Cable Quality

[SKY]

Happy Easter To All (I've already eaten one of my eggs)

Cable quality???

With regards to the bog standard T&E, is cable all the same?
Are there better brands that maybe last longer or have the standards worked and all cable is exactly the same?

I have noticed that cable price varies maybe due to copper prices but savings can always be made so I was wondering if the more expensive cable is better.

I have noticed that some cable has a matt finish where as the Prismian cable from screwfix has a sort of waxy finish.

 

[havoone]

BASEC approved cable is generally considered best. in recent years cheap foreign imports have been introduced and have not stood the distance.was reading a report yesterday on chinese cables which have "crumbled" in the recent cold conditions

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

we also got a memo about cheep cable conductors not being the correct size
lsf twin and earth is better than standard as it has greater current carrying capacity although there is nothing to say it will last longer

 

[Spudnik]

Most cables should be to BASEC approvals, although i have had some in the past that was a pain to strip..

 

[lewlec]

hi

normally use AEI cable, its usually good quality but i did have a load the other day that was a right pain to strip back. probably added an extra day on to 2nd fix a 5 bed house.

 

[AEC]

we also got a memo about cheep cable conductors not being the correct size
lsf twin and earth is better than standard as it has greater current carrying capacity although there is nothing to say it will last longer

LSF has a greater current carrying capacity. MMM dont think so.

Are not getting mixed up with PVC and XLPE?

 

[Notsosmart]

Most cables should be to BASEC approvals, although i have had some in the past that was a pain to strip..

Yeh I remember cheap T&E that when you tried to strip the outer sheath, the inner insulation came off with it

LSF has a greater current carrying capacity. MMM dont think so.

Too true AEC, LSF (Low smoke & Fume) is merely a type of insulation that does not give off noxious fumes when burnt ~ Cyanide being one gas given off by PVC.

 

[Jason Smith]

Prysmian Cables conform to BS but the outer is so thin you can see the shape of the conductors inside. Very easy to strip, but you have to be so carefull on pull throughs. Doncaster cable is fab. Thick PVC and pull through as hard as you like it will resist. (unless you try too hard.) May be a few quid more expnsive but works out pennies over a 100 meters. This makes peace of mind cheap.

 

[Phil]

yeh had some of that tough cable about 4000 meters of it. bloody stuff was tough as hell.