SY Cable? Thoughts?

[Leroy Merlin]

Morning all

I've recently been introduced to SY cable through work. I've had a look for more information on the web as I wanted to check ratings, uses etc. but I'm getting a lot of mixed information... many people say they use it but many others are saying that it doesn't comply with BS7671.

Apparently it is widely used on the continent for both control and power. I wondered if anyone could enlighten me on it's use in the UK.

I tried to search the forums for info but couldn't see relevant threads...

Thanks in advance

L

 

[Spoon]

We did use to use it until the manufacturers changed the spec.
It is now not suitable for fixed installations.

 

[Risteard]

It has no British Standard (it is a VDE cable) so isn't strictly compliant with BS7671 and therefore you are using it at your own risk.

 

[SparkyChick]

We did use to use it until the manufacturers changed the spec.
It is now not suitable for fixed installations.

This subject has interested me. What did they change?

 

[Ian1981]

I can’t speak for all manufacturers but Elandcables website says that it is not suitable for fixed wiring for compliance with bs7671.
Take a look at their site.

 

[The Ghost]

OSG also states it may not comply.

 

[Spoon]

This subject has interested me. What did they change?

They put a comment in that it was not suitable for fixed installations, but I cant find it now.... Strange.

Olflex state


I'll keep searching

 

[JAWS]

We were using SY cable at college the other day.

Just found this which is quite interesting Should SY, YY and CY cables be used in electrical installations? - https://www.voltimum.co.uk/articles/should-sy-yy-and-cy-cables-be-used

 

[Spoon]

As @Ian1981 has pointed out:
Eland say:

 

[Spoon]

Belden state:


The below is pinched from @Massive1 post above:

'VDE 0250'
The VDE Institute is a national and internationally accredited institution in the field of testing and certification of electrotechnical devices, components and systems. (VDE stands for Verband der Elektrotechnik, Elektronik und Informationstechnik)

VDE publish a series of standards covering, among other things, various cable types. However, simply quoting the term, 'VDE 0250' is meaningless because it is not a specification and the ‘0250’ is just one part of a complete standard number. In order to be meaningful, the full standard number must be quoted. For example, the German NYM type of cable is defined in VDE 0250-204:2000.

The full VDE standard to which these cables might conform is unclear.

VDE standards are German national standards. They are neither Harmonised European (EN) nor International (IEC) standards. Therefore their use under BS 7671 is not automatic and they would be subject to the required engineering assessment regarding safety, etc.

NAPIT understands that the VDE Institute has issued certification to a small number of cable manufacturers for some SY, CY, and YY cables and that this certification is based on individual cable manufacturer specifications which are confidential to both VDE and the manufacturer. As these specifications have not been published, we are unable to determine which material and construction specifications or tests have been applied. Consequently, authoritive literature is not available to assist in making engineering judgements.

 

[Spoon]

Morning all

I've recently been introduced to SY cable through work. I've had a look for more information on the web as I wanted to check ratings, uses etc. but I'm getting a lot of mixed information... many people say they use it but many others are saying that it doesn't comply with BS7671.

Apparently it is widely used on the continent for both control and power. I wondered if anyone could enlighten me on it's use in the UK.

I tried to search the forums for info but couldn't see relevant threads...

Thanks in advance

L

Out of interest mate. Why use SY cable? Why not use NYY-J cable?
NYY-J cable is cheaper and you don't need a special gland, so the gland is cheaper as well.

 

[ChipFanDave]

I thought you can get SY cable that complies with BS EN 50525-2-51 making it suitable for use in control and automation, depends on what the OP was using it for in work. We use it regularly for V.S.D. to motor connections and for connecting instrumentation.

 

[Leroy Merlin]

Out of interest mate. Why use SY cable? Why not use NYY-J cable?
NYY-J cable is cheaper and you don't need a special gland, so the gland is cheaper as well.

Cheers, I think the powers that be want the extra mechanical protection though...

 

[Spoon]

Cheers, I think the powers that be want the extra mechanical protection though...

Can you please clarify what the cable will be used for.
Is it for the mains power for machinery or V.S.D. to motor connections....

 

[Leroy Merlin]

Can you please clarify what the cable will be used for.
Is it for the mains power for machinery or V.S.D. to motor connections....

They are using it to supply power to a water heater, five core SY L1, L2, L3, N and PE but they want it screened as well. I believe that they need to control the water temp quite accurately so I assume this is why they require the screen.