split concentric cable

[ExArmy]

was reading an article in PE today about split concentric cable and it got me thinking......

.....why am I not using this more often? it's much easier to work with!

 

[Engineer54]

was reading an article in PE today about split concentric cable and it got me thinking......

.....why am I not using this more often? it's much easier to work with!

Well, for one thing, it's NOT a SWA replacement for direct buried work. It can be a real pig to terminate aesthetically, especially the concentric 3 core. The best means of terminating this type of cable, is with heat shrink cable breakouts.
Not really a lover of the stuff, but i can see useful purposes for it...

 

[Richard Burns]

I have only worked with split con once and I would definitely say that T&E is much easier to work with, and as E54 says, terminate neatly.

 

[Guest55]

.....why am I not using this more often?

because it has absolutely no more mechanical protection properties than t&e.
basically.

 

[sedgy34]

It's good to use as mains in flats from a shrouded kmf

 

[Amp David]

.....why am I not using this more often? it's much easier to work with!

Thought reading the article would of answered 99% of your question TBH

 

[i=p/u]

flats is where i seem to see it being used...

 

[Guest55]

It's good to use as mains in flats from a shrouded kmf

no its not as you still need to rcd it if its concealed in walls , which causes discrimination problems with any rcds in the flat CU's.
its a poor mans substitute for swa and does nothing that T&E cant do.

 

[sedgy34]

You not used much of it then biff?

 

[Guest55]

miles of it.
but in undeground highways supplies , not domestic installs.
dont get me wrong its good stuff to use and easy to work with.
but it has little benefits in a domestic property.

 

[sedgy34]

It's good to use as mains in flats from a shrouded kmf

Tied on tray up a riser cupboard above ceiling in apartment drop down to distribution board in studded wall more than 50mm no rcd required you can only use 16mm t&e on certain cable lengths
so concentric for me

 

[Guest55]

you can only use 16mm t&e on certain cable lengths

?????????????????
what length would that be ?

 

[Engineer54]

I'd like to see any photographs of the terminations of split concentric cable that electricians have made. To be totally honest, i've never seen a perfectly made off cable yet, in fact most i've seen have been a complete pig's ear of a job.

As i stated above, one of the better ways to terminate this cable is via a heat shrink 3 spout breakout and heat shrink tubing. Most if not all that i've seen is by using amalgamating tape (and even PVC tape). Now if your skilled with amalgamating tape, there is no reason why you can't make a decent job of it. I'm sure someone like Tony wouldn't have a problem at all.

 

[Amp David]

So why do people think its easier than SWA?

At least with SWA its will be made of properly at each end.

Why is it not listed in the regs for its specifics?

 

[Guest55]

So why do people think its easier than SWA?

well to be honest , it is.
its lighter than a swa of the same csa , its more flexible , quicker to strip back etc etc.
but it usefulness is limited by the fact it still needs rcd'ing.

as far as i'm aware , concentric cable was developed for use by the dno's for their cut-out tails because its alot cheaper than swa and can be worked on live alot easier than swa.