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Ewan MacIntyre
 
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Default Non-copper wire in ring main?

Hello.

While adding some sockets to my wife's study, I've found sections of
non-copper cable in my ring main. It's an old house, though the vast
majority of the wiring is less than a few decades old.

The cable has multiple strands, perhaps about 7, and is made
by Pirelli. I couldn't see a type code on it. It seems quite chunky, but
I'm surprised to see that it is not made from copper, but is probably
steel. Outwardly, it looks like regular grey T&E, but is more amenable
to bending.

Is this cable normal? I suppose my concern is that this particular ring
is quite long, and I understand that steel has a higher resistance than
copper. The ring covers rooms containing mostly lower-powered items, but
does include the washing machine.

Ewan