Types of Electrical Cable

Conductor Materials:

• Copper: Industry benchmark due to its high electrical conductivity and pliability.
• Aluminium: Lighter and more cost-effective. Requires a larger conductor size (61% of copper's conductivity) to carry the same current.

Conductor Construction (Flexibility):

• Class 1 (Solid): Rigid, best for permanent, fixed wiring.
• Class 2 (Stranded): Twisted wires for greater pliability in confined spaces.
• Class 5 (Flexible): Highly pliable, used for flexible cords and mobile equipment.

Insulation prevents current from making contact with other conductors or external objects. It dictates the cable's maximum operating temperature and application range.

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Standard, cost-effective insulation. Max sustained temperature of 70°C.
• Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE): Thermosetting material for higher current/power applications. Max temperature up to 90°C. Offers superior strength and impact resistance.

The sheath is the outermost protective jacket, shielding the cable from mechanical damage, moisture, and chemical exposure.

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Common sheathing for general-use cables.
• Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSOH / LSZH): Specialist material crucial for public buildings. Emits very little white smoke and virtually no toxic hydrogen chloride gas in a fire, significantly improving safety for occupants during an evacuation.

Always choose LSOH for escape routes and enclosed spaces to ensure compliance.

Twin and Earth (T&E) cable (BS 6004) is the most common cable for fixed wiring in UK homes. It has a flat profile, a grey PVC sheath, two insulated cores (Live/Neutral), and a bare earth conductor.

Common Sizes & Applications:

• 1.0mm² and 1.5mm²: Lighting circuits.
• 2.5mm²: Standard for ring and radial socket circuits.
• 4.0mm², 6.0mm², and 10mm²: High-power appliances (showers, ovens).

We hold extensive stock of BASEC-approved T&E cables. Contact us for bulk pricing.

SWA cable is used for mains supply in industrial settings or for external and underground installations. Its rugged construction (XLPE cores, steel wire armour, durable sheath) provides robust mechanical protection.

Two Primary Types:

• BS 5467 SWA: Black PVC outer sheath. For general outdoor and underground power.
• BS 6724 SWA: Black LSOH outer sheath. For use inside public buildings where fire safety is critical.

We offer custom cutting services for SWA cables, reducing waste and providing cost efficiencies.

Flexible cables use highly pliable Class 5 stranded conductors designed to withstand frequent movement and bending without fracturing (e.g., power tools, mobile machinery).

Crucial Safety Principle: Never use fixed wiring cables (Class 1 or 2) for flexible applications, as this creates a severe fire or shock hazard. H07RN-F is a common heavy-duty example.

Coaxial cables are ideal for high-frequency video and broadcast signals (long distances). Ethernet cables (Cat5e/Cat6) are superior for high-speed data transfer in local area networks (LANs).

• Coaxial: Uses physical shielding for single, high-frequency signal paths (e.g., TV, CCTV).
• Ethernet: Uses twisted pairs to actively cancel out interference for high-speed digital data. Cat6 supports speeds up to 10 Gbps.

For single-phase circuits installed since 2006 (BS 7671): Brown for Live, Blue for Neutral, and Green-and-Yellow for Earth.

Safety Warning: Never make assumptions based on colour alone; always test all wiring before commencing work due to changes in standards over time.

British Standards ensure that cables meet stringent, legally recognised requirements for safety, quality, and performance. BS 7671 (The IET Wiring Regulations) is the definitive installation guide.

Key Cable Standards:

• BS 6004: PVC insulated cables (e.g., Twin and Earth).
• BS 6724: LSOH armoured cables.
• BS 7211: LSOH non-armoured cables.

Always look for markings and third-party approvals like the BASEC Kitemark.