[Question] flexible cables

[murdock]

is it legal to install sabs approved flexible cables from a main DB to a sub DB.

in other words run a circuit directly from a new DB installed in a basement

via a 21 core sabs approved flexible cable

then disconnect the existing circuits in the sub DB on the first floor and join then directly to the 21 core flex cable straight to the dedicated socket outlets...which are wired in house wire.

how important are the numbers in the flexible cable?

this is not a trick question i am

[murdock]

please note pg 84 of sans 6.1.11 flexible cords shall not be used as part of the elctrical installtion, except where...

[AndyD]

As far as I'm aware you're not permitted to use flexible cords (cabtyre) between a main and sub DB. It's not just 0142 regs that forbid this, also IEC 60335-1. If I remember correctly, ammendment 3 clarified.

[murdock]

this thread is gona get interesting...busy with the generator thread have been all afternoon so once i have sorted that out i will come back to this thread.

[Sparks]

Far as I know all cabling used should be SABS but, that does not mean it can be used for any purpose. The permanent installation far as I know should be "hard" wire.

[murdock]

what is important is understanding what the difference is in the definitions

a cable...solid or stranded...with strands exceeding 0.51 mm

flexible cable...consists of strands of diameter not exceeding 0.51mm and which th nominal cross section area of each conductor exceeds 4 mm square

flexible cord...nominal cross sectional area of each conductor does not exceed 4 mm square and each conductor consists of strands of diameter less than 0.31mm

6.1.11 flexible cords shall not be used as part of the electrical installation except a-e in sans code

[Leecatt]

is it legal to install sabs approved flexible cables from a main DB to a sub DB.

in other words run a circuit directly from a new DB installed in a basement

via a 21 core sabs approved flexible cable

then disconnect the existing circuits in the sub DB on the first floor and join then directly to the 21 core flex cable straight to the dedicated socket outlets...which are wired in house wire.

how important are the numbers in the flexible cable?

this is not a trick question i am

I wonder how relevant is this question when the new version of SANS 10142 gets introduced soon?

[Leecatt]

I am resurrecting this thread due to something I saw in SANS 10142-1-2021

6.1.11 Where flexible cords are used as part of the electrical installation, the
selection, installation and colour identification (see 6.3.3) shall be done in
accordance with this part of SANS 10142. Flexible cords with cross sectional
area less than 1 mm2
shall not be permitted.
6.1.12 Where flexible cords are used, the strands of the conductors shall be
mechanically protected with ferrules to prevent the strands from being cut off
in terminations.

Can I assume now that one can wire a house in cabtyre?

The reason I ask is because I have just come across a circuit that is a 2.5mm cabtyre from circuit breaker to aircon isolator

[Derlyn]

If the blue neutral has been changed to black with tape or heatshrink and bootlace ferrules used for terminations, then according to the present guidelines ( Edition 3.1 ) it is acceptable.

Edited 6/9/2023 for clarification.

In previous versions of SANS10142, 6.11 started with "flexible chords shall not be used as part of the electrical installation"

This has now been omitted in the latest version, hence my statement above that it is now acceptable.

[Dylboy]

With that, 6mm PV cable rates at 70A (Alvern cables ) means we can wire a DB with 6MM instead of 16mm GP.

I phoned them and said it's good, asked an engineer in front of a crowd and said fine, stranded cable is good.

It goes against the grain for sure but perfectly good.

So much easier to make a DB look good and it's safe. DC current is an animal so for AC it will handle it properly

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[Leecatt]

Many thanks.
Excuse my ignorance but what is "PV cable" (Photo Voltaic?) and where does one find the official ratings for theses cables?
I would like to know the rating for 2.5mm flexible cord

[Isetech]

This is the cable we use...


https://www.helukabel.com/publication/za/spec_pages/solarflex-x-pv1-f.pdf

[Isetech]

https://www.alverncables.co.za/download/specialised-cables/solar-cable.pdf

[Leecatt]

https://www.alverncables.co.za/downl...olar-cable.pdf

Thank you for this but I am looking for the ratings for 2.5mm flexible cord. The above links only give the ratings for flexible cables which are 4mm and larger

[Dylboy]

Check 10142-1, I don't think fine stranded can be less than 4mm2

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