Method of and apparatus for making twisted cable and the cable produced thereby

A method of and an apparatus for making twisted electrical cable, such as 600 volt secondary distribution cable, and the twisted cable product are disclosed The apparatus comprises a first plurality of stationary payoff reels each wound with a length of bare wire conductor. The conductors are simultaneously payed off the reels to a payout accumulator for accumulating a portion of the conductors during replacement of spent payout reels. At least one extrusion process arranged downstream of the accumulator applies a plastic insulation material to a respective conductor as it passes through its respective extrusion process. A cooling and/or curing trough through which water is flowed cools and/or cures the plastic insulation. A take-up accumulator arranged downstream of the cooling and/or curing trough accumulates a portion of each insulated conductor during changeover of the take-up reel arranged downstream of the take-up accumulator. The take-up reel may be rotated about a first axis to twist each insulated conductor about its longitudinal axis, and may additionally simultaneously twist the insulated conductors about one another to form a twisted electrical cable. The take-up reel may also be rotated about a second axis for taking up the twisted electrical cable.