Q & A of the Day - What is the best cable to use for sub-mains?

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BASEC (The British Approvals Service for Cables)
 

Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This Question of the Day, about cabling for distribution board sub-mains, is answered by BASEC:

Question: This concerns a large house that has two distribution boards, one in the cellar, and the other on the first floor about 15 - 20 m apart. What is the best cable to use for sub-mains - three-core 25mm SWA, or single insulated tails? Also, what is the best method of terminating them?

Answer: The cable choice is installation dependent. You should consult the NICEIC or the ECA on the correct cable choice for particular applications and the method of installation and termination. It will depend on where the cable is being routed, whether conduit is being used, potential causes of damage, earthing arrangements, regulatory requirements (e.g., fire), means of isolation, and other factors. The size of cable would also be dependant on calculated loading.

Meter tails (single core insulated and sheathed) are generally only used for relatively short distances.

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BASEC (The British Approvals Service for Cables)
23 Presley Way, Crownhill,
Milton Keynes MK8 0ES
Tel: 01908 267300
Fax: 01908 267255
Email: mail@basec.org.uk
Web: www.basec.org.uk
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Source: BASEC & James Hunt

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