Why is it....

[Click-Sure]

I've used 5-core SWA too, CEF in Burton on Trent keep it in stock, complete with one g/y core!

 

[Lectrician]

I have come across 5 core SWA - Used some 25mm a while back on a specced job. I prefer to run a seperate earth to be honest, especially for the cost.

'Single Phase' swa is also available with Brown, Blue and G/Y.

 

[holmslaw]

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[securespark]

My guess is the cable standards require all conductors for stranded have to be insulated

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What about 10 and 16mm² T & E?

 

[Paul_C]

What about 10 and 16mm² T & E?

Quite a difference between the coarse strands in T&E and the fine strands used in flex, which would easily spread without the benefit of the insulation.

I believe that in Australia the earth conductor is sleeved.

It is. This shows the same in-line arrangement as British T&E, but I've also seen pictures of it in N-L-E arrangement rather than N-E-L:

http://www.bitsen.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=95&products_id=356

 

[plugwash]

All the cores in any standard circular cable have to the same size in order to maintain the shape. The cores are also twisted to be as compact as possible and to allow the cable to be bent without 'birdcaging'. This is why 5 core cable cannot be made bigger than 5 x 50mm. If you take 5 cores you cannot twist them uniformly together without leaving a hollow centre.

Wouldn't the obvious soloution to this be to use shaped conductors rather than circular ones? (afaict this is often done for larger SWA sizes anyway to reduce overall cable size)

 

[Taylortwocities]

I believe that in Australia the earth conductor is sleeved.

It is. This shows the same in-line arrangement as British T&E, but I've also seen pictures of it in N-L-E arrangement rather than N-E-L:

http://www.bitsen.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=95&products_id=356[/quote]

Oooh, thanks. i looked everywhere for that!

 

[holmslaw]

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