# Underwater cable

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-underwater-cable
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: SC
Drawing use: SLD, GA
Reference families: IEC

## Symbol convention

Convention: IEC
Form: Underwater cable route form
Independent IEC-context illustration; not certified IEC geometry.

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.

### Terms

- 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.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [IEC-60617 symbol preview directory](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm)
- [Elastimold underground cable accessories](https://www.abb.com/global/en/areas/electrification/medium-voltage/cable-accessories-connectors/underground/elastimold/underground)


## 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.

## Important distinction

An underwater cable is laid in or under water; an underground cable is buried on land.

## Facts

- Graphic cue: Cable line above wave marks
- Typical use: Offshore export cables and water crossings
- Preview: Original educational illustration; consult the publisher and applicable standard for the exact graphic

## Public references

- [IEC-60617 symbol preview directory](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm) — Autodesk. Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families.
- [Elastimold underground cable accessories](https://www.abb.com/global/en/areas/electrification/medium-voltage/cable-accessories-connectors/underground/elastimold/underground) — ABB. Manufacturer context for cable accessories at transitions.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.