We are a professional cable manufacturer in China specializing in H07V-U solid copper cable compliant with IEC 60227 and HD 21. Our 450/750V single-core PVC insulated wires deliver reliable performance for fixed wiring in buildings, switchboards, and equipment. This article provides technical specifications, real price references, and practical application guidance for importers, contractors, and wholesalers.
1. What exactly is H07V-U?
H07V-U is a European harmonized code for a single-core, solid copper conductor cable with PVC insulation, rated at 450/750V. It is defined under HD 21 and is broadly equivalent to IEC 60227-3 (type 01). The code breaks down as:
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H: Harmonized (European harmonized standard)
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07: Rated voltage 450/750V
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V: PVC insulation
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U: Solid (single wire) conductor (Class 1)
This cable is unsheathed, meaning there is one insulated conductor without an overall outer jacket. It is designed for fixed installation inside conduits, trunking, embedded conduits, and closed installation spaces. It is not intended for direct burial, outdoor exposure without protection, or continuous flexing.
In many countries, H07V-U is also referred to as “building wire”, “installation wire”, or “single-core PVC wire”. It is commonly available in cross-sections from 1.5mm² up to 10mm²; larger sections are made as H07V-R (stranded) because a solid conductor above 10mm² becomes difficult to install.
2. Technical specifications
The table below shows the standard construction parameters for H07V-U cable offered by our factory. These values follow HD 21.3 / IEC 60227-3 requirements.
| Nominal cross-section | Conductor construction | Nominal insulation thickness | Approx. overall diameter | Max DC resistance at 20°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 mm² | 1 × 1.38 mm solid | 0.7 mm | 2.8–3.0 mm | 12.1 Ω/km |
| 2.5 mm² | 1 × 1.78 mm solid | 0.8 mm | 3.4–3.6 mm | 7.41 Ω/km |
| 4 mm² | 1 × 2.25 mm solid | 0.8 mm | 4.0–4.2 mm | 4.61 Ω/km |
| 6 mm² | 1 × 2.76 mm solid | 0.8 mm | 4.6–4.8 mm | 3.08 Ω/km |
| 10 mm² | 1 × 3.57 mm solid | 1.0 mm | 5.8–6.2 mm | 1.83 Ω/km |
Electrical and thermal data:
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Rated voltage U₀/U: 450/750V
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Operating temperature on conductor: maximum 70°C
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Short-circuit conductor temperature: maximum 160°C, for ≤5 seconds
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Minimum ambient installation temperature: usually 0°C for ordinary PVC compound; low-temperature PVC optional
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Bending radius during installation: minimum 4 × overall diameter for fixed wiring; larger radius advised for cold conditions
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Flammability: standard PVC passes IEC 60332-1; flame-retardant and low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) options available on request
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Standards: HD 21.3, IEC 60227-3, IEC 60228 Class 1, and equivalently GB/T 5023.3 if Chinese certification is required
Colour codes commonly produced:
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Brown, red, black, grey, blue, yellow-green, white, green, yellow
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Yellow-green strictly for earth conductor
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Custom RAL colours possible with minimum quantity
Packing options:
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100m coils, 500m coils, or 1000m drums
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100-yard coils for North American resale
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OEM neutral printing or customer brand marking
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Sequential metre marking for long drums
3. Where H07V-U is used in real projects
Because H07V-U is a fixed-wiring cable, it is not intended for appliances or movable equipment. Typical uses include:
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Residential and commercial building wiring: phase, neutral, and earth lines inside PVC conduit or steel trunking
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Switchboards and distribution panels: internal wiring where conductors are bent once and remain stable
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Meter boxes and consumer units: neat and secure connection from incoming supply to breakers
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Machinery wiring: internal fixed wiring inside electrical cabinets, provided vibration is low
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Streetlight columns and traffic signal cabinets: easy to pull through small conduits and connect to clamp terminals
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Temporary site lighting: where cables are installed inside protective conduits and fixed in place
For locations exposed to moisture, UV, or mechanical impact, H07V-U must be protected by conduit, cable tray, or an additional sheathed cable type. For direct burial or outdoor permanent installation, separate cable types such as NYY or armoured cables are recommended.
4. Why solid conductor and not stranded?
H07V-U uses solid Class 1 conductor. This gives several practical benefits:
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Lower cost than stranded equivalents because manufacturing is simpler
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Better termination in screw terminals and tunnel terminals: no loose strands to cause heating
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Lower contact resistance when properly tightened
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Easy shaping during installation: once bent, it stays in position
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Smaller diameter than flexible versions of the same cross-section
Disadvantages we honestly tell customers: solid cable is stiff and should not be moved repeatedly, and it requires a larger bending radius in tight spaces. If the distribution board has very limited space or the installer requires flexibility, we supply H07V-K (flexible) instead.
5. Manufacturing and quality control
As an experienced manufacturer, we do not treat H07V-U as a simple commodity wire. Our production process includes:
Copper conductor
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High-purity 99.9% electrolytic copper rod
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Precision drawing to exact Class 1 diameter
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Continuous resistance measurement in line
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Annealing to maintain elongation above 20% for safe bending
PVC insulation
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Virgin PVC compound, not regenerated material, as standard
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Insulation extrusion under controlled temperature profiles
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Online diameter and eccentricity monitoring with laser gauge
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Spark test at high voltage on every metre of wire
Final testing and packing
Each production lot is sampled and tested according to HD 21 / IEC 60227 for:
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Conductor resistance
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Insulation thickness and eccentricity
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Insulation resistance after water immersion
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Ageing in air oven
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Cold bend test
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Voltage test of 2500V, 5 minutes, at factory
We also issue a factory test certificate for every batch. Third-party inspection by SGS, BV, TÜV, or project consultant is accepted and quoted separately.
6. H07V-U price parameters (reference, not fixed quotation)
Cable prices move with copper market prices. Our quotation is based on the latest copper price plus processing cost, insulation compound cost, packing, and margin. The following table shows indicative ex-works pricing in USD per 1,000 metres for standard H07V-U, solid copper, PVC 70°C, in brown or blue, without special certification. This is just a reference to help you budget.
| Cross-section | Indicative price USD per km | Packaging | MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 mm² | 170–210 | 100m/500m coil | 10 km |
| 2.5 mm² | 260–320 | 100m/500m coil | 10 km |
| 4 mm² | 400–480 | 100m/500m coil | 5 km |
| 6 mm² | 580–700 | 500m coil / drum | 5 km |
| 10 mm² | 980–1180 | 500m coil / drum | 3 km |
These prices are for ex-works in USD and exclude freight, customs, certification, and non-standard packing. Changes in LME copper price affect final invoice; we apply a copper adjustment clause for large contracts.
Why there is a price range:
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Solid vs stranded: H07V-U is cheaper than H07V-R
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Copper basis: quotation varies with daily copper price, e.g., 5-day average or LME settlement
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PVC grade: flame-retardant, low-smoke, halogen-free, or UV-stabilised compound increases cost by about 8–15%
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Certification: VDE, CE, or CCC testing and marking adds fees
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Package: small coils cost more per metre than long drums
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Quantity: larger orders reduce setup and rewinding costs
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Colour mix: many colours in small quantities increase production downtime and cost
For example, if copper rises sharply, the price of 2.5mm² wire can move within a week. We recommend importers use the formula below to estimate price based on current copper price:
Copper weight per km (kg) × LME copper price (USD/kg) × copper cost ratio + processing fee = indicative wire price per km.
A quick weight reference for H07V-U:
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1.5mm²: about 14.4 kg/km copper
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2.5mm²: about 24 kg/km
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4mm²: about 38.4 kg/km
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6mm²: about 57.6 kg/km
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10mm²: about 96 kg/km
This lets you calculate the raw copper portion yourself. The processing cost depends on wire drawing, annealing, extrusion, spark test, rewinding, and packing. Our processing fee remains stable unless labour or energy costs change significantly.
For a committed quotation, please provide:
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Cross-section and quantities per colour
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Destination port (FOB or CIF)
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Certification requirement
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Packing preference
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Expected delivery date
We will then confirm the exact copper price index for that day and issue formal quotation.
7. Ordering information and lead time
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MOQ clearly stated: 10km for small sizes, 3km for larger sizes to keep price fair
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Mixed container orders are welcome; e.g., combine 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6, 10mm² in one 20ft container
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Stock colours usually ship within 7–15 days
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Fresh production requires 15–25 days
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Certified production (VDE or third-party inspection) adds 7–15 days because of sample approval and documentation
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Ocean transit time depends on your destination port from South China ports, typically 15–35 days
8. FAQ
Q1. Is H07V-U the same as BV wire in China?
BV wire according to GB/T 5023.3 is essentially the same construction as H07V-U: single-core, solid conductor, PVC insulation, 450/750V. The main difference is the standard marking. BV is the Chinese designation; H07V-U is the European harmonized designation. In practice, a factory can make one cable and print both standards if certified.
Q2. Can H07V-U be used for three-phase motors?
Yes, if the cable is installed inside a conduit or junction box and is fixed. For terminal connection inside the motor, use flexible wire such as H07V-K because the motor vibrates. H07V-U is too stiff and may break under repeated vibration.
Q3. Why is 10mm² H07V-U not common?
It is produced, but for larger cross-sections above 6mm², installers often prefer stranded H07V-R because the solid conductor is heavy and hard to bend. We supply 10mm² H07V-U on request. For 16mm² and above, H07V-R is standard.
Q4. Are your prices quoted in euros or dollars?
We quote primarily in USD for export. If you need EUR or RMB quotation, we can do that at the exchange rate on the order date. Prices in the table above are in USD.
Q5. How can we trust the quality of a Chinese manufacturer?
We invite you to request samples before ordering, ask for mill test certificates, and optionally arrange third-party inspection before shipment. Additionally, IEC and HD standards are internationally recognised, and we provide conformity documents. We are engaged in long-term export and prefer honest supply.
Q6. What is the minimum order for custom printing?
Custom neutral printing or your own brand printing is possible for orders of 20km per size/colour, or less depending on the printing method. Small quantities can be supplied with standard “H07V-U 450/750V” marking only.
Q7. Can H07V-U be buried directly in the ground?
No. It has no mechanical protection or moisture barrier. If you need direct burial, choose armoured or other suitable types. We do not recommend using H07V-U in wet soil or outdoors without conduit.
Q8. How do you adjust price when the copper price goes up?
For orders scheduled to deliver more than 30 days later, we use a copper adjustment formula. The final price is based on the average copper price during a fixed pricing window. For small stock orders, we keep the quoted price for 3–5 days only.
Q9. Do you have VDE certification?
We can produce H07V-U with VDE certificate if the specific construction is certified. If you require VDE, please confirm the exact size, colour, and destination, and we will verify current certification status. Prices and lead time will change accordingly.
Q10. What is the difference between H07V-U and H05V-U?
H05V-U is rated 300/500V and H07V-U is rated 450/750V. For most European building wiring, H07V-U is used for power circuits, while H05V-U may be used inside appliances or lighting where lower voltage is sufficient. You should always follow your local wiring regulation.
Q11. Does 10mm² H07V-U price in your table include the drum?
The indicative price includes standard coil or drum packing. Wooden drum cost may be added separately for certain sizes if reusable drums are requested. Ex-works price always excludes freight.
Q12. Can you supply H07V-U cable with LSZH insulation?
Yes, we can produce LSZH version, but it will no longer be called H07V-U under the harmonized system because the insulation is not standard PVC. It is usually supplied as H07Z-U or similar. This affects certification and price. Contact us for the alternative code.
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