LS3SU Shipboard Cable, 18 AWG Shielded Triads, 600V, MIL-DTL-24643/35 Type
LS3SU is a low-smoke, halogen-free shipboard cable of the MIL-DTL-24643/35 type: 18 AWG copper triads with XLPE insulation, a braid shield on every triad and a cross-linked polyolefin jacket, rated 600 V for non-watertight, non-flexing service.
- Specification typeMIL-DTL-24643/35, LS3SU
- Voltage rating600 V
- Conductor18 AWG Cu, 7 strands, Class B
- Triads3 to 44, each shielded
- Insulation / jacketXLPE / LSZH XLPO
- Triad shieldCopper braid on each triad
- ServiceNon-watertight, non-flexing
- Max. overall diameter0.700 in to 2.150 in
LS3SU is a multi-triad shipboard cable built to the LS3SU construction of MIL-DTL-24643/35 (formerly MIL-C-24643/35). Each triad consists of three 18 AWG stranded copper conductors with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation, colored black, white and red, under its own braided copper shield. The shielded triads are cabled together with fillers and a binder tape and covered by a low-smoke, halogen-free cross-linked polyolefin (XLPO) jacket with surface marking.
The cable is rated 600 V and is intended for non-watertight, non-flexing service: fixed runs through a ship's cableways and compartments where shielded circuits are needed, such as 400 Hz systems, interior communications, lighting and combat-system wiring. Nine triad counts from 3 to 44 let one cable carry many separately shielded three-wire circuits. LS3SU is a construction type, so triad count, jacket dimensions and qualification documents are fixed per order.
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Application & Features
Selection overview
A warship carries many low-level three-wire circuits between sensors, consoles, switchboards and equipment rooms: interior communication lines, combat-system signals, lighting and power control. When these circuits share one cable, LS3SU gives each triad its own braid shield, so 400 Hz power and signal circuits in neighbouring triads do not couple into each other. One cable of up to 44 triads replaces dozens of separate runs through crowded cableways and bulkhead stuffing tubes.
LS3SU is a fixed-installation cable for non-watertight service and is not designed for flexing. Where a run must block water travelling along the cable between compartments, the watertight LS3SWU type of the same specification family is used; where mechanical protection is needed, the aluminum-braid-armored LS3SA; and where an overall shield is required on top of the triad shields, LS3SUS. The low-smoke, halogen-free jacket limits smoke and corrosive gases in enclosed spaces in the event of a fire.
- Shielded three-wire circuitsA braid shield on every triad keeps 400 Hz power and signal circuits apart inside one cable.
- Combat and IC systemsFixed wiring for combat systems, interior communications, lighting and power control aboard ship.
- Low-smoke jacketHalogen-free cross-linked polyolefin jacket for enclosed shipboard spaces.
- Nine triad counts3 to 44 triads with a defined maximum diameter for stuffing tube and cableway planning.
Specifications
Technical data
Typical values for LS3SU constructions. The final construction is confirmed on the TEBAOFLEX datasheet issued with your quotation.
Construction and electrical data
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Specification type | MIL-DTL-24643/35, type LS3SU (unarmored) |
| Voltage rating | 600 V |
| Conductor | Stranded bare copper, Class B to ASTM B8, 18 AWG, 7 strands of 0.0152 in |
| Conductor area | approx. 0.82 mm² (18 AWG) |
| Insulation | Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) |
| Triad color code | One black, one white and one red conductor |
| Triad shield | Braided copper shield over each triad |
| Cabling | Shielded triads cabled with fillers and a binder tape |
| Jacket | Low-smoke, halogen-free cross-linked polyolefin (XLPO), black or white, surface marked |
| Service | Non-watertight, non-flexing |
| Applications | Combat systems, interior communications, lighting and power; shielded 400 Hz circuits |
| Related types | LS3SA (aluminum braid armor), LS3SUS (additional overall shield), LS3SWU (watertight) |
LS3SU triad counts and maximum overall diameter
| Type | Triads | Conductors | Max. overall diameter (in) | Max. overall diameter (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS3SU-3 | 3 | 9 | 0.700 | 17.8 |
| LS3SU-7 | 7 | 21 | 0.910 | 23.1 |
| LS3SU-10 | 10 | 30 | 1.190 | 30.2 |
| LS3SU-14 | 14 | 42 | 1.290 | 32.8 |
| LS3SU-19 | 19 | 57 | 1.430 | 36.3 |
| LS3SU-24 | 24 | 72 | 1.670 | 42.4 |
| LS3SU-30 | 30 | 90 | 1.770 | 45.0 |
| LS3SU-37 | 37 | 111 | 1.930 | 49.0 |
| LS3SU-44 | 44 | 132 | 2.150 | 54.6 |
Selection note: before ordering, ask our engineers to confirm the conductor temperature rating, jacket thickness, nominal diameter and weight per foot, the shield wire finish, and the qualification, inspection and test documents your contract requires.
Standards & References
Applicable standards and compliance
- Construction typeLS3SU construction of MIL-DTL-24643/35 (formerly MIL-C-24643/35), the low-smoke shipboard cable specification for shielded triads.
- Conductor referenceClass B stranded bare copper to ASTM B8, 18 AWG.
- Voltage and service600 V; non-watertight, non-flexing service.
- ApprovalsQualification status, specification revision, test reports and marking requirements are confirmed and quoted per order.
Construction
Material and build-up
LS3SU is a round, unarmored cable built up from shielded triads. Three insulated conductors are twisted into a triad, each triad receives its own copper braid, and the shielded triads are cabled in layers with fillers and a binder tape under one jacket. In the type code, LS stands for low smoke, 3 for the three-conductor triads, S for the shields and U for unarmored; LS3SA is the armored version.
- Conductor: 18 AWG stranded bare copper, 7 wires of 0.0152 in, Class B.
- Insulation: cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE); one black, one white and one red conductor in each triad.
- Triad: three insulated conductors cabled together, with an optional binder tape.
- Triad shield: braided copper over each triad, so every three-wire circuit has its own screen.
- Cabling: shielded triads cabled consecutively with fillers and a binder tape to a round core.
- Jacket: low-smoke, halogen-free cross-linked polyolefin (XLPO), black or white, with surface marking.
FAQ
Selection questions
What is LS3SU cable?
LS3SU is a cable type defined in MIL-DTL-24643/35, part of the MIL-DTL-24643 family of low-smoke shipboard cables. It contains 3 to 44 individually shielded triads of 18 AWG copper under an unarmored, halogen-free jacket and is rated 600 V. The number after the type, for example LS3SU-24, gives the triad count.
Is LS3SU a watertight cable?
No. LS3SU is specified for non-watertight, non-flexing service. If the run passes through a boundary where water must not travel along the cable, the watertight LS3SWU type is the matching choice. Tell us where the cable crosses watertight decks or bulkheads and we confirm the right type.
What is the difference between LS3SU, LS3SA and LS3SUS?
All three share the same shielded 18 AWG triads. LS3SU is unarmored; LS3SA adds an aluminum braid armor over the jacket for mechanical protection; LS3SUS adds an overall shield around the cabled triads in addition to the triad shields. Choose by the route: open cableways, exposed areas or circuits that need a second screen.
How do I choose the triad count?
Count the three-wire circuits on the run, add spare triads for later changes, and pick the next triad count in the table above. Then check the maximum overall diameter against the stuffing tubes, penetrations and cableway fill on the route. Our engineers can suggest a split into two smaller cables if one large cable will not fit.
What should I send for a quotation?
Send the type (LS3SU, LS3SA or LS3SUS), the triad count, length and drum lengths, jacket color, the specification revision named in your contract, and the qualification, inspection and test documents you need with the delivery.
Request this cable.
Send the type (LS3SU, LS3SA or LS3SUS), triad count, length, jacket color and the specification revision and test documents your contract requires.
Quality Assurance
Testing at every stage in our own workshop and laboratory, from incoming copper to the packed drum.
Raw Material Inspection
Every batch of copper rod, rubber compound and reinforcing material is checked before it reaches the line.
- Copper: conductor resistance, elongation and surface condition on incoming rod and drawn wire
- EPR, CPE, PUR and silicone compounds: hardness, tensile strength, elongation and ageing samples from each mix
- Suppliers and batch numbers are recorded so every drum can be traced back to its materials
Manufacturing Process Control
Stranding, insulation extrusion, core assembly and sheathing run under recorded process parameters.
- Class 5/6 stranding with lay length and tension monitored for trailing and reeling flexibility
- Continuous-vulcanisation extrusion with wall thickness and spark tests logged on every length
- Operators sign off each stage before the cable moves to the next machine
Electrical Testing
Finished lengths go through the routine tests required by the referenced VDE, ICEA, IEC or NEK standard.
- Conductor resistance and insulation resistance on every length
- Voltage withstand (3.5 kV and higher) and partial-discharge measurement in the shielded HV laboratory
- Screen and pilot-core continuity checks for mining and reeling constructions
Mechanical and Ageing Tests
Samples from production are tested for the duty a mining, crane or submersible cable will actually see.
- Tensile strength and elongation of insulation and sheath before and after ageing
- Hot-set, ozone, oil-immersion and low-temperature bending tests
- Constant-temperature water bath for insulation resistance of submersible constructions
Flame Test and Final Inspection
Before packing, the cable is checked against the order and the flame-performance requirement of its standard.
- Single-cable vertical flame test to IEC 60332-1-2 where specified
- Metre marking, printing, drum length and appearance inspection
- Test report and packing list issued with every shipment
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