Technical Information

How is SWA cable constructed?

1 Conductor: Class 2 plain stranded copper conductor to BS EN 60228:2005 (previously
BS6360)
2 Insulation: XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)
3 Bedding: LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen)
4 Armouring Single Core: AWA (Aluminium Wire Armour)
Multi Core: SWA (Steel Wire Armour)
5 Sheath: LS0H (Low Smoke Zero Halogen)

BS5467 Steel Wire Armoured Cable
Technical Information

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

 

BS6724 Steel Wire Armoured Cable
Technical Information

Which industries use SWA Cable?
The versatile SWA BS6724 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 nonmagnetic
aluminium armour prevents this from happening. Both AWA and SWA Cables
meet the requirements of BS6724.

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. 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).

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: BS6724, IEC 60502
Sheath Colour: Black
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
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