JS 21: 1992

Paper, twin and multicore, lead-sheathed or aluminium-sheathed

(COPPER)

Table F 12. Single-circuit current ratings and associated volt drops for twin and multicore cables insulated
with impregnated paper (BS 6480) lead-sheathed or aluminium-sheathed, armoured or non-armoured, with or
without serving.

CURRENT RATINGS (A)

Conduc-tor+ Clipped Defined
directly to Conditions
Nominal One twin cable, One three-core One twin cable, One three-core
cross- single-phase a.c. cable or one four- single-phase a.c. cable or one four-
sectional area or d.c. core cable, three- or d.c. core cable, three-
phase. phase.

1 2 4
3
5
mm² A A A A

50 165 145 200 170

70 205 180 250 215
95 255 225 305 265
120 295 260 355 305
150 335 300 405 350
185 390 345 465 405
240 460 410 555 480
300 525 470 635 550
400 610 545 735 640

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 JS 21: 1992
Table F 12(cont'd)

VOLTAGE DROPS (mV/A/m)*

Conductor cross- One twin cable, One twin cable, One three-core cable or
sectional area single-phase d.c. single-phase a.c. one four-core cable,
three-phase a.c.

1 2 4
3

mm² mV mV mV

50 0.95 0.95 0.82

70 0.66 0.66 0.58
95 0.47 0.49 0.43
120 0.36 0.40 0.35
150 0.30 0.33 0.28
185 0.24 0.28 0.24
240 0.19 0.24 0.20
300 0.15 0.21 0.18
400 0.12 0.20 0.17

* Total voltage drop between the consumer's main switchboard and any other point in the installation must
not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage (see 7.3 and F 1).
+ Stranded or solid conductors.

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 JS 21: 1992
Rating factors

Correction factors for ambient temperatures

Ambient
temperature (C) 25 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
Rating
factor 1.05 0.95 0.89 0.82 0.75 0.68 0.61 0.53 0.43 0.3

Correcton factors for groups

For groups of cables unenclosed, the single-circuit ratings apply provided that:

(a) The horizontal clearance between cables is not less than six times the overall diameter of an
individual cable, except that the horizontal clearance need not in any case exceed 150 mm.,

(b) The vertical clearance between cables is not less than 150 mm., and

(c) If the number of cables exceed four, they are installed in a horizontal plane.

In all other cases unless a more precise evaluation of current rating has been made based on experimental
work or, calculated data, the following factors are applicable:

Number of
cables 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16~ 18~ 20~

Rating
factor 0.80 0.70 0.65 0.60 0.57 0.52 0.48 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.39 0.38

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 JS 21: 1992
Heavy duty (450/750 V) mineral, exposed to touch or PVC-covered
(COPPER)

Table F 13. Current ratings and associated volt drops for heavy duty mineral-insulated cables (copper
conductors and sheath) (BS 6207 Part 1), exposed to touch are having an overall covering of PVC.

CURRENT RATINGS (A)

Conductor 2 single-core cables 3 or 4 single-core One four-core One seven-core
cross-sectional or one twin cable, cables or one cable, three- cable, all cores
area single-phase a.c. or three-core cable, phase a.c. fully loaded.
d.c. three-phase a.c.

1 2 3 4 5
mm² A A A A

1.0 19.5 18 16.5 11.5

1.5 25 23 21 14.5
2.5 34 31 28 19.5
4 45 41 37 26
6 57 52 47 -
10 77 70 64 -
16 102 92 85 -
25 133 120 110 -
35 163 147 - -
50 202 181 - -
70 247 221 - -
95 296 264 - -
120 340 303 - -
150 388 346 - -
185 440 392 - -
240 514 457 - -

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 JS 21: 1992
Table F 13(cont'd)

VOLTAGE DROPS (mV/A/m)*

Nominal cross-sectional area Single-phase Three-phase
operations. operations
mm² mV mV

1 42 36
1.5 28 24
2.5 17 14
4 10 9.1
6 7 6.0
10 4.2 3.6
16 2.6 2.3
25 1.65 1.45
35 1.20 1.05
50 0.91 0.80
70 0.64 0.56
95 0.49 0.43
120 0.41 0.36
150 0.34 0.30
185 0.29 0.26
240 0.25 0.22

*Total voltage drop between the consumer's main switchboard and any other point in the installation must
not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage (see 7.3 and F.1).

Rating factors

Rating factors for ambient temperatures

Ambient temperature (C) 25 30 40 50 60

Rating factor for cables exposed to touch 1.06 1.0 0.85 0.68 0.46
Rating factor for cables having overall PVC covering 1.16 1.1 0.94 0.75 0.51

Rating factors for groups of cables bunched

Number of
circuits* 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16+ 18+
20+
Rating
factor 0.8 0.69 0.63 0.59 0.56 0.51 0.48 0.44 0.42 0.41 0.39
0.38

*for single-core cables or number of cables for twin and multi-core cables
+Not applicable to single-core three-phase.

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 JS 21: 1992
Light duty (300/500 V) mineral, exposed to touch or PVC-covered
(COPPER)

Table F 14. Current ratings and associated volt drops for heavy duty mineral-insulated cables (copper
conductors and sheath) (BS 6207 Part 1), exposed to touch are having an overall covering of PVC.

CURRENT RATINGS (A)

Conductor 2 single-core cables 3 or 4 single-core One four-core One seven-
cross-sectional or one twin cable, cables or one three- cable, three- core cable, all
area single-phase a.c. or core cable, three- phase a.c. cores fully
d.c. phase a.c. loaded.

4
1 2 3 5
mm² A A A A

1.0 18.5 17 15 10
1.5 23 21 19.5 13
2.5 31 29 26 17.5
4 40 38 - -

* Total voltage drop between the consumer's main switchboard and any other point in the installation must
not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage (see 7.3 and F.1).

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 JS 21: 1992
Table F 14(cont'd)

VOLTAGE DROPS (mV/A/m)*

Nominal cross-sectional area Single-phase Three-phase
operations. operations
mm² mV mV

1 42 36
1.5 28 24
2.5 17 14
4 10 9.1
6 7 6.0
10 4.2 3.6
16 2.6 2.3
25 1.65 1.45
35 1.20 1.05
50 0.91 0.80
70 0.64 0.56
95 0.49 0.43
120 0.41 0.36
150 0.34 0.30
185 0.29 0.26
240 0.25 0.22

*Total voltage drop between the consumer's main switchboard and any other point in the installation must
not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage (see 7.3 and F.1).

Rating factors

Rating factors for ambient temperatures

Ambient temperature (C) 25 30 40 50 60

Rating factor for cables exposed to touch 1.06 1.0 0.85 0.68 0.46
Rating factor for cables having overall PVC covering 1.16 1.1 0.94 0.75 0.51

Rating factors for groups of cables bunched

Number of
circuits* 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16+ 18+
20+
Rating
factor 0.8 0.69 0.63 0.59 0.56 0.51 0.48 0.44 0.42 0.41 0.39
0.38

*for single-core cables or number of cables for twin and multi-core cables
+Not applicable to single-core three-phase.

- 213 -
 JS 21: 1992
Heavy duty (450/750 V) mineral, sheath bare, not exposed to touch
(COPPER)

Table F 15. Current ratings and associated volt drops for heavy duty, mineral insulated cables (copper
conductors and sheath) having the sheath bare and not exposed to touch and not in contact with
combustible materials.(BS 6207, Part 1)

CURRENT RATINGS (A)

Conductor cross- 2 single-core cables or one twin One four-core One seven-core
sectional area cable, single-phase a.c. or d.c. cable, three- cable, all cores
4 single-core cables,three- phase a.c. fully loaded.
phase a.c.

1 2
3 4
mm² A A A

1.0 24 20 14
1.5 31 26 17.5
2.5 42 35 24
4 55 46 32
6 70 58 -
10 96 78 -
16 127 103 -
25 166 134 -
35 203 - -
50 251 - -
70 307 - -
95 369 - -
120 424 - -
150 485 - -
185 550 - -
240 643 - -

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 JS 21: 1992
Table F 15(cont'd)

VOLTAGE DROPS (mV/A/m)*

Nominal cross-sectional area Single-phase Three-phase
operations. operations
mm² mV mV

1 47 40
1.5 31 27
2.5 19 16
4 12 10
6 7.8 6.8
10 4.7 4.1
16 3.0 2.6
25 1.85 1.65
35 1.35 1.20
50 1.00 0.88
70 0.71 0.62
95 0.54 0.47
120 0.44 0.38
150 0.36 0.32
185 0.31 0.27
240 0.26 0.22

*Total voltage drop between the consumer's main switchboard and any other point in the installation must
not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage (see 7.3 and F.1).

Rating factors

Rating factors for ambient temperature

Ambient
temp.(C) 25 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140
Rating factor* 1.04 1.0 0.96 0.92 0.84 0.8 0.61 0.46 - - - - -
Rating factor@ 1.12 1.09 1.06 1.02 0.98 0.94 0.90 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.66 0.53 0.36

* for cable having 105 C terminations

@ for cable having 150 C terminations

Rating factor for groups

No rating factor for groups need to be applied.

- 215 -
 JS 21: 1992
Light duty (300/500 V) mineral, sheath bare, not exposed to touch

- 216 -
 JS 21: 1992
(COPPER)

Table F 16. Current ratings and associated volt drops for light duty, mineral insulated cables (copper conductors and sheath) having the sheath bare
and not exposed to touch and not in contact with combustible materials.(BS 6207, Part 1)

CURRENT RATINGS (A)

Conductor 2 single-core cables, One twin cable, One three-core One four-core One seven-core
cross- single-phase a.c. or d.c. single-phase a.c. or cable, three-phase cable, three-phase cable, all cores fully
sectional area 4 single-core cables, d.c. a.c. a.c. loaded.
three-phase a.c.

1
2 3 4 5 6
mm² A A A A A

1 25 21 18 18 13
1.5 32 26 22 23 15
2.5 43 36 30 31 22
4 56 47 40 42 -

- 217 -
 JS 21: 1992
Table F 16(cont'd)

VOLTAGE DROPS (mV/A/m)*

Nominal cross-sectional area Single-phase Three-phase
operations. operations
mm² mV mV

1 45 39
1.5 30 26
2.5 18 15
4 11 9.6

* Total voltage drop between the consumer's main switchboard and any other point in the installation must not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage
(see 7.3 and F.1).

Rating factors

Rating factors for ambient temperatures

Ambient temp.(C) 25 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140

Rating factor* 1.04 1.0 0.96 0.92 0.84 0.8 0.61 0.46 - - - - -
Rating factor@ 1.12 1.09 1.06 1.02 0.98 0.94 0.90 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.66 0.53 0.36

* for cable having 105 C terminations

@ for cable having 150 C terminations

No rating factor for groups need to be applied.

- 218 -
 JS 21: 1992
Mineral, as earth-concentric wiring
(COPPER)

Table F 17. Current ratings and associated volt drops for mineral-insulated cables (copper conductor and sheath). (BS 6207, Part 1) used as
earth-concentric wiring.

CURRENT RATINGS (A)

Conductor cross-sectional Single-core cable exposed to touch or Single-core cables having the sheath bare and not
area having an overall covering of PVC exposed to touch and not in contact with combustible
material
2
1 3
mm² A A

~1.0 18 22
~1.5 21 26
~2.5 27 33
~4.0 34 42
1.0 21 26
1.5 26 32
2.5 33 40
4.0 41 50
49 60
6.0

- 219 -
 JS 21: 1992
Table F 17(cont'd)

VOLTAGE DROPS (mV/A/m)*

Conductor cross-sectional Single-core cable exposed to touch or Single-core cables having the sheath bare and not
area having an overall covering of PVC exposed to touch and not in contact with combustible
material

1 2 3
mm² mV mV

~1.0 29 31
~1.5 21 22
~2.5 14 15
~4.0 10 10
1.0 25 27
1.5 18 19
2.5 12 13
4.0 7.8 8.5
5.9 6.3
6.0

Note: For three-core mineral insulated cables carrying balanced three phase a.c. in earth concentric system, the current ratings and values of volt
drop stated for three-core cable in tables F 13 to F 16 as appropriate, are applicable.

* Total voltage drop between the consumer's main switchboard and any other point in the installation must not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage
(see 7.3 and F.1).
~Light-duty cable
Heavy-duty cable

- 220 -
 JS 21: 1992
Rating factors

Rating factors for ambient temperatures and groups of cables bunched

Sheath bare, exposed to touch or PVC covered.

Rating factors for ambient temperatures

Ambient temperature (C) 25 30 40 50 60

Rating factor for cables exposed to touch 1.06 1.0 0.85 0.68 0.46
Rating factor for cables having overall PVC covering 1.16 1.1 0.94 0.75 0.51

Rating factors for groups of cables bunched

Number of
circuits* 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16+ 18+ 20+
Rating
factor 0.8 0.69 0.63 0.59 0.56 0.51 0.48 0.44 0.42 0.41 0.39 0.38

*for single-core cables or number of cables for twin and multi-core cables

+Not applicable to single-core, three-phase

Sheath bare, not exposed to touch and in contact with combustible material.

Rating factors for ambient temperatures

Ambient
temp.(C) 25 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140
Rating
factor~ 1.04 1.0 0.96 0.92 0.84 0.8 0.61 0.46 - - - - -
Rating
factor@ 1.12 1.09 1.06 1.02 0.98 0.94 0.90 0.86 0.81 0.77 0.66 0.53 0.36

~for cable having 105 C terminations

@for cable having 150 C terminations

Rating factor for groups

No rating factor for groups need to be applied.

- 221 -
 JS 21: 1992
Bare circuit copper conductor (risers)

Table F 18. Single-circuit current ratings and associated volt drops for bare or lightly-covered solid
copper conductor of circular cross-section, installed in vertical trunking with spacing of 75 mm between
conductors.

CURRENT RATINGS (A)

Conductors Two Conductors Two conductors, one-phase
a.c. or 3 or 4 conductors,
three-phase a.c.
Diameter Approximate Current Rating Current Rating
cross-sectional
area
1 2 3 4
mm mm² A A

10 79 270 270
12.5 120 370 370
16 200 510 510
20 315 700 690
25 490 940 920

- 222 -
 JS 21: 1992
Table F 18(cont'd)

VOLTAGE DROPS (mV/A/m)*

Conductors Two Conductors Two 3 or 4
conductors, conductors,
Diameter Approximate pf=1.0 pf=0.7 pf=1.0 pf=0.7
cross-sectional
area
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
mm mm² mV mV mV mV mV

10 79 0.55 0.55 0.66 0.48 0.60

12.5 120 0.35 0.35 0.51 0.31 0.45
16 200 0.22 0.22 0.39 0.19 0.36
20 315 0.14 0.14 0.32 0.12 0.30
25 490 0.088 0.092 0.27 0.081 0.25

* Total voltage drop between the consumer's main switchboard and any other point in the installation must not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage
(see 7.3 and F.1).

Note: 1) Table F 18 does not apply to bus-bar and connections on switchboards; ratings for these are dealt with in BS 159.

2) For the rating factors for conductors connected to rubber or p.v.c. insulated cables, see note 9 of 7.12.
(a) Current rating factor: 0.9

(b) Volt drop rating factor:

(1) 0.97 for d.c. conductors and a.c. conductors with p.f. = 1.0
(2) 0.98 for a.c. conductors with p.f. = 0.7 (mean value).

- 223 -
 JS 21: 1992
Bare rectangular copper conductor (risers)
(COPPER)

Table F 19. Single-circuit current ratings and associated volt drops for bare or lightly-covered solid
copper conductor of rectangular cross-section, installed in vertical trunking, with spacing of 75 mm
between conductors when disposed in parallel, or with a spacing of 30 mm between conductors when
disposed edge-to-edge.

CURRENT RATINGS (A)

Conductors Two Conductors d.c. Two
conductors,
Dimensions Approximate cross- Parallel Edge-to-edge
sectional area Disposition Disposition

2
1 3 4 5
mm mm² A A A

16x2.5 40 205 205 205

16x4.0 64 270 270 265
25x4.0 100 385 385 385
25x6.3 157 500 495 495
40x6.3 250 740 730 720
63x6.3 400 1080 1060 1043
100x6.3 630 1610 1540 1490

- 224 -
 JS 21: 1992
Table F 19(cont'd)

VOLTAGE DROPS (mV/A/m)*

Conductors Two Conductors Two 3 or 4
d.c. conducto conductor
rs, one- s, three-
Parallel Edge-to- Parallel Edge-to-
Dispositio edge Dispositio edge
Dimensi-ons Approximate cross- pf=1.0 pf=0.7 pf=1.0 pf=0.7 pf=1.0 pf=0.7 pf=1.0 pf=0.7
sectional area

1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

mm mm² mV mV mV mV mV mV mV mV mV

16x2.5 40 1.08 1.08 1.02 1.08 0.97 0.94 0.90 0.94 0.86
16x4.0 64 0.67 0.67 0.73 0.68 0.69 0.58 0.65 0.59 0.62
25x4.0 100 0.44 0.44 0.53 0.44 0.50 0.38 0.48 0.38 0.45
25x6.3 157 0.27 0.28 0.42 0.28 0.38 0.24 0.38 0.24 0.35
40x6.3 250 0.17 0.18 0.31 0.18 0.30 0.15 0.29 0.15 0.28
63x6.3 400 0.11 0.11 0.23 0.12 0.28 0.10 0.22 0.11 0.23
100x6.3 630 0.069 0.075 0.17 0.084 0.22 0.065 0.16 0.07 0.20

* Total voltage drop between the consumer's main switchboard and any other point in the installation must not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage.

Note: (1) Table F 19 does not apply to bus-bar and connections on switchboards; ratings for these are dealt with in BS 159.

(2) For the rating factors for conductors connected to rubber or p.v.c. insulated cables, see note 9 of 7.12.
(a) Current rating factor: 0.9
(b) Volt drop rating factor:
(1) 0.97 for d.c. conductors and a.c. conductors with p.f. = 1.0
(2) 0.98 for a.c. conductors with p.f. = 0.7 (mean value).

- 225 -
 JS 21: 1992
Vulcanised rubber flexible cables

Table F 20. Current ratings and associated volt drops for vulcanised rubber-insulated
flexible cables, other than flexible cords (BS 6007).

CURRENT RATINGS (A)

Conductor cross-sectional area d.c. or single-phase a.c.(one twin cable, with or Three-phase a.c. (one three- or four-core cable)
without earth-continuity conductor or two single-
core cables bunched)

3
1 2

mm² A A

4 30 26
6 39 34
10 51 47
16 73 63
25 97 83
35 120 102
50 150 124
70 180 158
95 220 192
120 250 222
150 290 255
185 330 291
240 380 343
300 435 394
400 520 -
500 590 -
630 680 -

- 226 -
 JS 21: 1992
Table F 20(cont'd)

VOLTAGE DROPS (mV/A/m)*

Conductor cross-sectional area d.c. Single-phase a.c. Three-phase a.c.

1 2 3 4
mm² mV mV mV

4 12 12 10
6 7.8 7.8 6.7
10 4.6 4.6 4.0
16 2.9 2.9 2.5
25 1.80 1.85 1.55
35 1.20 1.24 1.15
50 0.85 0.88 0.84
70 0.60 0.64 0.58
95 0.45 0.50 0.44
120 0.35 0.41 0.36
150 0.29 0.34 0.30
185 0.23 0.30 0.26
240 0.18 0.25 0.21
300 0.14 0.23 0.185
400 0.11 0.21 -
500 0.086 0.19 -
630 0.067 0.18 -

* Total voltage drop between the consumer's main switchboard and any other point in the installation must
not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage (see 7.3 and F.1).

Note: The tabulated ratings are not applicable to flexible cables wound on drums. The current rating of a
cable on a drum depends upon the type of drum and may be less than one-half of the
corresponding rating stated in the table.

Rating factors for ambient temperatures

Ambient temperature(C) 25 35 40 45 50 55
Rating factor 1.04 0.91 0.82 0.71 0.57 0.41

- 227 -
 JS 21: 1992
`High-temperature' flexible cables

Table F 21. Current ratings and associated volt drops for flexible cables insulated with
butyl rubber or e.p. rubber or silicone rubber (BS 6007).

CURRENT RATINGS (A)

Conductor cross-sectional area d.c. or single-phase a.c.(one twin cable, with or Three-phase a.c. (one three- or four-core cable)
without earth-continuity conductor or two single-
core cables bunched)
3
1 2

mm² A A

4 41 36
6 53 47
10 73 64
16 99 86
25 131 114
35 145 140
50 185 170
70 225 216
95 270 262
120 305 303
150 355 348
185 405 397
240 465 467
300 530 537
400 630 -
500 720 -
630 830 -

- 228 -
 JS 21: 1992
Table F 21(cont'd)

VOLTAGE DROPS (mV/A/m)*

Conductor cross-sectional area d.c. Single-phase a.c. Three-phase a.c.
1
2 3 4
mm² mV mV mV

4 13 13 11
6 8.4 8.4 7.3
10 5.0 5.0 4.3
16 3.1 3.1 2.7
25 2.0 2.00 1.70
35 1.42 1.34 1.20
50 0.99 0.95 0.91
70 0.70 0.68 0.63
95 0.53 0.53 0.48
120 0.41 0.43 0.39
150 0.33 0.36 0.32
185 0.26 0.32 0.27
240 0.21 0.27 0.22
300 0.165 0.24 0.195
400 0.125 0.21 -
500 0.098 0.20 -
630 0.073 0.19 -

* Total voltage drop between the consumer's main switchboard and any other point in the installation must
not exceed 2.5% of the nominal voltage (see 7.3 or F.1).

Note. The tabulated ratings are not applicable to flexible cables wound on drums. The current rating of a
cable on a drum depends upon the type of drum and may be less than one-half of the
corresponding rating stated in the table.

Rating factors for ambient temperatures

(a) Butyl-rubber cables

Ambient temperature (C) 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70

Rating factor 0.93 0.86 0.80 0.72 0.63 0.54 0.44 0.31

(b) Silicone-rubber cables

Ambient temperature(C) (35 to 95) 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135 140
Rating factor 1.0 0.94 0.88 0.82 0.77 0.71 0.64 0.56 0.48 0.39

- 229 -