In an industrial setting? Doesn't feel right, even though, in truth, there's nothing technically wrong with it.
4 Core Flat Grey Cable
- Thread starter maverickone
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In an industrial setting? Doesn't feel right, even though, in truth, there's nothing technically wrong with it.
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College.
AIUI from posts made here, in Ireland they do not allow oversleeving (say) a blue core with brown to use as a [switched] live. So they can readily get combinations we can't, such as brown-brown-blue or brown-brown-brown. So instead of 2 rolls (2C+E and 3C+E) over here, over there you'd be carting around maybe 4 rolls (brown-blue, brown-brown, brown-brown-blue, brown-brown-brown) - have I missed any combination likely to be used ?
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I have two three phase appliances, likely as time goes on we will get more, both fridge/freezer and freezer are three phase, however the supply is single phase, a dedicated inverter changes single phase to three phase not sure on control, some I know vary speed of pump.
Commercially I have used inverters to run three phase motors in delta driving conveyors with varying speed control and there is no reason not to use triple and earth cable between inverter and motor. Except for EMC, the problem with twin and earth is there is no RF shielding, and bitter experience taught me, EMC is a problem using Asii controls with PLC's, so either SWA or braided cables were always used.
As to two way switching, the grey is separated from brown and black by the earth, so always used grey to permanent line, so less capacitive and inductive linking within the cable. However not really measured to see if there is really any difference. We did balanced feeders in Uni, but never sat down and worked out which connection should use the grey. Open to suggestion on this.
Commercially I have used inverters to run three phase motors in delta driving conveyors with varying speed control and there is no reason not to use triple and earth cable between inverter and motor. Except for EMC, the problem with twin and earth is there is no RF shielding, and bitter experience taught me, EMC is a problem using Asii controls with PLC's, so either SWA or braided cables were always used.
As to two way switching, the grey is separated from brown and black by the earth, so always used grey to permanent line, so less capacitive and inductive linking within the cable. However not really measured to see if there is really any difference. We did balanced feeders in Uni, but never sat down and worked out which connection should use the grey. Open to suggestion on this.
I wouldn't think that 'balanced feeder' theory, in the usual (RF) sense, would be of any relevance at 50Hz, unless the cable was miles long, would it?
Kind Regards, John
If the OP would post a picture of the cable alongside a piece of 2.5 mm T&E, I'm sure it would cut out the guessing. As it was found in a domestic setting, it seems more LIKELY that it was left over from the house, hence my guess of 2 way lighting cable. As said, I have that in my house for the two way lighting and I'm pretty sure I don't have it anywhere else. Now, if it was found in a commercial premises, it could be for something different. If it was found in an Iraqi jail, it could MORE LIKELY be for whipping the soles of the feet of political prisoners...….The OP described it and where it was found so we can only go on probabilities until we have a picture.
I suppose that is theoretically true, but I don't think anyone is really doing any significant guessing. I would say that what the OP described is very clearly standard flat 3C+E cable (probably 1.5mm²) - which, despite all the distracting discussion here about 3-phase, which, in a domestic setting, will be used primarily for 2-way light switching and for a few other things, mainly those which require both switched L and unswitched L feeds (timer fans. boilers etc.).
Kind Regards, John
Now you mention it, I think I might have a flat cable going to my boiler....
Whether it is a flat (3C+E) cable or round flex, any remotely 'modern' boiler needs 4 cores, so that it can have a permanent live to allow the fan to 'run on' after the controls are no longer 'calling for heat' (in which case the switched L will be 'off').Now you mention it, I think I might have a flat cable going to my boiler....
Ancient boilers, like mine, had no such 'run-on' (nothing to rum on!) - so only needed/need 3-core (switched L, N and earth) cable.
Kind Regards, John
yeah 3C+E used lots for heating systems (thermostats, runs to zones valves, timers, anywhere)
and also interlinking smoke alarms
and also interlinking smoke alarms
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