Need to get 3 core electrical wire that is regulation compliant

A

alitech

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I am in search of a regulations compliant electrical wire that is used in power cables and kettle leads with the appropriate colour coding i.e. green-yellow, brown and red.

The only caveat is that I need a flat version of this wire and not the round one.

Can anyone tell me where I can source this sort of wire? I have been looking online but cannot find it anywhere.

Much appreciated.
 
would help if you told us what it was for. the "flat" cable comes in brown/blue with a bare cpc. or brown/black/grey for 3 core/E.
 
I am working on a new personal project where I want to put a flat cable into a regular plug. I need the cable to be as flat as possible as I dont have enough space to route a round cable.

It needs to be regulations compliant as my project is possibly marketable.
 
if you arte talikg about a standard UK 3 pin plug , then you must fit 3 core flex. end of.
 
Apologies, I am not qualified. Thinkinng about the training already.

Is it ok to use the colour coding that you have mentioned above or does it strictly need to be according to BS1363

I am reading up on wikipedia as well as bs1363.org.uk
 
nope. flat cable (T/E) is not flex. if it is subject to flexing, it will fracture and cause you problems.
 
Alltech, it might be easier for everyone if you actually explain exactly what your trying to achieve and why. Tell use the loads involved etc. It may be that what you doing could be "double insulated" in which case a cpc would not be required, or it could be that you must have one. Remember, if you wish to sell something that has a plug on it the Law required it is a molded plug and not a hand wired one.
 
alitech said:
Ok, but why? because they will fracture and cause me problems? What is the official take on this? Why can you not use a good solid flat flex cable with a 13A plug? Something that doesn't crack or fracture...
Click to expand...

No because it wont fit...crack or fracture isnt a worry.

The cable grip and plug are designed for round cable.

Think about it.


EDIT:

Thats not a challenge by the way because you may get a plug and force it in LOL.
 
Outspoken said:
Alltech, it might be easier for everyone if you actually explain exactly what your trying to achieve and why. Tell use the loads involved etc. It may be that what you doing could be "double insulated" in which case a cpc would not be required, or it could be that you must have one. Remember, if you wish to sell something that has a plug on it the Law required it is a molded plug and not a hand wired one.
Click to expand...

Thank you outspoken. I appreciate all the feedback here already. I really cannot divulge a lot of information here unless I know for sure that its not worth it.

The plug will of course be molded and mass produced if it ever is approved to be sold in the UK, so not to worry there. I am just starting off with an idea that I have and trying to get as much information for the design before I invest any capital into it.

I am very new to this and trying to figure out whats legal and what isn't.

I may not need the cable to be fully flat.

Example, I have seen that some cables are thinner than others.

Example of thick = kettle lead that is used in computers
Example of thin = hair dryer cable (slightly oval)

Both cables are attached to a UK plug but perhaps not with a 13A fuse.

I may find that the thinner variety I am referring to for the hair dryer may be all I need if I were to power a TV set or a computer but I just wanted to find out if there are any legalities I need to consider.

Thank you all. Appreciate the feedback.
 
You can't terminate flat T&E in a plugtop, for one 'reason' because the IEE code of practice for in service inspection and testing of electrical equipment says you can't. There's even a picture in the back of the book saying you can't do it, so that's absolutely clear.
You can use a 2 core unearthed flex if the appliance is double insulated, otherwise I don't think I've ever seen any 3 core flex that isn't in the 'trefoil' configuration. I can't think of any situations where you'd need a flat cable going into a plug.
 
Fox said:
Hairdryers are generally class II appliances that don't require an earth, hence why the cable is flat.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Is there a list of family of appliances that are class 1 or class 2 anywhere? I am assuming Class 1 requires earth and Class 2 doesn't.
 
Or how about the OP could pass the work onto a qualified electrician - some decent sparks are struggling for work at the moment.

You could still make a bit of cash on the job if you sub it out. + you don't have to do anything, it's a win/win.
 
If you happen to successfully design a product and patent it, I'll be happy with 50% of your profit. I'll give 5% to charity and split the rest with the forum 50/50
 
Fox said:
If you happen to successfully design a product and patent it, I'll be happy with 50% of your profit. I'll give 5% to charity and split the rest with the forum 50/50
Click to expand...

Haha, of course. I think I am a long way from a product let alone a patent. I don't think you can patent a new UK plug anyways.
 
You will need to modify the plug to accept a flat cable without damaging it. I appreciate that you are doing a project for whatever purpose that maybe, but if you are looking to market something it needs to be viable and cost effective. Not wanting to put a dampener on your enthusiasm etc, but why try to invent the wheel? Our plug and flex and set up has been around forever, you will need to be radical to get things changed to flat cable and modified plugs, the tooling alone would cost millions, and i doubt very much that any manufacturer would want to invest in a product that already has a well established one in the marketplace.

Cheers...........Howard
 
Cant see what the issue is.
If it is for a prototype then use flatform cable as per the links posted earlier (it isnt solid core it is fine strand), modify a standard plug top so cable fits.
Go through the due processess to get the design spot on & all codes adhered too & then manufature with a moulded plug. Just because we are used to plut tops accepting nothing but round/oval flex, doesnt mean a plugtop can not be designed manufactured & introduced to the market, that is new & accepts nothing but flatformed cable................amazes me how we as a nation ever invented **** all with all this negativity, Just think what the world would be like today if Frank Whittle had listened to his critics.

Go for it & dont listen to the "you cant do merchants" I say!
 
Brightspark2 said:
I thought this was just for himself, not a prototype or anything like that??...

Have I missed something?...
Click to expand...
I think he's trying to invent something but he's being really cagey about what it is in case we steal his idea.
In his other thread he was asking if recessing a socket into a wall cavity like they do in America is legal here or if we just don't do it because we're narrow minded. The example he gave was for a flat panel TV but I don't think that's what he's trying to do.

You know those threads where someone asks you directly how to do something which leaves you wondering why anyone would want to do that, then when you manage to extract from them the reason why they want to do it it turns out they're trying to fix a common problem the wrong way?
This reminds me of that.
 
Adam W said:
I think he's trying to invent something but he's being really cagey about what it is in case we steal his idea.
In his other thread he was asking if recessing a socket into a wall cavity like they do in America is legal here or if we just don't do it because we're narrow minded. The example he gave was for a flat panel TV but I don't think that's what he's trying to do.

You know those threads where someone asks you directly how to do something which leaves you wondering why anyone would want to do that, then when you manage to extract from them the reason why they want to do it it turns out they're trying to fix a common problem the wrong way?
This reminds me of that.
Click to expand...

Ha ha yeh I know what you mean.

Oh I see, I actually thought he'd put that in the first post but in fact it seems my mind merged both of the topics together. Or the admin in my mind did.

It's all clear now, I understand what he's trying to do.

I have a new question, are TV's that can be hard wired not BS1363 compliant.

I think ive just put you out of business alitech. Thats business!!!
 
If the cable is subject to flexing then a round cable must be used unless! flexing direction is physically limited to 2 opposite planes.... hence flat-form flex(fine wire) on cranes can be used as it limits twisting and bends on only the planes you want it to bend on, if the cable is suitably small enough then this becomes less of an issue ( hairdryer 2core) but the OP requested 3 core so in flat form this would only be suitable in a situation as in my example. Its really hard to give a good clear answer when the OP limits the info for protection of his invention, he would need to read up on all the relevant BS standards regarding plug tops and have an understanding of the pro and cons of different cable structures to have a compliant set up.
 
alitech said:
Ok, but why? because they will fracture and cause me problems? What is the official take on this? Why can you not use a good solid flat flex cable with a 13A plug? Something that doesn't crack or fracture...
Click to expand...

The "official take" as you so eloquently put it is: DON'T DO IT!!
 

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alitech

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Need to get 3 core electrical wire that is regulation compliant
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Electrical Wiring, Theories and Regulations
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