Does anyone know what type of cable this is?

[Jimmy Jones 1234]

Hi, new here. In my new house this cable was installed by the previous owner for the electric gates, however I have never seen a cable like this to be honest - I was expecting a simple 3 core cable because that's all it needs. They also put in a two core cable next to this one for the gate 'light' - I don't know why since that would also need 3 core. Either way my automatic gates only need L/N/E.

I haven't cut off this hard plastic surrounding the wires yet to see if there is any coloured sleeves to the wire (but it doesn't appear that there is) which would make it really difficult to connect at either end (this cable in the house goes from a switch and to the gate post) if I don't know which wire is which. And I can't use the 2 core wire because then there is no earth.

Any ideas anyone?

Jim.

 

[telectrix]

it's SWA cable, but seems to be for some specialist application. probably left over from a job. if the cores are suitable for the load, should be OK as long as it's connected and glanded correctly.

 

[snowhead]

It's not hard to determine which core is which.
If the non yellow cores are uninsulated then there must be a specific gland for this cable type.

Are there any markings on the cable?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I couldnt tell you what type of cable it is but have come across similar when doing work by a canal and marina. There were off cuts where it was being used in a plant room for something being fitted by environment agency. I suspect but might be wrong the plastic surrounding the cores is for moisture prevention...

 

[westward10]

I cannot believe that is mains rated.

 

[Jimmy Jones 1234]

It's not hard to determine which core is which.
If the non yellow cores are uninsulated then there must be a specific gland for this cable type.

Are there any markings on the cable?

Hi, the cable is buried, so no visible markings. In the junction box in the house I discovered the wires are separated (the plastic peeled apart but there are no colours on them, they're all in this white plastic, 4 wires. I need three to act as LNE, how do I determine which is which at each end?

 

[westward10]

It is like a signal cable with drain wires in it.

 

[westward10]

Can you show a pic of it at the junction box in the house.

 

[davesparks]

Hi, the cable is buried, so no visible markings. In the junction box in the house I discovered the wires are separated (the plastic peeled apart but there are no colours on them, they're all in this white plastic, 4 wires. I need three to act as LNE, how do I determine which is which at each end?

Before considering which core is which you need to establish whether this cable is rated for use at mains voltage and if it complied with the regulations.
From the pictures it looks like it does not have a suitable armouring to allow it to be used for mains voltage underground.

Have you got a picture of the two core cable? That could possibly be SWA cable which would only need 2 cores as the armour forms the earth for the cable.

 

[Jimmy Jones 1234]

Can you show a pic of it at the junction box in the house.

Yep - here it is. Top left, centre and top right all clear plastic with yellow/green tape (centre has a green connector on it).

 

[westward10]

Too much in the way to see it clearly. I have to say that looks a poor installation which raises question marks as to the suitability of that cable.

 

[marconi]

Could you read and then tell us all the writing on the outside of the cable? That might help identify the cable and its specification.

 

[Wilko]

Agree, it looks cobbled up so I have my doubts, same as you JJ. Can I ask what has caused you to open it all up - did it stop working or trip RCD?

 

[Jimmy Jones 1234]

Agree, it looks cobbled up so I have my doubts, same as you JJ. Can I ask what has caused you to open it all up - did it stop working or trip RCD?

No, if you read my original post this is what the previous owner of the house installed for connecting power to the automatic gates. The automatic gates were not installed when I bought the house so the cables were not yet connected. Now the gates are in, I need power to them and this is the cable installed in the ground that goes from the junction box to the gates. So I need to determine how to figure out which wires to use for LNE. I guess the only option is to connect it to the power and then use a voltmeter to see which is which and this is fine for L/N but I don't how I would know which is the earth cable from the remaining two wires.

 

[westward10]

No one will advise until they know whether that cable is suitable.

 

[snowhead]

I guess the only option is to connect it to the power and then use a voltmeter to see which is which and this is fine for L/N but I don't how I would know which is the earth cable from the remaining two wires.

NO it's not even an option.
Low voltage testing will find which core is which.
Asssuming the cable is 240v rated, otherwise it's pointless proving the cores.

 

[Jimmy Jones 1234]

No one will advise until they know whether that cable is suitable.

Using google it appears it is a UF cable, the images look exactly the same. A direct burial cable. Some images show them pulling the plastic apart with pliers to separate the wires. It's like a US (American) cable.

 

[SparkyChick]

Using google it appears it is a UF cable, the images look exactly the same. A direct burial cable. Some images show them pulling the plastic apart with pliers to separate the wires. It's like a US (American) cable.

Can you post links to some of these images because when I look up UF cable, it's nothing like the one in your OP.

But... the only thing that will help decide if it's suitable is the cable identification information printed on the outer sheath.

 

[davesparks]

Using google it appears it is a UF cable, the images look exactly the same. A direct burial cable. Some images show them pulling the plastic apart with pliers to separate the wires. It's like a US (American) cable.

Direct burial for what purpose? A direct burial cable for extra low voltage is different to one suitable for mains voltage.
If it is an American standard cable then it almost certainly won’t be suitable for use in the UK

 

[Wilko]

No, if you read my original post this is what the previous owner of the house installed for connecting power to the automatic gates. The automatic gates were not installed when I bought the house so the cables were not yet connected.

Hi - reading your original post I must've missed this.

 

[Jimmy Jones 1234]

Direct burial for what purpose? A direct burial cable for extra low voltage is different to one suitable for mains voltage.
If it is an American standard cable then it almost certainly won’t be suitable for use in the UK

How can it be low voltage - the cable is huge. Each copper wire is bigger than 2.5mm2 cable.

 

[SparkyChick]

How can it be low voltage - the cable is huge. Each copper wire is bigger than 2.5mm2 cable.

Whether it's suitable for mains voltage is less about the core, more about the insulation and it's ability to keep you and the environment separated from the mains voltage inside.

 

[mattg4321]

Are you in the UK or Estonia?

If the latter then my guess would be the quality of that installation is probably top notch out there!

 

[westward10]

I never spotted the Estonia bit.

 

[davesparks]

How can it be low voltage - the cable is huge. Each copper wire is bigger than 2.5mm2 cable.

The size of the cable doesn’t define its voltage rating, the insulation does.

To be compliant with bs7671 for direct burial at mains voltages it needs to have an earthed armour

 

[MJPD29]

Why don't you contact an electrician and get them to do it? They will be able to find out if the cable is suitable and if it is determine which core is which with simple tests. If you take this into your own hands and connect it as you please it could potentially be dangerous.

 

[dmxtothemax]

if it was to provide power for auto-matic gates ?
Then it could well be a low voltage cable IE 12 or 24v ?

 

[Jimmy Jones 1234]

if it was to provide power for auto-matic gates ?
Then it could well be a low voltage cable IE 12 or 24v ?

Yes the gates are low voltage. The cables are completely sealed in solid plastic which you need to cut/ split to get the the cable (very difficult, I guess there is a specific tool for this). The cable is also armoured with metal sheathing and the very hard plastic on the outside has wire through it too. Anyway, I connected it all up and it works fine.

 

[Strima]

So you’re putting 230 volts through a cable which potentially isn’t designed or rated to take that voltage?

 

[telectrix]

So you’re putting 230 volts through a cable which potentially isn’t designed or rated to take that voltage?

wedon't know that. it could be just carrying 24V with the LV at the supply end rather than down at the gates.