THE USE OF THE ARMOUR OF STEEL WIRE ARMOURED CABLES AS A PROTECTIVE CONDUCTOR

The Problem Encountered:

In my daily work as an electrical surveyor inspecting and testing electrical installations in domestic, commercial and industrial premises I find Steel Wire Armoured Cables (SWA) with the following arrangements for the provision of the circuit protective conductor (CPC).

1. The use of the steel armouring as a CPC with the cable terminated at each end in brass glands.
2. The use of an internal core as a CPC in addition to the SWA with both ends terminated in brass glands.
3. The use of an external green/yellow single core PVC CPC run in parallel with the SWA cable with the cable terminated in brass glands.
4. The use of an internal core of the SWA cable as a CPC with no cable glands and the cable ends inserted in to enclosures.
5. The use of the steel wire armouring as a CPC with no brass glands and "Tenby" type bonding clamps on to the exposed steel armouring with a green/yellow single core PVC CPC on to the clamp.
6. The brass glands terminated with and without the earthing ring (Banjo).
7. The termination of the SWA armour with a Jubilee clip with or without a copper water pipe insert under the SWA.

Information Requested

I have asked experienced electricians in the field and students at the college where I teach why external CPCs are used and why cable cores are used for a CPC. The answers varied wildly both with and without logical reasoning. I have particularly probed the respondents with the question of the use of 3 core cable on single phase circuits. The cable is manufactured in harmonised colours for 3 phase. The use of this cable requires the over sleeving of cable cores to single phase colours and green/yellow for the CPC. Often this over sleeving is not provided. I have tested the advocates of the use of 3 core cables on single phase as to why they think 2 core cable is correctly coloured for single phase use.

The responses to questions can be reduced to those listed below or a combination of these.

1. The steel wire armouring cannot be relied on as a CPC.
2. The use of the armouring is as a CPC is not allowed in the "regs" (BS7671).
3. An external CPC is needed as the SWA is not big enough.
4. An internal core is needed as a CPC as the SWA is not big enough.
5. The SWA does not need to be earthed as it is not an exposed conductive part.
6. It is not good workmanship to use the SWA as a CPC.
7. I have always done it that way.
8. Banjos are not needed as the brass gland is the same as terminating conduit or
MICC cable.
9. You cannot use the SWA as a bonding conductor.
10. It is dangerous to terminate both ends of the SWA.

Defining Protective Conductor

Protective Conductor is defined in BS7671 under Part 2 Definitions as:-

A conductor used for some measure of protection against electric shock and intended for connecting together any of the following parts:

1. Exposed conductive parts.
2. Extraneous conductive parts.
3. The main earthing terminal.
4. Earth electrodes.
5. The earthed point of the source, or an artificial neutral. Protective Conductors are divided in to 4 main categories in BS7671

1. Earthing conductor.
2. Main protective bonding conductor.
3. Supplementary bonding conductor.
4. Circuit Protective Conductor.

Sizing of Protective Conductors BS7671

543.1.1 States that the cross sectional area of every protective conductor, other than an equipotential conductor, shall be:

1. Calculated in accordance with Regulation 543.1.3, or
2. Selected in accordance with Regulation 543.1.4

So if the SWA were to be used as a protective conductor, other than a main protective bonding conductor, it would have to be suitably sized using either the adiabatic equation in 543.1.3 or selected from the appropriate tables.

The use of SWA as a Protective Conductor BS7671

The permitted types of protective conductor are listed in 543.2.1 and SWA is identified in sub section (v) as:

A metal covering, for example, the sheath, screen, or armouring of a cable.

It can therefore be verified that the SWA can be used as a protective conductor in compliance with BS7671.

However there are conditions on the use of SWA as a protective conductor defined in
BS7671.

1. It must be adequately sized to meet the requirements of section 543.2.1.
2. If the armour is used as a CPC then any accessories have to be connected to the associated enclosure's earth terminal by a separate CPC (flying lead) to comply with 543.2.7.
3. If the SWA is used as a main equipotential conductor other than on a PME system it must have a copper equivalent CSA, for CSAs over 25mm², of not less than half the cross sectional area of the associated earthing conductor and not less than
6mm² to comply with 544.1.1. If the installation is PME then the copper equivalent CSA of the SWA must comply with table 54.8.
4. Where a number of installations have separate earthing arrangements any protective conductors common to these have to be suitably sized to carry the maximum current likely to flow through them OR insulated from the other installation at one end to comply with 542.1.3.3
5. If the SWA is to be used as a combined CPC and main bonding conductor it must meet the requirements of both 544.1.1 and 543.1.1
6. Regulation 521.5.1 permits the use of a separate protective conductor to be run in parallel with an SWA cable.

Is the wire armouring an exposed conductive part?

The wire armouring is steel and therefore is conductive. However the steel is covered by an exposed over sheath of insulation so is not exposed. The cable is terminated on most installations with brass glands which are conductive. These parts are therefore exposed conductive parts but these may also be covered with PVC shrouds.

The function of the armouring is to protect the cable against mechanical damage and to allow the cable to be run out of safe zones. Should a sharp conductive object such as a drill bit or garden fork penetrate the cable it is critical that the armouring is connected to earth to enable the supply to be automatically disconnected by the circuit protective device under this fault condition.

The use of bonding clamps as an alternative to glands.

BS951 bonding clamps are designed for clamping on to solid pipes. The force required to make a reliable tight joint on to a SWA cable would effectively deform the cable and may loosen over time due the continued deformation of the cable. The insertion of a piece of copper water pipe under the armour to prevent deformation is bad practice as the SWA armour is galvanised steel which may react with the dissimilar metal copper insert. The use of Jubilee clips to terminate the armour is an absolute bodge (see Regulation 134.1.1)

Cross sectional area and conductivity of SWA.

The CSA of the armouring of various SWA cables is set out in tables D9, D10A and D10B of IEE GN1. These are for thermoplastic PVC cables operating at 70ºC 90ºC thermosetting cables operating at 90ºC and 90ºC thermosetting cables operating at 70ºC respectively. These tables also very usefully indicate where these cables meet with the requirement of Table 54.7 of BS7671 for the adequacy of the CPC CSA.

I have produced below the information for thermoplastic and thermosetting cables operating at 70ºC.

The figures shown in RED do not meet the requirements of Table 54.7 however if the adiabatic equation for the prospective fault current and the circuit protection device used is calculated then the armour might comply with 543.1.3. If the armour is found to be undersized then a full sized separate CPC must be provided.

 

Table 1. 70ºC Thermoplastic PVC SWA cables.

Conductor

Conductor CSA Minimum CSA of SWA
to meet 54.7

CSA of
armour 2 core
CSA of
armour 3 core
CSA of
armour 4 core
1.5 3.4 15 16 17
2.5 5.7 17 19 20
4 9 21 23 35
6 13.6 24 36 40
10 22.6 41 44 49
16 36.1 46 50 72
25 36.1 60 66 76
35 36.1 66 74 84
50 56.4 74 84 122
70 79 84 119 138
95 107.2 122 138 160
120 135.3 131 150 220
150 169.2 144 211 240
185 208.6 201 230 265
240 270.6 225 260 299
300 338.3 250 289 333
400 403.9 279 319 467

Table 2 90ºC Thermosetting SWA cables operating at 70ºC.

Conductor

Conductor CSA Minimum CSA of SWA
to meet 54.G

CSA of
armour 2 core
CSA of
armour 3 core
CSA of
armour 4 core
1.5 3.4 16 17 18
2.5 5.7 17 19 20
4 9 19 21 23
6 13.6 22 23 36
10 22.6 26 39 43
16 36.1 41 44 49
25 36.1 42 62 70
35 36.1 62 70 80
50 56.4 68 78 90
70 79 80 90 131
95 107.2 113 128 147
120 135.3 125 141 206
150 169.2 138 201 230
185 208.6 191 220 255
240 270.6 215 250 289
300 338.3 235 269 319
400 451 265 304 452

 

Terminating the cable ends of SWA cables.

BS7671 has a fundamental requirement set out in regulation 134.1.4 for every electrical joint and connection shall be of proper construction as regards conductance, insulation, mechanical strength and protection.

This requirement would preclude the termination of the cable ends of SWA with bonding clamps for the reason given above. It would also preclude the termination of the cable by inserting it into an enclosure without a gland as the steel armouring earth continuity would not be reliable.

Cable manufacturers supply and recommend the termination of their SWA cables in glands correctly selected for the individual size of the particular cable. These glands are supplied for internal use and alternative exterior glands rated at IP66 for external use.

The manufacturer's gland kits are provided with suitably sized earth rings which are commonly known as "Banjos".

These earth rings are used to enhance the contact surface area of the gland and are also provided with a bolt hole for connection of an auxiliary CPC.

The cable glands can be directly used without the earth ring in the same manner as conduits and MICC cables are terminated in metal enclosures. As with conduits and MICC cables the paint around the enclosure hole must be removed to expose bare metal. The gland lock nuts must then be suitably tightened to maintain conductivity.

Some enclosures are provided with removable gland plates and in these circumstances the earth continuity relies on the gland plate fixing screws. It is recommended in these circumstances that the earth ring is used with a suitably sized CPC connected to the main earth bar. This is never done with conduit or MICC in my experience which also relies on these fixing screws for earth continuity. An alternative would be to drill the gland plate and bolt a CPC to it connected to the main earth bar.

Where an SWA cable enters a plastic enclosure then an earth ring would be needed to maintain earth continuity. If the SWA terminates in a plastic box then the earth ring should be terminated inside between 2 back nuts rather than clamping the ring to the plastic box which may deform over time.

It goes without saying that the steel wires of the armouring should all enter the tapered socket of the cable gland and the gland nut should be adequately tightened.

In the same way as the regulations do not require a separate CPC to be used with metal conduits it would seem good practice to always use an earth ring. This ring to be separately bolted to the enclosure and a CPC with a crimped eyelet connected to this bolt. The CPC then connected to the earth terminal of the enclosure. If the enclosure is outside or exposed to moisture then it would be preferable to place the earth ring on the inside of the enclosure. This will permit the paint or other coating to be removed under the ring without compromising the environmental protection for the enclosure.

Environmental Conditions

There is a general requirement for all electrical equipment to be suitable for the environmental conditions prevailing for that installation set out in BS7671. There is also an additional requirement for earthing systems set out in 542.1.3.1 (iii) which requires, "they are adequately robust or have additional mechanical protection appropriate to the assessed conditions of external influence". When terminating SWA cables in corrosive atmospheres, or when used outside, solid brass earth rings (banjos) should be used in preference to plated steel types.

I have found one reference in IEE GN7 that would preclude the use of the armouring as a CPC when SWA cables are used. This is in marinas and the guidance states, "Due to the possibility of corrosion, the galvanised steel armouring of cables must not be used wholly or in part as a circuit protective conductor (CPC) for the floating section of marinas. A separate protective conductor should be used which, when in accordance with Regulation

543.1.2 can be common to several circuits if necessary. The armour must still, however, be connected to protective earth".

If the SWA cable ends are terminated outside or in areas where water is present then the exterior IP66 glands should be used.

TN-C-S (PME) Installations

Where the supply company will not permit the export of the means of earthing to the supplied premises outside of those premises then special precautions will need to be taken for SWAs supplying remote buildings or equipment outside the supplied premises.

The reason for this restriction is to prevent the danger of exposed conductive parts and extraneous conductive parts connected to the installation outside the main equipotential zone becoming live in the event of the loss of the neutral under fault conditions. Also with long cable runs their will be a potential difference between the supplied earth from the neutral terminal and the general mass of earth.

In these circumstances it is preferred to connect the steel armouring of the SWA to earth at the main supplied premises and insulate the armouring at the remote end of the cable. This allows the SWA cable to be protected by the circuit protection device that is protecting the live conductor(s) of the cable. At the remote building the SWA is not glanded in a metal gland. The cable end can be terminated in a plastic stuffing gland or alternatively taken in to a plastic box or enclosure and the SWA cut back or insulated inside the box so that it cannot be touched. The cable is terminated in a plastic box and only the live conductors are then connected to the remote installation. No part of the remote installation must be connected to the SWA. The remote installation is converted to a TT system with a suitably selected RCD main switch and the provision of an earth electrode.

It may also be possible with the consent of the supply company to extend the main equipotential zone to the remote building. This can be done by using the SWA armouring as a combined CPC and main bonding conductor. All extraneous metal work in the remote building is connected to a common terminal known as the Building Earth Marshalling Terminal (BEMT). The armouring must be sized to comply both with Regulations 544.1.1 and 543.1.1. In addition with a PME system there may be network circulating currents flowing normally in the protective conductors which may raise the temperature of the SWA cable. In these circumstances the cable will need to be de-rated to accommodate this temperature rise. An alternative may be to run a parallel PVC green/yellow conductor of suitable size with the SWA. If this parallel CPC is buried then
it would need to be a minimum of 16mm² to comply with Regulation 542.3.1 and Table
54.1 unless it is mechanically protected.

As an example a large building with a TN-C-S PME supply has correctly sized main protective bonding conductors with a CSA of 50mm². An adjacent building is supplied from the main building with a 4 core 70mm² XPLE SWA cable. The adjacent building

has service pipes and structural metalwork that are bonded to a BEMT. In this case the SWA armour would provide the means of earthing for the remote building and it would also have to act as a main protective bonding conductor. It can be seen from Table 2 above that the CSA of the SWA is 131mm²  which is adequate for earthing. However as this SWA steel is required to act as main protective bonding conductor connecting the BEMT to the MET in the main building it has to have a CSA equivalent of the 50mm2 copper main protective bonds in the main building.

The resistivity of copper at 20ºC is 17.2 x10-9. The resistivity of steel varies with carbon content from 100 to 1000 x 10-9. IEE GN8 suggests using a factor of 8 for the ratio of the resistivity of copper to steel.

So for the 70mm² 4 core cable in this case the steel armour has a copper equivalent of
131/8 = 16.38mm². Therefore a supplementary copper main protective bonding conductor with a CSA of 50mm² will need to be run in parallel with SWA feeding the remote building.

There is no maximum resistance for a main protective bonding conductor specified in BS7671 however IEE Guidance Note 3 states that the resistance between two bonded parts such as pipes should be in the order of 0.05Ω. Table 5 below has maximum lengths of bonding conductors that will achieve this recommendation.

If the remote building has an alternative means of earthing then the SWA armour or separate CPC would need to be rated to permit the maximum current flow likely to comply with Regulation 542.1.3.3.

Earth Loop Impedance

Where the measured value of earth loop impedance (Zs) at the end of a final circuit is found to be too high to achieve automatic disconnection by the circuit protection device in the required disconnection time Regulation 415.2 permits the use of supplementary bonding to provide Additional Protection. To achieve an acceptable measured value of Zs supplementary bonding could be installed. This in my view is a compensatory measure for poor initial design of the circuit and incorrect selection of the cable. If the cable was correctly selected at the design stage with due regard to the required value of Zs for the final circuit, the Zs of the distribution board, the R1 + R2, or Z1 + Z2 for larger CSAs, calculated value for the size and length of cable and any temperature correction then compensatory measures would not be required. If supplementary bonding is required then the use of a spare core of an SWA cable could be used or an additional CPC run in parallel with the cable.

The vales of R1 + R2 for BS5467 XLPE Thermosetting copper cables at 200 C are shown below in Table 3.

For cables with core CSAs greater than 16mm2 the impedance of the cable must be considered in addition to resistance for calculating the Zs for the circuit. In Table 4 below the resistances and impedances for both copper cores and the steel wire armour for BS5467 XLPE Thermosetting cables are shown. The resistances shown are mΩ/m at 20ºC.

When calculating the final Zs for the cable consideration should be given to compensating the resistance data for the chosen cable for cable operating temperature. Once this has been done the resistance can be added to the impedance for the chosen cable which will not be impacted by temperature rise. This is not a simple addition but can be found from Z = √ ( R2 + X2 ). This calculation must be performed for both the copper core and the steel armouring. The impedances Z1 and Z2 can be added together to determine the Zs for the cable from Zs = Ze(Zdb) + Z1 + Z2.

Table 3. R1 + R2 Values for BS5467 Thermosetting Cables in Ω/m at 20°C.

CSA mm

2 CORE SWA

3 CORE SWA

4 CORE SWA

1.5

0.02150

0.02120

0.02060

2.5

0.01621

0.01561

0.01421

4

0.01251

0.01211

0.01141

6

0.01080

0.00968

0.00738

10

0.00783

0.00583

0.00553

16

0.00495

0.00475

0.00435

25

0.00442

0.00323

0.00303

35

0.00302

0.00282

0.00252

50

0.00269

0.00239

0.00219

70

0.00227

0.00206

0.00147

95

0.00159

0.00149

0.00129

120

0.00145

0.00135

0.00091

150

0.00132

0.00090

0.00080

185

0.00092

0.00081

0.00071

240

0.00081

0.00071

0.00062

300

0.00073

0.00064

0.00055

Table 4. Impedance Data for BS5467 Thermosetting Cables in mΩ/m at 20°C

CSAOF

CORE

Copper

Copper

Steel2

Core

Steel2

Core

Steel3

Core

Steel3

Core

Steel4

Core

Steel4

Core

mm2

r

x

r

x

r

x

r

x

1.5

12.1

-

9.4

-

9.1

-

8.5

-

2.5

7.41

-

8.8

-

8.2

-

7.7

-

4

4.61

-

7.9

-

7.5

-

6.8

-

6

3.08

-

7

-

6.6

-

4.3

-

10

1.83

-

6

-

4

-

3.7

-

16

1.15

0.09

3.8

-

3.6

-

3.2

-

25

0.727

0.09

3.7

-

2.5

-

2.3

-

35

0.524

0.08

2.5

-

2.3

-

2

-

50

0.387

0.08

2.3

0.3

2

0.3

1.8

0.3

70

0.268

0.08

2

0.3

1.8

0.3

1.2

0.3

95

0.193

0.08

1.4

0.3

1.3

0.3

1.1

0.3

120

0.153

0.08

1.3

0.3

1.2

0.3

0.76

0.3

150

0.124

0.08

1.2

0.3

0.78

0.3

0.68

0.3

185

0.0991

0.08

0.82

0.3

0.71

0.3

0.61

0.3

240

0.0754

0.08

0.73

0.3

0.63

0.3

0.54

0.3

300

0.0601

0.08

0.67

0.3

0.58

0.3

0.49

0.3

400

0.0470

0.08

0.59

0.3

0.52

0.3

0.35

0.3

Supplementary CPCs.

Where it is determined that a selected cable size will not provide sufficient CSA for the
CPC a supplementary CPC can be run in parallel with the SWA cable, see Regulation
521.5.1. This CPC should be adequately sized to handle the full potential earth fault current not just to provide sufficient additional capacity to the SWA armour to meet the required CSA. This is required as the currents flowing under fault conditions would not be equally distributed over the cables due to differences in impedance. The additional CPC may enter a ferromagnetic enclosure through a different hole to the SWA cable, See Regulation 521.5.1.

Table 5. Maximum length of Copper Protective Conductors to achieve 0.05Ω.

CSA(mm2)

10

16

25

35

50

Max. Length(m)

27

43

68

95

137

Conclusion

The use of internal cores, of both thermoplastic and thermosetting SWA cables, as a CPC and/or the use of separate parallel CPCs are not required for SWA cables to comply with BS7671 provided.

1. The operating temperature of the cable does not exceed 70ºC.
2. The CSA of conductor cores does not exceed 95mm².
3. The cable is not installed in the floating section of any marina.
4. The cable is correctly selected for the correct value of R1 + R2, or Z1 + Z2, for the circuit protection device protecting the cable.
5. The cable does not connect different installations together which have separate means of earthing unless sized for the potential earth fault current.
6. The cable is not used as a combined CPC and bonding conductor on a PME
installation unless suitably sized.
7. The cables are properly terminated in correctly sized manufactures brass glands selected for the external influences prevailing.
8. Where a removable gland plate is present on the enclosure to which the cable is attached the earth ring (banjo) supplied with the gland is used and is connected to the earth terminal in the enclosure with a separate CPC. This CPC terminated in an eyelet to a bolted connection to the earth ring.
9. Any protective coating on the enclosure surface is removed under the contact surfaces of the gland and associated earth ring to expose bare metal.
10. All the wires of the armouring enter the gland and the gland nut is adequately
tightened. The cable is adequately supported up to the gland with cable cleats to prevent mechanical strain on the gland.

References

1. BS 7671:2008 Amd 1 (2011) Requirements for Electrical Installations.
2. IEE Guidance Note 1 Selection and Erection.
3. IEE Guidance Note 3 6th Edition.
4. IEE Guidance Note 7 Special Locations.
5. IEE Guidance Note 8 Earthing and Bonding.

Many thanks to John Peckham for authoring this.

1 February 2006
Updated for the 17th Edition 19 April 2009. Updated 27th April 2012

10 comments

  • Good article, dispelling many of the myths about wire armouring not being suitable for CPC. I use the armouring where-ever possible because:Cores are often re-identified  by coloured tape and can be ambiguous.When cables are damaged, the repairer is not always aware the colours are not representa tive of the function. A circuit added at this point could connect a phase conductor to earth via the load.Where an external earth is used, and the armouring isolated, the earth loop reactance is greatly increased (as the return current path is outside the magnetic shield) and may be unknowingl y above the maximum allowed.In Europe, SWA cables are available where some of the armouring is copper to meet the CPC requirement t, this reduces the beneficial screening effect when used with high current PWM supplies (inverters).When SWA cables are installed in damp locations, petroleum jelly can be used to inhibit corrosion.
  • After doing a Compex course they state that every SWA or MIC shall have a internal core and as an earth and just bond the outer SWA or MIC at least at one end. Also they state that the use of Brass Lock nuts must be used rather than the steel ones provided, thus preventing rusting between the 2 dissimilar metals, a practice that is good for any out side installation on wired in SWA. You can now get Earthing nuts rather than banjos.
  • A very well reasoned and written article.In Scottish street lighting practice, a 3-core variant of BS5467 PVC/XLPE/S WA/XLPE cable with a purple sheath (to match the purple ducts and marker tape) is used. The core colours are brown, blue and green/yell ow. Suppliers call it "Scottish Street Lighting Cable" A black sheathed version is also available, for example BATT TR2161 "Network Control Armoured Energy Cable".The reasoning is probably similar to that for marinas as dissimilar metal corrosion rates can be phenomenal within cut-outs inside columns. Also for this reason brass back nuts are essential along with stainless steel serrated lock washers to resist vibration. However, for some reason, corrosion between the SWA and brass glands, invariably BW type, does not seem to be a problem.
  • I have tried working out the values for the table you have published and get different results eg thermosetti ng 10mm 2-core swa using table 54.7 formulae k1/k2xS . K1 =143 from table 43.1 copper K2 =46 from table 54.4 . So 143/46 x10=31.09 which makes 10mm 2-core swa not allowed. What am I doing wrong ?
  • Regarding the termination n, I wonder how electricia ns would normally connect a cable to the "banjo". The only option I can see is soldering but that is not something normally done in electrical installation on. Alternatively, a more modern option is the "Pirana" nut and comments on its suitability y would be useful.It is the normal practice to connect the bonding cable to the bolt that is used to bond the banjo to the enclosure via a suitable cable terminal.

    Edited on Saturday, 15 July 2023 15:12 by gws.
  • I have found this article to be extremely useful as a reference for the testing of sub mains and feeders.Ke ep it up gads
  • An excellent article and very well written. I would like to add 2 things if I may.1. The use of the earth clamp is against BS951 which covers such earth clamps. You rightly mention the reliance on the cable serving (Plastic) which will creep over time and loosen the connection which therefore is not durable over the entire lifetime of the connection . Regs 134.1.4 and 526.1. They also fail under comparativ ely low fault currents when installed in this way.2. The use of a banjo to connect the protective conductor to the cable gland when terminated to a plastic enclosure with one lock nut would be insufficient nt as again plastic is compressed and relied upon in the sandwich of parts which makes up this connection which again would not be durable. It is essential under these conditions to use either 2 lock nuts sandwiching g the banjo washer or a purpose designed earthing nut which is far simpler and easier to fit.
  • Thank you for such an informative e article, however may I point out a slight typo - your references to temperatures read 700C and 900C, these should read 70ºC and 90ºC? (press Alt+167 for the º symbol). Corrected, thanks for the heads up. Admin.
  • Thank you for this article,we often have to decide if the SWA is sufficient for the cpc and the table is most helpful.

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