Although you are able to do some work, it is suggested very, very strongly that, to undertake any electrical work you should be a “competent” person. To calculate the area of a circle multiply the radius (half the circle diameter) by itself to get the radius squared. This is then multiplied by Pi (Π) which is approximately 3.142. This calculation is written as shown in the image below. It is also worth stating that years ago, the cable colours used in the UK were changed so that they harmonised with those used in Europe. To learn more about this, see our wire and cable colours project here.

Single Core Cable | Earth Cable | 6491X | Builder Depot Single Core Cable | Earth Cable | 6491X | Builder Depot

This can be further complicated by the location in which they will be installed and how effectively a given cable will be able to disperse heat e.g. a cable installed in an empty stud wall will dissipate heat much easier than a cable in a loft that buried under 200mm of insulation, so this needs to be considered also. If you snip one of the wires and look at it face down you will see it’s cross section. Obviously this is a circle. The area, or cross sectional area of this circle is 1.5 mm square or 2.5 mm square. They have suggested, through surveys, that almost half of all severe electrical injury caused in the home is due to DIY work. The most common causes being drilling through wires in the wall, cutting through cables and not turning electrical circuits off before working on them! The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), formerly the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) have decreed that cables can carry loads (measured in amps) according to not just their size, but according to the methods they are fixed (or otherwise) to any given surface. These methods are described below.

A larger size cable may also be used in situations where an electric supply needs to be run over a long distance. Using the incorrect size cable in this case may cause a large amperage drop resulting in not enough electrical power actually making it to the end of the cable to actually power the item. What About the Size of the Earth Wire? Table 1 – Method 103: Surrounded by thermal insulation including in a stud wall with thermal insulation with cable not touching the wall. Cable size and 2.5mm is the cross sectional area of the individual live or neutral wires in the 1.5mm or 2.5mm cable. This is not the combined cross sectional area. Each one of the live and neutral wires has a cross sectional area of 1.5mm or 2.5mm.

Time 6491X Green/Yellow 1-Core 10mm² Conduit Cable 25m Drum

Another cable used a lot in domestic lighting is called 3 core and earth. The extra core (wire) is in an insulating sheath and is used as an extra conductor to carry power between 2 or more switches operating lights. For more help and advice on how to stay safe when working around electrics – see our electrical safety project here. The bare wire, when the cable is used, should be marked with a green and yellow earth sleeve. This should be cut to length and slipped over the wire before it’s connected up. This 10mm² Single Core Earth Cable is suitable for power and lighting circuits, building wiring, use in conduits and closed installation ducts and internal appliance wiring. The 6491X cable comes in a 100m drum.

Because of the danger of working with high voltages and high currents, electricians tools need to be completely and fully insulated. This insulation is usually safe up to 1000 volts.