On 16/03/2012 18:43, RJS wrote:

[...]
"Arctic cable is only designed for outdoor use at 110v, we recommend
using HO7 RN-F rubber cable for temporary 230v outdoor use including
marquees."

Any thoughts?

It's correct. You might like to read the two articles about this that
were published in the IET's /Wiring Matters/ fairly recently.

Firstly:
http://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-...s.cfm?type=pdf

and the follow-up:
http://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-...s.cfm?type=pdf

To summarise:

- 3183A 'arctic' cable made to BS 7919 Table 44 is suitable for handling
down to -25 deg. C, but is only intended for use on 110 V ('reduced low
voltage') systems. This cable type is explicitly described as not
suitable for outdoor use at "standard voltages" (meaning 230/400 V), nor
for use in industrial or agricultural buildings. [Ref. BS 7540-3 Guide
to use ...]

- The 'blue stuff' is not actually an arctic cable at all. It's an
ordinary duty cord to BS 6500, i.e. 3183Y or H05VV-F. It's fine for 230
V but shouldn't be handled at temperatures below +5 deg. C. It is not a
heavy duty cable.

- For heavy duty, use H07RN-F, as already mentioned.

--
Andy