Medium Voltage Cable – 1kV to 35kV – UK Stock and Cable Cutting Service
Cable Services stock a full range of medium voltage cables from 3.3kV to 33kV, including single core AWA, 3 core SWA, PVC and LSZH options, all manufactured to BS5467, BS6622 and BS7835. Cut to length at our Wrexham facility, despatched from six UK branches.
Medium voltage cable is the working layer of the UK distribution network – linking primary substations to local transformers, powering industrial sites, supplying utility-scale installations and connecting renewable generation to the grid. Selecting the right MV cable means matching voltage rating, conductor material, armour type and sheath material to the installation environment and the fault level it will see. Talk to us with your cable schedule and we will return a part list, stock check and trade price the same day.
Medium Voltage (MV) โ 1kV to 35kV
View Our Full Range of MV Cable Stock (1kV to 35kV)
- Aluminium Single Core (XLPE/Unarmoured): 6.35/11 (12kV) Cables
- Aluminium Single Core Triplex (XLPE/Unarmoured): 6.35/11 (12kV) Cables
- Aluminium Single Core Triplex (EPR/Unarmoured): 6.35/11 (12kV) Cables
- Aluminium Three Core (XLPE/Unarmoured): 6.35/11 (12kV) Cables
- 3.3kV Cable: 3 Core SWA PVC Cable BS5467 IEC60502-1
- 6.6kV Cable: Single Core AWA PVC Cable BS6622 IEC60502-2
- 6.6kV Cable: 3 Core SWA PVC Cable BS6622 IEC60502-2
- 11kV Cable: Single Core AWA PVC Cable BS6622 IEC60502-2
- 11kV LSZH: Single Core AWA LSZH Cable BS7835 IEC60502-2
- 11kV Cable: 3 Core SWA PVC Cable BS6622 IEC60502-2
- 11kV LSZH: 3 Core SWA LSZH Cable BS7835
- 15kV Cable: Single Core AWA PVC Cable BS6622 IEC60502-2
- 15kV LSZH: 3 Core SWA LSZH Cable BS7835 IEC60502-2
- 15kV Cable: 3 Core SWA PVC Cable BS6622 IEC60502-2
- 22kV LSZH: Single Core AWA LSZH Cable BS7835 IEC60502-2
- 22kV Cable: 3 Core SWA PVC Cable BS6622 IEC60502-2
- 33kV Cable: Single Core AWA PVC Cable BS6622 IEC60502-2
- 33kV Cable: 3 Core SWA PVC Cable BS6622 IEC60502-2
- 33kV LSZH: Single Core AWA LSZH Cable BS7835 IEC60502-2
What Is Medium Voltage Cable?
Medium voltage cable is rated for use at voltages between 1kV and 35kV. In the UK, the most common MV ratings are 3.3kV, 6.6kV, 11kV, 22kV and 33kV – with 11kV the dominant voltage on the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) network. MV cable carries power from primary substations to ring main units, transformers, and large industrial loads.
How Is MV Cable Built?
MV cable construction has more layers than LV cable because the electrical stress at MV voltages requires controlled stress management. A typical 11kV or 33kV polymeric cable has:
- Stranded copper or aluminium conductor
- Semi-conducting conductor screen
- XLPE or EPR insulation
- Semi-conducting insulation screen
- Metallic screen – copper tape or wires
- Armour – steel wire (SWA) for multi-core, aluminium wire (AWA) for single core
- PVC or LSZH outer sheath
The screen layers control the electric field around the conductor. Without them, electrical stress at the conductor surface would degrade the insulation. This is the main construction difference between LV and MV cable.
Which Standards Apply? BS6622, BS7835 and IEC 60502
- BS5467 – SWA PVC cable up to 3.3kV
- BS6622 – SWA PVC and AWA PVC cable from 6.6kV to 33kV
- BS7835 – SWA LSZH and AWA LSZH cable from 6.6kV to 33kV
- IEC 60502-2 – international standard for cables rated 6kV to 30kV
Use BS6622 PVC cable for outdoor, underground and industrial installations. Use BS7835 LSZH cable for tunnels, rail, indoor public buildings, and any installation where smoke and toxic gas in a fire are a safety concern. Read our IEC 60502 guide for the full standards background.
Which MV Cable Do You Need?
Cable selection depends on voltage rating, current load, installation environment and fault level at the point of installation. If you are not sure which MV cable is right for the project, send us your cable schedule and we will spec it against your fault level and return a part list with the test data attached.
BS6622 Cable: Types, Specification and Installation
BS 6622 is the British Standard for armoured medium voltage cables with XLPE or EPR insulation and a PVC oversheath, rated from 3.8/6.6kV up to 19/33kV. It is the usual specification for private MV networks on industrial sites, solar and battery storage schemes, data centres and campus distribution.
BS6622 cable types
- Single core AWA: aluminium wire armour, used for larger conductors and high current circuits and normally laid in trefoil. Aluminium armour avoids the eddy current heating that steel armour would cause on a single core cable.
- Three core SWA: steel wire armour over three laid-up cores, the standard choice for 6.6kV and 11kV feeders to transformers and switchgear.
- Conductors: stranded copper or aluminium.
- Voltage ratings (Uo/U): 3.8/6.6kV, 6.35/11kV, 8.7/15kV, 12.7/22kV and 19/33kV.
BS6622 cable specification
A BS6622 datasheet lists conductor size and material, insulation thickness, screen construction, armour type, overall diameter, weight, minimum bending radius, short-circuit ratings and current ratings laid direct, in duct and in air. We send the manufacturer datasheet with every quote, and ratings for common sizes are on our medium voltage cable size chart.
BS6622 cable installation
- Keep to the manufacturer’s minimum bending radius while pulling and in the final position. For MV cable this is typically 12 to 15 times the overall diameter.
- Earth the armour and metallic screen at the terminations. On single core AWA circuits the bonding arrangement affects circulating currents and the current rating, so agree it at design stage.
- Fix single core cables in trefoil with short-circuit rated cleats tested to IEC 61914. Our cable cleats size chart matches cleat size to the cable’s overall diameter.
- MV joints and terminations must be made by competent, trained jointers. See our cable jointing training courses.
11kV and 33kV Cable
11kV is the main distribution voltage in the UK, so 11kV (6.35/11kV) cable makes up most MV orders, from three core SWA feeders on industrial sites to DNO triplex. 33kV (19/33kV) cable links bulk supply points to primary substations and connects larger solar, wind and battery projects to the grid. For the same conductor size, 33kV cable has thicker insulation than 11kV cable, so it is larger and heavier and needs 33kV-rated joints and terminations. We supply both in PVC (BS6622) and LSZH (BS7835) versions, plus utility cable to BS 7870 for DNO and IDNO networks. For cable above 35kV, see our high voltage cable page.
Medium Voltage Cable Price
MV cable prices move with copper and aluminium markets and depend on voltage rating, conductor size and material, number of cores, armour and sheath type, and drum length. As a UK medium voltage cable supplier we quote each schedule individually, usually the same day, with stock checked across our branches and cut lengths available. Send us the voltage, size, cores, standard and length for a trade price.
MV Cable Accessories
Every MV cable run needs the right accessories to terminate, joint and support it. We stock the full range alongside the cable:
- Medium voltage joints – heat shrink, cold shrink and resin joints from TE Connectivity Raychem and 3M
- Medium voltage terminations and accessories – heat shrink terminations, stress control tubing, insulating boots
- Separable connectors – 250A, 400A and 630A switchgear connectors
- Cable cleats and ties – IEC 61914 short-circuit tested cleats for MV installations
- Cable glands – CW, BW and E1W glands for armoured MV cable
- Cable jointing training – HV and MV jointing courses at our Wrexham and Glasgow training facilities
Need MV cable on a project deadline?
Send us your cable schedule. We will check stock across all six UK branches, cut the exact length you need from the drum at Wrexham, and despatch the same day in most cases. Trade accounts, technical specification support and IEC 61914 short-circuit tested accessories all from one supplier.
Call Us for a Quick Price Quote Today
Medium Voltage Cable FAQs
What voltage is medium voltage cable?
Medium voltage cable is rated between 1kV and 35kV. In the UK, the most common medium voltage ratings used on the distribution network are 3.3kV, 6.6kV, 11kV, 22kV and 33kV. Above 35kV the cable is classified as high voltage cable.
What is the difference between BS6622 and BS7835?
BS6622 covers medium voltage cable with a PVC outer sheath. BS7835 covers medium voltage cable with a low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) outer sheath. Both standards cover the same voltage range from 6.6kV to 33kV and the same conductor and armour options. The choice between them is driven by the installation environment – use BS6622 PVC for outdoor and underground runs, and BS7835 LSZH for tunnels, rail, indoor public buildings and any location where smoke and toxic gas in a fire would be a safety concern.
What is 11kV cable used for?
11kV cable is the dominant voltage on the UK Distribution Network Operator (DNO) network. It carries power from primary substations down to local 11kV/415V transformers that feed individual streets, industrial estates and large commercial buildings. 11kV cable is also used for private utility connections on large industrial sites, data centres, and renewable generation projects connecting to the grid.
Can you cut MV cable to length?
Yes. We cut medium voltage cable to length on our automatic winding and measuring machine at our Wrexham facility. You order the exact length you need and we cut it from the drum, reducing waste and project cost. Cut lengths are despatched on returnable drums or coils depending on size.
What accessories do I need for MV cable installation?
A typical MV cable run needs terminations at each end, joints if the run is longer than the drum length, cable cleats to retain the cable against short-circuit forces, and cable glands where the cable enters switchgear or enclosures. For switchgear connections you may also need separable connectors. We stock the full range of MV accessories from TE Connectivity Raychem, 3M and Pfisterer alongside the cable.
Do you supply DNO-approved cable?
Yes. We hold extensive stocks of LV and 11kV DNO/IDNO approved cables to support utility sector customers. Get in touch with your project specification and we will confirm approval status against the relevant DNO standard.
Cable Services supply a wide range of products from leading brands, click here to see a sample range of cables that can offer:
Contact Us
For further details on our products and services please get in touch.
Tel: 0197 854 7310
Email: sales@cableservices.co.uk
Cable Cutting Service
We have invested in an automatic winding and measuring cable cutting machine at our Wrexham facility. This ยฃ90,000 investment reflects our commitment to offering an economically valuable and highly efficient service for our valued customers.
We are known for providing tailored solutions that meet the exact needs of our customers. We recognise the growing demand for a flexible service that eradicates waste and delivers cost efficiencies. The efficiency and precision of this new machine support the industryโs commitment to operational sustainability and allow us to pass on cost savings to our customers.
Free Cable Size Calculator
You determine correct cable sizes. You input voltage parameters. You input load requirements. Our tool ensures BS 7671 compliance. You avoid costly specification errors.