1

www.efixx.co.uk

Wiring in Trunking
Calculations
 2

Trunking Sizing

The number of cables that can be drawn into a trunking

must be such that no damage can occur to the other
cables and a space factor of 55 % is observed. In order to
calculate the size of the trunking Appendix _____ of the
on-site guide is used which covers the following

 Cable factors for trunking page _____ table _____

 Factors for trunking page _____table_____.

 3

EXAMPLE NUMBER 1: How many 1.5 mm²

single core thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables do you
think we could get into a 50 mm x 50 mm trunking

Estimate ________

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
1.5 mm² cable = ________

STEP 3
Select table _____ for factors for trunking and this states
that a factor of ________ is given for 50 mm x 50 mm
trunking.

STEP 4
Divide the cable factor for 1.5 mm² cable of ________
into the trunking factor of _______

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables = ________

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables = ________

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables that can be installed

= ________
 4

PROBLEM 1: How many 1.5 mm² single core

thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables do you think we
could get into a 100 mm x 100 mm trunking

Estimate ________

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
1.5 mm² cable = ________

STEP 3
Select table _____ for factors for trunking and this states
that a factor of ___________ is given for 100 mm x 100
mm trunking.

STEP 4
Divide the cable factor for 1.5 mm² cable of ________
into the trunking factor of ________

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables = ________

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables = ________

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables that can be installed

= ________
 5

PROBLEM 2: How many 4 mm² single core

thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables do you think we
could get into a 75 mm x 75 mm trunking

Estimate ________

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
4.0 mm² cable = ________

STEP 3
Select table _____ for factors for trunking and this states
that a factor of __________ is given for 75 mm x 75
mm trunking.

STEP 4
Divide the cable factor for 4 mm² cable of ________ into
the trunking factor of ________

Maximum number of 4 mm² cables = ________

Maximum number of 4 mm² cables = ________

Maximum number of 4 mm² cables that can be installed =

________
 6

EXAMPLE NUMBER 2: Select a trunking that

can contain the following single core thermoplastic (PVC)
stranded cables. Twelve 1.5 mm² single core
thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables, ten 2.5 mm² single
core thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables and eight 4
mm² single core thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables.

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
1.5 mm² cable = ________

2.5 mm² cable = ________

4.0 mm² cable = ________

STEP 3
Apply factors to the number of cables within the trunking.
For 1.5 mm² cable = ________ x 12 = ________

For 2.5 mm² cable = ________ x 10 = ________

For 4.0 mm² cable = ________ x 8 = ________

Total = ________

STEP 4
Select table _____ for factors for trunking. The factor
must be greater than ________. This table gives a factor
of ________ for ________ x ________ dimension
trunking.

STEP 5
Answer is ________ x ________ trunking.
 7

PROBLEM 3: Select a trunking that can

contain the following single core thermoplastic (PVC)
stranded cables. Twenty 1.5 mm² single core
thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables, twenty-five 2.5 mm²
single core thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables and
seventeen 4 mm² single core thermoplastic (PVC)
stranded cables.

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
1.5 mm² cable = ________

2.5 mm² cable = ________

4.0 mm² cable = ________

STEP 3
Apply factors to the number of cables with in the trunking.
For 1.5 mm² cable = _______ x _______ = _______

For 2.5 mm² cable = _______ x _______ = _______

For 4.0 mm² cable = _______ x _______ = _______

Total = _______

STEP 4
Select table _____ for factors for trunking. The factor
must be greater than ________. This table gives a factor
of ________ for ________ x ________ dimension
trunking.

STEP 5
 8

Answer is ________ x ________

trunking.
PROBLEM 4: Select a PVC trunking that can contain the
following circuits that are wired in single core
thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables, nine lighting circuits,
sixteen A2 radial circuits and twenty A3 radial circuits.

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
mm² cable = ________

mm² cable = ________

mm² cable = ________

STEP 3
Apply factors to the number of cables within the trunking.
For ____mm² cable = _______ x _______ = _______

For ____mm² cable = _______ x _______ = _______

For ____mm² cable = _______ x _______ = _______

Total = _______

STEP 4
Select table _____ for factors for trunking. The factor
must be greater than ________. This table gives a factor
of ________ for ________ x ________ dimension
trunking.

STEP 5
 9

Answer is ________ x ________

trunking.
 10

Q1 What are the advantages of using multi-

compartment trunking?

Q2 What does ELV stand for, in which band does it fall

and state its voltage AC range?

Q3 What does LV stand for, in which band does it fall

and state its voltage AC range?

Q4 What precaution must be taken when trunking

passes through walls and ceilings?

Q5 What precautions must be taken to the cables in long

vertical runs of trunking…
 11

Q6 What must be fitted between each

individual length of steel trunking to maintain its
continuity?

Q7 What type of luminaries are generally fitted to

lighting trunking

Q8 The maximum percentage of space which may be

occupied by cables in a trunking system is

A) 35%
B) 45%
C) 55%
D) 65%

Q9 All live conductors of an AC circuit must enter steel

trunking through one hole in order to

A) Improve continuity
B) Reduce corrosive effects
C) Reduce eddy currents
D) Improve insulation resistance

Q10 A 40mm X 25mm plastic trunking contains 10

conductors. Each conductor has a cross-sectional area of
25mm2. The actual space taken up by the cable is…

A) 25%
B) 40%
C) 45%
 12

D) 75%
Q11 Copper links are used across joints in metallic trunking
installations in order to

A) Increase the strength of the joint

B) Reduce corrosion at the joint
C) Provide a temporary fixing
D) Maintain the continuity of the exposed
conductive parts

Q12 Compartment separators are used in trunking wiring

systems to

A) Provide more room for cables

B) Strengthen the trunking
C) Provide circuit segregation
D) Reduce thermal effects
 13

WIRING TRUNKING
Trunking Sizing

The number of cables that can be drawn into a trunking

must be such that no damage can occur to the other
cables and a space factor of 55 % is observed. In order to
calculate the size of the trunking Appendix _____ of the
on-site guide is used which covers the following

 Cable factors for trunking page _____ table _____

 Factors for trunking page _____table_____.

 14

EXAMPLE NUMBER 1: How many 1.5 mm²

single core thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables do you
think we could get into a 50 mm x 50 mm trunking
(students come up with cable factor)

Estimate ________

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
1.5 mm² cable = 8.6

STEP 3
Select table _____ for factors for trunking and this states
that a factor of 1037 is given for 50 mm x 50 mm
trunking.

STEP 4
Divide the cable factor for 1.5 mm² cable of 8.6 into the
trunking factor of 1037

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables = 1037

8.6

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables = 120.58

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables that can be installed

= 120
 15

PROBLEM 1: How many 1.5 mm² single core

thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables do you think we
could get into a 100 mm x 100 mm trunking

Estimate ________

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
1.5 mm² cable = 8.6

STEP 3
Select table _____ for factors for trunking and this states
that a factor of 4252 is given for 100 mm x 100 mm
trunking.

STEP 4
Divide the cable factor for 1.5 mm² cable of 8.6 into the
trunking factor of 4252

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables = 4252

8.6

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables = 494.42

Maximum number of 1.5 mm² cables that can be installed

= 494
 16

PROBLEM 2: How many 4 mm² single core

thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables do you think we
could get into a 75 mm x 75 mm trunking

Estimate ________

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
4 mm² cable = 16.6

STEP 3
Select table _____ for factors for trunking and this states
that a factor of 2371 is given for 75 mm x 75 mm
trunking.

STEP 4
Divide the cable factor for 4 mm² cable of 16.6 into the
trunking factor of 2371

Maximum number of 4 mm² cables = 2371

16.6

Maximum number of 4 mm² cables = 142.83

Maximum number of 4 mm² cables that can be installed =

142
 17

EXAMPLE NUMBER 2: Select a trunking that

can contain the following single core thermoplastic (PVC)
stranded cables. Twelve 1.5 mm² single core
thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables, ten 2.5 mm² single
core thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables and eight 4
mm² single core thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables.
(Students come up with cable factor)

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
1.5 mm² cable = 8.6
2.5 mm² cable = 12.6
4.0 mm² cable = 16.6

STEP 3
Apply factors to the number of cables within the trunking.
For 1.5 mm² cable = 8.6 x 12 = 103.2
For 2.5 mm² cable = 12.6 x 10 = 126
For 4.0 mm² cable = 16.6 x 8 = 132.8
Total = 362

STEP 4
Select table _____ for factors for trunking. The factor
must be greater than 362. This table gives a factor of
738 for 75 mm x 25 mm dimension trunking.

STEP 5
Answer is 75 mm x 25 mm trunking.
 18

PROBLEM 3: Select a trunking that can

contain the following single core thermoplastic (PVC)
stranded cables. Twenty 1.5 mm² single core
thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables, twenty-five 2.5 mm²
single core thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables and
seventeen 4 mm² single core thermoplastic (PVC)
stranded cables.

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
1.5 mm² cable = 8.6
2.5 mm² cable = 12.6
4.0 mm² cable = 16.6

STEP 3
Apply factors to the number of cables with in the trunking.
For 1.5 mm² cable = 8.6 x 20 = 172
For 2.5 mm² cable = 12.6 x 25 = 315
For 4.0 mm² cable = 16.6 x 17 = 282.2
Total = 769.2

STEP 4
Select table _____ for factors for trunking. The factor
must be greater than 769.2. This table gives a factor of
993 for 100 mm x 25 mm dimension trunking.

STEP 5
Answer is 100 mm x 25 mm trunking.
 19

PROBLEM 4: Select a PVC trunking that can contain the

following circuits that are wired in single core
thermoplastic (PVC) stranded cables, nine lighting circuits,
sixteen A2 radial circuits and twenty A3 radial circuits.

STEP 1
Select table _____ for cable factors for trunking.

STEP 2
Obtain factors for the cables to be installed.
1.5 mm² cable = 8.6
4.0 mm² cable = 16.6
2.5 mm² cable = 12.6

STEP 3
Apply factors to the number of cables within the trunking.
For 1.5 mm² cable = 8.6 x 27 = 232.2
For 4.0 mm² cable = 16.6 x 48 = 796.8
For 2.5 mm² cable = 12.6 x 60 = 756
Total = 1785

STEP 4
Select table _____ for factors for trunking. The factor
must be greater than 1785. This table gives a factor of
2091 for 100 mm x 50 mm dimension trunking.

STEP 5
Answer is 100 mm x 50 mm trunking.
 20

Answers

Q1 What are the advantages of using multi-compartment

trunking?

ANSWER In this system both band I

telecommunications and data cables as well as
band II cables can be run but in separate sections
of the trunking

Q2 What does ELV stand for, in which band does it fall

and state its voltage AC range?

ANSWER Extra Low Voltage is 0 to 50 volts AC and

classed as band I

Q3 What does LV stand for, in which band does it fall

and state its voltage AC range?

ANSWER Low Voltage is 51 to 1000 volts AC and

classed as band II

Q4 What precaution must be taken when trunking

passes through walls and ceilings?

ANSWER The area around the trunking must be

made good to the equivalent standard of the wall it
has passed through. Inside the trunking must be a
fire barrier

Q5 What precautions must be taken to the cables in long

vertical runs of trunking

ANSWER Cables should be interwoven through the

insulated flat pins or separators for additional
support at a maximum distance of 5 metres
 21

Q6 What must be fitted between each

individual length of steel trunking to maintain its
continuity?

ANSWER Separate copper strap

Q7 What type of luminaries are generally fitted to

lighting trunking

ANSWER fluorescent

Q8 The maximum percentage of space which may be

occupied by cables in a trunking system is…

A) 35%
B) 45%
C) 55%
D) 65%

Q9 All live conductors of an AC circuit must enter steel

trunking through one hole in order to

A) Improve continuity
B) Reduce corrosive effects
C) Reduce eddy currents
D) Improve insulation resistance

Q10 A 40mm X 25mm plastic trunking contains 10

conductors. Each conductor has a cross-sectional area of
25mm2. The actual space taken up by the cables is

A) 25%
B) 40%
C) 45%
D) 75%
 22

Q11 Copper links are used across joints in

metallic trunking installations in order to

A) Increase the strength of the joint

B) Reduce corrosion at the joint
C) Provide a temporary fixing
D) Maintain the continuity of the exposed
conductive parts

Q12 Compartment separators are used in trunking wiring

systems to

A) Provide more room for cables

B) Strengthen the trunking
C) Provide circuit segregation
D) Reduce thermal effects