What's this flex made of?

[davesparks]

It obviously been there quite a long time, and someone has chopped it off and just left it hanging. Does anyone recognise the type of cable and have any idea what it the sheath material might be?
I've got this horrible feeling the answer is going to open a can of worms, but I'd like to see what others think.

 

[westward10]

Looks asbestos to me.

 

[snowhead]

I'd say that's a whiteish fibrous material that probably needs further investigation, (trying not to be too alarmist)

What's that ?rope looking cable? within the tray brackets?

Looking at it another way, why would you put a woollen jacket around a cable or any other material that isn't flame retardent.

Unless someone somewhere can give that an exact name and makeup then a can of worms it is.
Looks like over 30 individual cores, maybe lead covered, then wrapped in paper followed by the white stuff.

 

[SparkyChick]

I think I'd be painting it with PVA to stop it shedding fibres just in case. Definitely worthy of a test.

 

[snowhead]

Maybe of some help, it's a U.S site;

Old Electrical Wiring Types - Photo guide and History of Types of Electrical Wiring in Older buildings

Old Electrical Wiring Types Photo guide to types of Electrical Wiring in Older buildings. We illustrate a variety of types of electrical wiring found in older buildings. While varying somewhat by area of the country in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and other areas, there are recognizable...

inspectapedia.com

 

[static zap]

Does it look "Sawn" through ?
(big oops)

 

[telectrix]

if the conductors are copper it's £2/kilo.

 

[freddo]

That's a cool looking cable. I don't think I'd waste time painting it. If it is the white fibrous stuff that sets everyone off into a panic, just have it removed.

 

[Strima]

if the conductors are copper it's £2/kilo.

I got £3 a kilo last week for bright.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Looks like normal stage multi 'tripe' to me. Used loads of it in my time. Always on the lookout for samples for my collection. I'm not saying anything about the materials, but no, it's not wool.

 

[davesparks]

Looks like normal stage multi 'tripe' to me. Used loads of it in my time. Always on the lookout for samples for my collection. I'm not saying anything about the materials, but no, it's not wool.

It's the drops from an adaptable box to an IWB thats long gone.
These bits of flex are about all that's left of the original system, but from the paint outlines on the wall I would guess that there were a couple of strand junior 8's there
[automerge]1584206311[/automerge]

What's that ?rope looking cable? within the tray brackets?

That is indeed a rope, and they're not tray brackets. That is a fairly standard theatrical tab (curtain) track, the rope connects to the header bobbins and is used to move the tabs (curtains) from an operators position at the side of the stage.

 

[pc1966]

At one point you got cotton used as an overall braided cover. If you are luck it is that.

I'm tempted to say "try a flame on it" but would be a VERY BAD idea in any real world location!