0.6/1kV Aerial Bundle Cable (ABC) is a type of overhead power line that uses several insulated cables twisted or bundled together. It's a modern and safer alternative to traditional bare-conductor overhead distribution systems. The '0.6/1kV' rating indicates its operating voltage: 0.6kV (600V) between phase and ground, and 1kV (1000V) between phases.
An ABC is typically constructed with aluminum or aluminum alloy conductors, which are both lightweight and conductive. Each individual conductor is insulated with a weather-resistant material, most commonly XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) or PVC. The cores are then twisted together to form a single, compact cable. Some designs include a separate neutral messenger wire made of a stronger aluminum alloy or galvanized steel, which provides mechanical support for the entire bundle. Other designs are 'self-supporting,' where all conductors in the bundle share the mechanical load.
