Application Fields of Cable Distribution Boxes
Cable distribution boxes (CDBs) are key equipment in power distribution systems, designed to tap, branch, and connect medium-voltage or low-voltage power cables. They eliminate the need for building large substations in scenarios requiring distributed power supply, featuring compact size, easy installation, and low maintenance costs. Their application spans multiple sectors, adapting to diverse environmental conditions and power demand characteristics—from urban power grids to industrial sites and new energy projects. Below is a detailed breakdown of their core application fields.
Urban areas have dense power demand and complex cable layouts, making cable distribution boxes essential for optimizing power supply and reducing line losses.
Power branch for multi-building complexes: In high-rise residential areas or commercial centers (e.g., shopping malls, office buildings), medium-voltage cables from the municipal power grid first connect to CDBs. The boxes then split power into multiple low-voltage cables, distributing electricity to each building’s distribution room. This avoids the need for a separate substation per building, saving land and construction costs.
Load balancing: CDBs with intelligent monitoring functions can adjust power allocation based on real-time load changes (e.g., peak electricity use in residential areas at night, high demand in commercial districts during the day). This prevents overloading of single cables and ensures stable power supply.
Street lamp power supply: For urban roads, highways, or scenic area lighting systems, CDBs are installed at intervals (usually 500–1000 meters) along the road. They branch power from the main cable to individual street lamps, simplifying wiring and facilitating maintenance. If a single lamp malfunctions, only the corresponding branch needs to be shut down, without affecting the entire lighting system.
Public facility power support: They supply power to scattered public facilities such as traffic signal lights, surveillance cameras, and public toilets. Their compact design allows installation in small spaces (e.g., green belts, road sides) without occupying valuable urban land.
Industrial sites have high power demand, diverse equipment types, and strict requirements for power supply reliability—all of which align with the functional advantages of CDBs.
Equipment-specific power branching: In manufacturing plants (e.g., automobile factories, machinery processing workshops), different production lines (e.g., assembly lines, welding stations) require independent power supplies. CDBs split the main power cable into multiple branches, each dedicated to a production line or key equipment (e.g., CNC machines, industrial robots). This isolates power circuits, so a fault in one branch does not disrupt the entire workshop.
Harsh environment adaptation: Industrial CDBs are designed with high protection levels (usually IP65 or above) and anti-vibration features. They resist dust, oil pollution, and mechanical vibration from workshop equipment, ensuring stable operation in harsh industrial conditions.
Distribution for logistics equipment: In large warehouses or logistics parks, CDBs supply power to automated equipment such as conveyor belts, stacker cranes, and sorting systems. They can be installed near equipment clusters to shorten cable lengths, reducing power loss and improving energy efficiency.
Temporary power support: During the construction or expansion of logistics centers, portable CDBs provide temporary power for construction machinery (e.g., excavators, electric forklifts) and temporary offices. Their plug-and-play design speeds up deployment and reduces installation time.
With the global promotion of renewable energy, cable distribution boxes have become critical for connecting and integrating new energy power sources into the grid.
PV string convergence: In large ground-mounted or rooftop PV plants, each PV panel string (composed of 10–20 panels) connects to a CDB. The box converges the DC power from multiple strings and transmits it to the inverter, simplifying the wiring of hundreds or thousands of PV panels.
Grid connection protection: PV-specific CDBs are equipped with overvoltage, overcurrent, and insulation monitoring devices. They prevent damage to inverters or the grid caused by fluctuations in PV power output (e.g., sudden changes in sunlight intensity) and ensure safe grid connection in compliance with national standards (e.g., IEC 62548).
Auxiliary equipment power supply: While wind turbines use high-voltage cables for power transmission, their auxiliary systems (e.g., turbine yaw drives, cabin cooling fans, ground control cabinets) rely on low-voltage power. CDBs distribute power from the farm’s main transformer to these auxiliary systems, ensuring normal operation of wind turbines.
Offshore wind farm adaptation: Offshore CDBs feature corrosion-resistant materials (e.g., 316L stainless steel) and waterproof designs (IP68 protection level) to withstand salt spray, high humidity, and strong winds. They ensure reliable power distribution for offshore wind turbine auxiliary systems and coastal monitoring equipment.
Rural areas have scattered power users and diverse agricultural power demands, making CDBs a cost-effective solution for rural power grid optimization.
Scattered user connection: In rural villages with dispersed households, CDBs replace traditional pole-mounted transformers in some scenarios. They branch power from the main rural cable to individual households or small clusters, reducing the number of transformers needed and lowering grid construction costs.
Rural public service support: They supply power to rural public facilities such as village committees, health clinics, and cultural centers. Their easy installation allows deployment in remote areas, improving access to stable electricity for rural communities.
Agricultural machinery and irrigation: In farmland or greenhouses, CDBs provide power for electric agricultural equipment (e.g., electric tractors, seeders) and irrigation systems (e.g., drip irrigation pumps, sprinklers). They can be installed near farmland clusters, avoiding long cable runs and reducing power loss.
Greenhouse environment control: For intelligent greenhouses, CDBs distribute power to environmental control equipment such as temperature regulators, humidity sensors, and LED grow lights. They support the stable operation of these devices, ensuring optimal growing conditions for crops.
Transportation systems require continuous and reliable power for operation, and cable distribution boxes play a key role in their power distribution networks.
Station and trackside power: In metro systems, CDBs are installed in station equipment rooms and along tracks. They distribute power to station lighting, air conditioning, ticket machines, and trackside signals (e.g., train positioning beacons). Their flame-retardant design (complying with EN 45545) ensures safety in enclosed underground environments.
Emergency power backup: CDBs are linked to the metro’s UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) system. In case of a main power failure, they automatically switch to backup power, maintaining operation of critical systems such as emergency lighting and train communication.
Tunnel power supply: Highways and railway tunnels require 24/7 power for lighting, ventilation fans, and fire protection systems. CDBs are installed at intervals inside tunnels, branching power from the main cable to these devices. Their explosion-proof design (for road tunnels with flammable vehicle emissions) prevents fire risks.
Highway service area support: They supply power to highway service areas, including gas stations, restaurants, and parking lot lighting. Their modular design allows easy expansion as service areas grow, adapting to increasing power demand.
Cable distribution boxes are versatile power distribution equipment, with applications covering urban, industrial, new energy, rural, and transportation sectors. Their ability to branch power efficiently, adapt to diverse environments, and reduce infrastructure costs makes them indispensable in modern power systems. As technologies like smart grids and renewable energy integration advance, CDBs will further evolve—integrating intelligent monitoring, energy-saving features, and environmental resilience—to meet the growing and changing power demands of various fields.
I can help you create a comparative table of cable distribution boxes for different application fields, which clearly outlines differences in key parameters (e.g., protection level, voltage rating, special features) and recommended models for each field. This will help you quickly select suitable CDBs for specific scenarios. Do you need this table?