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Can I Run SWA Cable Above Ground?

Asked by: Nona Langworth
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Commonly known as SWA cable, the steel wire armoured cable is a power and auxiliary control cable, designed for use in mains supply electricity. Used for underground systems, cable networks, power networks, outdoor and indoor applications, and cable ducting.

Do you have to earth SWA Armour?

Armour is definately classed as an exposed conductive part when not used as the CPC therefore must be earthed. As has been previously stated if protection against indirect contact (fault protection) in new money is by ADS then all armouring must be connected to earth.

Do you have to bury SWA cable?

A swa cable needs to be buried at a sufficient depth to avoid damage due to disturbance of the ground (Regulation 522.8. … The cable needs to be surrounded by sharp sand to avoid damage to the sheath by stones or rubble.

How deep do you need to bury electrical wire?

The National Electric Code (NEC) sets the required burial depth of electric wire in rigid, non-metallic conduit, such as PVC, at 18-inches. Cable in any conduit, including PVC, that is buried at this depth is not in danger of being severed or disturbed by normal digging.

Can you bury SWA cable in concrete?

As long as the cable covering is sufficiently strong not to break up following long term use. Now if the original proposal is that there would be no significant vehicular traffic crossing the cable route, then potentially 50mm, may be deep enough.

Does SWA need earthing at both ends?

A good connection at both ends is essential if the SWA is the CPC. The exposed part of the SWA must be earthed if it is not the CPC. Earthing at the supply end can be achieved.

Does 3 core SWA need earthing?

If the three-core cable is being used and one of the cores is the cpc then only one end of the armour needs to be earthed as it is not required to provide continuity. The armour must be earthed in both situations.

Why is cable armour earthed?

The armour does provide some mechanical protection and it is important that the armour is earthed so that if the cable were penetrated (e.g. by a garden fork), the supply would automatically be disconnected by the protective device under this fault condition.

Is SWA cable waterproof?

Armoured cable, also known as SWA cable, consists of steel wire armouring, copper conductors and XLPE insulation. This is wrapped in a protective metal cover to protect it from extremes of temperature and water which enables its both indoors and out, though it is more commonly used for exterior installations.

Does outdoor wiring need to be in conduit?

They need to be in conduit for 2 reasons. First, exposed wiring needs to be protected from damage and stapling bare wire to the siding would not qualify. Burying it at least 24″ would qualify, but any portion above that would still need to have some sort of damage protection (conduit).

Can I use normal electrical cable outside?

You can wire an external socket in the same manner as a normal spur, by running the cable from a socket or junction box on a main ring circuit (via a switched connection unit) and mounting the socket on an external wall. Ensure your circuit has RCD protection, and that you use appropriate weatherproof outdoor fittings.

Can I run an extension lead to my shed?

You can use an extension cord to power your shed, but only temporarily. You can only use an extension cord for single circuits. An extension cord can under no circumstances be buried, and it must be unplugged when not in use.

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Can you attach SWA to a fence?

Yep, they sometimes do. But the point of clipping the cable to the fence (if it happens to be going the right way) rather than, say, shallow dig it is to make it visible and keep it away from potential sources of damage such as digging. The cable would ideally be fixed to, say, the top of the gravel board – ie.

How often should SWA be clipped?

When fixing cables to exposed horizontal surfaces, the spacing of metal fixings should be approximately every 300mm. For vertical running cables that are exposed, a metal clip every 400mm is recommended.

Can I use armouring as Earth?

Armouring: Steel Wire Armour (SWA) used for mechanical protection. That way the cable can withstand higher stresses, be buried directly and used in external or underground projects. The armouring is usually connected to earth and can be used as the CPC (as described above).

What Colour is Earth in Armoured cable?

and use the black as earth, but it needs green/yellow sleeve. If you use a colour other than brown for a live function (eg a switched live in a lighting circuit) this conductor should be tagged with a brown marker.

What does XLPE stand for?

XLPE cable stands for cross linked polyethylene cable. It is a hydronic tubing manufactured from polyethylene plastic.

Is a GREY wire neutral?

The National Electrical Code states that grey wire must be used for neutral conductors. These wires may still carry power that can give an electric shock and injure you. Neutral wires deliver power back to the service panel. The standard grey wire is known as the Line-phase 3 in its AC code.

How do you terminate SWA cable?

Mark where you want to terminate the swa with tape. Use a hacksaw & score the armour, using the tape as a guide. Use a knife & strip the outer sheath. Bend the armour back & forth (tip: small groups & bend at 90deg to the score) until the strands snap off.

Do you have to use banjo on SWA?

Now there aren’t many cases when you’ll have that many sockets side by side, if its not high leakage stuff after all, but if instead something more like theatre lamps, then mechanical strength trumps all, so proper SWA gland, but no need to banjo or tail.

Can you run electric cables under screed?

As long as you run the cable at a depth of at least 50mm from finished floor level then run the cable vertically to each of the sockets you are connecting to I think it will be ok.

Will cement damage electrical cable?

It is not damaging to the cable, but it does mean re-threading is impossible, so any repair involves a chisel.

Can you put electrical wire in concrete?

You’ll have to cut a trench in the concrete for a PVC conduit, which will carry the electrical cable under the floor. … Use it to make four parallel kerfs about ½ inch apart in the exposed concrete. These cuts will kick up clouds of dust, so be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask.

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