Is this 6mm or 10mm cable?

[SJRSJR]

If you have a vernier gauge, measure the diameter of one strand, and count the number of stands of copper, in a core. From that, we can let you know the precise size.

So I finally got a vernier gauge which says a strand is 1.6mm. There are 7 strands.

 

[EFLImpudence]

That works out to 14.074 sq.mm.

 

[SJRSJR]

Would you mind explaining how you work that out and what it means? Thanks

 

[EFLImpudence]

diameter 1.6mm
radius 0.8mm

cross sectional area of strand πr²

3.14159 x 0.8 x 0.8 = 2.01 sq.mm.

2.01 x 7 = 14.074 sq.mm.


It means your measurement is not quite right - or the cable is between 10 sq.mm. and 16 sq.mm.

 

[EFLImpudence]

If yours really is 19*10mm² I think I'd be tending towards 16mm².

A quick google found this reply to a question

Where do I find typical overall cable dimensions for some standard flat T&E cable sizes?

Our expert answers a question from a Voltimum user regarding the outside diameter of twin and earth cable. Question: Quite often you find a T&E coming into a CU or box with no visible markings or stripped too far back, and it is difficult to estimate the CSA from just looking at it with stranded...

electricalapprentice.co.uk

View attachment 408680

 

[SJRSJR]

Thanks. It wasn’t an expensive vernier gauge but I calibrated it with something else and it was accurate.

I think the main thing is that it’s looking like it’s not 6mm cable - the strand diameter, the lug and the overall dimension all suggest something bigger.

Which at least means I can contemplate electric ovens /induction hob down the line.

 

[pete01]

Which at least means I can contemplate electric ovens /induction hob down the line.

You can do that with 6mm aswell

 

[SUNRAY]

diameter 1.6mm
radius 0.8mm

cross sectional area of strand πr²

3.14159 x 0.8 x 0.8 = 2.01 sq.mm.

2.01 x 7 = 14.074 sq.mm.


It means your measurement is not quite right - or the cable is between 10 sq.mm. and 16 sq.mm.

16mm² equates to 1.7059 1mm diameter - 10mm² equates to 1.3486mm

HOWEVER

1.6mm equates to 0.06299", could it be this imperial size,

ie pre 1970 or so and could be why no size markings - additionally imperial cables were bulkier than their metric conterparts.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

How, might it not be a possibility? From memory - It could be 7/052 T&E

HOWEVER

1.6mm equates to 0.06299", could it be this imperial size,

 

[SUNRAY]

Yes, but the 10mm, might be an Imperial size.

???

 

[SJRSJR]

It’s marked 1999 (which is when the extension was built). I just read imperial came in in 1970.

Would they have run a 6mm cable to feed a kitchen and bedroom/en suite (which used to have an electric shower)?

You can do that with 6mm aswell

For two double ovens and an induction hob?

 

[pete01]

For two double ovens and an induction hob?

Maybe if the rating is lower than 15kw combined

(Some say 20kw)

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It’s marked 1999 (which is when the extension was built). Is that likely to be imperial? Would they
have run a 6mm cable to feed a kitchen and bedroom/en suite (which used to have an electric shower)?

Then your measurement with your callipers must be wrong.

 

[EFLImpudence]

For two double ovens and an induction hob?

Yes, but not with everything else in the rest of the extension.

That was all discussed in your other thread.