70 degrees or 90 degrees.

[mackeral]

How do you tell if armoured cables are 90 degrees c thermosetting or 70 degrees c thermoplastic?

cheers

 

[dw3101]

does it say XLPE on the cable?

 

[mackeral]

dw,

havent actually purchased the cable. just wondering what to ask for/look for when buying. And is there a cost difference? Bought SWA before, but never really looked at it for markings like you suggest.

thanks for the reply

 

[plugwash]

XPLE is only much use on short runs or large cable sizes or high ambiant temperatures

usually volt drop is more of an issue than current rating anyway so there isn't a lot of point in getting XPLE

also i have used 1.5mm XPLE before and its a NIGHTMARE to strip

 

[dw3101]

Plugwash,

I've had no probs.. even up to 35mm three core..

What do you use to strip it, a proper cutter for armoured cable or knife around and then cut away like peeling a potato, with the knife parallel to the armouring.. the inner can get tougher but varies with brand.

Cable that has been under a raised floor and kept at around 7 degrees is tough stuff.

David

 

[plugwash]

6mm XPLE was easy enough

the problem with the 1.5mm at least the stuff i had was the inside had flex like copper cores

combined with the toughness of the XPLE i found it VERY hard to strip without breaking the original cores

 

[Lectrician]

XLPE is lovelly to strip!

You will find little difference in cost between the two. We install PVC and XLPE depending on the deals available at the time.

As Plug says, on long, large runs, XLPE isn't really a consideration due the volt drop and earth loop.

 

[mackeral]

so how can i tell the difference between the 2?