8. Different types of cable currently used in domestic installations 17th Edition

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CABLE CURRENTLY USED IN DOMESTIC INSTALLATIONS 17th EDITION

Above information taken from http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Cables

Typical T&E Cable Applications

Cable Size (mm²)

Typical Applications

1.0 lighting circuits

1.5 high power lighting circuits, 16A Radial power circuits

2.5 32A Ring final circuits,

20A Radial circuits

4.0 32A Radial circuits, Cooker circuits,

low power electric showers

6.0 Radial circuits for showers, high power cookers,

10.0 Radial circuits for high power showers, cookers,



T&E

Twin & Earth cable. This is the most common cable used for domestic wiring today also known as FTE (flat twin & earth). Live and neutral are individually insulated, and the Circuit Protective Conductor (CPC) earth is bare. An overall sheath of grey Thermoplastic PVC (BS 6004), or white for low smoke compound (BS 7211). Not suitable for unprotected use outside (outer sheath materials are vulnerable to attack by UV; alkyd paint is enough to protect it from UV)

1mm² 1.5mm² & 2.5mm² have solid (non-stranded) conductors

4mm², 6mm², 10mm², 16mm² and higher have stranded conductors

6242Y Grey 6242B White

Twin and Earth cable. T&E

6243B White 6243Y Grey

Three core and earth flat house wiring cable. 3&E

3&E

Three core and earth has three insulated conductors and a bare earth conductor. In all

other respects as T&E. Typically used for two way lighting circuits, or other applications

needing a permanent and switched live supply as well as neutral (e.g. feeding light switch

activated extractor fans). Also available in both PVC (BS 6004) and low smoke (BS 7211)

versions.



Conductor Colours and Harmonisation

Historically the UK used its own set of colour codes for fixed and flexible wiring.

In the early 1970s the colours used for flexible wiring were harmonised across Europe, however the colours for fixed wiring remained unchanged until recently.

In March 2004 the fixed wiring colours were also harmonised.

During a transition period that began on 31st of March 2004 and ended on the 31st March 2006, use of either colour scheme was acceptable.

Now only the harmonised colours may be used.

The result is that it is now possible to encounter installations that use both colour schemes, and hence great care must be taken to ensure conductors are correctly identified when carrying out any work.

Conductor Colour Coding (single phase T&E) Conductor

Old UK Colour Harmonised Colour

Live (Phase) Red Brown

Neutral Black Blue

Earth or CPC Green / Yellow

Stripes Green / Yellow

Stripes

Conductor Colour Coding (Three Core and Earth)

Conductor Old UK Colour Harmonised Colour 2 Core (T&E )

3 Core (3&E)

Live 1 Red Brown X X

Live 2 Yellow Black X

Live 3 Blue Grey X

Neutral Black Blue X

Earth (CPC) Green / Yellow Stripes Green / Yellow Stripes X[1] [1][2]



Conductor Colours and Harmonisation

Notes

1. Earth wire in cable will be a bare conductor and will need green/yellow sleeving to be applied at point of termination.

2. Earth wires are present in T&E or 3&E cables.

3. Other cable types such as SWA or MICC will still need to be earthed; however this will be carried using the cable armour / screen.

There is an IEE leaflet explaining these changes. That is available here

Installations that are wired using cables to both colour schemes should carry a warning sticker (see example) on or near the consumer unit that states:

CAUTION

This installation has wiring colours to two versions of BS7671.

Great care should be taken before undertaking extension, alteration or

repair that all conductors are correctly identified.

8. Different types of cable currently used in domestic installations 17th Edition

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