Size Guide for imperial aluminium SWA

michaelg5 · May 5, 2015

Evening everyone. Been a long time lurker on the forums but I need some help & guidance.

I am about to do some work on a large industrial premises which the client wants to re-use the existing sub mains. After many discussions about replacing them they have decided to retain them. My issue is that some need to be pulled back and re-terminated but I have been unable to confirm the size of them. Is there a way (like with metric cables) to determine this (Roughly) from the overall diameter of the cable?

The cables in question are all 4 core Aluminium SWA cables (The only markings on them are Pirelli/General Electric 600/1100v.)

I have 2 diameters, one is 72mm the other is 60mm (In hindsight maybe I should of measured them in inches!!)

It wasn't until after using a manufacturers data for the current metric equivalent that I thought they will probably be imperial and without the correct size will cause me a problem when it comes to the glanding.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Michael

Pete999 · May 5, 2015

Any past test sheets/installation drawings available to you??

telectrix · May 5, 2015

SWA glands have quite a bit of latitude as far as cable size goes. e.g. a 25L gland will do 10mm - 16mm with ease, so you should have no trouble getting glands to fit.

look here. the cable sizes quoted in the table are conductor csa.

https://swacable.net/swa-cable-gland.html

michaelg5 · May 5, 2015

Hi Pete. Unfortunatley not although might have a route around on site, you never know the last tenants might have left them lying about somewhere (Just not it in the switch room!!!!)

michaelg5 · May 5, 2015

Thanks telectrix. I suppose the glands will probably not the biggest issue, but making sure the termination box will accept the core sizes.

benji · May 5, 2015

might not be imperial ? 4c cables to bs6346 4c x 150 =50mm od. 4c x185 = 54.9 4c x 240 = 60.9 4c x 300 =66.6 .Cables to bs 5467 ( xlpe ) are about 3mm less .What are you using to measure o.d.

shanky887614 · May 5, 2015

www.simetric.co.uk/siwire_elect.htm

Marvo · May 5, 2015

Are the cables aluminium armour or steel armour? If it's the old aluminium armour then glands might be an issue and if they're imperial then I'd suggest keeping the old glands for reuse.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Size Guide for imperial aluminium SWA

michaelg5 · May 5, 2015

Hi Benji. To be honest just a tape measure!!!!

michaelg5 · May 5, 2015

Hi Marvo. They are steel wire. Assuming the photo you have posted is alu armour, the cables I have look like standard armouring not like the pic.

michaelg5 · May 5, 2015

Thanks Shanky. I assume that the table on there is for the conductor as opposed to the overall cable? Looks like another trip to site with a digital caliper tomorrow!!

shanky887614 · May 5, 2015

michaelg5 said:
Thanks Shanky. I assume that the table on there is for the conductor as opposed to the overall cable? Looks like another trip to site with a digital caliper tomorrow!!

i wouldn't trust the outer diamiter because different manufacturers will use varing thicknesses of insulation etc

michaelg5 · May 5, 2015

Yeah that's what I was worried about Shanky. My own fault really should have spent a bit more time investigating it earlier!!

benji · May 5, 2015

You need a vernier guage ( not expensive now ) i got the data from bicc cables an tables so might be a mm or 2 diff. but thats all,,your problem might be lugs and crimper as the nest/palm is different depending on cable size and core configeration ie 2c 3c 4c

shanky887614 · May 5, 2015

benji said:
You need a vernier guage ( not expensive now ) i got the data from bicc cables an tables so might be a mm or 2 diff. but thats all,,your problem might be lugs and crimper as the nest/palm is different depending on cable size and core configeration ie 2c 3c 4c

most digital are the same as a vernier except there digital rather than having dials.

most have a zero button on as well so technically they can be more accurate