Commonly known as SWA cable, the steel wire armoured cable is a power and auxiliary control cable, designed for use
in mains supply electricity
. Used for underground systems, cable networks, power networks, outdoor and indoor applications, and cable ducting.
When should I use armoured cable?
To put it in context, typically armoured cables would be used
when you require the cable to be buried directly underground
, for outdoor installation or in tunnels. There may be instances where the ground is opened up again, and in the process, a spade or mechanical excavator may hit the buried cable by accident.
What is the purpose of armored cable?
Armored cables provide
the protection and durability required without
the need for electrical conduit, elbows, costly offsets, and conduit couplings. Metal-clad armor resists corrosion, making it suitable for areas exposed to moisture.
Does armoured cable need to be in conduit?
All buried cables should be marked by cable covers or marker tape as shown in Fig 1 (Regulation 522.8. 10 refers).
Non-armoured buried cables should be installed in a conduit or suitable duct
to provide protection against impact.
What is armoured cable?
:
an electrical conducting cable with a wrapping of metal
(such as tape or wire) — compare armor entry 1 sense 5b.
How many types of armoured cable are there?
There are
two types
of armoured cables Aluminium wire armour and steel wire armour.
What size armoured cable do I need?
3 Answers from MyBuilder Electricians
An armored
6mm
cable direct in the ground is rated 44A. So in term of your 32A supply the 6mm cable is absolutely fine.
Does outside cable have to be Armoured?
Cable Protection Any cable buried less than 50mm deep in plaster or other building material, should now be protected either by
earthed mechanical protection
, or via a RCD with a trip current not exceeding 30mA.
How deep should Armoured cable be buried?
A swa cable needs to be buried at a sufficient depth to avoid damage due to disturbance of the ground (Regulation 522.8. 10). Whilst BS 7671 does not state a minimum depth, the generally recognised depth of a buried cable to prevent disturbance is
600 mm
.
Do I need Armoured cable for outdoor lights?
Once outdoors, you should supply your lights via
1.5mm2 three core steel-wire-armoured cable (SWA)
. Make sure that you only fit weatherproof lights that are suitable for outdoor use and that your circuit is RCD-protected.
Can I lay Armoured cable above ground?
The cable can be run above ground
, so long as it is kept away from anything that may damage the wire. … To achieve this, and stop rodents from destroying the wire, install it at height with cleats. If you’ll be running the cable underground then you’ll need to lift the floor to make enough space and depth.
Can Armoured cable be joined?
Armoured Cable Joints are primarily used for
joining two separate pieces or lengths of cable together
. … The Joints are available in a wide variety of sizes as to suit any size cable.
Can you put Armoured cable in concrete?
If burying in concrete then according to the regs a few inches will do (to a depth unlikely to sustain impact damage) but in general stick to
half a metre
and cover with sand and warning tape and you won’t go wrong!
Is armoured cable shielded?
The armor gives cable physical protection. This layer of metal, also made of copper or aluminum, is wrapped around the outside of the cable. The armor is strong, sturdy, and
defends the cable
when it’s used in harsh environments, like those in commercial buildings or underground installations.
What is 4mm armoured cable used for?
Primarily found within powered networks and providing mains electricity to powered devices. 4mm 4 Core Armoured Cable is a form of electrical cable that has the
ability to supply mains electrical power to devices and networks
.
What is XLPE armoured cable?
XLPE cable means
cross linked polyethylene insulated aluminium conductor armoured cable
. … The insulation is further screened with layer of nonmetallic semiconducting material and over that a non magnetic metallic screen in the form of copper or aluminium tape is applied.
