Electrical supply cable.

[jaserees]

Hello.

Im in the process of making a cupboard for my consumer unit etc, and was wondering what the mains cable was wrapped in, and why. It looks like some sort of fabric.
[automerge]1568748245[/automerge]

 

[ImpededLoop]

Likely to be a paper insulated lead sheath cable. The outer jacket is a type of cloth which I think is soaked in bitumin.

Used by the electrical supply authorities until the mid 1960's when pvc insulation took over.

 

[jaserees]

Likely to be a paper insulated lead sheath cable. The outer jacket is a type of cloth which I think is soaked in bitumin.

Used by the electrical supply authorities until the mid 1960's when pvc insulation took over.

Thanks mate appreciate it.

 

[freddo]

The actual cable inside is quite small once you have removed the various layers of protection!

 

[jaserees]

The actual cable inside is quite small once you have removed the various layers of protection!

Just been reading up more about it. Cheers.

 

[DPG]

Don't drive a screw through it when you're building your cupboard - there, you didn't expect good decent tips like that eh!?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

The outer surface you can see is a layer called the 'serving' often made of impregnated jute, which protects a steel tape armour against corrosion, which protects the lead sheath against penetration, which protects the paper insulation against moisture. That's why it lasts so long.

 

[marconi]

Re #7 - Paington Pete is spot on cf 'following/followers'.