4mm double insulated flexible wire

[Boing89]

Hi there, I’m looking for some 4mm double insulated electrical wire preferably in 3phase colours. I currently work on service lifts and one of the tests we have to do is check the current on each phase when it’s in operation. It’s done using a 415v or 690v plug and socket with single core wires connecting them and a current clamp. I’ve only worked for the company a short time and I’m the first electrically qualified person they’ve employed as most of the work is semi skilled. I’m concerned about the treatment the current test cables get as they’re just thrown around in tool bags. Then they plug them into a circuit for testing before switching it on and just grabbing these wires. If there were any knicks in the insulation there’s a real risk of shock. If I can find double insulated cable it would hopefully give that little bit more protection and the guys would notice more if it was cut. If I can get the bits together I can talk to my boss and spend a few hours making up new test leads hopefully.

It’s not something I’ve seen before though. Obviously there’s plenty of 4mm cable out there but it’s 4mm flexible wire we need to keep the phases separated for testing. I’ve had a good hour on google so far using as many different terms I can think of but nothing. Have any of you used something like this before?

 

[Spoon]

How about H07RN-F cable?

 

[Pete999]

Hi there, I’m looking for some 4mm double insulated electrical wire preferably in 3phase colours. I currently work on service lifts and one of the tests we have to do is check the current on each phase when it’s in operation. It’s done using a 415v or 690v plug and socket with single core wires connecting them and a current clamp. I’ve only worked for the company a short time and I’m the first electrically qualified person they’ve employed as most of the work is semi skilled. I’m concerned about the treatment the current test cables get as they’re just thrown around in tool bags. Then they plug them into a circuit for testing before switching it on and just grabbing these wires. If there were any knicks in the insulation there’s a real risk of shock. If I can find double insulated cable it would hopefully give that little bit more protection and the guys would notice more if it was cut. If I can get the bits together I can talk to my boss and spend a few hours making up new test leads hopefully.

It’s not something I’ve seen before though. Obviously there’s plenty of 4mm cable out there but it’s 4mm flexible wire we need to keep the phases separated for testing. I’ve had a good hour on google so far using as many different terms I can think of but nothing. Have any of you used something like this before?

Boinge, the wires /cables you talk of are not double insulated, they are insulated with a mechanical over covering, in the same way Twin and cpc cables are. Double insulated equipment is identified by a symbol of a Square within a Square.

 

[PEG]

Hi,it may be worth your while,to avail your employers of what is contained in GS38.
Or,if they are feeling REALLY brave,they can ring their insurers or the HSE and watch that firework,go off...

Don't feel you are causing trouble for anyone,it is poor,accepted practices,such as you have described,which form part of many coroner's reports.

 

[Wilko]

Hi Boing and welcome to the Forum .
I agree with Spoon's suggestion. Here's a supplier of 4mm singles ... I'm sure there're others.

H07RN-F, flexible rubber cable, heavy, HAR, oil-resistant, flame-retardant - https://lapplimited.lappgroup.com/products/online-catalogue/power-and-control-cables/harsh-conditions/rubber-cables/h07rn-f.html

 

[Pete999]

Hi there, I’m looking for some 4mm double insulated electrical wire preferably in 3phase colours. I currently work on service lifts and one of the tests we have to do is check the current on each phase when it’s in operation. It’s done using a 415v or 690v plug and socket with single core wires connecting them and a current clamp. I’ve only worked for the company a short time and I’m the first electrically qualified person they’ve employed as most of the work is semi skilled. I’m concerned about the treatment the current test cables get as they’re just thrown around in tool bags. Then they plug them into a circuit for testing before switching it on and just grabbing these wires. If there were any knicks in the insulation there’s a real risk of shock. If I can find double insulated cable it would hopefully give that little bit more protection and the guys would notice more if it was cut. If I can get the bits together I can talk to my boss and spend a few hours making up new test leads hopefully.

It’s not something I’ve seen before though. Obviously there’s plenty of 4mm cable out there but it’s 4mm flexible wire we need to keep the phases separated for testing. I’ve had a good hour on google so far using as many different terms I can think of but nothing. Have any of you used something like this before?

flexible single core cables for test leads - Bing - https://www.bing.com/search?q=flexible+single+core+cables+for+test+leads&qs=n&form=QBLH&pc=U303&sp=-1&ghc=1&pq=flexible+single+core+cables+for+&sc=0-32&sk=&cvid=5C6C55545E4C4200A4449CE9691AC962

 

[Richard Burns]

Perhaps try something like 4mm² single core solar panel cabling, ignoring the connectors. But do check they are suitable for the voltages you expect to encounter.

 

[Boing89]

Hi Pete, I’m used to talking to my supervisor at the moment and keeping terms simple. I (incorrectly I know) have got in to the habit of using the terms “double insulated” and “2 layers of insulation” interchangeably.

Peg, without getting too deep into the company, I work for a part of it that was recently taken over. The manager that hired me is originally from the bigger parent company and is aware there are quite a number of working practice problems that need to be sorted. He’s got around 100 technicians working for him and relies on his supervisors for those things. Unfortunately my direct supervisor isn’t actually very knowledgeable on stuff like this as historically his management didn’t care so he was never taught it. If I go to the manager with “here is a problem and here is my solution” I know he’ll fix it. When we’re on call we get a full day rate so these test leads are the kind of thing I can knock out easy enough for the cost of the cable.

 

[Boing89]

Folks, thanks a lot for the links, I’ve recently left the RAF so am used to being told what cable to use because they’ve already bought it. This’ll be a great help.

 

[davesparks]

It would be far better to have a three phase current meter mounted in an enclosure with a flex and trailing plug/socket for the inlet and outlet.

 

[Boing89]

It’s about risk vs cost at the end of the day Dave. The current set up isn’t safe but a specialist 3 phase meter for each team for this one job isn’t feasible. They’ve all been shown how to use a current clamp and how to continuity check a dead circuit for very basic fault finding with the same meter. It’s not an ideal situation (especially as no-one ever discussed parallel paths with them, I think that might have genuinely broken some of the guys) but if I can at least make it safe without putting too much on the guys i’ll be happy for now.