Twin And Earth Cable Ratings

Domestic electric cable is usually available to british standard bs 6004.

Twin and earth cable ratings.

Our basec approved twin earth cable also known as t e is a flexible flat sheathed mains electricity wiring cable used in a wide range of domestic electrical applications with a voltage rating of 300 500v. However uv light will cause it to fail so twin and earth is not suitable for use outdoors. For general internal power cables shop our twin and earth cables. For cables of 5 cores and above it is assumed only 2 cores are loaded simultaneously ie live and neutral and the 2 core rating should be taken.

When considering cable ratings care needs to taken as this is not as straight forward as it may seem. General internal cable three plus earth armoured cable. Twin and earth cable is normally made with pvc sheathing and insulation which has an almost indefinite life in the right conditions. Ratings do not apply if the cable is protected by a semi enclosed fuse to bs3036.

If you require a flexible connection in portable electrical appliances we have a range of electrical flex cables available in white black and orange and in a choice of types including 3 core round flex heat. 31st march 2004 saw the introduction of a new colour code harmonised across the eu for power cables see this page for details of these changes. It has a temperature rating of 70 c including the temperature rise from resistive heating in the cable. Until 31st march 2006 either the old colours or new colours may be used but not mixed.

Installation methods 100 103 typically associated with new domestic and similar premises are specifically for flat twin and earth cable in thermal insulation. When i inspected the house on last weekend i noticed the electric cables for lighting and powerpoints are using 2 5 mm2 twin earth cable 2 5mm2 x 2c e. Most domestic cables carry a blue wire which is usually for the neutral current a brown wire for a live current and a bare wire to take residual current to earth. For 2 core single phase a c 3 4 core three phase a c.

Not sure whether this is sufficient to support all downlights and powperpoints there are about total 45 downlights and 25 powerpoints through the house. For example if you check the manufacturers current rating for 1 5 twin and earth cable suitable for most lighting circuits in a domestic environment it will state that it is around 20 amps but this value would only apply if the cable was in free air as it can cool easily. This cable is called 2 core and earth or twin and earth. Where cables are installed using these installation methods the current carrying capacity of the cables should be determined using table 4d5 of appendix 4 70ºc thermoplastic.