What is this cable................

[toptec]

40 metres of this given to me by a neighbour. He has had it for some time.

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It is clear plastic coated, metal meshed under that, then 3 core, earth, brown and blue surrounded in plastic/rubber.

Is there a remote chance, that I could use it to carry power, from a new CU to a smaller CU in a new workshop I am building. A qualified Sparky would carry out the work i hasten to add.

Or is it destined for the local scrap yard?

 

[333rocky333]

looks like sy flex

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Index/Multi-Flex/

 

[Taylortwocities]

It is Multi Flex Cable. See http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Cable_Index/Multi-Flex/index.html

Used in hostile environments - not suitable as a replacement for SWA though

 

[RF Lighting]

Yep SY flex.

What is the proposed route? It isn't really very good for being installed outdoors.

Also, it is difficult to guage the CSA of the conductors, so it is hard to say wether it is suitable really.

 

[toptec]

"not suitable as a replacement for SWA though"


And that means..........................?

 

[toptec]

Sorry RF we posted at the same time.

The route?. Yes, about 15m outside, under a concrete path then up conduit into the workshop.

 

[RF Lighting]

Then no it is not suitable.

SWA cable is what you require, as TTC was inferring.

 

[toptec]

Thank you both for your prompt replies. SWA it is then.

 

[Lectrician]

Known differently in different areas.

We know it as "armour flex" or "SY cable".

HORRIBLE stuff.

The sheath goes brittle in a relatively short time, and it cant really be called a flex, as this brittleness overtime causes the cable to breakdown and require replacement.

Yukky yukky crappy stuff.

 

[RF Lighting]

It has it's uses....

 

[oldman2]

SY originally developed for robotics in car factories etc I was informed by a supplier.
I once found hundreds of mtrs of the stuff made up into extension leads with 16 and 32 amp 5 pin industrial sockets hung on the ends, no earthing of the outer braid either for 3 phase feeds to chiller lorries parked up in yards.

The braid is i'm told a bit of a pita to terminate too, requiring special SY gland packs.

 

[333rocky333]

The braid is i'm told a bit of a pita to terminate too, requiring special SY gland packs.

Not the way this bloke done it

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• 333rocky333
• 18 Sep 2008
• 1

badly terminated sy cable

 

[Click-Sure]

SY is often used in conjunction with Air Conditioning installs, where yuo will fing it lashed to the same cable tray as the AC pipes.