SWA Cable info....

[steve.h]

Hi guys,
Bit of a question for you. I am aiming to buy some armoured cable (SWA) to run a new power line out to my shed. So I have been reading about it and am now a bit confused...
It says that "Galvanised Steel Wire Armour (used as earth conductor)", So does this mean that the sparky will need 2 core and use the armour wire as the earth, or do I still need 3 core ??
I cant find anywhere that makes it 100% clear, I dont want to keep asking the sparky too many questions before he starts or he might think I am willing to be ripped off.....
Cheers all.
Steve.

 

[GrahamGKD]

Hi Steve,
My understanding is that you should use three core cable and also connect the armour to earth using the special glands. Advice here seems to support that.

I'm not a sparky though - I expect one will be along a bit later.

I wouldn’t have thought asking your sparky would be a bad thing though?

 

[awemawson]

Theoretically you can use the armour as the earth but I never like to only use it and lay 3 core for single phase and five core for three phase, using both the armour and the grren/yellow as the earth. Though under some circumstances you don't export the earth and create a second equal potential zone at the far end, and incorporate an earth rod.

 

[Dave3066]

Ask these folks here voltimum. You might have to wait for an answer but it'll be accurate and helpful.

Dave

 

[brightspark]

u can use the steel wire as the earth no problem using 2 core cable provided there glanded of both ends on to metal cabinets with the earth rings fitted . if the cables only up to 6mm and not a long run use 3 core and conect the 3d core as the earth along with the swa not that u need to . any larger and longer it gets quite expensive so use 2 core