can you use 3 phase SWA cable for 230vAC single phase?

[Deleted member 142255]

Sorry, I missed that.

OK, so does that mean that 3-core SWA with 3-phase colours is not generally available? If so, does that mean that reliance on rmour (as CPC) is not allowed?

I never rely on the armour as a cpc. I have seen too many terminations where the armour is corroded or the gland has come loose.

 

[JohnW2]

I never rely on the armour as a cpc. I have seen too many terminations where the armour is corroded or the gland has come loose.

I'm personally inclined to agree, and never do that myself. However, there seems to be an appreciable body of electricians who do. Indeed, there would be no market for 2-core SWA if they didn't.

 

[Deleted member 142255]

I'm personally inclined to agree, and never do that myself. However, there seems to be an appreciable body of electricians who do. Indeed, there would be no market for 2-core SWA if they didn't.

2 core would still be appropriate where the installation was going to be TT.

 

[JohnW2]

2 core would still be appropriate where the installation was going to be TT.

Do you mean when, say, the cable was going to be used to supply an outhouse which had its own (TT) earthing system?

If so, then there is obviously no need (indeed a 'prohibition of') foor any 'earth'/CPC conductor between the ends of the SWA - in which casethe question of whether such a connection relied on armour or a core would obviously be moot.

 

[Deleted member 142255]

Yes that is correct.

I was responding to your statement

Indeed, there would be no market for 2-core SWA if they didn't.

where 2 core would still be appropriate.

 

[trojanhawrs]

I've got no qualms about using armour as cpc

 

[Risteard]

Sorry, I missed that.

OK, so does that mean that 3-core SWA with 3-phase colours is not generally available? If so, does that mean that reliance on rmour (as CPC) is not allowed?

Use of armouring is technically permitted (subject to adiabatic requirements), however it is never done in practice for the protective conductor. Many will erroneously claim that it is prohibited. (I shouldn't have used the term "cpc" earlier as "circuit protective conductor" is not defined within the Wiring Rules. The term protective conductor is used.)

 

[JohnW2]

Yes that is correct. .... I was responding to your statement ... where 2 core would still be appropriate.

True, but in terms of the big picture, I imagine that would probably be a tiny market.

 

[JohnW2]

I've got no qualms about using armour as cpc

Thanks. As I wrote, you're certainly not alone in that.

 

[JohnW2]

Use of armouring is technically permitted (subject to adiabatic requirements), however it is never done in practice for the protective conductor.

Fair enough.

 

[Deleted member 142255]

Reasons I won't use the armour. These are 2 of many instances where the armour has not bee bonded through. To add to the circuit using the armour would result in no earth. I had to schedule a shutdown to go round making all connections safe and fitting banjo's.

Let alone the glands that had been exposed to water etc and the armour had corroded, almost through in some situations.

 

[andyr123]

You don't use it as we do for 2 way lighting

My twin element copper cylinder in the airing cupboard (called press in ireland) uses 3core and earth. Dont quote me but i think the brown is live (for Sink element - shorter one at top of the cylinder) - Black (for 'bath' element, the longer element inside the cylinder) and Blue for common neutral and the G&Y for earth

 

[pete01]

I regularly use the swa as a cpc, does that make me bad lol

 

[Deleted member 142255]

I regularly use the swa as a cpc, does that make me bad lol

I used to, but in my last 15 or so years ot so I found so many issues I always added an earth wire.

 

[andyr123]

I never rely on the armour as a cpc. I have seen too many terminations where the armour is corroded or the gland has come loose.

If i were wiring it up with SWA then and that was me I would use the Brown for live, Grey for Neutral (sleeve blue) and black for earth (and sleeve) then another earth for the gland for the steel armour of the cable - 2 earths then , black core and the steel brading of the swa. - but if oversleeving illegal over here then thats another issue.