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Cable size

Hi all,


I am extending the lighting in my garden with no way of identifying the swa cable size? I have purchased some vernier callipers, measured the individual core to be 0.48, as there are 7 cores I work out the csa of the cable to be 1.26mm2.


Unfortunately depending on what table I look at, SWG, AWG, of which each seems to have a number of contradictory ones, I cannot confirm if it is 1mm2 or 1.5mm2.


the issue is I have spent days trying to find someone who stocks 1mm2 SWA, I assume due to cost no one uses it any longer as just  as cheap to get 1.5mm2.


re wiring with 1.5mm2 back from the rcd is not really an option, the cable is buried under concrete and having to re wire would mean drilling through the house and re laying a new cable?


so guess the short question is, anyone know of anyone selling 1mm2 SWA?


thank you all for your time and assistance.


Andy
Parents
  • I`d advise to measure with a micrometer rather than a vernier caliper, probly more accurate and easier to get a "feel" . It takes a little practice to use a micrometer (hopefully if you haven`t got one you can access one from a friend). So long as you do not overtighten it making it more like a G Clamp you could get a decent slightly slidy feel on a straight portion. I think manufactures tend to put minimum in therefore on bottom limit of sizes but with reasonable purity because over many kilometres it saves `em £thousands. You might well decide it`s actually 1.5 or perhaps old imperial. Good old Norm will probably know more about imperals than most of us. A decent meter and known length could be an excellent way of solving as MAP says
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  • I`d advise to measure with a micrometer rather than a vernier caliper, probly more accurate and easier to get a "feel" . It takes a little practice to use a micrometer (hopefully if you haven`t got one you can access one from a friend). So long as you do not overtighten it making it more like a G Clamp you could get a decent slightly slidy feel on a straight portion. I think manufactures tend to put minimum in therefore on bottom limit of sizes but with reasonable purity because over many kilometres it saves `em £thousands. You might well decide it`s actually 1.5 or perhaps old imperial. Good old Norm will probably know more about imperals than most of us. A decent meter and known length could be an excellent way of solving as MAP says
Children
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