Cable according to TU or GOST: what is the difference and what is better to use
Hello dear guests and subscribers of my channel. Now, if you go to a specialty store, you will be a little overwhelmed by the variety of cable products on offer.
If you are not savvy in this matter, then, of course, seek help from a consultant and his question: "Which cable do you need?" Surely answer: "Good."
And here is the next question: "Do you need TU or GOST?" May confuse you. In this material, I will explain how a cable made according to GOST differs from a cable made according to TU, and I will also tell you in what cases the use of a product made according to TU is quite acceptable.
What is the difference between GOST and TU
If we return to the USSR, we will not find a single cable there that would have been produced according to TU. And all because all products were manufactured exclusively in accordance with the State Standard. This means that if the cable was 2.5 mm square, then they were real 2.5 mm2.
Already in modern Russia, in order to somehow increase the economic benefit for the enterprise, Technical Conditions (TU) were introduced.
So, the TU specifies the requirements for a particular substance from which the cable is made.
And it seems, at first glance, there is no serious difference between GOST and TU, but now the manufacturer can change the thickness of the cores, insulation, etc.
As a result, enterprises began to write out requirements for themselves, according to which they began to produce products. As a result, manufacturers began to underestimate the actual cross-section of cable conductors.
In most cases, manufacturers use two options for deviating from GOST:
- Maintain the cross-section, but save on copper afterburning and / or add various impurities.
- If it is possible to provide sufficient resistance of the core, then its cross section is reduced.
And, choosing such an attractive and cheap cable made according to TU, you can run into a product that has an underestimated core section and a significantly reduced insulation thickness.
What does the GOST say about the requirements for products
So, I don't want to burden you with boring and florid wording, so I'll put it simply. According to requirements GOST 22483-2012, the main criterion for compliance GOST is not the cross section itself, but the electrical resistance. Moreover, it is measured at a certain temperature and at a certain length of the core.
Therefore, a slight deviation in one direction or another is permissible even GOST, the main thing is that the resistance meets all the necessary standards.
How to distinguish GOST cable from TU
So, for ordinary people like you and me, the only and fastest way to distinguish a cable made by GOST from done then TU - this is to require the seller to show the certificate of conformity.
It must indicate compliance GOST. In addition, also look for the mark EAC .
This marking indicates that the products comply with the requirements of the EurAsEC Customs Union. This means that this cable is good and most importantly safe.
Therefore, I think it is already clear that for wiring in your own house it is better not to save money and buy cables manufactured in accordance with the requirements of GOST.
Where can I use the wires according to TU
But I am not saying that cables manufactured according to TU cannot be used anywhere. They can be easily applied to lighting lines. Indeed, on such lines a priori there cannot be a large load, therefore, yes, the Tushny cable will quite cope with the task at hand.
In addition, a situation may arise that your stores simply will not have cables that meet the requirements of GOST. And if you urgently need to carry out repairs, then it is quite possible to purchase a cable made according to TU. Only in this version you need to buy a cable with a cross-sectional margin. That is, if you needed a cable with a cross section of 1.5 mm2, then we take 2.5 mm2.
Don't skimp on wiring, buy only high quality materials. After all, the wiring is done for decades and you should not save on personal safety.
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