What are the primary differences between Chinese (GB) and International (IEC/BS/ASTM) power cable standards?

The distinction primarily lies in the coding system and material testing parameters. Chinese standards (GB/T) use a Pinyin-based letter system to describe cable components (e.g., “YJ” for XLPE, “V” for PVC), whereas international standards like IEC 60502 or British Standards (BS) focus on numerical voltage ratings and material abbreviations derived from English. While the physical construction—conductor, insulation, bedding, armor, and sheath—is often identical, the tolerances for conductor resistance and flame retardancy ratings may vary slightly to meet specific regional safety certifications.