Modern Mains Cables

Cable Sizes & current carrying capacity

Cable Sizes & current carrying capacity (stranded copper conductors) BS 5467 XLPE Insulation Conductor area (mm²) Current carrying capacity (A) for cables “clipped direct” Overall diameter (mm) 2 core 70°C PVC 3 or 4 core 70°C PVC 2 core 90°C XLPE 3 or 4 core 90°C XLPE 2 core 3 core 4 core 1.5 21 […]

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27 Jun
By: Reece
Conductor Colours and Harmonisation

Historically the UK used its own set of colour codes for fixed and flexible wiring. In the early 1970s the colours used for flexible wiring were harmonised across Europe, however the colours for fixed wiring remained unchanged until recently. In March 2004 the fixed wiring colours were also harmonised. During a transition period that began […]

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27 Jun
By: Reece
Voltage Drop

Any design must ensure the maximum voltage drop allowed between source and point of use is not exceeded when at full load. In the 16th edition this as 4% of the nominal supply voltage (about 9.2V at 230V AC). The 17th edition (in force from 1 July 2008) limits this to: 3% for lighting 5% […]

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27 Jun
By: Reece
Single & earth

Like T&E but with no neutral conductor. Not a popular cable. Supplier Usually used for lighting circuits, the wiring works like this: The permanent lives and switched lives of the circuit use the single core and earth cable (6241Y if you want to google it). This run starts from the MCB and loops between the […]

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27 Jun
By: Reece
Concentric cables

Neutral and earth conductors are arranged distributed around the central live conductors. Mainly used for incomers.

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27 Jun
By: Reece
FP 200 and other Soft Skin Fire Alarm Cables

Introduced as an alternative to MICC cable, but not as robust (the sheathing will burn away but circuit integrity is maintained). Silicone compound insulation Overlapping internal metal screen and drain wire (CPC) Low smoke sheathing material

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27 Jun
By: Reece
Hi Tuff

A PVC cable that is more robust than standard PVC sheathed cables and is suitable for general power, control and fixed wiring uses. An alternative to SWA for outdoor applications when direct burial of the cable is not required. Temporary wiring on open sites. Lighter and more manageable than steel wire armoured cables and requires […]

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27 Jun
By: Reece
Mineral Insulated Copper Clad Cable(MICC)

Renowned for having good fire resistance and also a smaller cross section for a given current carrying capacity than other cable types aka pyro (from makers name Pyrotenax) Copper tube sheath with magnesium oxide insulation Fireproof Rigid Occasionally seen in domestic premises, mainly in blocks of flats Widely used for fire alarm systems in commerce […]

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27 Jun
By: Reece
Steele Wire Armoured (SWA)

A robust cable frequently used for exterior wiring, where it may be buried directly into the soil, or suspended from a catenary wire. It consists of a number of individually insulated conductors covered next with a flexible bedding, then by a spiral screen of galvanised steel wires, and finally by a tough outer sheath. The […]

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27 Jun
By: Reece
LSF / LSH / LSZH

Low Smoke & Fume, Low Smoke & Halon, or Low Smoke Zero Halogen. Most network cables are insulated with polyethylene, PVC or Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU) . In a fire, a halogen-containing plastic material releases a poisonous gas, e.g. hydrogen chloride, that forms hydrochloric acid when it comes in contact with water. Designated Halogen-free cables, on […]

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27 Jun
By: Reece