I have only just found the self build wiki as a result of a link on
laminate flooring thread and have been having a browse:
http://www.sbfaq.borpin.co.uk/dokuwiki/doku.php


In the electrics section, regarding cable capacities it says:
The current carrying capacity of typical cables a
6242Y T&E : 1.0mm2 14A
6181Y Single: 1.0mm2 11A

Why is the capacity of the single significantly less than the T&E?

I would have thought it would be the other way round as there is
potentially twice the current flowing in the T&E cable and hence a
higher heating effect.

wrote:

I have only just found the self build wiki as a result of a link on
laminate flooring thread and have been having a browse:
http://www.sbfaq.borpin.co.uk/dokuwiki/doku.php


In the electrics section, regarding cable capacities it says:
The current carrying capacity of typical cables a
6242Y T&E : 1.0mm2 14A
6181Y Single: 1.0mm2 11A

Why is the capacity of the single significantly less than the T&E?

I would have thought it would be the other way round as there is
potentially twice the current flowing in the T&E cable and hence a
higher heating effect.

current capacity depends on method of installation. (Earth impedance
may come into it too.)


NT

wrote:
I have only just found the self build wiki as a result of a link on
laminate flooring thread and have been having a browse:
http://www.sbfaq.borpin.co.uk/dokuwiki/doku.php


In the electrics section, regarding cable capacities it says:
The current carrying capacity of typical cables a
6242Y T&E : 1.0mm2 14A
6181Y Single: 1.0mm2 11A

Why is the capacity of the single significantly less than the T&E?

I would have thought it would be the other way round as there is
potentially twice the current flowing in the T&E cable and hence a
higher heating effect.

I reckon it's a mistake. Look at the other sizes of wi

6242Y T&E 6181Y Single
1.0mm2 14A 11A
1.5mm2 18A 17A
6 mm2 40A 41A
10mm2 53A 55A
16 mm2 70A 74A

In article ,
wrote:
Why is the capacity of the single significantly less than the T&E?

I would have thought it would be the other way round as there is
potentially twice the current flowing in the T&E cable and hence a
higher heating effect.

The current flowing in line and neutral should be the same. Especially if
you have an RCD. ;-)

I'd say it's a typo. Unless you know what the conditions of use are they
are the same according to my tables. Or even the TLC site. ;-)

Of course singles are frequently bunched within conduit or trunking.

--
*It sounds like English, but I can't understand a word you're saying.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

wrote:
I have only just found the self build wiki as a result of a link on
laminate flooring thread and have been having a browse:
http://www.sbfaq.borpin.co.uk/dokuwiki/doku.php


In the electrics section, regarding cable capacities it says:
The current carrying capacity of typical cables a
6242Y T&E : 1.0mm2 14A
6181Y Single: 1.0mm2 11A

Why is the capacity of the single significantly less than the T&E?

I would have thought it would be the other way round as there is
potentially twice the current flowing in the T&E cable and hence a
higher heating effect.

Consider the overall circumference of the cable.
The plastic is a very poor (thermal) insulator.

This means that essentially, the copper size is irrelevant to its
thermal properties (of course, it's important with regards to how much
heat is generated in the first placE), the only thing of importance
being the overall circumference of the cable, and the environment it's
in.

If a 1mm^2 copper conductor is generating 1w/m^2 of heat along its
length, it's going to be cooler if the heat emitting surface is 30mm(/2)
(guess) of insulation, rather than 11mm.

wrote in message
...
I have only just found the self build wiki as a result of a link on
laminate flooring thread and have been having a browse:
http://www.sbfaq.borpin.co.uk/dokuwiki/doku.php


In the electrics section, regarding cable capacities it says:
The current carrying capacity of typical cables a
6242Y T&E : 1.0mm2 14A
6181Y Single: 1.0mm2 11A

Why is the capacity of the single significantly less than the T&E?

I would have thought it would be the other way round as there is
potentially twice the current flowing in the T&E cable and hence a
higher heating effect.


It may be down to the fact the surface area of the single is less than 1/2
that of the flat twin.

wrote:
I have only just found the self build wiki[...]

In the electrics section, regarding cable capacities it says:
The current carrying capacity of typical cables a
6242Y T&E : 1.0mm2 14A
6181Y Single: 1.0mm2 11A

Why is the capacity of the single significantly less than the T&E?

Incorrect, out-of-date or inadequately specified cable ratings abound on
the Web, so be careful. In fact it is rare, IME, to see correct
figures. BS 7671:2001 + Amd 2:2004 and the On-Site Guide are your friends.

In this case it looks as if comparison is not being made between similar
installation methods.

The up-to-date clipped direct rating for 1 mm^2 T&E (6242YH) in a single
phase circuit is 16 amps, or 11.5 amps if enclosed in conduit in an
insulated wall (with the conduit against studwork or masonry. [BS 7671
Table 4D5A]

For singles we use Table 4D1A which gives 15.5 amps clipped direct
(which would apply for 6181Y sheathed singles) or 11 amps in conduit in
an insulated wall as above (& would normally be 6491X insulated singles
as in an all-conduit/trunking installation).

When properly compared the ratings are very similar.

I would have thought it would be the other way round as there is
potentially twice the current flowing in the T&E cable and hence a
higher heating effect.

No, the ratings are always for a _circuit_, either single phase (2 wires
or cables) or 3-phase (3 or 4 wires or cables). (For a ring circuit
interpret this as the rating per 'leg' of the circuit.)

HTH
--
Andy