1mm housewire

[Delta]

Anyone here use 1mm housewire on a regular basis or at least have before?

Thinking of using it on a current job.
Whole house will be led lights.

I see it's rated up to 17amps.

Price difference between a roll of 1mm and 1.5mm justifies using 1mm?

Lots of 2way switching so am thinking the smaller physical size will make pulling through conduit easier.

Thoughts guys?

[Derlyn]

Whoever is rating 1mm wire at 17 amps is lying. Period.

Peace out .. Derek.

[adrianh]

Look at this question and answer - I think this might explain why he thinks 1mm wire has such a high rating.

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/115297/220v-ac-power-cable-max-current

[Delta]

It's from a Voltex / Aberdare catalogue I got off internet.
Shows every wire / cable you can think of and it's specs.

According to it :

1mm = 17amps
1.5mm = 21amps
2.5mm = 27amps
This is for housewire.

Whereas for T/E it shows :
1.5mm = 17amps
2.5mm = 23amps

Looking at this it would seem housewire is slightly more capable than T/E size for size. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that housewire is stranded.

Maybe we tend to underestimate the rating and ability of a cable in favorable conditions/environment.

[adrianh]

This is the document that you are using - interesting stuff.

https://voltex.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cables-and-Wires.pdf

[Derlyn]

One can rate 1mm wire as high as one likes, however the maximum protection rating for 1mm wire is 10A. That means the circuit breaker protecting 1mm wire may not be bigger than 10A.

Table 6.26 SANS 10142-1

Peace out .... Derek

Edit: To answer your question, Delta, I cannot see a problem using 1mm for lights with a 10A mcb. One can also use 1,5mm for plugs and geyser with a 15A mcb.

[ians]

I have been using 1.0 mm flat 3 core+E for many years for both day/night switches and 2 way switching.

We did a 600 house low cost development project many years ago ... every single house was wired in the workshop using 1.0mm twin+E 2 and 3 core for the light circuits as required. We rolled up the looms took them to site and threw the twin across the roof ... dropped down the wall and plastered directly in to the wall ... we were completing 3 houses a day.

Its seems no matter if you pay R250K or R5M everything is now classified as "low cost" development.

[GCE]

. One can also use 1,5mm for plugs and geyser with a 15A mcb.

You would still need to use a 2,5sqmm earth wire for the geyser as per bonding minimal requirements

[Tang]

Hi there. The installation method, length and temperature will dictate the MCB rating

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[Tang]

But nothing wrong with using 1mm for lighting circuits on a 10A mcb. Especially if it's led lights. You'll have more room in your conduits and 1.5mm will unnecessarily complicate the wiring process.

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