulation temperature rating
Requires you to select a standard temperature rating that corresponds to the manufacturer rating of the maximum operating temperature for the cable. You can define and customize the available temperature ratings, including units, in the Data Dictionary Manager.
Basic ampacity in air
Requires you to define the ampere capacity of the cable in air under the basic conditions that the manufacturer specifies. This quantity is a measure of the ability of the cable to deliver electric current in air. Enter a value with the required units of current. For power cables, this value is required for sizing; for other types of cables, the value is optional.
Basic ampacity in ground
Requires you to define the ampere capacity of the cable in the ground under the basic conditions that the manufacturer specifies. This quantity is a measure of the ability of the cable to deliver electric current under the ground. Enter a value with the required units of current. For power cables, this value is required for sizing; for other types of cables, the value is optional.
Custom basic ampacity
This property is not used in reference cable definitions.
Reactance per unit length
Requires you to enter the reactance per unit length for a cable that carries alternating current (AC) according to the value that the manufacturer specifies for the cable type. Enter a value with the required units. For power cables, this value is required for sizing; for other types of cables, the value is optional.
Resistance per unit length
Requires you to enter the resistance per unit length according to the value that the manufacturer specifies for the cable type. Enter a value with the required units. For power cables, this value is required for sizing; for other types of cables, the value is optional.
Parallel cables
Describes the number of cables in parallel and the list of cable names. This information only applies to plant cables.