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2008 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. ISBN: 978-0-470-51685-0 Guide to the Wiring Regulations: 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations (BS 7671: 2008) Darrell Locke

Appendix 2 Popular cables: current rating tables from BS 7671: 2008 Appendix 4
Three tables are included here, BS 6004 PVC thermosetting at twin and earth, XLPE thermosetting single-core and XLPE thermosetting armoured. These tables are not complete and have been added to make this book, particularly Chapter C, readable. For complete tables, please refer to BS 7671: 2008.

Table 4C5 Rating factors for groups of one or more circuits of single-core cables to be applied to reference current-carrying capacity for one circuit of single-core cables in free air Reference Method F in Tables 4D1A to 4J4A. Samples from Table 4 D5A 70C thermoplastic insulated and sheathed at cable with protective conductor (copper conductors).
Current-carrying capacity (A) Conductor crosssectional area Reference Method 100 (above a plasterboard ceiling covered by thermal insulation not exceeding 100 mm in thickness) 2 (A) 13 27 57 Reference Method 101 (above a plasterboard ceiling covered by thermal insulation exceeding 100 mm in thickness) 3 (A) 10.5 22 46 Reference Method 102# (in a stud wall with thermal insulation with cable touching the inner wall surface) Reference Method 103# (in a stud wall with thermal insulation with cable not touching the inner wall surface) 5 (A) 8 17.5 42.5 Reference Method C* (clipped direct) Ambient temperature: 30C Conductor operating temperature: 70C Reference Method A* (enclosed in conduit in an insulated wall) Voltage drop (per ampere per metre)

1 (mm2) 1 4 16

4 (A) 13 27 63

6 (A) 16 37 85

7 (A) 11.5 26 57

8 (mV/A/m) 44 11 2.8

A* For full installation method refer to Table 4A2 Installation Method 2 but for Twin at and earth cable B* For full installation method refer to Table 4A2 Installation Method 20 but for Twin at and earth cable 100# For full installation method refer to Table 4A2 Installation Method 100 101# For full installation method refer to Table 4A2 Installation Method 101 102# For full installation method refer to Table 4A2 Installation Method 102 103# For full installation method refer to Table 4A2 Installation Method 103 Wherever practicable, a cable is to be xed in a position such that it will not be covered with thermal insulation. Regulation 523.7, BS 5803-5: Appendix C: Avoidance of overheating of electric cables, Building Regulations Approved document B and Thermal insulation: avoiding risks, BR 262, BRE, 2001 refer.

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Samples from Table 4 E1A Single-core 90C thermosetting insulated cables, unarmoured, with or without sheath (copper conductors).
Current-carrying capacity (A) Conductor crosssectional area (enclosed in conduit in thermally insulating wall, etc.) (enclosed in conduit on a wall or in trunking, etc.) (clipped direct) Ambient temperature: 30C Conductor operating temperature: 90C (in free air or on a perforated cable tray etc horizontal or vertical, etc.) Touching (in free air) Spaced by one cable diameter 3 cables, threephase a.c. at 3 cables, threephase a.c trefoil 2 cables, singlephase a.c. or d.c. or 3 cables threephase a.c. at Horizontal Vertical

2 cables, singlephase a.c. or d.c.

3 or 4 cables, threephase a.c.

2 cables, singlephase a.c. or d.c.

3 or 4 cables, threephase a.c.

2 cables, singlephase a.c. or d.c. at and touching 6 (A) 25 228 413 743

3 or 4 cables, threephase a.c. at and touching or trefoil 7 (A) 23 209 379 681

2 cables, singlephase a.c. or d.c. at

1 (mm2) 1.5 50 120 300

2 (A) 9 158 278 486

3 (A) 17 141 249 435

4 (A) 23 198 354 603

5 (A) 20 175 312 514

8 (A) 242 437 783

9 (A) 216 400 736

10 (A) 207 383 703

11 (A) 275 500 902

12 (A) 246 454 833

Samples from Table 4 E4A Multicore 90C armoured thermosetting insulated cables (copper conductors).
Air ambient temperature: 30C Ground ambient temperature: 20C Conductor operating temperature: 90C (in free air or on a perforated cable tray etc, horizontal or vertical) 1 three- or 1 fourcore cable, threephase a.c. 3 (A) 53 124 187 441 1 two-core cable, single-phase a.c. or d.c. 4 (A) 66 152 228 539 1 three- or 1 fourcore cable, threephase a.c. 5 (A) 56 131 197 463 (direct in ground or in ducting in ground, in or around buildings) 1 two-core cable, single-phase a.c. or d.c. 6 (A) 53 116 164 343 1 three- or 1 fourcore cable, threephase a.c. 7 (A) 44 96 135 281

Current-carrying capacity (A) Conductor crosssectional area (clipped direct) 1 two-core cable, single-phase a.c. or d.c. 1 (mm2) 6 25 50 185 2 (A) 62 146 219 515

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