SWA Cable - Identification

[Kibo_769]

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]

How many cores in your cable.

 

[DefyG]

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

 

[ipf]

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

 

[brianmoooore]

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]

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]

How many cores in your cable.

3 core cable

 

[Kibo_769]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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