Where is armoured cables used

These phrases mean that the SWA cable meets the British Standards requirements, for both construction and testing. The SWA Cable is designed to have mechanical protection, which is why the cable is often used for external use. The armour is used to reduce any risk of the cable getting pinched or damaged; the steel is used to protect the armoured cable.

SWA cables are heavy, which makes them extremely difficult to bend; therefore they are most suited to underground cabling or fixed to outdoor walls using cable cleats. A multi core swa cable, is a cable with a number of cores, steel wire armour is only used on multi core cables.

Edwardes supply a number of different cores for the SWA cable:. Three core SWA Cables are live, neutral and earth, unlike two core which is only live and neutral. To put it in context, typically armoured cables would be used when you require the cable to be buried directly underground, for outdoor installation or in tunnels. There may be instances where the ground is opened up again, and in the process, a spade or mechanical excavator may hit the buried cable by accident.

The armour in this case would help protect the cable conductor core from being exposed easily and prevent electric shocks and interruptions in power delivery. This is because aluminium is non-magnetic. If a single-core cable is paired with steel wire armour, there will be a magnetic field induced when current flows through - the whole cable becomes a large magnet. The higher the current, the larger the field. The armored cable underground depth must be at least inches or mm to be safe.

You could drill two holes, put a junction box and connect the cables. You may also need a SWA gland to make the connection. There is another way to connect the armoured cable exiting from one location and entering another.

The alternate way is to use a galvanized conduit box with entry and exit holes. This is a great way to also connect or join underground armoured cable together. The best way to do that is to connect the two buildings directly with a cable. And the safest method to run electricity to the shed is by using an armoured electrical cable from the main home right to the shed or any other external location outside of the main house.

Best practice suggests that the armoured electric cable you use must be buried underground. So, the question is: What type of armoured cable would you use to run power to your shed? Will a 2. Well, it really depends on what your intended use of that space is. This should be enough for a few sockets and a few lights — typical use of sheds.

However, if your budget allows for slightly more money, you may wish to consider a 6mm armoured cable. This will allow more sockets and connections. Armored cable has a steel layer of coating around it — like an armour plating — to protect it from the elements.

Unarmoured cable on the other hand does not include this additional layer of steel coating. Skip to content. Request A Quick Quote. Data Sheet. Cable Structure.

Submit Your Request. Related Products. Electrical Cable. STA cable.