SWA Armoured Cable - everything you need to know

Commonly known as SWA cable, the steel wire armoured cable is a power and auxiliary control cable, designed for use in mains supply electricity.

What is an SWA Armoured Cable?

Commonly known as SWA cable, the steel wire armoured cable is a power and auxiliary control cable, designed for use in mains supply electricity. Used for underground systems, cable networks, power networks, outdoor and indoor applications, and cable ducting. The SWA cable can also be referred to mains cable, power cable, armoured cable and booklet-armoured cable. With copper wiring creating the perfect conductors for the core with a range of types such as 2 core, 3 core and 5 core SWA Cables to name a few.

What does the BS546/ BS6724 stand for?

You will frequently see the term BS5467 or BS6724 when referring to an SWA cable. These phrases mean that the SWA cable meets the British Standards requirements, for both construction and testing.

Construction of an SWA Armoured Cable

The typical construction of SWA PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) cable is as follows:

The SWA Cable is designed to have mechanical protection, which is why the cable is often used for external use. The armour is used to reduce any risk of the cable getting pinched or damaged; the steel is used to protect the armoured cable. SWA cables are heavy, which makes them extremely difficult to bend; therefore they are most suited to underground cabling or fixed to outdoor walls using cable cleats.

SWA Cable Multi Core (Steel Wired Armoured Cables)

A multi core swa cable, is a cable with a number of cores, steel wire armour is only used on multi core cables. Edwardes supply a number of different cores for the SWA cable:

A two core steel wire armoured cable or SWA Cable is live and neutral for Class II and Double Insulated appliances which do not need earth connection.

Three core SWA Cables are live, neutral and earth, unlike two core which is only live and neutral. Three core cable is for Class I or Single Insulated which must have earth connections.

Four core cables are perfect for low voltage or low current signal applications. Made of 4 copper individual colour coordinated cables hence the name four core cable.

The five core SWA Cable is most commonly used in low-voltage transmissions and uses a three-phase line with one zero line for the power supply.

The seven core cable prime purpose is for low-voltage connections with a max of normal 50Vdc. Each core is made from copper conductors within the steel armouring.

Shop our extensive steel wired armoured cable range.

An armoured cable has a metallic layer of strips, or threads that protect the conductors from external forces. The external vulnerable force to cables are rodents, and accidental impacts. It also prevents any internal irregularities from causing the release of dangerous energy levels to the outside in environments.

Armoured cables are insulated with non-flame propagating thermoplastic compounds with low emission of smoke and toxic gases, covered with metal armour.

Installation of armoured cable is fast and economical. There is no need of rigid conduit pipe, such as threading, bending, making support when we use armored cable.

It also avoids waste because the armoured cable are available in continuous rolls of convenient length. The armour provides the ultimate protection against electrostatic, magnetic, and common modes.

What is the armoured cable?

The armoured cable has an extra protective layer to keep it away from unwanted cut or damage. The armour made of aluminium wires placed under the sheath to protect the conductor, and insulate the layers.

Why are armoured cables used?

For outdoor installation or direct burial applications, there is a need of mechanical protection of electrical cables. The aluminium wire armour (AWA) and steel wire armour (SWA) provide the mechanical protection. The armoured wire has higher tensile loads.

The structure of the armour guarantees maximum resistance to crushing, cutting, and wear.

Classifications of Armoured Cables

We can classify the armoured cables into steel wire, steel tape, aluminum wire and aluminum alloy.

1. Steel wire armoured cables ( SWA)
2. Steel tape armoured cables ( STA)
3. Aluminium wire armoured Cables ( AWA)
4. Braid wire armour cable

Now, we will discuss the types of armoured cables in detail.

Steel Wire Armour Cable (SWA)

Steel wire armoured cable has a strong steel wire conductor assembled with a layer of insulation.

The Steel armoured cable (SWA) is the most common type of armoured cable in electrical power distribution. It is a heavy-duty electrical power cable suitable for mains supply. We use this type of cable in 11 kV and 33 kV underground & cable ducts electrical installations.

The main purpose of the shielded layer steel wire armoured cable is to improve the tensile strength and compressive strength. It also provides mechanical protection. Further, It also lengthens the service life and improves the anti-interference of the cable through shielding protection.

Blue sheathed steel wire armoured (SWA) cables are most suitable for instrumentation applications

Steel Tape Armour Cable (STA)

Steel tape and wire armour layers have high permeability and excellent magnetic shielding effect and resist low-frequency interference. The use of steel tape armouring is a popular method of protecting fibre optic cables.

Aluminum Wire Armour Cable (AWA)

Aluminium wire armoured cables provide protection against mechanical stress, making armoured cables suitable for direct burial and outdoor or underground use.

When current flows through a cable, it generates a magnetic field. The magnetic field induces an electric current (eddy currents) in the steel armour, which can cause overheating in AC systems. Aluminium is a non-magnetic material, non-magnetic aluminium reinforcement prevents this.

Braid Wire Armour

Braided armour cable has several fine copper wires interwoven into a tightly meshed tubular structure. It wraps around a conductor. Braided armour cables suppress magnetic fields, reducing electromagnetic interference between and nearby cables.

Typically copper braided cables are used in environments that transmit high-speed signals which are also susceptible to mechanical damage.

Difference Between Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) Cable and Steel Tape Armoured Cable (STA)?

We use steel tape armoured cable (STA) for direct buried cable or pipe laying, common ground, tunnel, etc. STA  cables are less expensive than SWA cables.

Steel wire armoured (SWA) cable can withstand the general longitudinal tension, hence it is suitable for short-distance aerial laying or vertical or vertical laying.

Because the production of SWA armoured cables is more difficult, the cost is higher. In general, it is according to the use of different ways of the environment and the choice of different shielded SWA cables.

SWA cables are suitable for network cable, armoured cable, power cable, or leaflet armoured cable.

Construction of Armoured Cable

Conductor

It is the material through which the current circulates. The conductor carry the electric current from one place to another. Actually, the conductor is an inner part of the cable.

Copper has more conductivity than aluminum. However, both copper & aluminum is the best choice for an electric conductor.

Insulation

Insulation of any of the following compounds: PVC, PVC+NYLON, Low-Density Polyethylene, XLP, depending on the use of the cable.

Cross-linked polyethene (XLPE) finds its applications in various power cable system because it has water-resistant and excellent electrical properties. The conductive parts of the cable must not come in the contacts of other conductors or metallic parts. The cable insulation provides separation between the conductive and non conductive parts of the cable.

Bedding

The bedding protects the sheath from mechanical damage. Bedding creates a protective barrier between the inner and outer layers of the cables.

Armour

Steel wire armour provides mechanical protection to cable. It means the armoured cable can withstand higher stresses. It is also suitable for underground installations. The shield is normally grounded, and can sometimes be used as a protective circuit conductor (”ground wire”) for cable-supplied equipment.

Sheath

The sheath provides good flexibility and holds all the cable components together. Sheath protects the cable from UV, water ingress, and differing soil compositions.

It provides additional protection against external stresses. Other sheath materials are polyethene (PE), Low Smoke Halogen Free (LSHF), PTFE, Rubber, and Silicone are very few to mention.

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Armoured Cable - everything you need to know

• What is Armoured Cable

Why armoured cables are used?

Armoured Cable Classification

SWA Cable Introduction

SWA Cable Structure

• 2 Core SWA Armoured Cable
• 3 Core SWA Armoured Cable
• 4 Core SWA Armoured Cable
• 5 Core SWA Armoured Cable
• 7 Core SWA Armoured Cable

BS5467 and BS6724

Armoured cable size

The Advantages Of Using Armored Cable

TANO CABLE is your best choice

What is the difference between Armoured cable and unarmoured?

Where should you use armoured cables?

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Armoured cable is the name given to any electrical cable built with an armour of aluminium wire or steel wire armour.The armour sits under the cable sheath to protect the driver and isolate the layers.For use outside or in direct burial projects, the electrical cables must have mechanical protection. Such protection is provided by aluminium wire armour or AWA and steel wire armour or SWA, as well as by cable with higher pulling loads.Armored cables divided into steel wire armored cables. steel tape armored cable. aluminum or aluminum alloy wire armored cable.Steel wire armored cables are often abbreviated as SWA( Steel Wire Armour).Steel tape armored cables are often abbreviated as STA( Steel Tape Armor ).Aluminum or aluminum wire armored cables are often abbreviated as AWA( Aluminum Wire ArmoringSteel Wire Armoured Cable is designed to have mechanical protection, which is why the cable is often used for external use. The armour is used to reduce any risk of the cable getting pinched or damaged; the steel is used to protect the armoured cable. SWA Cables are heavy, which makes them extremely difficult to bend;therefore they are most suited to underground cabling or fixed to outdoor walls using cable cleats.The structure of the SWA cable is from the inside to the outside, the conductor (usually copper conductor or aluminum conductor), the insulation (XLPE or PVC) inner sheath (PVC) armor (wire or steel belt) outer sheath (PVC).Conductor: mainly acts as conductive, transmits power, the copper conductor is more conductive, and the aluminum conductor is weaker.Insulation: either Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE) or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC )XLPE Cable is have higher current rating and longer service life compared to PVC cables, PVC cable is 70 Centigrade while XLPE is 90 Centigrade.on price, the XLPE insulated price is higher than PVC insulated.A multi core swa cable, is a cable with two or more cores, steel wire armour is only used on multi core cables.For insulated equipment that does not need to be grounded, the two-core steel wire armored cable or SWA cable is charged and neutral.Three core SWA Cables are live, neutral and earth.TANO CABLE provides you with many different types of SWA armoured cables. as followingSteel wire armour is only used on multicore versions of the cable. When a cable has only one core, aluminium wire armour (commonly known AWA) is used instead of steel wire. This is because the aluminium is non-magnetic. A magnetic field is produced by the current in a single core cable. This would induce an electric current in the steel wire, which could cause overheating.British Standard BS5467 cable specification covers the requirements for low voltage armoured cables, both of SWA Cable Multi Core and Single Core Armoured Cable. BS5467 armoured power cables are widely used in the UK as well as international projects using British standards. These SWA Cable Multi Core cables and Single Core Armoured Cable have mechanical protection provided by waterproof, UV-resistant and armored sheath, so can be used outdoors without additional protection. For applications requiring Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) sheathing, pleaserefer to British Standard BS6724 for an LSZH equivalent to BS5467.The Armounred Cable corss section area include 1.5mm2,2.5mm2, 4mm2, 6mm2, 10mm2, 16mm2, 25mm2, 35mm2, 50mm2, 70mm2, 95mm2, 120mm2, 150mm2, 185mm2, 240mm2, 300mm2, 400mm2,500mm2, 630mm2. According to the cable operating environment, cable operating temperature, voltage, load capacity, budget and other requirements, we provide the most suitable cable for you. Also produce different models cables according to your requirements.Armored cable offers a number of unique advantages. If you choose to use this cable, armored cable has these benefits.First, Armored cables can withstand a lot of wear. The armoring material is often hard enough to protect the inner cable from damage.Second, Armored cables have good power transmission stability.Third, Armored power cables have advanced mechanical properties.So armored cables can be used in environments such as places with extreme weather, places where cables are easily damaged by machinery,and places where the number of radio frequencies is high. Finally, after you know the advantages of armoured cable, you can feel free to buy it.Steel wire armor is divided into SWA, STA, AWA, etc. You need amanufacturer like TANO CABLE to provide you the lastestproducts. We will provide you with quotation and structure. Get right product for the right application. The price of armored cable is affected by the international copper price and aluminum price. The price changes every day.Contact us get the most reasonable price.Armoured cable is installed in locations exposed to mechanical damage, such as on the outsides of walls, as an alternative to conduit. Armoured cable usually has a small metal ribbon to ensure electrical continuity of the safety ground. Unarmoured cable is mainly used for control systems.The steel wire armored cable is designed for mechanical protection, which is why the cable is often used for external purposes. SWA cables are heavy and therefore difficult to bend. Therefore, they are most suitable for underground wiring or fixed on outdoor walls using cable clamps. Armored cables are most commonly used for fixed power installations in industrial applications, such as power distribution in computer rooms,Used in Underground systemsCable networksPower networksOutdoor and indoor applicationsCable ducts