Cable sizes

ample current · Feb 28, 2012

What is the best way to guestimate or even better correctly identify the CSA of cables which have no markings on them.
I would like to know the size of the tails out om my meter, im assuming they are 25mm, but i guess they could be 16mm. It has a 100 amp cut out fuse.

One day i will work out how to take a picture on my phone and then learn how to upload it to here so you can see lol.

Octopus · Feb 28, 2012

Buy a vernier, measure sample you have and keep notes. A vernier is also useful when checking older imperial cables too.

malcolmsanford · Feb 28, 2012

View attachment CABLE SIZES.pdf

This maybe of help as a guide

TaffyDuck · Feb 28, 2012

There are little credit card sized plastic cards with CSA holes in them. If your guestimating on the size of the cable with insulation on for instance a double insulated meter tail without being able to see the core its more difficult. 25mm tails vary in size hugely due to insulation. Recently the 25mm`s look to all the world like 16mm used to.

telectrix · Feb 28, 2012

run 200A through tails. if the insulation melts, they're probably 16mm

Mark_Burgess · Feb 28, 2012

I'd like to know how it works for large SWA when the conductors are more of a triangular shape, I have been all over the sheath like a rash, other than BASEC 600v etc there is NO conductor qty x size. :32:

telectrix · Feb 28, 2012

weigh it. look up the atomic weight and specific gravity of copper, take away the insulation. enter details into the appropriate iphone app.

Mark_Burgess · Feb 28, 2012

Cant, doing an EICR, its a live installation, I am waiting now to arrange to power down one weekend.
I suppose once powered down, I can get into the busbar and measure the incomer size from meter.
But that dont help the SWA feeding distribution boards.