3 Core Armoured Cables for Electrical Applications

What is 3-core armored cable used for in electrical applications?

3-core armored cable, also known as steel wire armored (SWA) cable, is commonly used in the electrical industry. Additional words are used in the specification of SWA cables, such as "armored cable 16 mm 3-core, BS546/BS6724", which means the cable meets the specific British cable manufacturing and testing standards.

3-core armored cable is used as a power and auxiliary control cable to transmit the main power supply to residential or commercial facilities. They can also be referred to as 3-core power cables, which are wear-resistant and used in applications where the cable may be damaged or exposed to UV radiation.

The conventional 3-core steel wire armored cable (SWA) is the ideal choice for external electrical applications. As such applications usually must withstand natural forces, the SWA outdoor 3-core cable adds an extra layer of casing (usually a metal wire mesh) to provide greater mechanical protection for the inner core of the cable.

What is 3-core armored cable used for?

3-core armored cable is a cable that contains three conductors during the cable manufacturing process. Each type of cable has a different purpose, and it is generally not recommended to switch to a different cable for specific applications. For example, if your ideal choice is a 1 mm 3-core cable, switching to a thicker or thinner cable may not be the best practice.

Normally, 3-core armored cable is the preferred cable for Class I equipment connections. This is because this type of equipment (or related applications) needs to be connected to the earth. Using 2-core wires instead of 3-core cables in these applications may affect installation. Failure to ground the equipment may expose users to electric shock.

In cases where grounding is not necessary, electricians can use 2-core cables instead of the 3-core cables. For example, in applications involving Class II electrical projects, engineers or electricians may use 2-core braided cables instead of 3-core braided cables. The reason for this usage is that Class II equipment usually does not require a ground connection.

In summary, the type of cable used in electrical applications usually depends on whether the equipment or appliance requires grounding. According to electrical specifications, the chassis of Class I electrical equipment must be grounded. Therefore, use 3-core armored cables. On the other hand, using 2-core cables is safe in Class II applications. For applications with a high risk of electric shock if the live wire contacts the body of the equipment or appliance, it is recommended to use 3-core grounding cables. For example, if the body is made of non-conductive materials such as rubber, plastic, glass, or ceramics, 3-core cables may not be necessary.