Alnyc Cable

Multi-Layered Sheath Cable
ALNYC Cables

Built by Elegar Kerpen as a certified replacement for lead-sheathed cables in chemically demanding environments.

Alnyc cable cross-section – lead-free multi-layered sheath cable
SWA Armoured Alnyc Cable · (L)2Y4Y Multi-Layer Sheath

Disclaimer: Cross-section shown is a representative illustration; actual product construction and dimensions may vary.

Approx.44% Lighter
vs Lead-Sheathed Cable
Approx.8% Smaller
Overall Diameter
3-Layer Sheath
Aluminium · Polyolefin · Nylon
90°C
Operating Temperature
Offshore oil and gas platform where Alnyc lead-free cables are installed
About this product

Global Alnyc Cables

At Elegar Kerpen, one of the most trusted wires and cables manufacturers in India, Alnyc cables answer the growing need for lighter, safer, and environmentally responsible alternatives to lead. Against a conventional lead-sheathed cable they are approx. 44% lighter with an approx. 8% smaller overall diameter, easing transportation, handling, and installation. The compact multi-barrier construction delivers equivalent chemical protection without the environmental and health concerns that come with lead, which has made the technology a preferred choice for critical industrial infrastructure.

What an Alnyc cable does
Alnyc is a multi-layer sheath technology engineered as a certified alternative to traditional lead-sheathed cables in chemically demanding environments. Three protective layers work together, aluminium tape laminated to polyolefin with an outer polyamide nylon coating, giving comprehensive chemical resistance and mechanical durability where exposure to aggressive hydrocarbons, oxidising acids, and aqueous solutions is unavoidable.
Use cases

Applications of Alnyc Cables

Wherever cable sheaths face aggressive chemicals, moisture, and mechanical stress at the same time.

01
Oil & Gas Facilities
Offshore platforms, onshore pipelines, and gas processing units where incidental hydrocarbon contact is a regular operational risk. The combined aluminium, polyolefin, and polyamide barrier keeps the sheath impermeable to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.
02
Refineries & Petrochemical Complexes
Cables routinely meet benzene, trichloroethylene, and processed fuel derivatives that rapidly degrade standard sheaths. Tested and certified against such chemicals, including reference oils IRM 902 and IRM 903, structural and electrical integrity holds.
03
Chemical Processing Plants
Oxidising acids, chlorinated solvents, and corrosive bases threaten conventional installations. The polyolefin barrier resists acids and bases while the polyamide outer sheath adds a further line of defence across aggressive processing environments.
04
Instrumentation & Process Control
Preferred for instrumentation networks in hazardous areas, including DCS, SCADA, and PLC-based systems. The aluminium tape doubles as an electromagnetic screen, removing the need for a separate screen layer without compromising signal accuracy.
05
Marine & Shipboard Installations
FPSOs, drillships, supply vessels, and port terminals where salt spray, fuel oils, and constant humidity attack conventional sheaths. The aluminium barrier blocks moisture ingress while the polyamide outer layer resists marine fuels and cleaning chemicals.
06
Power Generation & Heavy Manufacturing
Thermal, gas, and process power stations plus heavy engineering plants where engine oils, cutting fluids, and industrial lubricants are routinely present. Rated against reference oils equivalent to ASTM grades 2 and 3, the sheath holds up in machine rooms and turbine halls.
Technical data

Alnyc Cable Construction

Full size charts and construction parameters are available in our comprehensive product catalogue, with custom configurations on request from our applications engineering team.

Alnyc Cable Construction Parameters
Instrumentation Cables1 pair – 24 pairs
Conductor Sizes0.5 – 10 sq mm
Sheath System(L)2Y4Y: coated aluminium tape + extruded HDPE inner sheath + polyamide outer sheath
Polyamide SheathMinimum 300 µm thickness
Metal Layer Thickness150 µm (against 1,100 µm for a conventional lead sheath)
InsulationXLPE (2X) or HDPE (2Y)
ConfigurationsCore (C), Pair (P), Triple (T) or Quad (Q), with or without individual metal foil screening
ScreeningIndividual Overall / Overall Screened
ArmouringSteel Wire Armour (SWA)
Operating TemperatureUp to 90°C
Compliance

Alnyc Cable Standards

EN 50288-7
ICON Range Construction
KEMA
Lead-Sheath Replacement
IRM 902 / 903
ASTM Grade 2 & 3 Oils
Benzene 100%
Solvent Resistance Tested
HNO₃ 32%
Nitric Acid Tested
Product enhancements

Additional Properties

The cable can be manufactured with:

Smoke Density / FRLS / LSZH, and Light Transmission
Anti-Termite and Anti-Rodent Properties
UV Resistance Properties (As per ASTM G 154 & 155, ISO 4892-2 Method A, UL 1581)
Acid, Alkali, Sulphur & Oil Resistance (as per IEC 60881-404)
Operating Temperature Rating ranging from -40°C to +105°C
MICA for Fire Survival / Resistance properties up to 950°C
Water Resistance / Water Blocking Tape
RoHS & REACH compliance
Product advantages

Why Elegar Kerpen Alnyc Cables?

Eight measurable advantages built into every cable, from manufacturing floor to field installation.

Engineered Multi-Layer Sheath
A (L)2Y4Y system: plastic-coated aluminium tape applied longitudinally and sealed against a drain wire, an extruded HDPE inner sheath bonded to it, then a polyamide outer sheath of at least 300 µm.
Layer-Specific Protection
Aluminium blocks water, aqueous solutions and hydrocarbons; HDPE resists hydrocarbons, acids and bases; polyamide adds a final barrier, giving a complete and redundant protection system.
Certified Lead Replacement
KEMA Nederland B.V., an internationally recognised independent test institute, has certified the sheath as suitable to replace commonly used lead sheaths in chemically hazardous areas.
Weight & Size Advantage
A metal layer of 150 µm against 1,100 µm for lead makes the cable approx. 44% lighter and approx. 8% smaller in diameter, taking a 10-pair 1.0 mm² cable from 1,700 to 960 kg/km.
Lower Installed Cost
Reduced weight and diameter cut transportation costs, accessory expenses such as glands and jointing boxes, and the overall installation effort on site.
Built-In EMC Screening
The aluminium tape doubles as an electromagnetic screen, removing the separate screen and additional inner sheath for a more compact build with smaller bending radii.
Safe to Handle & Dispose
No environmental hazard during installation or disposal, and no specialised health protection needed for installation teams, simplifying safety and waste-management compliance.
Configurable ICON Range
Constructed to EN 50288-7 in core, pair, triple or quad configurations, with XLPE or HDPE insulation, rated to 90°C, and supplied with full traceability and documentation.
Support FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common technical and commercial questions about Elegar Kerpen Alnyc cables.

What does ALNYC stand for, and what is its construction?
ALNYC stands for aluminium tape laminated to polyolefin (AL) with a nylon coating sheath (NYC). It comprises three layers: a plastic-coated aluminium tape, an extruded HDPE inner sheath, and an outer polyamide sheath of minimum 300 µm thickness.
Which specific chemicals have Alnyc cables been tested against?
Independent tests covered reference oils IRM 902 and IRM 903 (equivalent to ASTM 2 and 3), benzene at 100%, trichloroethylene at 100%, and nitric acid at 32% concentration, representing a broad range of industrial chemical hazards.
Can Alnyc cables fully replace lead-sheathed cables?
Yes. KEMA Nederland B.V. has independently certified that the Alnyc sheath is a suitable replacement for lead sheaths in chemically hazardous areas, refineries, industrial plants, and oil and gas facilities without compromising protection levels.
How much lighter are Alnyc cables than lead-sheathed alternatives?
For a 10-pair, 1.0 mm² cable, the Alnyc version weighs approximately 960 kg/km against 1,700 kg/km for the lead-sheathed equivalent, a reduction of approx. 44%, with overall diameter reduced by approx. 8%.
Do Alnyc cables need a separate electromagnetic screen?
No. The aluminium tape layer inherently acts as an electromagnetic screen, removing the need for a separate screen layer or additional inner sheath, which also reduces the overall cable size and construction complexity.
Are Alnyc cables suitable for direct burial?
Yes. With the optional steel wire armour layer, Alnyc cables suit direct burial installations, adding mechanical protection alongside the existing chemical and moisture barrier of the multi-layer sheath.
What insulation materials and configurations are available?
The ICON range supports XLPE (2X) or HDPE (2Y) insulation in core, pair, triple, or quad configurations, with or without individual metal foil screening, all rated up to 90°C operating temperature.
Are there environmental or health concerns with Alnyc cables?
None. Unlike lead-sheathed cables, Alnyc cables involve no hazardous materials, require no special health protection during handling, and can be disposed of without the environmental restrictions that apply to lead-containing cable waste.