MCP vs MYP vs MY vs MYQ Mining Cable: Model Codes Explained

The practical difference in an MCP vs MYP mining cable comparison is equipment duty: MCP is a screened flexible cable for coal shearers and similar machines, while MYP is a screened flexible power cable for mobile mining equipment. MY is the unscreened mobile type, MYQ is a 0.3/0.5 kV light-duty cable, and MYJV22 is an XLPE-insulated, steel-tape-armored cable for fixed installation.

These codes belong to China’s MT 818/MT/T 818 coal-mine cable system and are not universal international model names. A buyer should decode the letters, then verify the voltage, core arrangement, screen, mechanical duty and applicable standard before comparing quotations or selecting a product from a mining cable range.

Each model identifies a different combination of coal-mine service, equipment duty and construction. The following table gives the shortest usable interpretation; the sections below explain the limits behind each code.

In the mobile-cable code, M, C, Y, Pand Qare position-dependent service or construction identifiers. MT 818.1-2009 defines the first M as the coal-mine cable series, C as shearer use, Y as mobile mining-equipment use, P as non-metallic screening and Q as light-duty construction. Source: China Ministry of Emergency Management, MT 818.1-2009, Tables 1 and 2

The P in the MCP vs MYP mining cable models does not mean a generic metallic shield. MT 818.1 assigns PT to metallic screening, so an international RFQ should name the screen material and layer arrangement instead of translating every P model as “copper screened.”

The Cin MCP does not stand for a control conductor. MCP has control cores because MT/T 818.2 requires at least three of them with a nominal cross-section of at least 2.5 mm²; the C itself still identifies shearer service. Source: National Mine Safety Administration, MT/T 818.2-2009, Clause 4.3.1

MYJV22 should be divided as M + YJ + V + 22, not as M + Y + JV + 22. In this fixed power-cable model, YJ identifies cross-linked polyethylene insulation, V identifies the PVC sheath, and 22 identifies steel-tape armor with a PVC outer sheath.

MT/T 818.13 lists MYJV22 as “coal-mine XLPE-insulated, steel-tape-armored, PVC-sheathed power cable.” The same table separates MYJV, MYJV22, MYJV32 and MYJV42, so the armor suffix changes construction rather than voltage. Source: National Mine Safety Administration, MT/T 818.13-2009, Table 1

MCP is specified for coal shearers and similar equipment, whereas MYP is specified for mobile mining equipment more generally. Both carry P non-metallic screening, but their standard parts, core arrangements and equipment interfaces are different.

The MCP vs MYP mining cable choice therefore starts with the machine, not with conductor cross-section. A 0.66/1.14 kV rating on both quotations does not make the cables interchangeable if the shearer needs defined control cores, a particular A/B structure, matching glands or a cable-handling interface.

Choose MCP when the cable supplies a coal shearer or genuinely similar equipment whose power and control connections are covered by MT/T 818.2. A shearer moving along a working face subjects its supply cable to repeated movement, so the exact core arrangement, overall diameter and handling system must be checked together.

Choose MYP when the equipment is mobile but does not call for the shearer-specific MCP construction. MT/T 818.5 names MYP for power connections to various underground mobile coal-mining machines at 0.38/0.66 or 0.66/1.14 kV. Source: National Mine Safety Administration, MT/T 818.5-2009, Table 1

“Similar equipment” should be supported by the equipment maker’s cable schedule rather than assumed from movement alone. Connector pinout, control-core count, ground arrangement, travel distance and bending path can rule out an otherwise plausible model.

Screening is shared by MCP and MYP, but control-core requirements separate the two constructions. The base MCP construction includes power conductors, ground conductor arrangement, control conductors, insulation, semiconductive screen and sheath; MT/T 818.2 also permits defined A and B structures at the listed ratings.

The base MYP construction in MT/T 818.5 is a power-and-ground design rather than a shearer power-and-control design. Part 5 describes single-core or four-core 3+1 arrangements, while Part 2 explicitly controls the number and minimum size of MCP control cores.

A technically complete MCP vs MYP mining cable comparison should request a cross-sectional drawing. The drawing should identify:

• Power-core conductor and insulation
• Ground conductor number, location and cross-section
• Control or auxiliary cores, including conductor size and numbering
• Semiconductive screen type and thickness
• Inner sheath, reinforcement and outer sheath, where applicable
• Finished outer-diameter range for glands, reels and cable handlers

MY is unscreened, while MYP adds a non-metallic screen around the insulated power cores. Under MT/T 818.5, both serve mobile coal-mining equipment, but MY is listed only at 0.38/0.66 kV and MYP extends to 0.66/1.14 kV within that part.

The screen is the construction change that separates MY from MYP at the same 0.38/0.66 kV rating. MT/T 818.5 permits a semiconductive extruded layer or semiconductive tape for the MYP insulation screen; MY omits that layer.

The added screen changes the finished cable dimensions and termination fit. For a 3 × 25 + 1 × 16 mm² cable at 0.38/0.66 kV, the standard lists an MY outer diameter of 32.5–37.5 mm and an MYP range of 35.5–41.0 mm. Source: National Mine Safety Administration, MT/T 818.5-2009, Table 3

MY should not replace MYP merely because the conductor size and voltage appear equal. The mine electrical design, protective system, gland or coupler, approval basis and equipment documentation must permit the unscreened construction.

Voltage notation must be read as U0/U, not as one combined operating value. U0 is the RMS voltage between an insulated conductor and earth; U is the RMS voltage between phase conductors in a multicore cable or cable system. Source: China Ministry of Emergency Management, MT 818.1-2009, Clause 3.1

MY covers 0.38/0.66 kV mobile service under MT/T 818.5, while MYP covers 0.38/0.66 and 0.66/1.14 kV there. MT/T 818.7 separately lists MYP-3.6/6 for mobile surface-mining machinery, so a 3.6/6 kV request needs the correct part and application statement. Source: National Mine Safety Administration, MT/T 818.7-2009, Table 1

The MCP vs MYP mining cable decision cannot be reduced to “higher voltage means MYP” or “heavier machine means MCP.” MCP identifies shearer duty; MYP identifies mobile-equipment duty, and the permitted voltage classes are then selected within the relevant standard part.

The model should follow movement duty and equipment function before voltage and conductor size are selected. This application-first method prevents a fixed armored cable from being placed on a moving machine or a light-duty MYQ cable from being treated as a power feeder.

MCP is the starting model for a shearer power connection covered by MT/T 818.2. The standard lists MCP at 0.38/0.66, 0.66/1.14 and 1.9/3.3 kV, with power, ground and control-core requirements. Source: National Mine Safety Administration, MT/T 818.2-2009, Tables 1–4

An MCP selection is incomplete until these four points match the machine:

1. Equipment designation: shearer or documented similar equipment.
2. Electrical rating: correct U0/U, load current and starting duty.
3. Core schedule: power, ground and at least three specified control cores.
4. Mechanical interface: A/B construction, finished diameter, minimum 6D bend radius and cable-handler limits.

Use the MCP vs MYP mining cable comparison only after the equipment schedule is available. A model selected from a supplier table without the machine pinout and movement data can be electrically plausible but mechanically or functionally wrong.

The four models occupy distinct places in a mine power and auxiliary network. The map below uses the applications stated in the MT/T 818 product parts rather than treating every black rubber or armored cable as interchangeable.

MYQ is a defined light-duty family rather than a small version of MYP. MT/T 818.9 covers 2, 3, 4, 7 and 12 cores with nominal conductor sizes of 1.0, 1.5 or 2.5 mm², depending on core count, for the stated 0.3/0.5 kV auxiliary applications. Source: National Mine Safety Administration, MT/T 818.9-2009, Table 2

The suffix after the model must state a permitted U0/U class and point to the matching MT/T 818 part. Model letters alone do not establish insulation thickness, test voltage, core range or intended location.

Mobile rubber-sheathed cables use MT 818.1 as the general requirements document and the relevant product part for the specific model. The official standard defines Part 1 as the common requirements for Parts 2 through 10. Source: China Ministry of Emergency Management, MT 818.1-2009

A 6D minimum bending radius appears in the working conditions for MCP, MY/MYP and MYQ under their respective parts. That figure is a lower limit in the standard, not proof that every reel, drag path or cyclic-bending installation is acceptable at 6D.

MYJV22 is governed by the fixed-cable general requirements in MT/T 818.11 and the XLPE product requirements in MT/T 818.13. Part 13 covers copper-conductor, XLPE-insulated, PVC-sheathed fixed coal-mine power cables up to 8.7/10 kV.

These values apply to MYJV22 under the cited Chinese standard, not to every armored mining cable sold internationally. The voltage and size ranges come from Tables 1–2, while the temperature and bend conditions come from Clause 4.7. Source: National Mine Safety Administration, MT/T 818.13-2009

International buyers should treat the Chinese model as one line in a full cable specification, not as the entire specification. The MCP vs MYP mining cable name does not state conductor cross-section, ground arrangement, control-core schedule, finished diameter, production length or destination approval.

A purchase order that says only “MCP cable” or “MYP 1.14 kV” leaves several safety-relevant variables unresolved. State the complete U0/U notation and every core group in the same order used in the standard.

A complete MCP line can be written as MCP-0.66/1.14 3 × 50 + 1 × 10 + 4 × 4 mm², MT/T 818.2-2009, followed by the required A/B construction and drum length. MT 818.1 uses this power-plus-ground-plus-control arrangement as its MCP naming example. Source: China Ministry of Emergency Management, MT 818.1-2009, Clause 4.3

Use this minimum RFQ checklist for any MCP vs MYP mining cable order:

• Machine and route: equipment model, underground or surface location, fixed/mobile duty, travel and bending pattern.
• Electrical system: nominal voltage, U0/U cable rating, frequency, load current, starting current and grounding method.
• Core schedule: quantity and cross-section of power, ground, control, monitoring and auxiliary cores.
• Layer construction: conductor finish, insulation, non-metallic or metallic screen, reinforcement, armor and sheath.
• Interfaces: gland or coupler dimensions, pinout, allowable outer diameter and cable-handler limits.
• Compliance: exact standard number and edition, destination-country rules, mine approval and required marking.
• Delivery: manufacturing lengths, length tolerance, drum type, packing marks and inspection location.

The contract should define which routine, sample and type-test evidence the buyer will receive. MT 818.1 distinguishes routine tests on every manufactured length, sample tests on selected completed cables or components, and type tests used to qualify a design.

For MCP, the cited test schedule includes conductor resistance, insulation resistance, power-frequency voltage, screen transition resistance, mechanical impact, crushing, bending and flame tests. For MYJV22, Part 13 adds the fixed-cable test program, including partial-discharge requirements at the applicable higher voltage classes, AC voltage tests, structural checks and flame tests. Sources: MT/T 818.2-2009, Table 6; MT/T 818.13-2009, Table 4

A practical technical schedule should contain the following fields before price comparison:

Application and equipment:
Installation: fixed / mobile / repeated flexing
Location: underground coal mine / surface mine
Required model and standard edition:
Rated voltage U0/U:
Power cores:
Ground cores:
Control, monitoring or auxiliary cores:
Screen type and construction:
Reinforcement or armor:
Outer-diameter limit and minimum bend radius:
Required approvals and cable marking:
Routine, sample, type and witness tests:
Length per drum and quantity:
Destination country and mine operator requirements:

The official standards database should be checked again when the order is placed. At the time of writing, the national platform lists MT/T 818.2-2009 and the fixed-cable general standard MT/T 818.11-2009 as current, but a contract should still name the accepted edition and any destination-specific requirements.