What do you use to measure the csa of cables?

[DNS1]

Calipers? One of those cards with holes in? Or something else?

I know in the end I'll get to tell what is what by sight and feel but need something to help me in the meantime, especially with larger live conductors and earth bonding etc

 

[La Poste]

Interesting thread, I have a seven stranded conductor I would like to know what the current carrying capacity is and have yet a find a really good method of finding out.

The air gaps in between the conductors comment has put me off the idea of using my vernier but I don't have a metre to weigh.

Maybe I should buy some really accurate scales and weight 5 CM because that's all the spare I have.

 

[Golden_Boy]

While doing your degree did you come across single strand IMPERIAL cable?

No I didnt as the subject matter I studied had no connection (sic ) to electrics at all..The maths comes in handy at times though especially integration !!

 

[trev]

Maybe I should buy some really accurate scales and weight 5 CM because that's all the spare I have.

If you buy digital scales don't keep them in your van, if you're stopped by the constabulary they may think you're using them to weigh things you shouldn't be weighing

 

[markthorpe999]

As pc says stranded cable looks bigger, it's a matter of gaining confidence in what you are looking at. It comes relatively quickly.

 

[Inteificio]

Seems I come across one problem not mentioned above.

I get supplied a lot of USA sized cables. So 2.5mm and USA measurments on the side.
My assumption is that the cable has to be bigger than both (as they rarely convert exact).

Total pain in the arse to measure by eye, trying to sight between a 4mm cable that is actually 5.4 and 6 is above me.

I just read off the side.

In the event where I can't find the size, I would find the CSA of one strand and multiply up (unsurprisingly not useful when they are fine strands).

 

[jumpin jax]

Another way to guage the size of cable is a V slot cut into a piece of aluminium or steel marked with known cable sizes alongside the V, then slide cable between slot and where it touches is the size. One can be made for cable with insulation on and one for insulation off. I hope i explained this well enough:dizzy2:

 

[wade88]

Most cables CSA is identified on the insulation where the BASEC approval print is. SWA and T&E certainly is, and flex is fairly straight forward to work out as the overall diameter of the cable does change significantly in relation to its copper CSA (unless its arctic grade i find sometimes that can require a little more attention). Be careful with SWA however as the difference in overall diameter between smaller a 4mm core and a 6mm cable for example is negligible so pay close attention to the cable print. on SWA you will typically see an identifying stamp that looks like 4 x 6 - which means 4 core 6mm cable for example. Just follow the print along until you see these figures. Im sure your well aware of this and im telling you how to suck eggs but just in case.