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Cable Type?

I came across an old cable yesterday (apparently installed decades ago), supplying communal lighting (5 * 16W 2D's) in a block of flats, and haven't been able to determine what it is, so any ideas please.


It's circular, white sheathed, has 3 solid (1mm2) cores (red, black and un-insulated annealed copper), and has what appears to be cotton strands running the length of the cable inbetween the cores (took a picture but mob then died without saving it, and I can't get back in the building yet to take another). Cable is concealed in lathe and plaster walls, with only short bits of sheathing protruding/showing (same at rear entry to the CU), so can't determine the manufacturer's name on the sheathing. Wondered if it's some sort of old fire rated cable. Spent a couple of hours on the blower this morning, describing it to Prysmian, Eland, etc, but nobody has a clue what is is.


Any help appreciated.


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  • mapj1:

    Is the white sheath plastic, rubber, or metallic ?


    String or nowadays kevlar packing is sometimes added for strength in drawing, such cables may be used with  a longer unsupported span and may be lowered down well shafts and similar.

    In older cables it was added more often, because plastic was relatively expensive compared to filler, and they were already in the habit of doing it for rubber flex on things like vacuum cleaners.

     




    The sheathing looks and feels like PVC. The job is to replace the 2D fittings with motion activated (microwave controlled) LED fittings in the hallway and landings, but wondered if I should leave it without knowing what the cable is.


    F

Reply

  • mapj1:

    Is the white sheath plastic, rubber, or metallic ?


    String or nowadays kevlar packing is sometimes added for strength in drawing, such cables may be used with  a longer unsupported span and may be lowered down well shafts and similar.

    In older cables it was added more often, because plastic was relatively expensive compared to filler, and they were already in the habit of doing it for rubber flex on things like vacuum cleaners.

     




    The sheathing looks and feels like PVC. The job is to replace the 2D fittings with motion activated (microwave controlled) LED fittings in the hallway and landings, but wondered if I should leave it without knowing what the cable is.


    F

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