Hi Group,
When I go to purchase a length of cable to connect a domestic
appliance to an indoor wall power socket, I am presented with
a confusing selection of sizes, specifications etc etc. - anything from
flat two-core bell wire up to very heavy 3-core types.

Please is there a web site which outlines in simple terms the
current carrying capacities and specifications for such cables?
I understand basic electrical principles and would like to be able
to make an informed choice.
(I am not concerned with "house wiring" type stuff - the grey
type that lives, generally, out of sight!!)

Thank you

Ger

Ger wrote:
Hi Group,
When I go to purchase a length of cable to connect a domestic
appliance to an indoor wall power socket, I am presented with
a confusing selection of sizes, specifications etc etc. - anything from
flat two-core bell wire up to very heavy 3-core types.

Please is there a web site which outlines in simple terms the
current carrying capacities and specifications for such cables?
I understand basic electrical principles and would like to be able
to make an informed choice.
(I am not concerned with "house wiring" type stuff - the grey
type that lives, generally, out of sight!!)

Thank you

Ger



You should find info on rswww.com

from memory 0.75mm^2 is rated at 6amps and 1.5mm^2 is Ok to 13 amps(
maximum for a plug top).

There used to be something rated at 3 amps for tablelamps etc but I've
not seen this for quite a while.it may have been removed from use on
grounds of insulation thickness/resistance to abrasion as it was pretty
light stuff.

There are differing insulation temp rating for things like immersion
heater cabling. night storage heaters etc (3183Y is the spec for this I
think)

hth

Bob
--
To Reply directly to my mailbox, change myisp to ntlworld

"Bob Minchin" wrote in message
...

You should find info on rswww.com

from memory 0.75mm^2 is rated at 6amps and 1.5mm^2 is Ok to 13 amps(
maximum for a plug top).

There used to be something rated at 3 amps for tablelamps etc but I've
not seen this for quite a while.it may have been removed from use on
grounds of insulation thickness/resistance to abrasion as it was pretty
light stuff.

There are differing insulation temp rating for things like immersion
heater cabling. night storage heaters etc (3183Y is the spec for this I
think)

& here
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/4.3.9.htm

In article ,
Bob Minchin writes:

You should find info on rswww.com

from memory 0.75mm^2 is rated at 6amps and 1.5mm^2 is Ok to 13 amps(
maximum for a plug top).

1.25mm^2 will do 13A for lengths not exceeding a few metres
(12 metres for an extension lead; I think the appliance limit
is less but I don't have that spec).

There used to be something rated at 3 amps for tablelamps etc but I've
not seen this for quite a while.it may have been removed from use on
grounds of insulation thickness/resistance to abrasion as it was pretty
light stuff.

Still exists -- 0.5mm^2.
EU regulations impose a maximum length of something like 2 or 3 metres
on it for reasons which are not actually relevant in the UK. In some
EU countries it will be protected at 16A and the cable resistance
must be low enough to allow the fault current required to trip a 16A
breaker if the appliance shorts out.

Actually, you'll find we play the same trick with 0.75mm^2, which you'll
commonly see used on fridge/freezers with 13A fuses, and there's a
cable length restriction.

--
Andrew Gabriel

Thanks to all.

Visited the electrical WHOLESALER today and was able to hold
my own with the lad behind the counter. Got just what I wanted
and great for my self-esteem !!!! :-)))

Ger

all snipped

apologies Andrew for direct email - finger trouble by me

In article ,
Ger wrote:
Visited the electrical WHOLESALER today and was able to hold
my own with the lad behind the counter. Got just what I wanted
and great for my self-esteem !!!! :-)))

If you found the TLC website, get them to send you a free catalogue, or
pick one up from one of their branches. It includes all the common cables
and flexes with their ratings. They also cut to length pretty well any
size - which many wholesalers won't. But be prepared to find things you'll
want that you didn't even know existed...

--
*Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups *

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Thanks for the tip Dave, I have just ordered one.

Ger


"Dave Plowman" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Ger wrote:
Visited the electrical WHOLESALER today and was able to hold
my own with the lad behind the counter. Got just what I wanted
and great for my self-esteem !!!! :-)))

If you found the TLC website, get them to send you a free catalogue, or
pick one up from one of their branches. It includes all the common cables
and flexes with their ratings. They also cut to length pretty well any
size - which many wholesalers won't. But be prepared to find things you'll
want that you didn't even know existed...

--
*Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups *

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn