Mineral insulated cable, a kind of cable with copper conductor core wrapped by copper sheath and magnesium oxide powder as inorganic insulating material to isolate the conductor from the sheath, the outermost layer can be selected with appropriate protective sheath as required. Commonly referred to as MICC or meter cable. There is a similar cable that uses metal instead of copper sheath to wrap the core wire and insulation material. This cable is called MIMS cable.

Mineral cables are nonflammable, smokeless, nontoxic and fire-resistant. They usually consist of copper conductor, magnesium oxide insulating material, copper or metal sheath. They can still keep the circuit integrity for a period of time under the condition of combustion, thus obtaining more escape time.

Ordinary cables are non-flame-retardant, non-fireproof, halogen-free and low-smoke. The insulation and sheath materials of cables all contain halogen, which produces large smoke, strong corrosiveness and harmful gas when burning. Most electrical fires are caused by the aging of wires and cables, and large overload causes cable breakdown and fire.