Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) cable BS5467 is a robust, hard-wearing power cable with mechanical protection designed for the supply of mains electricity. Suitable for use both indoors and outdoors, in cable ducts, or directly buried in the ground, these cables provide reliable power distribution in challenging environments. Multi-core variants can also be used for auxiliary control applications.
Technical Specifications
General Characteristics
- Voltage Rating: 600/1000V
- Conductor Operating Temperature Range: -40°C to +90°C
- Minimum Bending Radius:
- 1.5mm² to 16mm²: 6 × overall diameter
- 25mm² and above: 8 × overall diameter
- Standards Compliance: BS5467, IEC 60502, BS6360 (conductors), BS6746 Type 9 (sheath), BS1442 (armour)
Cable Construction
- Conductor: Class 2 plain stranded annealed copper to BS EN 60228:2005
- Insulation: XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)
- Bedding: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
- Armouring: Galvanized Steel Wire Armour (SWA)
- Sheath: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), black color
Core Identification
Standard Color Coding
- 1 Core: Brown
- 2 Cores: Brown, Blue
- 3 Cores: Brown, Black, Grey
- 4 Cores: Blue, Brown, Black, Grey
- 5 Cores: Green/Yellow, Blue, Brown, Black, Grey
Alternative Identification
White cores with black numbers
Dimensions and Weights
2-Core Cable Specifications
| Part Number | Conductor Size (mm²) | Overall Diameter (mm) | Nominal Weight (kg/km) | Resistance at 20°C (Ω/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWA(2C) 1.5 | 2 × 1.5 | 12.1 | 302 | 12.10 |
| SWA(2C) 2.5 | 2 × 2.5 | 13.6 | 346 | 7.41 |
| SWA(2C) 4.0 | 2 × 4.0 | 14.7 | 410 | 4.61 |
| SWA(2C) 6.0 | 2 × 6.0 | 15.9 | 499 | 3.08 |
| SWA(2C) 10.0 | 2 × 10.0 | 18.0 | 648 | 1.83 |
| SWA(2C) 16.0 | 2 × 16.0 | 20.4 | 978 | 1.15 |
| SWA(2C) 25.0 | 2 × 25.0 | 24.1 | 1290 | 0.727 |
| SWA(2C) 35.0 | 2 × 35.0 | 23.3 | 1500 | 0.524 |
| SWA(2C) 50.0 | 2 × 50.0 | 25.8 | 1890 | 0.387 |
| SWA(2C) 70.0 | 2 × 70.0 | 29.0 | 2450 | 0.268 |
| SWA(2C) 95.0 | 2 × 95.0 | 33.1 | 3300 | 0.193 |
| SWA(2C) 120.0 | 2 × 120.0 | 36.1 | 4020 | 0.153 |
| SWA(2C) 150.0 | 2 × 150.0 | 39.3 | 4750 | 0.124 |
| SWA(2C) 185.0 | 2 × 185.0 | 44.7 | 5800 | 0.0991 |
| SWA(2C) 240.0 | 2 × 240.0 | 49.0 | 7280 | 0.0754 |
| SWA(2C) 300.0 | 2 × 300.0 | 53.5 | 8750 | 0.0601 |
| SWA(2C) 400.0 | 2 × 400.0 | 59.0 | 10700 | 0.0470 |
3-Core Cable Specifications
| Part Number | Conductor Size (mm²) | Overall Diameter (mm) | Nominal Weight (kg/km) | Resistance at 20°C (Ω/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWA(3C) 1.5 | 3 × 1.5 | 12.6 | 330 | 12.10 |
| SWA(3C) 2.5 | 3 × 2.5 | 14.1 | 390 | 7.41 |
| SWA(3C) 4.0 | 3 × 4.0 | 15.3 | 464 | 4.61 |
| SWA(3C) 6.0 | 3 × 6.0 | 16.6 | 568 | 3.08 |
| SWA(3C) 10.0 | 3 × 10.0 | 19.5 | 866 | 1.83 |
| SWA(3C) 16.0 | 3 × 16.0 | 21.6 | 1152 | 1.15 |
| SWA(3C) 25.0 | 3 × 25.0 | 25.5 | 1800 | 0.727 |
| SWA(3C) 35.0 | 3 × 35.0 | 28.0 | 2230 | 0.524 |
| SWA(3C) 50.0 | 3 × 50.0 | 28.5 | 2490 | 0.387 |
| SWA(3C) 70.0 | 3 × 70.0 | 32.2 | 3290 | 0.268 |
| SWA(3C) 95.0 | 3 × 95.0 | 37.0 | 4440 | 0.193 |
| SWA(3C) 120.0 | 3 × 120.0 | 40.4 | 5470 | 0.153 |
| SWA(3C) 150.0 | 3 × 150.0 | 45.5 | 6930 | 0.124 |
| SWA(3C) 185.0 | 3 × 185.0 | 49.8 | 8350 | 0.0991 |
| SWA(3C) 240.0 | 3 × 240.0 | 55.1 | 10400 | 0.0754 |
| SWA(3C) 300.0 | 3 × 300.0 | 60.2 | 12600 | 0.0601 |
| SWA(3C) 400.0 | 3 × 400.0 | 66.6 | 14600 | 0.0470 |
4-Core and 5-Core Cable Specifications
Similar tables available for 4-core and 5-core configurations with various conductor sizes from 1.5mm² to 400mm². The overall diameter and weight increase proportionally with the number of cores and conductor cross-sectional area.
Compliance
- Smoke and corrosive gas emission in accordance with BS6724
- HCL not greater than 5% when tested to BS6425
- Reduced flame propagation requirements of BS4066 part 1 (single vertical wire) and part 3 (bunched cables) IEC 322:3 categories A, B and C
Application Guidelines
Installation Notes
- When connecting cables to equipment designed to operate at temperatures lower than the maximum operating temperature of the cable, rate the cable at the maximum operating temperature of the equipment or accessory (see Regulation 512.1.5).
- When grouping cables together, rate them at the lowest of the maximum operating temperatures of any cables in the group (see Regulation 512.1.5).
- For conductors operating at temperatures exceeding 70°C, ensure connected equipment is suitable for the conductor operating temperature (see Regulation 512.1.2).
- When connecting to equipment designed for maximum 70°C operation, use current ratings from equivalent tables for 70°C thermoplastic insulated cables (see Regulation 532.1).
Protective Conductor Considerations
- The steel wire armour can often be used as a protective conductor.
- For small conductor sizes (indicated in red in technical tables), the SWA may be too small to be used as a protective conductor according to Table 54G in the 17th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations (though compliance may be achieved by calculation).
- For larger conductor sizes (indicated in black), the SWA is adequate to use as a protective conductor according to Table 54G in the 17th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations.
