Treoflex TA6 and SKINTOP®: Built for Demanding VSD Conditions

In variable speed drive applications, cable performance is about more than simply carrying power from the drive to the motor. A VSD cable must manage electrical noise, withstand voltage stress, maintain insulation integrity and support reliable operation in demanding industrial environments. Treoflex TA6 cable is designed for these conditions, combining XLPE insulation with aluminium foil and tinned copper braid screening to provide a robust EMC/VSD cable solution for modern motor-drive installations.

Treoflex TA6 is available in a wide range of cable sizes, from approximately 1.5 mm² through to 300 mm², allowing installers, panel builders and engineers to select the most suitable option for different motor ratings, drive requirements and installation environments. This broad size range makes TA6 suitable for a wide variety of industrial automation, machinery, motor-control and heavy-duty VSD applications.

TA6 cross section.

XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene, provides excellent electrical insulation performance. In VSD applications, cables are exposed to fast-switching pulses, high-frequency noise and voltage peaks generated by the drive. Compared with standard PVC insulation, XLPE offers improved dielectric strength, lower capacitance and better resistance to thermal aging. This helps reduce electrical stress within the cable and supports more stable performance, particularly over longer cable runs.

One of the key advantages of XLPE in a screened VSD cable is its ability to help control capacitance. Lower capacitance is important because VSD systems can generate leakage currents, electromagnetic interference and reflected-wave effects between the drive and the motor. By using XLPE insulation, Treoflex TA6 is better able to manage these electrical characteristics, helping reduce unwanted losses and the risk of interference with nearby control, signal and communication circuits.

When XLPE insulation is combined with effective EMC screening, the result is a cable construction well suited to frequency converter and motor applications. The metallic screen provides a controlled path for high-frequency noise to return to earth, while the insulation system helps maintain separation and stability between the conductors and the screening layer. This is particularly important in industrial automation environments where drives, PLCs, sensors, encoders and communication networks often operate in close proximity.

For Treoflex TA6, the screened construction helps reduce both radiated and conducted electromagnetic interference. This can assist with cleaner signal environments, fewer nuisance faults and improved overall system reliability. The XLPE insulation also contributes to strong thermal performance, helping the cable maintain its insulation properties in switchrooms, cable trays, machinery spaces and industrial plants where elevated temperatures and continuous operating loads are common.

However, the performance of a screened VSD cable depends not only on the cable itself, but also on how it is terminated. To achieve the full EMC benefit of Treoflex TA6, the cable screen must be correctly bonded using suitable metal EMC cable glands that provide low-resistance 360° screen contact. Without correct termination, the screen may not perform effectively, reducing the cable’s ability to control high-frequency interference.

For most Treoflex TA6 installations, the preferred gland option is the LAPP SKINTOP MS-M BRUSH nickel-plated brass EMC cable gland. The brush design provides reliable 360° contact between the cable braid and the gland, helping ensure the TA6 screen is properly bonded at the enclosure entry. This makes it especially suitable for VSD motor supply cables, frequency converter installations, industrial machinery and larger cable sizes where maximum EMC performance is a priority.

The LAPP SKINTOP MS-SC-M is also a suitable alternative, particularly for smaller and medium cable diameters. It uses a conductive EMC contact system for low-resistance screen connection and is well suited to control panels, machinery and applications where reliable earthing of the copper braid is required.

The exact gland should always be selected based on the outer diameter of the TA6 cable, not simply on conductor size. Because Treoflex TA6 is available in sizes from approximately 1.5 mm² to 300 mm², selecting the correct gland ensures the appropriate sealing range, mechanical grip, and EMC contact for each cable. For painted, anodised or powder-coated enclosures, suitable counter nuts and bonding accessories should also be used to maintain effective equipotential bonding.

Overall, the combination of XLPE insulation, aluminium foil and tinned copper braid screening, together with correctly selected EMC cable glands, gives Treoflex TA6 a strong technical advantage in VSD and motor applications. It supports lower capacitance, improved insulation performance, greater resistance to electrical and thermal stress, and enhanced EMC behaviour. For industrial automation systems, this means a cable solution better suited to modern drive technology, helping protect equipment, reduce interference and support reliable long-term operation.

All products mentioned can be purchased online at shop.treotham.com.au.

• Designed for VSD applications, Treoflex TA6 helps manage electrical noise, voltage stress and demanding industrial conditions.
• XLPE insulation provides improved dielectric strength, lower capacitance and better thermal ageing resistance compared with standard PVC insulation.
• Aluminium foil and tinned copper braid screening help reduce electromagnetic interference and support reliable system performance.
• Available in sizes from approximately 1.5 mm² to 300 mm², making it suitable for a wide range of motor, drive and machinery applications.
• Correct EMC gland termination is essential for full screening performance, with LAPP SKINTOP MS-M BRUSH the preferred option and LAPP SKINTOP MS-SC-M a suitable alternative.
• Glands should be selected by cable outer diameter to ensure correct sealing, grip and 360° screen contact.
• All products mentioned can be purchased online at shop.treotham.com.au.
   

Treoflex TA6 provides XLPE insulation and effective EMC screening, while SKINTOP EMC cable glands deliver secure 360° screen termination. Together, they help reduce electrical interference, maintain reliable earthing and support long-term VSD system performance.