SWA Cable - Identification

Kibo_769 · Nov 9, 2021

Hi All,

I bought a 6mm SWA cable from CEF and realised the external diameter is 15.1mm however on the website it says the external diameter is 16.6mm? Have I been given an incorrect cable size? They are no markings on the armoured cable to state the size.

I also purchased a 2.5mm SWA cable and the external diameter is 12.9mm and the product spec on the website states 14.1mm.

I wanted to post this just to get some feedback as I will be getting a trench dug up and wouldn't want to rip the cables apart once installed.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks
Kibz.

Taylortwocities · Nov 9, 2021

How many cores in your cable.

DefyG · Nov 9, 2021

Are you sure its the same product? PVC cables will be larger diameter than xlpe ones.

ipf · Nov 9, 2021

70 degree thermoplastic or 90 degree thermosetting?
They're a different make up of cable.

brianmoooore · Nov 9, 2021

SWA cables with the same size and number of conductors can vary considerably in size, depending on the shape of the individual insulated conductors (not all are round), and how they are packaged, sometimes with filler cords.
Probably a different make from the one on the website.
I've often found that the correct gland for a particular SWA is not any of the ones listed on the packet.

MJPD29 · Nov 9, 2021

It's probably just a different brand or different plastic used. Although staff at my local cef are generally idiots and rarely stay more than a few weeks but I'd like to hope they can read a label with cable size correctly.

Kibo_769 · Nov 9, 2021

Taylortwocities said:
How many cores in your cable.

3 core cable

Kibo_769 · Nov 9, 2021

ipf said:
70 degree thermoplastic or 90 degree thermosetting?
They're a different make up of cable.

I'll need to check in the morning and confirm. Why are the cables never marked on the armour?

MJPD29 · Nov 9, 2021

Kibo_769 said:
I'll need to check in the morning and confirm. Why are the cables never marked on the armour?

Usually marked on the black sheath

Kibo_769 · Nov 9, 2021

Matthewd29 said:
It's probably just a different brand or different plastic used. Although staff at my local cef are generally idiots and rarely stay more than a few weeks but I'd like to hope they can read a label with cable size correctly.

I may pop in store to check tomorrow with them as my veneer gauge confirms the sizes as being different

brianmoooore · Nov 9, 2021

Don't forget that it's 6mm square for each conductor (the total cross sectional area of all the strands in each conductor added together), not the diameter of the conductor.

Kibo_769 · Nov 9, 2021

DefyG said:
Are you sure its the same product? PVC cables will be larger diameter than xlpe ones.

I can confirm they are 6mm 3 core SWA XLPE cables as listed on their website.

Kibo_769 · Nov 9, 2021

brianmoooore said:
Don't forget that it's 6mm square for each conductor (the total cross sectional area of all the strands in each conductor added together), not the diameter of the conductor.

Thanks yes I understand that I actually curbside of the cable and it doesn't look like 6mm in diameter for the line and neutral condictors

Kibo_769 · Nov 9, 2021

brianmoooore said:
Don't forget that it's 6mm square for each conductor (the total cross sectional area of all the strands in each conductor added together), not the diameter of the conductor.

Kibo_769 · Nov 9, 2021

Kibo_769 said:
I can confirm they are 6mm 3 core SWA XLPE cables as listed on their website.

SWA Cable - Identification

Kibo_769

Taylortwocities

-

DefyG

-

ipf

-

brianmoooore

-

MJPD29

-

Kibo_769

Kibo_769

MJPD29

-

Kibo_769

brianmoooore

-

Kibo_769

Kibo_769

Kibo_769

Attachments

Kibo_769

Attachments

News and Offers from Sponsors

Similar threads

Electricians Tools | Electrical Tools and Products

Search Electricans Forums by Tags

Tags Cloud - Most Used Words - Use them to search for topics

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

YOUR Unread Posts