UGC
Underground cable
A cable route marked as buried in the ground, distinguishing direct-buried or ducted sections from overhead lines.
IEC
IEC · SC
Underwater cable
A cable section marked as laid under water, such as a river crossing, offshore export cable or lake crossing.
In plain English
What does Underwater cable mean?
The underwater cable form identifies a section laid on or beneath a water bed. It appears on offshore wind export and array diagrams, island interconnectors and river crossings. The mark is a route indicator, so it sits on the cable line rather than replacing it.
A simple example
Submarine cables usually have armour, longer lengths and different charging current from land cables, but the symbol carries none of that information. Transition joints at the landfall and the cable schedule supply those details. Where reactive compensation is fitted to a long submarine section, it appears as separate reactor symbols.
What the drawings help you do
Locate the landfall transition joints at each end. Check whether shunt compensation is shown for long sections. An underwater cable is laid in or under water; an underground cable is buried on land.
This particular reference
A cable section marked as laid under water, such as a river crossing, offshore export cable or lake crossing. An underwater cable is laid in or under water; an underground cable is buried on land.
- Terminal
- An identified point where a conductor connects.
- Rating
- A value stating the conditions for which equipment is specified.
- Schematic
- A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.
Read the source: IEC-60617 symbol preview directory · Elastimold underground cable accessories
IEC · Underwater cable route form
Independent IEC-context illustration; not certified IEC geometry.
Shown as an independently authored educational illustration. Use the cited publication and drawing legend to verify the required drafting form.
SLD / GA · SC
What it represents
The underwater cable form identifies a section laid on or beneath a water bed. It appears on offshore wind export and array diagrams, island interconnectors and river crossings. The mark is a route indicator, so it sits on the cable line rather than replacing it.
Submarine cables usually have armour, longer lengths and different charging current from land cables, but the symbol carries none of that information. Transition joints at the landfall and the cable schedule supply those details. Where reactive compensation is fitted to a long submarine section, it appears as separate reactor symbols.
How to read it
- Locate the landfall transition joints at each end.
- Check whether shunt compensation is shown for long sections.
Information to show or reference
- Identify cable type and armour.
- Mark landfall transition points.
- Reference route survey and length.
A distinction that matters
An underwater cable is laid in or under water; an underground cable is buried on land.
Sources you can follow
These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.
IEC-60617 symbol preview directory
Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families.
Elastimold underground cable accessories
Manufacturer context for cable accessories at transitions.
About this graphic
This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.
SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.
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