1    Conductor    Class 2 plain stranded copper conductor to BS EN 60228:2005 (previously BS6360)
2    Insulation    XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)
3    Bedding    PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
4    Armouring    Single Core: AWA (Aluminium Wire Armour) Multi Core: SWA (Steel Wire Armour)
5    Sheath    PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) BS5467 Cable PVC


Why use SWA Cable?

Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) BS5467 Cable is a robust and hard-wearing power cable with copper conductors, XLPE insulation, steel wire armour and a black PVC sheath. It is designed for the supply of mains electricity – for power networks, underground systems and in cable ducting – and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

With its steel wire armour, SWA Cable is particularly useful in external or underground projects. As well as providing effective mechanical protection, the armour enables it to withstand higher pulling loads.

SWA's XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) insulation is resistant to a wide range of chemicals and has good thermal stability.

Which industries use SWA Cable?

The versatile SWA BS5467 Cable is commonly used across a whole range of industries including building and construction, and rail and transport. The armoured mains cable is also supplied for transmission, distribution and power networks as well as automation and process control systems.

What is the difference between AWA and SWA Cable?

Aluminium Wire Armour (AWA) is used in single core cable because it is non-magnetic. When an electric current passes through a cable it produces a magnetic field (the higher the voltage the bigger the field). The magnetic field will induce an electric current in steel armour (eddy currents), which can cause overheating in AC systems. The non-magnetic aluminium armour prevents this from happening. Both AWA and SWA Cables meet the requirements of BS5467.

When would I need to use Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LS0H) SWA
Cable (BS6724)?

The Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LS0H) SWA Cable is recommended for use in public areas. When exposed to fire, the LS0H sheath emits very low levels of smoke and non-toxic levels of halogen gas (typically under 0.5% HCl emission). LS0H may also be referred to as LSHF (Low Smoke Halogen Free), 0HLS (Zero Halogen Low Smoke), LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) or HFFR (Halogen Free Flame Retardant).

By what other names is SWA Cable known?

Steel Wire Armoured Cable is sometimes referred to as Booklet Armoured Cable or, more generally, as Mains or Power Cable.

Can I use the steel wire armour as earth?

Using the steel armour as the only earth is not to be recommended. Although it is possible on power cable up to a certain size, it should only be used as an additional earth. The armour should, however, always be earthed at the supply end to ensure that it cannot become live if the cable is severed or if a fault develops within the cable.

Standards:    BS5467, IEC 60502,BS EN (IEC) 60332-1-2
Sheath Colour:    Black (Carbon loaded for UV stability)
Voltage Rating:    600/1000V
Temperature Rating:    0°C to +90°C
Minimum Bending Radius:    1.5mm² - 16mm²: 6 x overall diameter
25mm² and above: 8 x overall diameter

Core Identification:    1 Core: Brown or Blue
2 Cores: Brown, Blue
3 Cores: Brown, Black, Grey
4 Cores: Blue, Brown, Black, Grey
5 Cores: Green/Yellow, Blue, Brown, Black, Grey
Alternative core identification: White Cores with Black numbers

source from bs5467