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© British Standards Institution. No part of this publication may be photocopied or otherwise rep roduced without the prior permission in writing of BS 1

British Standard Specification for

PVC-insulated cables for

electricity supply

-..

Cables isoles au PVC pour alimentation electrique- Specifications

Kabel mit PVC-Ummantelung fur die Elektrizitatsversorgung

... - ~t .

'· .

British Standards Institution

8~ 6346 : 1989

Foreword

Th is new edition of this British St an dard has been prepared

unde r the d irecti on of the General El ectrotec hnical
Eng inee ring Standards Policy Committee. The previous
1987 edit ion was a revision of BS 6346 : 1969, to sa tisf y
the present requirements of PVC-ins ul ated cables for
el ectricity supply for rated vol tages of 600/ 1000 V and
1900/3300 V. Unarm oured 1900/3300 V cables were no
longer included. Th e 1987 revisio n has been withdrawn.
This edition introduces technical changes to bring the
standard up-to-date but it does not ref lect a full review of
the standard, which will be und ertil ken in due course.
Thi s British Stand ard takes account of the cond ucto r
requ irements given in BS 6360, wh ich was re vi sed in 1981
to al ign with IE C Publicatio n 228 pub li shed by the Inter-
national Electrotechnical Commission (IE C), this latter ·"'\
standard being the reference document for CEN ELEC * {: )
Harmonization Document HD 383. Dimens ional tables have
been introduced to cater for every size of multicore
aux iliary cable in the range five to 48 cores, w ith conductor
sizes of 1.5 mm 2 , 2.5 mm 2 and 4 mm 2 .
Special sample tests that may be specified by the purchaser
at the time of ordering are given in appendix D.
Certification. Attent io n is drawn to the cert ifi cation
services (see in side back cover) of th e British Approvals
Service for El ectric Cables (BAS EC) t . Th ese services
in clude li censing manufactu re rs to use BASEC certification
trade marks as independ ent assurance th at cab les o r cords
have been designed and man ufactured to appropriate
British Standa rds.
Amendments to th e 1987 edition are indicated by a line in
the marg in.
Compliance with a Br itis h Standard does not of itse lf
confer immunity from legal oblig ations.

• European Committee for E iectro te chni cal Standard i zation.

tB ri tish Approvals Ser v ice fo r El ectric Cabl es, PO Box 3 90 ,
Br eck lan d, Linf o rd Wood, M il t o n Ke y nes, Buckingh am shire,
MK 14 6LN .
 AMD 6831
Amendment No. 1
published and effective from 28 February 1992
to BS 6346 : 1989
STANDARDS
Specification for PVC-insulated cables for
electricity supply

Revised text

AMD 6831 Con tents

Febru ary 1992 Under the heading 'Ap pendices' insert t he following :
' F Guide to use'

AMD 6831 Clause 10. Overshea t h

February 1992 Delete the first sentence of 10.1 and substi tute the following:
'The oversheath of unarmoured or armoured cable sha ll be
an ex truded lay er of TM1 PVC compound, com plying with
the appropria t e requirements of table 3 and BS 6746'.
Between paragraphs 1 and 2 of 10.1 insert:
'NOTE. Oversheaths are normally black, but colours oth e r than
black may be provided by agreement b etween the manu facture r and
purchaser, subject to their suitability for the particular exposure
conditions u nder which the cables are to be used .'

AMD 6831 Clause 11. Cab le marking and end sealing

February 1992 Delete 11.2 and 11.3 and substitute the following:
'11.2 External marking
The external surface of all cables complying with th is
British Standard sha ll be legibly marked with the following
elements:
El ement Example of Mark ing
(a) Electri c cable ELECTRIC CABLE
(b) Volta ge designatio n 600/ 1000 v
3300 v
600/1000 V AUX
(c) British Standa rd number BS 6346
(d) Manufacturer's id entification XYZ
(e) Number of cores, type and
nominal area of conductor
(1) Copper conductor cables 4 X 50
NOTE 1. 4 X 50 ind icat es a four-core
cable with 50 mm' copper
conductors.
(2) Copper conducto r cab les
with reduced neutral 3 X 50/ 25
NOTE 2. 3 X 50 / 25 ind icate s a
four-co re cable w ith three 50 m m'
coppe r ph ase conductors and
o ne 25 mm' copper neutral
conductor .
./
 (3) Aluminium conductor
cables 4 X 50AL
NOTE 3. 4 X 50 A L indicates a
f o ur-core cable with 50 mm'
aluminium conductors.

The marking of the items (a) to (e) shall be by embossing or

indenting on the overs heath.
For cables with tabulated approximate overall diameters
above 15 mm, items (a). (b) and (c) shall appear, in any
sequence that is deemed to neither confuse nor conflict, on
two or more primary lines along the axis of the cable,
approximately equally spaced around the circumfere nce of
the cable. Items (d) and (e) shall appear on either one of
the primary lines, or a secondary line or lines. They can
appear in any sequence that is deemed to neither confuse
nor conflict, and need not all be on the same line.
For cables with tabulated approximate overall diameters of
15 mm or smaller, the elements of marking shall be
disposed as for cables above 15 mm ex cept that the
marking for items (a), (b) and (c) shall appear on one or
more primary lines.
The letters and figures shall consist of upright block
characters with a minimum height of 3 mm.
The distance between the end of one element of marking
and the beginning of the next identical element shall be not
greater than 550 mm for items (a) , (b) and (c), and not
greater than 1100 mm for items (d) and (e).
Compliance shall be checked by visual examination and
measurement.
11.3 Identification of year of manufacture
A mea ns of identifying the year of manufacture of the
cable shall be provided throughout the length of the cable,
either internally or by marking on the surface of the cable.
If the identification is internal the distance between the end
of one mark and the beginning of the next mark shall be
not greater than 550 mm.
NOTE. As an alternative internal marking, an identification thread
may be used.

If the identification is by mark in g on the surface it shall

comply with items (d) and (e) in 11.2 in respect of max-
imum distance between marks.
11.4 The mark of an approval organization
If the mark of an approval organization is used it shall be
provided throughout the length of the cable.
If the mark is applied to the cable it shall be on the surface
in th e form of the symbol(s) specified by the approval
organization, and shall comply with items (d) and (e)
in 11.2 in respect of ~aximum distance between marks .
NOTE. As an alternati ve to the mark of the approval organization,
an identification thread mav be incorporated into th e cabl e, as
specified by the approval organization.

11.5 Additional marking

The use of additional marking is permitted. Where such
marking is made it shall be throughout the length of the
cab le, on the external surface of the cable, or by means of a
tape or thread within the cable, or by a combination of
these methods. If the additio na l marking is applied to the
surface of the cable it shall not render illegible the marking
specified in 11 .2 to 11.4.
The additional marking, however made, shall be repeated at
intervals not exceeding 1100 mm.'

2 IAM D 6831]
AMD 6831 Clause 11.4 End sea ling
February 1992 Delete '11 .4' and substitute '11.6'.

----------------------------------------------
AMD 6831 New appendix F
February 1992 Following appendix E, insert the following:
'Appendix F. Guide to use
F.1 Aim
The aim of this append ix is to inform users of characteristics
and limitations of electric cables and thereby to minimize
their misuse.
It is assumed that the design of installations and the
specification, purchase and installation of cables in
accordance with this British Standard is entrusted to
suitably skilled and competent people.
In cases of dou bt as to the suitability of cabl es specifi ed in
this Bri tish Standard for a part icular use, further specif ic
information should be obtained from the manufacturer.
F .2 Cable selection and design
F.2.1 The produ cts described in this British Standard are
intended to be used for the supply of electrical energy up
to the rated voltage indicated on the cable. A.2 defines the
voltage ratings of cables manufactured to the specification.
These ratings should not be exceeded.
F.2.2 These cables are intended for use at a nominal power
frequency range of 49Hz to 61 Hz.
F.2.3 In addition to the thermal rating, due regard should
be given to:
(a) the capability of the cable to withstand the worst
anticipated fault condition of the system;
(b) the earth loop impedance;
(c) the operating characteristics of the connected
equipment;
(d) the voltage drop requirements during normal load or
motor starting cond.itions.
F.2.4 The possible effects of transient over-voltages should
be recognized as they can be detrime ntal to cabl es.
F.2.5 In three-phase circuits, where third or higher
multiple harmonics, or phase load unbalance may occur,
consideration should be given to the use of cable with full
sized neutral, e.g. in banks of discharge lighting .
F.3 Environment and application
F.3.1 Reasonable protection aga inst mechanical damage,
appropriate to the choice of cable and the installation
conditions, should be provided .
F.3.2 Cables in this Br itish Standard contain PVC and
when expo sed to the eff ects of external fire will produce
harmful smoke and fum es, and where bundled together
may propagate fire. Where circum stances dictate, consid-
eration may be given to the use of materials with a lower
risk of propagation.
F.3.3 Cables may be damaged by exposure to corro si ve
produ cts or sol vent substances, especiall y petro leum
based vapours.
F.3.4 Special precautions are required when cables are to
be installed in areas classified as hazardous and reference
should be made to BS 5345.

r 11 • • " " ' ,., ......... •

 F.3.5 Cables in this British Standard are not specifically
designed for use:
(a) as self supporting aerial cables;
(b) as submarine cable or for laying in water-logged
conditions;
(c) where subsidence is likely, unless special precautions
are t aken to minimize damage;
(d) where any exposure to excessive heat is invol ved;
(e) where the oversheath is subjected to a voltage test
after installation .
F.3.6 If cables to this specific ation are exposed to localized
heat, solar radiation or high temp erature ambient condi·
tions, this will reduce the current-carrying capacity.
F.3.7 The standard sheathing compounds supplied on these
cables do not provide protection against damage by rodents,
termites, etc.
F.3.8 Lo aded cables may ha ve surface temperatur es which
require protection against accidental contact.
FA Installation
F.4.1 Preca ut ions should be taken to avoid mechanical
damage to the cables before and during installation.
F.4.2 Exc eeding the manufacturer's recommended max·
imum pulling tensions may result in damage to the cab le.
F.4.3 If cables are to be installed in ducts, the correct
size of duct should be used. Reference should be made to
ERA Publication 69·30, Part II I.
F.4.4 The type of jointing and filling compounds
emp loyed has to be chemically compatible with th e cable
materials.
F.4.5 Th e cable support system should be such as to avoid
damage or danger under normal or fault conditions.
F.4.6 Cables in this British Standard are designed for fixed
installations only, e.g. they are not for use as trailing or
reeling cables.
F.4.7 Repeated over-voltage te sting can lead to premature
failure of the cable.
F .4.8 The selection of cable glands. accessories and any
associated tools should take account of all aspects of
intended use.
F.5 Storage and drum disposal
F.5.1 Cable drums should be regularly inspected during
storage to assess their physical condition.
F.5.2 Battens, where applied , should not be remov ed
from drums until the cab le is about to be installed .
F.5.3 When handling drums reasonable preca uti ons should
be taken to avoid injury. Due regard should be paid to the
mass of the drum, method and direction of rolling , lifting,
protruding nails and splinters .
F.5.4 Care should be taken with the disposal of empty
drums and battens. These are normally returnable to the
supplier/ cable maker, and retur n sho uld take place as soon
as possible in order to avoid deterioration or their becoming
a hazard to the general public, e.g. children.
F.5.5 Small qu antities of timber from drums or batt ens .
whic h may have been treated with wood preservative, may
be burnt und er carefully controlled conditions in the open.
F.5.6 A detail ed guide to the safe handling of ca b I<: drums
is available from the cable manufacturer.

4 [AMD 6831 I
 F.6 Incineration
The by·products of burning scrap cable can be a health
hazard. Incineration should only be undertaken by a
licensed contractor. For further information, HM
Inspectorate of Pollution should be contacted.'

AMD 6831 Publications referred to

February 1992
Insert the following:
'BS 5345 Code of practice for selection, installation and maintenance of electrical apparatus for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
(other than mining applications or exp losive process ing and manufacture)'

CIL/20
9202-2 - 1.1 k-8 5 [AMD 6831)
BS 6346: 1989
Specification
1 Scope
Th is British S:anclard spP. cifies requirem ents and dimensions
for PVC-in sulated cabl es for operation at nomina l vo ltages
up to and in clu ding 19001/ to armou r or earth and 3300 V
betwee n co nducto rs.
The standard covers cables intended for genera l use where
th e combina tio n o f th e ambient temperature and
tempe rature rise du e to the load ing current res ults in a
conductor t'" mperature not exceeding 70 ° C.
Th e sta ndard covers the following types of cable:
(a ) 600/ 1000 V:
( 1) si ngl9 -co re copper cond uctor:
( i) unarmo urecl, sheathed,
(ii ) •N ire-armoured, sheathed;
(2) single-core so lid aluminium conductor:
( i) unarmoured, sheathed,
( ii ) •;;ire-arm o ured, sheathed ,
(i ii) aluminium strip-armo ured, sheathed;
(3) single-co re solid sectora l alumi nium conductor:
( i) un armo ured, shea th ed,
( ii ) wire -armoured, sheathed ,
(i ii) alum inium st rip-armoured, sheathed;
(4) \INO - , three- and fou r-core copper conductor:
(i) unarmoured, sheathed,
( ii) wire-armoured , sheathed;
(5) two -, three- and four-co re so li d alumin ium
conductor:
(i) unarmo ured, sheathed,
( ii) wire- armoured, sheathed,
(iii ) aluminium str ip-armou red, sh eathed;
(6) mu lcico re auxiliary copper co ndu cto r:
(i ) wire- arm o ur ed, sh eathed.
(b ) 1900. 3300 V :
( 1) sins; !,;- co re copper conductor :
(i) ..-. ir"-a m10 ured , sheathed ;
(2 ) sing:?- core solid al uminium conductor:
( i) •:. re -ar mou re d, sheathed,
( ii ) clu min ium strip-armo ured, sheathed;
(3) sin gl;; -co re so lid sectora l a luminiu m conductor:
(i) \':ire-a rmou red. sheathed,
(ii ) alu minium strip-armoured, sheathed;
(4) thr e~-co re coppe r conductor:
(i) \\'i re-armoured, sheathed;
(5) th ree- co re solrd alu minium conducto r:
(i ) \': ire-armoured, sheathed ,
( ii) alumin ium strip-armour ed, sheath ed .
Append ix A giv es recommendations for th e se lection and
operation of cables , w hil e recommendations for the
installa t ion of cables are given in appendix B, and appen-
dix C lists information t hat should be given in any enquiry
or ord er.
NOTE. T he titles of the publ icat ions referred to in this standard
are listed on th e ins ide back cover.
2 Definitions
For the purposes of this British St andard t he def ini t ions
given in BS 4727 :Part 2 :Group 08 apply , together wi th
the following.
2.1 rated voltage, U 0 . The nominal power-frequency
voltage between conductor(s) and armour or earth, for w hi ch
the cable is suitable.
2.2 rated voltage, U . Th e nomin al power-freq uency voltage
between phase conductors for which the cable is suitable.
2.3 maximum voltage, Um. Th e maximum sustained
power-frequency voltage between phase conductors,
for which the cab le is suitab le.
2.4 nominal value . Th e value by w hich a quant ity is
designated and wh ich is o ften used in ta bles.
NOTE. Usu ally , in this standard, n ominal values gi ve ri se to values
to be checked by measu re ments taking in to acco•;nt specified
tolerances.
2.5 approximate valu e. A va lue which is only ind icative .
NOTE. In this sta nda rd, va lu es describe d as 'approximate ' do n ot
const it u te requirements to be checked b y measure ments.
3 Voltage designation
Th e cab les shall be designated by the rate d vo ltages U 0
and U, e<c:pressed in the form U0 /U.
Th e rated vo ltages recog nized for the purposes of this
standard are 600/ 1000 V and 1900/ 3300 V.
Th e maximum designated vo ltages (U m) for the purposes
of this standard for 600/1000 V and 1900/ 3300 V cables
are recogn ized as 1100 V and 3600 V respectively .
NOTE. Guidanc e on th e sel ec ti o n of cables of a;Jp ropr ia te voltage
d e signations for parti cu lar systems is given in A.2.
4 Conductors
The conductors shall be either annealed copper conductors
or so li d alumini um conductors , as given in tables 12 to 26
inc lu si ve and shall comply~vith BS 6360. It is permissible
for the copper w ire to be tinne d at the manufacturer's
discret ion.
The cond uctors sha ll be circular , circular sectoral or shaped
solid (cl ass 1), or circu lar , circula r compacted or shaped
strand ed (class 2), as given for the type and rated voltage
of the cab le in tabl es 12 to 26 inclusive.
 BS 6346 : 1 989

5 Insulation Compliance with these requirements shall be checked by

visual examiriltion. Where necessary, synthetic fillers,
5.1 General which may be applied integrally with either the beddir,g
The insulation shall be a type Til PVC compound of armoured cable or the sheath of unarmoured cable,
complying with the appropriate requirements of table 3 shall be used to form a compact and reasonably circular
and BS 6746. The insulation shall he applied l.Jy an cable. It shall be possible to remove the fillers from the
extrusion process and shall form a compact and homo- cable without damaging the insulation of the cores.
geneous body. Compliance shall be checked by visual It is permissible for a synthetic binder tape to be used over
examination. the laid-up cores at the manufacturer's discretion. The
The insulation shall comply with the compatibility require- suitability of the fillers and binder tape, if used, shall be
ments of 17.2. determined by compliance, of the cable, with the
compatibility requirements given in 17.2.
5.2 Spark testing of insulation
The core insulation shall comply with the requirements
8 Bedding
for spark testing specified in BS 5099, when tested in
accordance with that standard. 8.1 General
The bedding shall be compatible with the insulating
5.3 Thickness of insulation
material. Compatibility shall be determined in accordance
The thickness of insulation, when determined by taking with 17.2. It shall be possible to remove the bedding from
the average of a number of measurements in accordance the cable without damaging the insulation of the core(s).
with 15.2, shall be not less than the value given in tables 12
to 26, as appropriate, and the smallest of the measured 8.2 Single-cora cables
values shall not fall below the value given in tables 12 to 26, The bedding of armoured 600/1000 V cables shall consist
as appropriate, by more than ( 10% + 0.1 mm) . of an extruded layer of polymeric compound having a tensile
strength of not less than 4 N/ mm 2 and an elongation at
break of not less than 50%. The bedding of 1900/3300 V
6 Identification of cores cables shall consist of an extruded layer of type TM1 or
The cores of all cables shall be identified either by numbers tyr:-e 6 PVC compound complying with the appropriate
or by colours, in accordance with the following sequence. requirements of table 3 and BS 6746 .
Number of cores Numbers Identification
8.3 Multicore cables
Single-core Red or black
The bedding of armoured 600/ 1000 V cables shall consist
Two-core Red, black of an extruded layer of polymeric compound having a
Three-core Red, yellow, blue tensile strength of not less than 4 N/mm 2 and an elongation
Four-core Red , yellow, blue, at break of not less than 50%. It is permissible for cables
black having a nominal conductor cross-sectional area of iO mm 2
and above to have taped bedding, as indicated in tables 14
I Auxiliary cables 1, 2, 3,
to 20 , comprising two or more layers of PVC tape or othe.-
4, 5, and
synthetic tape complying with 8.4. The bedding of
upwards
1900/3300 V cables shall consist of an extruded layer of
The colours shall be either throughout the insulation or on type TM 1 or type 6 PVC compound complying with the
its external surface. appropriate requirements of table 3 and BS 6746.
The numbers shall be printed in a colour which contrasts
with the cores. The intervals between adjacent numbers 8.4 Taped bedding gaps
shall not exceed 70 mm. When taped bedding is used for 600/ 1000 V cables, it shall
The height of the individual numbers shall be not less than be applied such that an y gaps between adjacent edges of
1.5mm. each tape are not coincident through the thickness of the
Compliance with these requirements shall be verified by bedding.
visual examination and measurement. If there is a gap between adjacent edges of each tape, it shall
not exceed 15 % of the tape width, as determined by
measurement in accordance with 15.3.
7 Laying-up NOTE. The thickness of taped bedding (approximately 0.8mml
need not be checked by measurement.
The cores of cables having two, three or four cores shall be
,• laid-up with a right-hand or right-and-left-hand alternatino
8.5 Thickness of extruded bedding
direction of lay . For multicore auxiliary cables the
:........ ' The minimum thickness of extruded bedding measured in
direction of lay shall alternate for each successi ve layer .
NOTE. Auxilliary cables having up to and including seven cores may
accordance with 15.2 shall not fall below the value given
be laid-up with a right-hand or left-hand or w i th a right-and-l eft- in tables 12 to 26 , as appropriate, by an amount more
ha"d alternating direction of lay. than(15.%+0. 1 mm).
 BS 6346: 1989

9 Armour
Table 1. Diameter of armour wire
9.1 General
For armoured cables, the armour shall consist of a single 1 2
layer of wires or aluminium strips having nominal Nominal wire diameter Wire diameter
dimensions as given in tables 12 to 26, as appropriate. The
armour shall be applied helically with a left-hand lay for Minimum Maximum
cables having up to and including four cores. For multicore
auxiliary cables the armour shall be applied helically with a mm mm mm
direction of lay opposite to that of the final layer of cores, 0.9 0.85 0.95
except that for cables which have been laid up with 1.25 1.18 1.32
alternating right·and·left·hand lay the armour may be
1.6 1.51 1.69
applied with either a right-hand or left-hand lay. It is
2.0 1.90 2.10
permissible for a binder tape to be applied between the
2.5 2.37 2.63
armour and the oversheath at the discretion of the
manufacturer. 3.15 2.99 3.31

9.2 Wire armour

Table 2. Mass of zinc coating
Wire armour for cables having two or more cores shall
consist of a single layer of galvanized steel wires. Wire
1 2
armour for single-core cab:es shall consist of a single layer
of aluminium wires. Nominal d iameter Minimum mass
The armour wire shall comply with the following. of armour wire of zinc coating

{a) The diameter of the round armour wire, whether of g/m2

mm
galvanized steel or plain aluminium, determined in
accordance with 0-2, shall fall within the minimum 0.9 112
and the maximum wire diameters specified in table 1. 1.25 150
{b) The mass of zinc coating of galvanized steel armour 1.6 172
wire, determined in accordance with 0.3, shall be not 2.0 180
less than that given in table 2. 2.5 195
{c) The mechanical characteristics of the galvanized steel 3.15 206
armour wires shall be such that when subjected to the
test given in 0.4 none of the wires shall break.
9.5 Armour resistance
(d) The tensile strength of aluminium armour wires,
when tested in accordance with 0.5 shall be not less The d.c. resistance of the armour of the complete cable,
than 125 N/mm 2 • measured and corrected to 20 °C in accordance with 15.4,
shall not exceed the appropriate value given in tables 30
to 34 (see appendix E).
9.3 Aluminium strip armour
The thickness and width of individual strips of aluminium
armour, determined in accordance with 0 .6, shall not differ
from the values specified in table 13, 15, 17, 19, 22 or 24, 10 Oversheath
as appropriate. by more than 10 %. 10.1 General
The tensile strength of individual strips of aluminium The oversheath of unarmoured or armoured cable shall be
armour, when tested in accordance with 0.5 shall be not an extruded layer of TM 1 black PVC compound, complying
less than 145 N/ mm 2 . with the appropriate requirements of table 3 and BS 6746.
It shall be possible to remove the oversheath of the
9.4 Joints unarmoured cable without damaging the insulation of the
Joints in steel wire armour shall be brazed or welded and core{s) .
any surface irregularity shall be removed. The oversheath shall comply with the compatibility require-
Joints in aluminium wire or strip shall be made by cold ments given in 17 .2.
pressure or fusion welding and all surface irregularities The oversheath of all armoured cables shall comply with
shall be removed. the requirements for spark testing specified in BS 5099,
A joint in any wire or strip shall be not less th an 1 m from w hen tested in accordance with that standard.
the nearest joint in any other armour wire or strip in the
complete cable.

;- -
! I/
'· - . .:
,,'I
10 .2 Th ick ness o f overs heat h
10.2.1 Unarmoured cable. Th e thickn ess of the oversheath
on un arm o ured cab les. determ ined by taking the average of
a number of mea sureme nts as described in 15 .2. shall be
not less than the va lue given in tab les 12 to 20. as appro-
pri a te, and th e sm all est of th e measu red va lu es sha ll not
fall below th e va lu e give n in th e table by more than
(15 % + 0.1 mm).
10.2.2 Armoured cable. T he m inimum th ickness of the
overs heath on armoured cab les, measu red in accordance
w ith 15.2, shall not fa ll be low the va lue given in t ab les 12
to 26, as appropriate, by mo re than (2 0% + 0.2 mm) .
11 Cable marking and end sealing
11 .1 End ma rki ng
T he ends of each facto ry length of ca ble having three or
mo re cores of conductor size 25 mm 2 and above, shal l be
marked red or gree n. Th e end at which the sequen ce of
core co lours. as given in clause 6, is cl ockw ise sha ll be
marked red and t he othe r end shall be marked green.
Comp lian ce sha ll be checked by visual exam in ation.
11.2 Embossi ng of overs hea th
The externa l surface of th e PV C oversheath shall be
embossed wit h one of the fo ll owi ng legends, each
composed of th ree elements , whic h shall appear in any
seq uence:
Vo ltage design a tion Leg e nd elements
600/ 1000 ELE CTRIC CAB LE
600 / 1000 v
BS 6 346
1900/3300 ELECTR IC CABL E
3300 v
BS 6346
600/ 1000 aux ilia ry cabl es ELE CTRIC CABLE
600/ 1000 V AUX
BS 634 6
For tabulated approximate overa ll di ameters abo ve 15 mm ,
t he legend sh all be embossed along two or more lines
appro x ima tely equ all y spaced aroun d the circum fere nce.
For tabulated appr oxi mate over all d ia meters of 15 mm and
small er, th e legend shall be emuossed along one or more
lines :
Th e lett ers and figures shal l be raised and shall consist of
upright block characters. In th e legend. the maxi mum siz e
of the characters sh all be 13 mm and the minim um size
15 % of the tabulated approx imate overal l d iam eter o f the
cable or 3 mm, whi che ve r is t he greater. The gap between
th e end of o ne l eg~ n d and the beginning of the next shall
be not great er than 250 mm.
Compli ance sh al l be ch ec ked by visual exami nat io n and
meas ur ement.
['; _ .
BS 63 46: 198 9
- ...... _. __ ··~ - · -·····
I.-
·.
. "\ ' .
. ! ,. t ...·
11.3 Iden tifi ca t io n of ma nu fac tur er and indi ca t io n of year
of m anu fa ctu re
A means of identify ing the manufacturer and the year of
manufacture shal l be provided throu ghout th e length of
cab le. If th is identificatio n is by means of embossing, it
shall not affect t he spac ing of the vo ltage designation
legend specified in 11 .2. Th e information sh a ll be pr ov ided
in such a way t hat th is shall be repeated at intervals not
exceeding 1 m length of cabl e.
11.4 End sea lin g
Both ends of every length of cable shall be sealed in such a
manner that it includes the oversheath.
NO TE . One e xampl e of end sealing is t he use of close fittin g p lastic
caps.
12 Schedule of tests
Tabl e 3 lists th e compl ete ran ge of tests app licable to th e
cables covered by th is standard an d refers to the relevan t
c lauses of the standard specifying the requirements a nd test
methods. T he final co lumn indicates, by mea ns of th e
symbols R, RS, SS and T, the category of each test .
The categ ories and corresponding designations are as
follows .
(a) Routine tests (R): tests made at th e manu fa cturer's
works on a ll cab les in the fin ished state or, as appropriate
(e.g . spark tes t) dur ing manufacture.
(b) Regular sample tests (RS): te sts made at th e manu-
fac turer' s works on rep rese nt ative samples selected
regu larly by t he manufacturer, or as spec ifi ed by th e
pu rchaser at th e t ime of orde rin g.
(c) Special sample tests (SS): t ests made on samples if
specif ied by t he pu rchaser at the t ime of ordering at
a frequency agreed betwee n the purchaser and th e
manufacturer provided t hat th e quan tity ordered
exceeds 10 km (see append ix D) .
(d) Type tests (T) : tests made on cab le as produced by
a spec ific manufactu rer before the manufac t urer supp li es.
on a gene ral commercial basis, cab les design ed to compl y
with this standard . Th ese tes ts. afte r t hey have been
successful ly comp leted, need not be repeated un less
changes are m ade which might aff ect compliance w ith
the test requ irem ent s.
13 Test conditions
13.1 Am bie nt tempe rature
Tests sh all be made at an amb ien t tem per atu re o f 20 :t 15 cC
unl ess oth e rw ise specified in the det ai ls for the particular
tes t.
13 .2 Frequenc y a nd wave fo rm of power -fre q uency
test vo ltages
Unl ess otherwise specified in t he particular test .
th e frequency of the alterna t ing test voltages shall be in
th e range 49 Hz to 6 1 Hz. Th e waveform sha ll be
substantially sinusoidal.
BS 6346: 1 989

Table 3. Schedule of tests

1 2 3 4

Test Requirement Test method Category

given in
clause

Tests on components
Conductor material and construction 4 BS 6360 RS
Insulation:
(a) Material 5.1 BS 6469/BS 6746 T
(b) Application 5.1 Visual examination RS
(c) Spark test 5.2 BS 5099 R
(d) Thickness 5.3 15.2 RS
and BS 6469
Core identification 6 Visual examination RS
and measurement
Laid-up cores 7 Visual examination RS

Bedding:
(a) Taped bedding gap 8.4 15.3 RS

(b) Extruded:
( 1) Material characteristics 8.2 and 8.3 · BS 6469/BS 6746 T
(2) Thickness 8.5 15.2 and BS 6469 RS

Armour:
(a) Wire armour:
( 1) Diameter 9.2(a) 0.2 ss
(2) Mass of zinc coating (galvanized steel wire only) 9.2(b) 0.3 ss
(3) Wrapping test (galvanized steel wire only) 9.2(c) 0.4 ss
(4) Tensile test (aluminium wire only) 9 .2(d) 0.5 ss
(b) Aluminium strip armour:
( 1) Dimensions of individual strips 9.3 0.6 ss
(2) Tensile test 9.3 0.5 ss
Oversheath:
(a) Material 10.1 BS 6469/BS 6746 T

(b) Thickness. unarmoured cable 10.2.1 15.2 and BS 6469 RS

(c) Thickness, armoured cable 10.2.2 15.2 and BS 6469 RS

I
I (d) Spark test 10.1 BS 5099 R

Tests on complete cables

Cable markings 11.1 and 11.2 Visual examination R
and measurement,
as appropriate
Conductor resistance 14.2 14.2 and BS 6360 R

Armour resistance 9.5 15.4 RS

Voltage test 14.3.1 14.3.2 R

Insulation resistance test 14.4.1 14.4.2 R

5.1and10 17.2 and BS 6469 T
Compatibility test
Test under fire conditions 16.2 BS 4066 : Part 1 ss

6
 BS 6346 : 1989

14 Routine tests Table 5. Test voltage on complete cables

14.1 General
1 2 3
Routine tests shall be as given in table 4.
Voltage Alternating test voltage (r.m.s.)
Table 4. Routine tests designation
Between Between any conductor
conductors and earth
1 2 3

Test Requirement Test v v v

given in clause method 600/ 1000 3 500 3 500
1900/3300 10 000 5 800
Spark test on cores 5.2 BS 5099
Spark test on
oversheath 10.1 BS 5099 . 14.4 Insulation resistance test
Visual examination and 14.4.1 Requirement. After completion of the voltage test
measurement of cable given in 14.3, the insulation resistance between each
markings 11.1 and 11.2 - conductor and the remaining conductprs in the cable shall
Conductor resistance 14.2 BS 6360 be measured in accordance with 14.4.2, arid shall be not
Voltage test on less than the appropriate value given in table 6.
completed cable 14.3.1 14.3.2 14.4.2 Method. Connect th e remain ing conductors in the
Insulation resistance 14.4.1 14.4.2 cable to the armour (if any). Measure the insulation
resistance after electrification with direct current for 1 min
at not less than 500 V.
14.2 Conductor resistance test NOTE . For multicore auxil iary cables, the cores may be connected
The d.c. resistance of each conductor shall comply with in gro ups so that th e insulation of each conductor is proved with
respect to all others.
BS 6360 when measured and corrected to 20 °C in
accordance with that standard.
Table 6. Minimum insulation resistance values
NOTE. For convenience, maxi mum resistance values for annealed
copper and aluminium conductors are given in tables 30 to 34
(see appendi x E). 1
I2 3

Nominal Insulation resistance

14.3 Voltage test on complete cables cross-sectional area per kilometre at 20 ° C
of conductor
•<r,,
\\ '~
14.3.1 Requirement. When the completed cable is tested I 600/1000 v 1900/3300 v
.,.,... in accordance with 14.3.2 without immersion in water, I
the insulation shall not break down. mm 2 I MD MD
14.3.2 Method. For multicore armoured cables, apply the 1.5
I 10 -
II
voltage between conductors and between each conductor ' 2.5 9 -
and the armour, which shall be earthed. 4 I 8 -
For multicore unarmoured cables, apply the voltage 6 II 7 -
between conductors. 10 7 -

Make the test at room tem perature using an alternating 16 6 10

voltage, the values of single-phase test voltage for the rated 25 5 8
voltages being given in table 5. If, for three-core cables 35 5 7
rated at 1900/ 3300 V, the voltage test is carried out with a 50 5 6
three-phase transformer, use a test voltage between the 70 5 6
phases of 1.73 times the values given in column 3 of table 5. 95 and above 5 5
Increase the voltage gradually and maintain it at the full
value for 5 min.
BS 6346: 1989

15 Regular sample tests 15.3 Measurement of the gap between tapes of taped
bedding
15.1 General Measure the gap between the adjacent edges of each
Regular sample tests shall be as given in table 7. bedding tape at right angle s to the tape, and also the tape
width, on a sample of cable 300 mm long, taken not less
Table 7. Regular sample tests than 150 mm from the end of a factory length.
Take the measurements by any suitable means in which
1 2 3 the error of determination does not exceed 0 .5 mm.
Test Requirement Test method Measure the gaps at four positions approximately 50 mm
given in clause apart along the length of the sample.

Conductor 15.4 Armour resistance test

material and Determine the d.c. resistance of the armour by measuring
construction 4 BS 6360 the resistance of all the armour wires or strips of the
Insulation completed cable connected together, and then correct the
thickness 5.3 15.2 and BS 6469 value from t °C, the determination temperature, to 20 °C
Core using the temperature correction multiplication factors
identification 6 - given in table 8.

Laid-up cores 7 -
Taped bedding
16 Special sample tests
gap 8.4 15.3
Extruded 16.1 General
bedding
Special sample tests shall be as given in table 9.
thickness 8.5 15.2 and BS 6469
Armour
16.2 Test for flame propagation of single cable
resistance 9.5 15.4
The finished cable shall comply with BS 4066 : Part 1 for
Oversheath
tests under fire conditions when tested in accordance with
thickness 10.2 15.2 and BS 6469
that standard.

15.2 Thickness measurement

15.2.1 Sampling. Make the measurements of thickness of
insulation, extruded bedding and oversheath listed in the
schedule of the test requirements (see table 3) on a sample
taken from one end of each drum length of cable selected
for the test, having discarded any portion which may have
suffered damage .
If any of the th icknesses measured does not comply
with 8.5 and 10.2, then two further samples shall be
checked for the non-compliant it ems. If both samples
meet the specified requirements the cable is deemed to
comply, but if either does not mee t the requirements,
the cable is deemed not to comply.
15.2.2 Method. Take measurements for each component
by the method specified in 2.1 of BS 6469 : 1984.
For multicore cables, take up to a maximum of four
measurements of insulation thickness on each core.
When determining an average thickness from several
measurements, round the resultdnt value to 0 . 1 mm,
0 .05 mm being rounded upwards.
For the sample tests, make the measurement in accordance
with BS 6469 , but it is pe rmitted to use a calibrated hand
len s. except in cases of dispute, when the equipment
specified in BS 6469 shall be us ed.
17 Type tests
17.1 General
Type tests shall be as given in table 10.
17.2 Compatibility test
17.2.1 Requirements. When tested in accordance
with 17.2.2 the results shall comply with the appropriate
value; given in table 11.
NOTE. This test is intended to check that the insulation and
oversheath are not liable to deteriorate due to contact with other
components in the cable.
This test is applicable to all types of cable.
17.2.2 Ageing treatment. Samples of completed cable shall
be heated in an oven for 7 days at 80 ± 2 °C using the
procedure specified in 2.3 of BS 6469 : 1984. After
completion of the ageing test the tensile strength and
elongation at break for insu_lation and sheath shall be
measured in accordance with 2.2 of BS 6469 : 1984.
A sheet of clean white blotting paper shall be placed under
each test piece in the oven to detect any exud a tion which
may drip from the cable . At the end of the test period in
the oven the blotting paper shall be free from stains.
 BS 6346: 1989

Table 8. Temperature correction multiplication factors Table 9. Special sample tests I

1 2 3 1 2 3 !
'
Test Requirement Test method !
Temperature of Correction factor, k t
given in
armour at time
clause
of measurement, t Galvanized
steel wire
Aluminium
wire or
i
armour strip armour Wire armour i'

diameter 9.2(a) 0 .2 i
oc Mass of zinc I
I
5 1.072 1.064 coating
6 1.067 1.059 (galvanized
!
i
7 1.062 1.055 steel wire only) 9.2(b) 0.3 I
i
8 1.057 1.050 Wrapping test l
9 1.052 1.046 (galvanized
10 1.047 1.042 steel wire only) 9.2(c) 0.4 i
11 1.042 1.037 Tensile test I
12 1.037 1.033 (aluminium
13 1.033 1.029 wire and
14 1.028 1.025 aluminium !
15 1.023 1.020 strip armour
16 1.018 1.016 only) 9.2(d) 0.5
I
1.012
I
17 1.014 Dimensions of I
18 1.009 1.008
aluminium
19 1.005 1.004 0.6
strip armour 9.3
20 1.000 1.000
Fire test on
21 0.996 0.996 BS 4066 : Part 1
single cables 16.2
22 0.991 0.992
23 0.987 0.988
24 0.982 0.984
Table 10. Type tests
25 0.978 0.980
26 0.974 0.977
1 2 3
27 0.969 0.973
. 28 0.965 0.969
f.' -.;, )
\ , ._·~ ./
\

29 0.961 0.965
Test Requirement
given in
Test method I
30 0.957 0.962
clause
I
31 0.953 0.958
Insulation
32 0.949 0 .954
material 5 BS 6469/ BS 6746
33 0.945 0.951
34 0.941 0 .947 Extruded
35 0.937 0 .943 bedding
material 8.2 and 8.3 BS 6469/ BS 6746
NOTE . The values of correction factor k tare based on a Oversheath
resistance t emperature coefficient at 20 ° C of 0.0045 per ° C material 10.1 BS 6469/ BS 6746
for gal van ized steel wire and 0 .0040 per ° C for aluminium
wire or strip . Compatibility . 5.1 17.2 and
test and 10 BS 6469

~ ..x.r · ·~~
-" ...~~ :::~·}.
 BS 6346: 1 989

.(~ ~-

r-·
Table 11 . Requirements for compatibility of
insulation and oversheath

1 2 3
I
Component ~ Test Requirement
~--- --- -- --
Insul ation Minimum ten si le
strength 12.5 N/ mm 2
Minimum elongation I
I break
at 125%
I
II Maximum variation * of
te nsi le strength 20%
I Maximum variation * of
elongation at break 20 %

Oversheath Minimum tensile

strength 12.5 N/m m 2
Minimum elongation
at break 125%
Maximum variation * of
tensil e strength 20%
Ma ximum variation * of
elongation at break 20 %

• The va riation is the difference between the respec tive values

obtained prior to and after heat treatment expressed as a
pe rcentage of the former.

Table 12. Single-core 600/1000 V cables with circular stranded copper conductors
I
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Nominal Thickness of Unarmoured cables Armoured cables

cross-sectional insulation
area of Thickness Approximate Thickness Nominal Thickness of Approximate
conducto r• of sheath overall of extruded armour oversheath overall
I diameter bedding wire diameter
i diameter

!
;
mm-' I
i mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
I
i 50 ! 1.4 1.4 15 .1 0 .8 1.25 1.5 19.1
i 70 1.4 1.4 16.9 0 .8 1.25 1.6 21.1
'
I
95 I I 1.6 1.5 19.4 0 .8 1.25 1.6 23.4
i
I 120 ! 1.6 1.5 21 .0 1.0 1.6 1. 7 26.3
150 1.8 1.6 23.2 1.0 1.6 1. 7 28.3
185 2.0 1.7 25 .8 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.8
'
240 2.2 1.8 29 .0 1.0 1.6 1.9 34.1
300 2.4 1.9 32.1 1.0 1.6 '1.9 37.0
400 2.6 2.0 35.8 1.2 2.0 2.1 42.0
:
: 500 2.8 2.1 39.6 1.2 2.0 2.1 45.6
G30 2.8 2.2 43.8 1.2 2.0 2.2 49.7
800 2.8 2.3 48.3 1.4 2.5 2.4 55.8
Ii 3.0 53.7 1.4 2.5 2.5 61.0
.:•. .
1000 I 2.5
I !
l - - - - - · -- · ··- - - ..J. --- - -- ·
I
· C11cul.11 ,, , CIJCul ar com pactt>d s trand~d conductors (class 2l.
L __________ _---- - -- --

10
 ' .
si:· ~ig: ''

-- -

1 2
- -- ·-·---- ----·- - - ---· r· ··-----------
Table 13. Singl e- core 600/1000 V cables with circular so li d aluminium conductors

3 4
--~-- -- - ~ 6
I 7 I8 I9 I 10 111 '
------- - - -----------
Nomin al Thickness of Unarm oured ca bles Armoured cables
cross-sectional in sulation
a rea of Thickness Approximate Thickness Nominal Armour strip Thickness of Approximate ov e rall
conductor* of sheath overall of extruded armo ur oversheath diameter
diameter bedding wire Nominal Nominal
diameter thickness width Wire- Strip-
armoured armoured

2
mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
50 1.4 1.4 13.8 0 .8 1.2 5 0.6 2.4 1.5 17.8 16.5
70 1.4 1.4 15.4 0 .8 1.25 0.6 2.4 1.6 19.6 18.3
95 1.6 1.5 17 .6 0.8 1.2 5 0.6 2.4 1.6 21.6 20.4
120 1.6 1.5 19.0 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.7 24.3 22.3
150 1. 8 1.6 21.0 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.7 2 6.1 24 .1
185 2.0 1.7 23.3 1.0 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.8 28 .3 27. 1
240 2.2 1. 8 26. 1 1.0 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.9 3 1.2 30.0
300 211 10 28.9 1.0 1.G 1.0 3.6 1.9 33.7 32.5
- ----------------------- -- -··-- -·· ... -- - -- -- ·--- ----- ---·-· -- ----- ----- --- --- · . · · - -- --- - ------ --- - - --
Cir c ular sectoral conductors
- ...• _ _. ____________ - - ----- - - --- --- -·
380 2.6 2.0 32.4 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 2. 0 38.4 37.2
(4 Y. 95)
480 2.8 2.1 35.7 1. 2 2.0 1.4 4.8 2.1 41 .7 40.5
(4 Y. 120)
600 2.8 2.2 38.7 1.2 2 .0 1.4 4 .8 2.2 44 .6 43.4
(4 X 150)
740 2.8 2.3 42.2 1.4 2.5 1.4 4.8 2.3 49 .5 47 .3
(4 X 185)
960 3.0 2 .4 47.4 1.4 2.5 1.8 6.4 2. 5 54 .9 53. 5
(4 X 240)
1200 3.0 2.G 52.0 1.6 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.6 59.7 58. 3
(4 X 300)
CD
' Circular solid co nclu ctors (class 1 ). (f)
(J)
w
-+:>-
(J)

<D
00
<D
 - -- -- --·- -- -- ---- · ----------- ------
CD
Table 14. Two-core 600/1000 V cables with copper conductors (f)
en
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
w
8 9 ~
-- -- · en
Nominal Thickn ess of Unarmoure d cables Armoured cables
i
cross-sect ional insul atio n c.o
area of Thickness Approximate Thickness Nominal Th ickness of Approximate overall I 00
conductor of sheath overall of e xtru ded armour oversheath diameter c.o
di a meter bedding wire
diameter Extruded Taped
bedding bedding

mm 2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
1.5· 0.6 - - 0.8 0.9 1.3 11.7 -
1.5t 0.6 - - 0.8 0.9 1.4 12.3 -
2.5* 0.7 - - 0.8 0.9 1.4 13. 1 -
2.5t 0.7 - - 0 .8 0.9 1.4 13.6 -
4t 0.8 - - 0.8 0.9 1.4 15. 1 -
6t 0.8 - - 0.8 0.9 1.5 16.5 -·
lOt 1.0 1.8 16. 1 0.8 1.25 1.6 20.1 20. 1
16t 1.0 1.8 18.6 0.8 1.25 1.6 21 .9 21 .9
25 -t 1.2 1.8 18.4 1.0 1.6 1. 7 23.0 22 .6
:r> 25t 1.2
' ..) 1.8 22.1 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.7 26.3
35 t 1.2 1.8 20.1 1.0 1.6 1.8 24.9 24.5
35t 1.2 1.8 24.5 1.0 1.6 1.8 29.4 29.0
50 § 1.4 1.8 22 .8 . 1.0 1.6 1.9 27.8 27.4
70 1.4 1.9 25.5 1.0 1.6 1.9 30.4 30.0
95 1.6 2.0 29.3 1.2 2.0 2.1 35.5 34.7
120 1.6 2.1 31 .8 1.2 2.0 2.2 38.0 37 .2
150 1.8 2.2 35.1 1.2 2.0 2.3 41.3 40.5
185 2.0 2.4 39.1 1.4 2.5 2.4 46.4 45 .2
240 2.2 ·. 2.5 43.9 1.4 2.5 2.5 51.2 50.0 I
300 2.4 2.7 48.7 1.6 2.5 2.7 56.4 54.8 I

400 2.6 2.9 54.2 1.6 2.5 2.9 61 .9 60.3 '

I

" Circu lar so lid conductors (class 1 )_

I Circ ular o r circular compacted s tr<mded conductors (cl ass 2)_
I Shaped st randed conductors (cl ass 2).
s Cables having conducto rs of nominal cross-sectional area 50 mm 2 an d above have shaped stranded conductors (cl ass 2).

.. ..
5~:~
J"
;.

!;_; :~~-: j ']

. .-
t "" ~' ._j.• "

' ' •U
·~

It ,,
 ..
{};~:-- :
.. . .
' ..,

Table 15. Two-core 600/1000 V cables with solid aluminium conductors

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Nominal Thickness of Unarmoured cables Armoured cables

cross-sectional insulation
area of Thickness Approximate Thickness Nominal Armour strip Thickness of Approximate overall diameter
conductor of sheath overall of extruded armour oversheath
diameter bedding wire Nominal Nominal Wire-armoured Strip-armoured
diameter thickness width (taped bedding}
Extruded Taped
bedding bedding

mm 2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
16* 1.0 1.8 17.4 0.8 1.25 0.6 2.4 1.6 20.7 20.7 19.4
25t 1.2 1.8 16.6 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.7 21.3 20.9 18.9
25* 1.2 1.8 20.4 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.7 25.0 24.6 22.6
35t 1.2 1.8 18.0 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.8 22.9 22.5 20.5
35* 1.2 1.8 22.4 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.8 27 .2 26.8 24.8 .
50:J: 1.4 1.8 20.4 1.0 1.6 0 .6 2.4 1.9 25.5 25.1 23.1 -~----- ----.,
70 1.4 1.9 22 .8 1.0 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.9 27.7 27.3 26.1 ,[fl
95 1.6 2.0 26 .2 1.2 2.0 1.0 3 .6 2.1 32.4 31.6 29.6 ;--. :·---.. !I
:JJ -·-)
• Circular soli d conductors (cl ass 1).
tSh aped solid conductors (class 1). l
*Cables having conductors of nominal cross-sectional area 50 mm 2 and above have shaped solid conductors (class 11. -~·· # :~~ L. j _/ \ ~
. : r:·
t '!
, .~ ;i !!
-~_. _~_ X j
·,>\i~1l
. '·--
< T l>
c, M
-·( ~

OJ
en
C)
w
~
C)

(!)
ro
(!)
 (D
Table 16. Three-core 600/1000 V cables with copper conductors (f)
0)
1
r------- --- - - --------
2
~- ---- ----- -·
j
__3 _ _ __ 4 5 6 7 8 9
--·- -
w
~
0)
Nominal Thickness of Unarmoured cables Armoured cables
cross-s ectional insulation (!)
area of Thickness Approximate Thickness Nominal Thickness of Approximat e overall ro
conductor of sheath overall of extruded armour oversheath diameter (!)

diameter bedding wire

diameter Extruded Taped
bedding bedding

mm 2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
1.5 * 0.6 - - 0.8 0.9 1.4 12.3 -
1.5t 0.6 - - 0.8 0.9 1.4 12.8 -
2.5* 0.7 - - 0.8 0.9 1.4 13.6 -
2.5t 0.7 - - 0.8 0.9 1.4 14.1 -
4t 0. 8 - - 0.8 0.9 1.4 15.8 -
6t 0.8 - - 0.8 1.25 1.5 18.0 -
lOt 1.0 1.8 17 .0 0.8 1.25 1.6 21.2 21.2
16t 1.0 1.8 19.7 0.8 1.25 1.6 23.1 23.1
251= 1.2 1.8 20.4 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.0 24.6
.p.. 251 1.2 1.8 23.5 1.0 1.6 1.7 28.2 27.8
351 1.2 1.8 22.4 1.0 1.6 1.8 27.3 26.9
35t 1.2 1.8 26.2 1.0 1.6 1.8 31.0 30.6
50§ 1.4 1.8 25.5 ·' 1.0 1.6 1.9 30.5 30. 1
70 1.4 1.9 28.7 1.2 2.0 2.0 35.0 34.2
95 1.6 2.1 33.3 1.2 2.0 2. 1 39.3 38.5
120 1.6 2.2 36 .3 1.2 2.0 2.2 42.2 41.4
150 1.8 2.3 40.0 1.4 2.5 2.4 47.5 46.3
185 2.0 2.5 44.6 1.4 2.5 2.5 51.9 50.7
240 2.2 2.6 50 .1 1.6 2.5 2.6 57 .8 56.2
300 2.4 2.8 55 .6 1.6 2.5 2.8 63.2 61 .6
400 2.6 3.1 62.2 1.6 2.5 3.0 69.6 68.0

• Circular so lid conductors (class 1 )_

tCircular or circular compacted stranded conductors (class 2).
I Shaped stranded conductors (class 2 )_
~Cabl es having conductors of nominal cross-sect ional area 50 mm 2 and above have shaped stranded conductors (class 2).

'.·.~::+~

(!) :f~:;~~~}
"'")
.. .
~

U 'I
n '\t
 .. .. .,
(.:~:~:--:
-"\"~-- ~·::;
(~:·,; 0t~~
J~
: .'

::

Table 17. Three-core 600/1000 V cables with solid aluminium conductors

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Nominal Thickness of Unarmoured cables Armoured cables

cross-sectional insulation
area of Thickness Approximate Thickness Nominal Armour strip Thickness of Approximate overall diameter
conductor of sheath overall of extruded armour oversheath
diameter bedding wire Nominal Nominal Wire-armoured Strip-armoured ::·
diameter thickness width (taped bedding)
Extruded Taped
bedding bedding ;_:

~­

mm 2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm I
!.:

16* 1.0 1.8 18.4 0.8 1.25 0.6 2.4 1.6 21.8 21.8 20.5
25t 1.2 1.8 19.2 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.7 23.9 23.5 21.5
25* 1.2 1.8 21.7 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.7 26.4 26.0 24.0
35t 1.2 1.8 21 .0 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.8 25.8 25.4 23.4 'f.
35*
50:f
1.2
1.4
1.8
1.8
23.9
23.8
1.0
1.0
1.6
1.6
0.6
1.0
2.4
3.6
1.8
1.9
28.7
28.9
28.3
28.5
26.3
27 .3
~
t-
~
70 1.4 1.9 26.8 1.2 2.0 1.0 3.6 2.0 33.0 32.2 30.2 i'
95 1.6 2. 1 31.1 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 2.1 37.1 36.3 35. 1
120 1.6 2.2 33.7 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 2.2 39.7 38.9 37.7 r;:
r:
150 1.8 2.3 37.2 1.4 2.5 1.4 4.8 2.4 44.7 43.5 41.3
f..
185 2.0 2.5 41.4 1.4 2.5 1.4 4.8 2 .5 48.7 47.5 45.3 r
240 2.2 2.6 46.5 1.6 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.6 54.2 52.6 51.2 F
300 2.4 2.8 51.6 1.6 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.8 59.2 57.6 56.2 ~
L~
c
• Circular solid conductors (class 1). ~
t Shaped solid conductors (class 1). t:
'' Cables having conductors of nominal cross-sectional area 50 mm 2 and above have shaped solid conductors (class 1).
-- ----- - - ---- -- - - ----~- -----

If.
~
I'
"'
f.~·
t
CD
U>
0>
fr
w
~ ~
0>
'r:
~.

<.D ~
r.
co
<.D '
 Table 18. Four·core 600/1000 V cables with copper conductors OJ
(f)

! __________! 4
0)
1 2 5 6 7 8 9
w
-- ··
~
0)
Nominal Thickness of Unarm o ured cables A rmou red cables
cross·sectional insulation
area of <D
Thickness Approximat e Thickness Nominal Thickness of Approximate overall OJ
conductor of sheath overall of extruded armour oversheath d iameter <D
diameter bedding wire
diameter Extruded Taped
bedding bedding

mm 2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
1.5* 0.6 ~
- 0.8 0.9 1.4 13.0 -
1.5t 0.6 - - 0.8 0.9 1.4 13.5 -
2.5 * 0.7 - - 0.8 0.9 1.4 14.5 -
2.5t 0.7 - - 0.8 0.9 1.4 15.0 -
4t 0.8 - - 0 .8 1.25 1.5 17.8 -
6t 0.8 - - 0 .8 1.25 1.5 19.2 -
10t 1.0 1.8 18 .6 0.8 1.25 1.6 22.8 22.8
16t 1.0 1.8 21.6 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.3 25.9
251= 1.2 1.8 22 .9 1.0 1.6 1.8 27.8 27.4
0) 25t 1.2 1.8 25.9 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.7 30.3
3 5:1= 1.2 1.8 25.4 1.0 1.6 1.9 30.5 30.1
35t 1.2 1.8 28.9 1.0 1.6 1.9 33.9 33.5
50§ 1.4 1.9 29.2 ~
1.2 2.0 2.0 35.4 34.6
70 1.4 2.0 33.0 1.2 2.0 2.1 39.2 38.4
95 1.6 2.2 38.3 1.2 2.0 2.2 44.3 43.5
120 1.6 2.3 41.8 1.4 2.5 2.4 49.3 48. 1
150 1.8 2.5 46.3 1.4 2.5 2.5 53.6 52.4
185 2.0 2.6 51.3 1.6 2.5 2.6 59.0 57.4
240 2.2 2.8 58.0 1.6 2.5 2.8 65.7 64. 1
300 2.4 3. 1 64.6 1.6 2.5 3.0 72.0 70.4
400 2.6 3.3 72.0 1.8 3.15 3.3 81.3 79.3

*Circular solid conduct o rs (class 1 ).

tCircular or circular compact ed stranded conductors (ci<Jss 2).
I Shaped stranded conduct o rs (class 2).
§Cables having conductors of nominal cross-sectional area 50 mm 2 and above have shaped stranded conductors (class 2).

•• u
II IH
 > •
.. ,,,
'• "
'
,:-
0.: \;
\

Table 19. Four·core 600/1000 V cables with solid aluminium conductors

\
I
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 11 12

Nominal Thickness of Unarmoured cables Armoured cables

cross-sectional insulation
area of Thickness Approximate Thickness Nominal Armour strip Thickness of Approximate overall diameter
conductor of sheath overall of extruded armour oversheath
diameter bedding wire Nominal Nominal Wire-armoured Strip -armoured
diameter thickness width (taped bedding)
Extruded Taped
bedding bedding

mm 2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
16* 1.0 1.8 20.2 1.0 1.6 0 .6 2.4 1.7 24.8 24.4 22.4
25t 1.2 1.8 2 1.5 1.0 1.6 0 .6 2.4 1.8 26.3 25 .9 23.9
25* 1.2 1.8 23.8 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.8 28.7 28.3 26.3
35t 1.2 1.8 23.6 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.9 28.6 28.2 26 .2
35* 1.2 1.8 26.3 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.9 31 .3 30.9 28.9
50 t 1.4 1.9 27.1 1.2 2.0 1.0 3.6 2.0 33.3 32.5 30.5
70 1.4 2.0 30.6 1.2 2.0 1.0 3.6 2.1 36.8 36.0 34.0
95 1.6 2.2 35.5 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 2.2 41.4 40.6 39.4
120 1.6 2.3 38.6 1.4 2.5 1.4 4.8 2.4 46 .1 44.9 42 .7
150 1.8 2.5 42 .8 1.4 2.5 1.4 4.8 2.5 50. 1 48.9 46.7
185 2.0 2.6 47.4 1.6 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.6 55.1 53.5 52.1
240 2.2 2 .8 53.5 1.6 2 .5 1.8 6.4 2.8 61.2 59.6 58.2
300 2.4 3 .1 59.6 1.6 2.5 1.8 6.4 3.0 67.0 65.4 64.0

• Circ ular solid conduc tors (cl ass 1).

t Shape d sol id conductors (class 1).
I Cables havin g co nductors of nomin a l cr oss -sec t io na l area 50 mm 2 a nd above have s ha p e d soli d conductors (class 1 ).
- - ---- - - -- - -- -

ro
(/)
en
w
~
en

t.O
co
t.O
 CD
Table 20. Four-core 600/1000 V cables with reduced neutral conductor and with stranded copper conductors (/)
m
w
1
,----- - -------·-..
2
------- --
3
-··-·------·----- --- - --
4
.. - -·· ----- --
5 6 7 8
.J~-- _____j_ ~o __ ___ L~~------ ~
O'l
Nominal Nominal Thickness of Thicknoss of Unarmoured cables Armoured cables
area of insulation , insulation, (0
cross-sectional
area of phase neutral phase neutral Thickness Approximate Thickness Nominal Thickness of Approximate overall OJ
(0
conductor• conductor conductor conductor of sheath overall of extruded armour oversheath diameter
diameter bedding wire
diameter Extruded Taped
bedding bedding

mm 2 mm 2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
25 16t 1.2 1.0 1.8 22 .9 1.0 1.6 1.8 27.8 27.4
25t 16t 1.2 1.0 1.8 24.9 1.0 1.6 1.8 29.7 29.3
35 16t 1.2 1.0 1.8 24 .7 1.0 1.6 1.8 29.5 29.1 I
35t
50
I
16 t
25:f
1.2
1.4
1.0
1.2
1.8
1.9
27.3
28.3
1.0
1.0
1.6
1.6
1.8
1.9
32. 1
33.1
31 .7
32.7
I
70 35 1.4 1.2 2.0 32.0 1.2 2.0 2.0 38.0 37.2
95 50 1.6 1.4 2.1 37.5 1.2 2.0 2.2 43.7 42.9
120 70 1.6 1.4 2.2 41.4 1.4 2.5 2.3 49 .0 47 .8
150 70 1.8 1.4 2.4 44.7 1.4 2.5 2.4 52.0 50.8
'::0
185 95 2 .0 1.6 2.5 49.9 1.4 2.5 2.5 57.2 56.0
240 120 2.2 1.6 2.7 56.0 1.6 2.5 2.7 63.7 62.1
300 150 2.4 1.8 . 2.9 62.2 1.6 2.5 2.9 69.8 68.2
300 185 2.4 2.0 2.9 64.2 1.6 2.5 2.9 71.8 70.2
400 185 2.6 2.0 3.2 69.6 1.8 3. 15 3.1 78.6 76.6

• All phase conductors unless otherwise stated, are shaped stranded conductors (class 2).
tCircular or circular compacted stranded conductors (class 2).
t Neutral conductors of nominal cross-sectional area 25 mm 2 and above have shaped, circu·lar or circular compacted stranded conductors (class 2).

@T~ "-·· 0l:~ ,'!':~-

r;;;s -~
: - -· -

U 1\1
 BS 6346: 1989

(!. \..
. ·.···

Table 21 . Single-core 1900/3300 V armoured cables with circular stranded copper conductors

1 2 3 4 5 6

Nominal Thickness of Armoured cables

cross-sectional insulation
area of Thickness Nominal Thickness of Approximate
conductor* of extruded armour oversheath overall
bedding wire diameter
diameter

mm 2 mm mm mm mm mm
50 2.2 0.8 1.25 1.6 21.0
70 2.2 0.8 1.25 1.6 22.8
95 2.2 . 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.0
120 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.7 27.6
150 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.8 29.4
185 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.8 31.3
240 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.9 34.1
300 2.4 1.0 1.6 1.9 37.0
400 2.6 1.2 2.0 2.1 42 .0
500 2.8 1.2 2.0 2.1 45 .6
630 2.8 1.2 2.0 2.2 -· 49.7
800 2.8 1.4 2.5 2.4 55.8
1000 3.0 1.4 2.5 2.5 61 .0

*Circular or circular compacted stranded conductors (class 2).

BS 6346 : 1989

--- -
Table 22. Single -core 1900/3300 V armoured cables with circular solid aluminium conductors
- --
1
I
I
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Nominal Thickness of Armoured cables

cross-sectional insulation
area of Thickness Nominal Armour strip Thickness of Approximate overall
conductor• of extruded armour oversheath diameter
bedding wire Nominal Nominal
diameter thickness width Wire· Strip·
armoured armoured

mm 2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
50 2.2 0.8 1.25 0.6 2.4 1.6 19.8 18.5
70 2.2 0.8 1.25 0.6 2.4 1.6 21.3 20.0
95 2.2 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.7 24.3 22.3
120 2.2 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.7 25 .6 23.6
150 2.2 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.8 27 .1 25.1
185 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.8 28 .8 27.6
240 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.9 31.2 30.0
300 2.4 1.0 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.9 33.7 32.5

Circular sectoral conductors

-
380 2.6 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 2.0 38.4 37 .2
(4 X 95)
480 2.8 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 2.1 41.7 40.5
(4 X 120)
600 2.8 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 2.2 44.6 43.4
(4 X 150)
740 2.8 1.4 2.5 1.4 4.8 2.3 49.5 47.3
(4 X 185)
960 3.0 1.4 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.5 54.9 53.5
(4 X 240)
1200 3.0 1.6 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.6 59 .7 58.3
(4 X 300)

·Ci rcular solid conductors (class 1).

 BS 6346: 1989

..

Table 23. Three-core 1900/3300 V armoured cables with stranded copper conductors

1 2 3 4 5 6

Nominal Thickness of Armoured cables

cross-sectional insulation
area of Thickness Nominal Thickness of Approx imate
conductor of extruded armour oversheath overall
bedding wire diameter
diameter

mm 2 mm mm mm mm mm
16* 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.3
25 * 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.8 33.1
35t 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.1
35* 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.9 36.0
50:f 2.2 1.2 2.0 2.0 35.6
70 2.2 1.2 2.0 2.1 38.9
95 2.2 1.2 2.0 2.2 42.3
120 2.2 1.4 2.5 2.3 46.6
150 2.2 1.4 2.5 2.4 49.4
185 2.2 1.4 2.5 2.5 52.8 i:

240 2.2 1.6 2.5 2.6 57 .8

300 2.4 1.6 2.5 2.8 63.2
400 2.6 1.6 2.5 3.0 69.6

*Circular or circular compacted stranded conductors (class 2).

tShaped stranded conductors (class 2).
*Cables having conductors of nominal cross-sectional area 50 mm 2 and above have shaped
stranded conductors (c lass 2).

Table 24. Three-core 1900/3300 V armoured cables with solid aluminium conductors

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Nominal Thickness of Armoured cables

cross-sectional insulation
area of Thickness Nominal Armour strip Thickness of Approximate overall
conductor of extruded armour oversheath diameter
bedding wire Nominal Nominal
diameter thickness width Wire- Strip·
armoured armoured
i
, j
mm· mm mm mm mm mm mm mm II mm i
16* 2.2 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.8 29.0 I 27.0 !
25* 2.2 1.0 1.6 0.6 2.4 1.8 31.3 29 .3 I
I
35t 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.9 30.6 29.4 I
I
35* 2.2 1.0 1.6 1.0 3.6 1.9 33.7 32.5
50:f 2.2 1.2 2.0 1.0 3.6 2.0 33.9 II 31 .9 I
70 2.2 1.2 2.0 1.0 3.6 2.1 36.9 34.9 i
95 2.2 1.2 2.0 1.4 4.8 2.2 40 .0 38.8 !
120 2.2 1.4 2.5 1.4 4.8 2.3 44.0 41.8
150 2.2 1.4 2.5 1.4 4.8 2.4 46.5 44.3
185 2.2 1.4 2.5 1.4 4.8 2.5 49.6 47.4
240 2.2 1.6 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.6 54 .2 52.8
300 2.4 1.6 2.5 1.8 6.4 2.8 59.2 57.8
·. . -~ ·
I

*Circular solid conductors (class 1).

tShaped solid conductors (class 1). I
I
2
1 Cables having conductors of nominal cross -sectional area 50 mm and above have shaped sol id conductors (class 1 ). ;

i
BS 6346 : 1989

-· · - ---- -···· - ------ -- ...

Table 25(a). 600/1000 V auxiliary cables, 1.5 mm 2 solid copper conductors (class 1)

Thickness of insulation: minimum averag e: 0 .6 mm

1 2 3 4 5

Number of Thickness of Nominal armour Thick ness of Approximate overall

cores * extruded bedding wire diameter oversheath diameter

mm mm mm mm
5 0.8 0.9 1.4 13.8
6 0 .8 0.9 1.4 14.5
7 0.8 0.9 1.4 14.5
8 0 .8 0.9 1.4 15.4
9 0.8 0.9 1.5 16.5
10 0.8 1.25 - 1.5 18.1
-
11 0.8 1.25 1.5 18.6
12 0.8 1.25 1.5 18.6
13 0.8 1.25 1.5 18.9
14 0.8 1.25 1.5 19.2
15 0.8 1.25 1.6 20.1
16 0.8 1.25 1.6 20.1
17 0.8 1.25 1.6 21.1
18 0.8 1.25 1.6 21.1
19 0.8 1.25 1.6 21.1
20 0.8 1.25 1.6 22.0
21 0.8 1.25 1.6 22.0
22 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.0
23 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.0
24 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.0
25 1.0 1.6 1.7 25 .0
26 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.4
27 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.4
28 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.6
29 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.1
I 30 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.1
31 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.5
'
32 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.8
33 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.8
34 1.0 1.6 1.8 27 .8
35
I
1.0 1.6 I 1.8 27.8
36 1.0 1.6 1.8 27.8
37 1.0 1.6 II
1.8
1.8
27.8
28.7
38 1.0 1.6
39 1.0 1.6 1.8 28.7
40 1.0 1.6 1.8 28.7
41 1.0 1.6 1.8 29 .6
42 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.3
43 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.3
44 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.3 ..
45 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.3
46 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.8
47 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.8
48 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.8

• F igu res in bold t y pe a re th e p re fe rre d n u m be r o f cores and co rresponding dimensions.

) ")
 BS 6346: 1989

Table 25(b). 600/1000 V auxiliary cables, 2.5 mm 2 solid copper conductors (class 1)

Thickness of insulation : minimum average: 0 ..7 mm.

1 2 3 4 5

Number of Thick ness of Nominal armour Thickness of Approximate overall

cores* extruded bedding w ire diameter• oversheath diameter

mm mm mm mm
5 0.8 0.9 1.4 15.4
6 0.8 0 .9 1.5 16.6
7 0.8 0.9 1.5 16.6
8 0.8 1.25 1.5 18.5
9 0 .8 1.25 1.5 19.4
10 0 .8 1.25 1.6 20.9
11 0.8 1.25 1.6 21.4
12 0.8 1.25 1.6 21.4
13 0.8 1:25 1.6 21.9
14 0.8 1.25 1.6 22.3
15 0.8 1.25 1.6 23.2
16 0.8 1.25 1.6 23.2
17 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.4
18 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.4
19 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.4
20 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.5
21 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.5
22 1.0 1.6 1.8 28.8
23 1.0 1.6 1.8 28.8
24 1.0 1.6 1.8 28.8
25 1.0 1.6 1.8 28 .8
26 1.0 1.6 1.8 29.3
27 1.0 1.6 1.8 29.3
28 1.0 1.6 1.8 29.6
29 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.1
30 1.0 1.6 1.8 30. 1
31 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.7
32 1.0 1.6 1.8 31.2
33 1.0 1.6 1.8 31.2
34 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.4
35 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.4
36 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.4
37 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.4
38 1.0 1.6 1.9 33.5
39 1.0 1.6 1.9 33.5
40 1.0 1.6 1.9 33.5
41 1.0 1.6 1.9 34.6
42 1.2 2.0 2.0 37 .0
43 1.2 2.0 2.0 37.0
44 1.2 2.0 2.0 37.0
45 1.2 2.0 2.0 37.0
46 1.2 2.0 2.0 37 .5
47 1.2 2.0 2.0 37 .5
.·, 48 1.2 2.0 2.0 37.5
··.:./
• Fi gu res in b o ld type a re th e pr efer red nu mbe r o f cor es an d th e cor res pon ding d im e nsio ns.

?.:
 BS 6346 : 1989

Table 26 (a). 600/1000 V auxiliary cables, 1.5 mm 2 circular stranded copper

conductors (class 2)

Thickne ss of insulation : minimum average : 0 .6 mm.

1 2 3 4 5
I Nom inal armour Th ick ne ss of Approximate overall
N umber of 1 Thickness of
co res • 1 extruded beddi ng wire diameter oversheath diameter
I

mm mm mm mm
5 0.8 0.9 1.4 14 .3
6 0.8 0. 9 1.4 15.2
7 0.8 0 .9 1.4 15.2
8 0.8 0 .9 1.5 16. 5
9 0.8 1.25 1.5 18.0
10 0.8 1.25 1.5 19.0
11 0.8 1.25 1.5 19 .4
12 0.8 1.25 1.5 19.4
13 0.8 1.25 1.6 20.0
14 0.8 1.25 1.6 20.3
15 0.8 1.25 1.6 21 .3
16 0.8 1.25 1.6 21 .3
17 0.8 1.25 1.6 22.2
18 0.8 1.25 1.6 22 .2
19 0.8 1.25 1.6 22 .2
20 0.8 1. 25 1.6 23. 1
21 0.8 1.25 1.6 23.1
22 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.2
23 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.2
24 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.2
25 1.0 1. 6 1.7 26.2
26 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.7
27 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.7
28 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.9
29 1.0 1.6 1.7 27.4
30 1.0 1.6 1.7 27.4
31 I 1.0 1.6 1.8 28. 1
1.6 1.8 28.4
32 II 1.0 1.6 1.8 28.4
33 I 1.0
34 I 1.0 1. 6 1. 8 29.2
I
35 I 1.0 1.6 1.8 29.2
36 1.0 1.6 1.8 29.2
37
II 1.0 1.6 1.8 29 .2
38 1.0 1.6 1.8 30 .2
39 I 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.2
40 II 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.2
41 i 1.0 1.6 1.9 31 .6
42 I 1.0
1.0
1.6
1.6
1.9
1.9
32.4
32.4
43
44 1.0 1.6 1. 9 32.4
45 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.4
46 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.9
47 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.9
48 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.9

• Fi gur es in bo ld type are the pre fe rred num be r of co res and the co rrespo nd ing dimensions.

---------- - --------
 · \ •.• • : • . : . : .•. : . - ~ · - · •.... . ... ... :~. _ .IJ.I•• - · • • ), . .... ... .... .... ~ .. ....... "" ' . . . . ................. _ __ , · - · · · - · · · •• H • • •

BS 6346 : 1989

Table 26(b). 600/1000 V auxiliary cables, 2.5 mm 2 circular stranded copper

conductors (class 2)

Thickness of insulation: minimum average: 0.7 mm.

1 2 3 4 5

Number of Thickness of Nominal armour Thickness of Approximate overall

cores* extruded bedding wire diameter oversheath diameter

mm mm mm mm
5 0.8 0.9 1.5 16.3
6 0.8 1.25 1.5 18.0
7 0.8 1.25 1.5 18.0
8 0.8 1.25 1.5 19.2
9 0.8 1.25 1.6 20.5
10 0.8 1.25 1.6 21.9
11 0.8 1.25 1.6 22.4
12 0.8 1.25 1.6 22.4
13 0.8 1.25 1.6 22.9
14 1.0 1.6 1.7 24.6
15 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.5
16 1.0 1.6 1.7 25.5
17 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.6
18 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.6
19 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.6
20 1.0 1.6 1.8 27.9
21 1.0 1.6 1.8 27.9
22 1.0 1.6 1.8 30 .2
23 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.2
24 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.2
25 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.2
26 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.7
27 1.0 1.6 1.8 30.7
28 1.0 1.6 1.8 31.2
29 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.0
30 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.0
31 1.0 1.6 1.9 32 .8
32 1.0 1.6 1.9 33.0
33 1.0 1.6 1.9 33.0
34 1.0 1.6 1.9 34.0
35 1.0 1.6 1.9 34 .0
36 1.0 1.6 1.9 34.0
37 1.0 1.6 1.9 34.0
38 1.2 2.0 2.0 36.6
39 1.2 2.0 2.0 36.6
40 1.2 2.0 2.0 36.6
41 1.2 2.0 2.0 37.8
42 1.2 2.0 2.0 38 .8
43 1.2 2.0 2.0 38.8
44 1.2 2.0 2.0 38.8
45 1.2 2.0 2.0 38 .8
46 1.2 2.0 2.1 39.5
47 1.2 2.0 2.1 39.5
48 1.2 2.0 2.1 39.5

• F,gures in bold typ e are th e prefe rred number of cores and the corresponding dtmensions.
 ·: •. '. \ , ,'• ,.:. ~ ,. ' ). :. ·_ . ;· ~.:~ ~ -j. ,.J- - · • ; _; ; : .. .... 1 - ·-~ ·• • >: (_•,:f!·~ .. . .-~ , •• •'••4 L." • • "

BS 63 4 6 : 1989

- - · -- --- · · ·· · - - - - - - - - - - ··--- -
Tabl e 26 (c ). 600/ 1000 V au xil ia ry cables, 4 mm 2 circular stranded copper
conductors (cl ass 2)
- --------- - - - --·-··--·
Thickn<::s s of in sulat ion: minimum average: 0.8 mm .
..

1
i2 3 4 5

N umb e r o f I Thi c kn ess o f Nomin a l a r mou r Thick n ess o f Appro xi ma te o verall

cores• ' e x tr u d ed b edding wi re di a m e t e r oversheath d iameter

'
I
I mm mm mm mm
I
5 i 0.8 19.0
6 0.8
1.25
1. 25 I 1.5
1.6 20.5
7 0 .8 1.25 1.6 20.5
8 0.8 1.25 1.6 22.1
9 1.0 1.6 1. 7 24.7
10 1.0 1.6 1.7 26 .1
11 1.0 1.6 1.7 26 .8
12 i 1.0 1.6 1.7 26.8
13 ' 1.6 1.7 27 .4
i 1.0
14 I
1.0 1.6 1.8 28.0
i
I 15 ! 1.0
'
1.6 1.8 29.2
16 i 1.0 1.6 1.8 29.2
II 17 I
1.0 1.6 1.8 30 .5
30.5
I 18
19
i 1.0
'
1.6 1.8
1.8 30.5
I
I ! 1.0 1.6
20 ! 1.0 1.6 1.9 32.3
21 I 1.0 1.6 1.9 32 .3
I 1.9 35 .0
22 i 1.0 1.6
I

I
I 23 1. 0 1. 6 1.9 35 .0
24 1.0 1. 6 1.9 35 .0
iI 25 ! 1.0 1.6 1.9 35. 0
I 26 1.2 2.0 2.0 37. 1
I
I 27 1.2 2.0 2.0 37 .1
i 28 1.2 2.0 2 .0 37 .5
iI 29 1. 2 2.0 2.0 38 .2
30 1.2 2.0 2.0 3"8 .2
'
:
31 1.2 I 2.0
i
I 2.0 38.9
2.1 39.6
'
32 1.2
! 2.0
33 1.2 I 2.0 2.1 39 .6
34 1.2 2.0 2 .1 40.8
35 1.2 2.0 2.1 40 .8
36 1.2 2.0 I 2. 1 40.8
37 1.2 2.0 I 2.1 40.8
I
38 1.2 2.0 2.1 42 .5
39 1.2 2.0 2. 1 42 .5
40 1.2 2 .0 2. 1 42 .5
41 1.2 2.0 2.2 44. 1
42 1.2 2.0 2.2 45.4
43 1.2 2.0 2.2 45.4
44 1.2 2.0 2.2 45.4
45 1.2 2.0 2.2 45.4
46 1. 2 2.0 2.2 46.0
47 1.2 2.0 2.2 46.0
48 1.2 2.0 2.2 46 .0
:----- - - L ____________....L._ __ _ _ __~ _ _ _ _ _..L.._ _ _ _ _ _ __,

.
L=~.; -'." ''.~~~~~~ 1ht> prpf!-! rr~d llllll1hHr of cart'S a11d !he correspo~1di11g d11nensions .
 BS 63 4 6 : 198 9

F'' Appendices

Appe ndix A. Recommendations for Th e no minal system voltage, U, giv e n in t ab le 27 is th e

nominal vo ltag e betwe en phases.
selection and operation of PVC- insulated
Th e maximum sustained system vo lt age , Um, is the hi ghest
cables
voltage between pha se s wh ich may be sustained und e r
normal cond itions at any tim e and a t any po int in the
A.1 Type of finish
system. It exc lud es tr ansie nt volt age variat ions, due,
PVC oversheath provides protec tion against most corrosi ve for examp le, to lightning impul ses. faul t conditions and
and wet environments. In particularly onerous cases rap id disconnection of loads.
refe rence should be made to t he cab le m anufactur e r. Sing le-core 600/ 1000 V cab les ar e suitabl e for d .c. system s
operating at up to 1000 V to ea rth and two-co re
A.2 Voltage ratings 600/ 1000 V cab les are suitabl e for d.c. systems operating
at up to 1500 V b etw ee n conductors. Singl e-co re
The selection of standard cables of appropriate vo ltage
1900/ 3300 V c ables are suitable for d.c. systems operating
designations fo r particu la r supply sy ste ms depends o n the
at up to 3000 V to earth. Howe ver , consideration should
system vo ltage and t he system earthing ar rangements.
be given to the pea k value w he n determin ing th e voltage
T o fac ilitate the se lect io n o f the cabl e , systems are di vid ed
of a d .c. system derived from rect if ie rs , bearing in mind
into three categories. that smoothing does no t modify the peak val ue when the
(a) Category A. Th is category comprises those systems rectifiers are ope rating on an open circuit.
in which any phase conductor that comes in contact
w ith eart h or an eart h cond u cto r is au t omatica ll y A.3 Current ratings
disconnected from the system .
(b) Category B. This category comprises thos e systems A .3 .1 Cables installed in and around buildings. For the
th at, und er fault cond itions, a re operated for a short cu rre nt ratings of cabl es insta ll ed in and around buildings,
time, not exceeding 8 h on any occasion , with o ne p hase refe re nce shou ld be m ade to 'Regu la tions for electri cal
earthed. installations' (lEE Wiri ng R egu lations ), 15th Edition,
NOTE. In a system where an earth fa u lt is not a uto matica ll y
publ ished by th e Instit ut ion of El ectr ical Engin eers.*
an d promp tl y el im in ated, the increased stresses on th e in su lation
of cab les during the earth fault are J: ke ly to affec t th e li fe of the
A .3 .2 Ocher installations. For the current ra ti ngs of cables
cabl es to a certain d egree. If the system is expected to be inst al led in si t uations other than thos e co vered by A .3. 1 ,
operated fai rl y often wit h a sustained ear th fault, it may be referen ce should be m ade to 'Current rating standards for
preferab le to u se cables su itabl e for category C. In any cas e, distribution cab les' , ERA 69-30 : Part Il l , p u b lished by
for class ificat ion as category 8 the expect ed total duration o f
ERA T ec hnology Ltd.t
earth fa ult s in any year should not ex cee d 1 25 h.
(c) Catego ry C. T his comprises a ll systems th at do not
fall into categori es A and B.
Appendix B. Recommendations for
T ab le 27 gives the lo wes t ra ted vo lt age of cable which
L.. :
~ .
shoul d be us ed for an a.c. system according to the system
installation of PVC -insulated cables
voltag e and category .
8 .1 Compliance w ith regulations
T ab le 2 7 . S el ecti on of ca bl es fo r a.c . syste m s T he cables spec ifi ed in this sta nda rd should b e install ed
in accordance w ith any app li ca bl e n at ional regulations.
1 3 4
2
I In spec ial en vir onme nt s, th e app rop ri ate regu lations and
i codes of practice shoul d be observed.
S ys tem voltage Sy st e m Minimum
I ca t ego ry rat ed
No m inal Maximum vo lt age of 8.2 Mi nimum install ation rad ius
vo ltage , sustained cable,
u vo ltage, U0 /U
None of the cabl es spec if ied in thi s sta nd ard shou ld be
Um
bent during instal lation to a radius smaller than that
kV kV recom mended in tabl e 28.
kV
Upto 1.0 1. 1 A, B or C 0 .6/ 1
1.9 to 3.3 3 .6 A or B 1.9/ 3.3

• Available from th e In stitution o f El ec tri ca l En gineers, Savoy Place. Vic toria Embankment , London WC2R OBL .
t Available from ER A Techno lo gy Ltd., Cleeve Road. Leatherh e ad . Surrey KT2 2 7SA.
 BS 6346: 1989

- - -- - --- - --
parallel bonding connection to relie ve the armour of some
Table 28. Minimum installation radius
of the fault current. In either event, it is necessary to ensure
---
that there is no discontinuity in the return circuit via the
Finish Overall Minimum
diameter, 0 internal armour, and no local spot of high resistance. Careful
radius of attention, therefore, shou ld be paid to the design of all
bend bonding clamps in joints and terminations to ensure that
each armour wi re or strip contributes equally to th e
Circu lar copp~r Up to 10 mm 30 conductance of the bonding connection and that the
conductor, unarmoured resistance across a con nector is not higher than that of
Above 10 mm f 40
Up to 25 mm the equivalent leng th of connected armour of the cable.
Above 25 mm 60 It is al so important to ensure that all armour (wires or
strips) and all faces of armour clamps or conn ectors making
C1rcular copper Any 60 contact with them are thoroughly cleaned during installa -
conductor , armoured tion, and that the clamps are adequately tightened to
ensure good electrical contact.
Solid aluminium or Bonding clamps in joints should be electrically connected
shaped copper with a bond having a conductance at least equal to that
! Any 80
conductors, armoured of an equal length of the complete armour of the cab-le,
or unarm ou red and w ith adequate thermal capacity to avoid excessive
overheating under short-circuit conditions. The shell of a
NOTE. Wherever possible, larger installation radii should cast iron box is normally sufficient for this purpose but
be used. an auxiliary metallic bond should be includ ed if there are
any dou bts concerning its conductance.

8.3 Minimum temperature during 8.6 Compound filling

installation
Attention is drawn to the fact that , as the tempera ture
decre ases, PVC compounds become increasingly stiff and
brittle, w ith the result that, if the cable is bent too quickly
to too sma ll a radius or is struck at temperatures in the
regio n of 0 °C or lower, there is a ri sk of shattering the
PVC components.
To avo id th e risk of damage during handling, therefore,
it is desirable that the cables specified in this standard
shou ld be installed only when both the cable and the
Joints and sometimes terminations require filling with
specified compounds to seal against wet or hazardous
environments. When a hot pouring compound is used,
care should be taken that at the time of pouring the
tempe rature of the compound does not exceed 150 ° C.
Any joint included should be of suitable design to provide
a protective seal to prevent moisture gaining access to the
insulation and ferrul es or to the armour connectors.
/:r·~ ~­
8.7 Earthing of armour ·~·i·~~·

ambient temperat ure are above 0 °C and have been so fo r

the previous 24 h, or whe re specia l precautions have been
taken to maintain the cab les above thi s temperature.
8.4 Installation practice
Car e should be exercised during in sta ll ation to avoid any
da mage to cab le coverings. Thi s is important in wet or
other aggressive e nvironments, especially for cables which
do not have extruded bedding. Unprotected open e nds
should not be exposed to moi sture prior to final termina-
tio n or jointing.
Th e possibi lity of dam age to moisture seals during handling
and installation of th e cab le should be borne in mind.
Where such damage may have occurred the seals shou ld be
ins pected and remade if necessary.
8.5 Earthing bonds and clamps
Owi ng to the absence of a metal sheath, all eanh fault
currents will return through the armour unless there is a
Pro vis ion shou ld be made for earthing the armour to the
mai n earth system at the supply end by means of a metallic
bond of adequate conductance, the bonding co nn ection
being as sho rt and straight as possible. It is also des irable
to earth th e armour at additional positions such as at
joints.
Specia l precautions may be necessary to elimin ate th e
risk of corrosion due to the use of dissimilar metals.
8.8 Test after installation
A vo ltage test after installation is not a requirement of
this British Standard, but if a te st is made it should be
carried out w ith direct current, the value of the voltage
being that specified in table 29.
During th e test, the vo ltage should be increased gradually
to the full value and maintained continuously for 15 min
between conductors and between each conductor and
ar mour. No breakdown should occur.

- - - - - - - - -·---- - - ---- ·
 BS 6346: 1989

.·
at right angles to each other. Take the average of all the
Table 29. Test voltage after installation measurements to be the wire diameter.

Cable voltage D.C. test voltage

designation 0.3 Mass of zinc coating of galvanized
Between Between all steel wire
conductors conductors
and armour Take at random 10% of the total number of wires from
one sample of completed cable. Determine the mass of zinc
v v v by either a gravimetric or gas volumetric method as
600/1000 3 500 3 500 specified in BS 443. Take the average of all the measure -
1900/3300 10 000 7 000 ments to be the mass of zinc coating.

0.4 Wrapping test for galvanized steel wire

Appendix C. Information required with
enquiry and order
NOTE. See appendix A for recommendations for the selection
of cables.
The following information should be given with an enquiry
or order.
(a) The number of this British Standard, i.e. BS 6346.
(b) The length of cable required and, if important,
individual drum lengths.
(c) The voltage designation (see clause 3 and A.2).
(d) The number of cores.
{e) The conductor size and, where applicable, the size
of the reduced neutral conductor.
NOTE. These sizes depend upon various factors, details of which
are given in the publications referred to in A.3 .
(f) The conductor material, i.e. copper or aluminium .
(g) The type of finish, i.e.:
( 1) unarmoured;
(2) armoured with aluminium wire (single-core only),
steel wire or aluminium strip;
(3) whether taped or extruded bedding (where
applicable) is required for armoured cables.
NOTE. This will depend on th e conditions of installation
and in particular on whether the environment is especia lly
onerous , e.g. aggres sive or wet. In cases of doubt advice
should be sought from the cabl e man ufacturer.
(h) Whether any special sample tests are to be made (see
clauses 12 and 16).
Appendix D. Special sample tests
0.1 General
The following clauses contain detail s of the special sample
tests given in clause 12(c). The measurements are only to
be taken when specified by the purchaser.
Take at random 10% of the total number of wires from
one sample of completed cable. Wrap each wire round
a cylindrical mandrel for one complete turn . The mandrel
shall have a diameter of approximately four times the
specified wire diameter under test .
0.5 Tensile test for aluminium wires and
strips
Take at random 10% of the total number of wires or
strips from one sample of completed cable. Measure the
tensile strength of each wire or strip in accordance with
BS 18 : Part 1. Take the average of all the measurements
to be the tensile strength.
Apply the load gradually; the rate of separation of the jaws
of the testing machine should be not less than 25 mm / min
and not greater than 100 mm/min. The distance between
the grips of the machine should be 250 ± 2 mm.
0.6 Measurement ofthe dimensions of
aluminium strip armour
Take at random 10 % ofthe total number of strips from
one sample of compl eted cable. Measure the thickn ess and
width of each strip using a dial micrometer or vernier
call iper. Take the ave rage of all the measurem ents t o be
the thickn ess or w idth of the strip, as appropriate.
Appendix E. Resistance of conductor and
armour, and armour cross-sectional areas
E.1 Resistance of conductor and armour
Tabl es 30 to 34 contain maximum values of the resist ance
of aluminium wire, aluminium strip and single galvaniz ed
steel w ire armour fo r single-core and multico re cables with
rated voltages of 600/ 1000 V and 1900/ 3300 V,
as designated in tables 12 to 26.

0.2 Measurement of the diameter of round
wire armour
Take at random 10 % of the total number of wires from
one sample of completed cable. Determine the diameter of
each wire with a micrometer by taking two measurements
E.2 Gross cross-sectional area of armour
Tabl es 35 to 38 contain gross cross-sectional areas of
armour for use in calculating th e ma x imum permissibl e
fault current to comply w ith subclause 543.2 of th e
15th Edition of the lEE Wiring Reg ulations.
BS 6346 : 1989

Table 30 . Ma x imum resistance of conductor and armour for single·core cables having aluminium
wire armour
·-
1 -- -·r = - =1 3
I4 5 6 7

Nominal I Maximum resistance per kilometre of cable at 20 ° C

cross-sectional
area of Copper Aluminium : Aluminium wire armour
conductor conductor conductor !
I Cables with copper Cables with solid
conductors aluminium conductors
I
600/ 1000 v 1900/3300 v 600/1000 v 1900/3300 v
I
mm
2
n D. D. D. D. D.
50 0.387 0.641 0 .82 II 0.73 0.90 0.79
70 0.268 0.443 0.73 0.65 0.79 0.71
95 0.193 0.320 0.64 ! 0.45 0.71 0.49
120 0. 153 0.253 0.45 0.42 0.49 0.46
150 0.124 0.206 0.40 0.39 0.45 0.43
185 0.0991 0. 164 0.37 0.36 0.41 0.40
240 0.0754 0.125 0.33 0.33 0.37 0.37
300 0.0601 0.100 0.30 0.30 0.34 0.34
400 0.0470 0.0778 0.21 0.21 - -
500 0.0366 0.0605 0.19 0.19 - -
630 0.0283 0.0469 0.18 0.18 - -
800 0.0221 0.0367 0 .13 0.13 - -
1000 0.0 176 0.0291 0.12 0.12 - -
Circular sectoral conductors

380 - 0.0800 - - 0.24 0 .24

480 - 0.0633 - - 0.22 0.22
600 - 0.0515 - - 0.20 0.20
740 - 0.0410 - - 0.15 0.15
960 - 0.0313 - - 0.13 0.13
1200 - 0.0250 - - 0. 12 0.12

. ...
~ ;.

~~i~~;J
 .. ' >
.. '>
<Z~f. ~;.~~~~ :0£.
··..:.\··"?"
/ :"'')
.· ~

Table 31. Maximum resistance of conductor and armour for two-core, three-core and four-core cables having steel wire armour

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 11 12

Nominal Maximum resistance per kilometre of cable at 20 ° C

cross-sectional
area of Copper Aluminium Steel wire armour
conductor conductor conductor
Cables with stranded copper conductors Cables with solid aluminium conductors

Two-core Three-core Three-core Four-core Four-core Two-core Three-core Three-core Four -core
(equal) (reduced
neutral)
600/1000 v 600/1000 v 1900/3300 v 600/1000 v 600/1000 v 600/1000 v 600/1000 v 1900/3300 v 600/1000 v

mm 2 r2 n r2 n r2 n n n n n n
1.5. 12.1 - 10.7 10.2 - 9.5 - - - - -
2.5* 7.41 - 9 .1 8.8 - 7.9 - - - - -
4 4.61 - 7.5 7.0 - 4.6 - - - - -
6 3.08 - 6.8 4.6 - 4. 1 - - - - -
10 1.83 - 3.9 3.7 - 3.4 - - - - -
16 1.15 1.91 3.5 3.2 1.9 2.2 - 3.7 3.4 1.9 2.4
25 0 .727 1.20 2.6 2.4 1.7 2.1 2.1 2.9 2.5 1.8 2.3
35 0.524 0.868 2.4 2.1 1.7 1.9 1.9 2.7 2.3 1.9 2.0
50 0.387 0.641 2.1 1.9 1.3 1.3 1.7 2.4 2.0 1.4 1.4
70 0.268 0.443 1.9 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 2.1 1.4 1.2 1.3
95 0.193 0 .320 1.3 1.2 1.1 0.98 1.0 1.5 1.3 1. 1 1. 1
120 0.153 0.253 1.2 1.1 0.74 0.71 0.73 - 1.2 0.80 0.78
150 0.124 0.206 1.1 0.74 0.69 0.65 0.67 - 0.82 0.74 0.71
185 0.0991 0 .164 0.78 0 .68 0.64 0 .59 0.60 - 0.73 0.69 0 .64
240 0.0754 0 .125 0.69 0.60 0.58 0.52 0.54 - 0.65 0 .63 0.57
300 0 .0601 0.100 0.63 0.54 0.53 0.47 0.49 - 0.59 0.57 0.52
(150mm 2 )
300 0.0601 0 .100 - - - - 0.47 - - - -
(185 mm 2 )
400 0.0470 - 0.56 0.49 0.48 0 .34 0.35 - - - -

*Th e values apply to cables with eith er so lid or stranded conductors.

co
(/)
0)
w
~
0)

(0
00
(0
 BS 6346 : 1989

·-·
Table 32. Maximum resistance of conductor and armou r
for single -core cables having so lid aluminium conductors
and aluminium strip armour

1 ! 2 3 4

Nominal Maximum resistance per kilometre

cross-sectional II of cable at 20 ·- C
area of
conductor I Alu minium Strip armour
Ir conductor
iI 600/1000 v 1900/3300 v
I
mrn 2
Ij n n n
50 0.641 1. 8 1.6
70 0.443 1.6 1.4
95 0.3 20 1.4 1. 2
120 0.253 1.2 1.2
150 0. 206 1. 1 1.1
185 0. 164 0.5 7 0 .5 7
240 0.125 0.51 0 .51
300 0.100 0.46 0.46

Circular sectoral conductors

380 0.0800 0 .29 0.29

480 0.0633 0.27 0.27
600 I 0.0515 0.24 0.24
740 I 0 .04 10 0.22 0.22
960 0 .03 13 0.15 0.15
1200
I 0.0250 0. 14 0.14

Table 33. Maximum resis tance of conductor and armou r for two-core, three-core and
four -core cables having so li d alum ini um co nduct ors and aluminium strip armour

1
I 2 3 4 5 •. 6

Nom inal
cr oss-sectional
i Maxi mum resista nce per kilometre of cable at 20 ' C

are a of
r
i Alu minium I Strip arm our
conductor conductor
i
Two-core l Three -core Three-co re
v
Four -core
v
600 / 1000 v 1 600 / 1000 v 1900/ 3300 600 / 1000
r----------- - - - - -- --- - - --- - - ·
. mm·' r .11 .11 n .11 n
16 i 1.9 1 1. 5 I 1.4 0.97 1.2
25 1.20 1. 6 1.3 0 .90 1.2
0.8 68 1.4
i 1.2 0.54 1. 1
35
50 r
0 .64 1 1.2 0.57 0.48 0 .5 1
; ! 0.44 0 .44
70 0.443 0.60 0.51
95 0.3 20 0. 54 0 .33 0 .29 0.28
120 0 .253 - 0.29 0.27 0 .25
150 0.206 - 0.27 0 .2 4 0.23
0 .164 0.24 0.23 0 .16

l
185 -
240 , 0.1 25 - 0.14
016 _ _ ! l 16
300 0 . 100 - 0. 15 0.14 0.13
- - ·- -·- --- -- -
i
_...1__ - - -- ·

--- ______________________________ _ _ _ ____

..
 - · ._........
.:.-. BS 6346: 1989
: :.~ : .·' \
; • t .~ .,

. ~·

,,"t.-r;!~~~.
'\ ,_, ·.·

Table 34. Maximum resistance of conductor and armour for 600/1000 V auxiliary cables
with copper conductors

1 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I6 7 8 9 10

Nominal Maximum res istance per kilometre of cable at 20 ° C

cross·secti onal
area of Copper Steel w ire armour
conductor conductor
Number of cores

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

mm 2 .n .n .n .n .n .n .n .n .n
1.5 12.1 8.4 7.9 7.9 7.2 6.8 4.4 4.2 4.2
2.5 7.41 7.2 6.8 6.8 4.4 4.0 3.7 3.5 3.5
4 4.61 4.1 3.8 3.8 3.4 2.4 2.2 2.2 2.2

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

1.5 12.1 4.2 4.1 3.8 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.5
2.5 7.41 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.2
4 4 .61 2.1 2.1 2.0 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

1.5 12 .1 3.5 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.3 2.3

2.5 7.41 2.2 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.9 1.9 1.9
4 4.6 1 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.2 1.2 1.2

29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

1.5 12.1 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.2 2.2 2 .1 2.1 2.1

2.5 7.41 1.9 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8
4 4.61 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.1 1. 1 1. 1 1. 1 1. 1

37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

1.5 12 .1 2.1 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9

2.5 7.41 1.8 1. 7 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.2 1.2 1.2
4 4.61 1. 1 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.99 0.95 0.95 0.95

45 46 47 48

1.5 12. 1 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.8

2.5 7.41 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2
4 4.6 1 0.9 5 0.9 5 0.95 0.95

NOTE . W ith th e except io n o f th e 4 mm 2 conductors which are st randed, th e resistance values apply to cab les
w i th eithe r solid or stranded conductors .
BS 6346: 1 989

Table 35. Gross cross·sectional area of armour wires for

single·core 600/1000 V cables having aluminium wire armour

1
I
I
2 3

Nominal Cross ·sectional area of round armour wires

cross·sectional i
area of I Cables with stranded Cables with solid
conductor I copper conductors alum inium conductors
!
2
mm mm 2 mm 2
50 39 35
70 44 40
95 50 45
120 72 66
150 80 72
·, 185 88 78
240 I 98 88
I
300 103 96
400 153 -
500 169 -
630 185 -
800 260 -
1000 289 -
Circular sectoral conductors

380 - 138
480 - 150
600 - 163
740 - 225
960 - 255
1200 - 279
;.r·-~·· .
(,')

=
 BS 6346 : 1989

Table 36. Gross cross -sectional area of armour wires for two-core, three-core and four -core
600/1000 V cables having steel wire armour

1 2 I 3 4 5 6 7 8

Nominal Cross-sectional area of round armour wires

cross-sectional
area of Cables with stranded Cables with solid
conductor copper conductors aluminium conductors

Two-core Three-core Four-core Four-core Two-core Three-core Four-core

(reduced
neutral)

2
mm 2
1
mm 2 mm 2
2
mm· mm mm mm 2 mm 2
1.5* 15 16 17 - - - -
2.5* 17 19 20 - - - -
4* 21 23 35 - - - -
6* 24 36 40 - - - -
10* 41 44 49 - - - -
16* 46 50 72 - 42 46 66
25 60 66 76 76 54 62 70
35 66 74 84 82 58 68 78
50 74 84 122 94 66 78 113
70 84 119 138 135 74 113 128
95 122 138 160 157 109 128 147
120 131 150 220 215 - 138 201
150 144 211 240 235 - 191 220
185 201 230 265 260 - 215 245
240 225 260 299 289 - 240 274
300 250 289 333 323 - 265 304
400 279 319 467 452 - - -

*Circula r conductors.

~ · :·~·. · .~ .
..: ··; )
~ ,.:.;;_;:
~·· ~· ~ ... ... .. ,~ .. · -·•·• ·· -·•· - ··· . __ .., ....... ...... .. ..... \'" . . ... ,..... ~ ..........,.. • .. .. ·- ... r ... . . ~. .•.. :.... .~ : .~ ...... ,: ..... ~ ........ ........ .. - .... . . ..... .

BS 6346: 1 989

Table 37. Gross cross-sectional area of aluminium strip armour

for two-core , three-core and four -core 600/1000 V cables with
solid aluminium conductors

1 2 3 4 5

Nominal Cross-sectional area of alumi nium strip armour

cross -sec t iona l cab les with so lid aluminium conductors
ar ea of
conductor Single -core T wo-co re Three -core Four -core

mm 2 mm 2 mm 2 mm 2 mm 2
16* - 23 26 29
25 - 22 27 30
35 - 24 30 34
50 19 29 60 67
70 22 56 67 78
95 26 63 104 123
120 29 - 117 136
150 31 - 130 149
185 60 - 143 214
240 67 - 214 248
300 74 - 237 271 .-
Circular sectoral conductors
l
! 380 117 - - -
480 130 - - -
I 600 143 - - -
740 156 - - -
960 226 - - -
1200 248 - - -

• Circular conductors.

Table 38. Gross cross -se ctional area of armour for 600/1000 V auxiliary cables
wit h copp er conductors

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Nominal Gross cross -sectional area of steel wire armour

c r oss·sec tion a I
area of Number of cores
conductor
! 5 7 10 12 19 27 37 48

, ,
mm 2 mm" I mm· mm· mm 2 mm 2 mm 2 mm 2 mm 2
1.5 19 20 36 38 44 70 76 88
2.5 22 24 44 45 70 82 92 135 ..
4 39 42 72 74 86 131 - -
l
NOTE . T hese v~ l u e s relat e to the cables in tables 25 and 26 having th e preferred number of cor es. ::

.·\· ..
(j··~--~~-:~. .

- - - - ---- ---··
 Publications referred to
BS 18 Methods for tensile testing o f metals
Part 1 Non-ferrous metals
BS 443 Specif ica ti on for t es ting zi nc coatings on steel wi re and for quality requi remen ts
BS 4066 Tests o n electr ic cabl es unde r fire conditions
Pa rt 1 Me t hod o f tes t o n a single vertica l insulated wire o r cable
BS 4727 Glossary of elect rotechn ic al , powe r, t elecom muni ca ti on, el ectronic s, lighting and colour terms
Part 2 T erms particu lar to powe r eng i neerin g
Group 08 Elec tric cable terminolo gy
BS 50 99 Specifica t ion fo r sp ar k t es ting of electric cab l es
BS 6360 Specification fo r conductors in insulated cables and cords
BS 6469 M etho ds of test for insulat ion and sheath s of elect ric cables
BS 6746 Specificat ion for PV C insu l at i o n and shea th o f electr ic cables
· IEC2 28 Co nductors of insulate d cabl es

tR eg ul at ions f or elec tric al insta ll ations , 15th Edition, l nst_ituti o n o f Electric al Engin eers
<Current rat in g standards for distri buti o n cab l es, ERA 69 -3 0 : Part Ill , ERA T echnolog y L td_

• Refer red to in t he fo reword on l y.

t Ava il ab l e fr o m the In stitutio n o f El ect ri ca l En ginee rs, Savoy Place, Victoria Emb ankmen t , L ondon VVC2 R OBL .
t Avai lable from ERA T echnolog y Ltd ., Cl eeve Roa d , Leat herh ead, Su rrey KT22 7SA.

BASEC's Certification Trade Marks and Approval Threads

Th e Briti sh App ro vals Service fo r Electr ic Ca bl es I BASEC) is the owner of certificatic r. trade rr.arks. T hese marks, wh ich are shown below,
may be used only by mo.nufacturers who ar e licensed un de r th e ce rtificat ion mark sch:mes operated by BASEC. T he presence o f any one o f
th ese marks on o r in re lation to el ec tric c ab l es is an ass u r ance t hat th ey hav e bee n prouuced un d er a sy stem of superv ision and control
o per ate d dur in g manu f ac tu re, and inc lud i ng frequent ind epend en t sa m p li ng and t estir.g of p roduction, designed t o prov1de ass u rance of
comp l iance with appropriate British Standa rd s_

Certi fi catiOn
T rade M ark

1. Symbo l :
2 . Iden tificat ion mark,ng 'Et.SEC'
3. Iden t i fiC ati on thr ead: plair. ·r~llow orod
o f a m at erial so lu ble 1n acetone_

'!;...;•.·.·.: 1..... ,.,, ..... - • ... l-: ·

,J.,.,.,. , ·,.
 - ., . . --;-~-;-{\~
! ~-- r .. i. ~ ~ J
- -. ' ' ' -i -.;;
' ..._
l
. _.) '(
~

BS 6346 1989

~~.s 8 flt1sh S tanrJ~rrJ. ha v •ng bP.en prep ar ed u nd er t he d ir ect•on of
t~ ~ G~n~ra l E l ~~ ·.r'it'::hn•c a l En q•n~erin g Stan dard s Pol•cy
Cr;rnmi t t~~- ·n ~s p • Jb ' •sh~d unci'" the authority o f th e Board of BSI
a~ rJ (: Q m~s tr.trJ ~ff c.:r: L o n ~j 1 Ur!f:~! mb n r 1 ~H3~ J
·. B cot• sh Sta r>rJorrJ~ l n st•tu t•on. 1989
F rst D•J bl•sh~·J ~ I O •Jembr:r 1969
F 1 r-;~ r': vr St()n S ~pt':! m b~ r 198 7
i'~c::-n ~cJtt to n
ISBN 0 58 0 1 7889 7
The f o l lowi ng BSI refer~nc-.s relate to th e v-Jo rk on th is standard :
C'imm •tte e ref P. r enc e GEL! J Dr af t f o r comm ent 88 / 27447 DC
Briti sh Standards I nst i tution . In corpor at ed by Ro yal Charter, BSI is
the •nde11en d ent nat •an al b o dy fo r the pr eparation of British
St an d ards . It is the U K membe r of th e Int ernationa l Organization
fo r S tandard •zat•o n and UK s11ons o r o f th e British Na tional
Comm •tt ee o f t he I nte rnat io na l Elec trot ec hnical Commission .
In ad di t 1on to t he pr ep arat ion and promu lgation of standards, BSI
off ers speci al 1st ser>11ce s inc l u di ng the pro v i sion of information
through the 9 SI L ibrary and St andard line Database ; Technical Help
to E xporte rs ; an d ot her ser vic es . Advice can be obtained from t he
e nqui ry Sect •o n, BS I , Milton K eyn es M K 14 6LE, te l ephone
C908 221166, telex 8 2 5777.
Cop y right. Us ers o f Brit ish Standards are r eminded that cop yright
subsi st s in all BSI publication s. No pa rt of th i s publ ication ma y be
r~pr odu ce d in any f orm wi thout tile prior permission in writing of
BSI. T h•s d o es not prec l ud e t he free u se, in the course of
imp lementmg t he stan<Jar d , of necessary UP. ta ils such as symbo ls and
s i z~. tvroe or grarJe des 1gn at•ons. Enquor •e s sh ou ld be addressed to
th e Pub i •ca tl o ns M a nage r, BSI, L 1nfo r t.l 'Jiiood. Miltoro Ke y nes
M K14 6LE . T he numb er for t elephone enquifleS is 0908 220022
an d f or telex 825777.
Contract requiremen t s. A Brit ish Standart.l does no t purpo rt to
include al l the necessary p r ov i sio n s of a cont ra ct Use rs o f Br i t •sh
Standar d s are r esponsible fo r th eir corr ect appl icat ion.
Revision of B ritish Standar d s. British Standards are re ·Ji sed, when
necessar-r . by the issue e1ther of am en d men ts or o f r evised ed1tio ns .
It is importa n t t ha t use r s of B ri ti sh Stan d ard s sh ou ld asce r tain that
t hey are in p osse ssion of t he lat es t amendme n ts o r ed i t io n s.
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Informatio n on all 8 SI r:> u b l ica tions is in the BSI Catalogue,
supple men ted each m o nth by BSI N ews which is availa b le to
subs cri bi ng members of BSI and gives deta ils of new p ub li cat ion s,
revisions, amendments and wi t hdrawn standards. Any p er son who ,
w h en making use of a British St and ar d, encou nt ers an in accur acy o r ~~?:::~'!-~
amb iguit 'l, is r equested to no t ify BS I wi th o ut de lay in ord er that ~~·~ ;:·,:)
the matter ma y b e investigated and ap propriate action ta ken.

Committees respons ible for th is British Standard

The prepar at io n of th is British Stand ard w as entrusted b y t he Departm ent of T rade and Industry (Consumer Safety Unit ,
Gen eral Electr otec hn ical En ginee r;"" 3 ta nda rd s Pol icy Committee CA Division )
!GEL/ -) t o T ec hn ica l Com r.c it ·.,:-: ' c'
L/ 3, u po n which the fol lowing ERA T echno logy Ltd .
bod ie s w ere r epr e se~t" d : Electrici t y Supp ly Industry in E ngland and Wal es
A l uminium F ede ration Engine ering Equipment and Materia ls User s' Ass o ciation
Associ at ion of Consu lti ng Eng in eers Institu tion of E lectrical Engineers
Associa· i0n o f Manufacture rs of Domestic Elect ri cal A p plian ces London Regional Transpo rt
Br i t ish 'Jvals Ser vice f or El ectric Cables
Bri t is~ · Makers' Conf ederation
Bri t;, · Th e f o l lowing bodies were also represent ed i n the dr aft i ng of the
··c s F ederat io n
Bri· !<'·,•:av s Boa rd standard, th r ough subcomm i tte es and pan els :
B ro :-· 3te el Industry Assoc iat ion of Sup ervisory an d Ex ec utive Eng i n ee rs
Britis h T ele comm unica tio ns pic Br i ti sh Gas pic
Departm ent of the En v ironment (Prope r ty Serv ices Agency)

G
(,

Amendm ent s issued sin ce pub li ca ti on c

(.
..f
Date o f iss ue Tex t af fec ted c

(
c
(

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61it ish Stand.:nds In stituti o n - 2 Par k Stree t Lo nd o n W1A 2BS . Te lep hone 01 -629 9000 · Telex 2669 33

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