BS7870 Part 3 Cable
Low Voltage (LV) polymeric insulated cables manufactured in accordance with British Standard BS7870 Parts 3.11, 3,12, 3.20 and 3.22 for use by distribution and generation utilities
British Standard BS7870 Part 3 covers low voltage cables used for the provision of an electricity supply from a distribution main. They are generally buried underground to connect individual houses or commercial properties to the grid by transmission, distribution and power generation networks. These service cables are not suitable to provide overhead supply.
This Standard applies to concentric and split concentric cables for fixed installations in both PVC and LSZH sheathing, with both Copper and Aluminium conductors. Cable selection will be determined by the type of connection and the arrangement of the neutral and protective conductors - TN-S or TN-C-S (PME) systems. Reference to BS7671 section 312.2 should be made for further information.
The standard also references and applies to Medium Voltage cables under BS7870 Part 4 for single core cables up to 33kV.
BS7870-3:11 (Part 3 section 11)
BS7870 Part 3, section 3.11 covers Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE) insulated combined neutral and earth copper wire concentric cables with a voltage rating of 0.6/1kV.| Conductor | Stranded (Class 2) plain annealed copper or solid (Class 1) aluminium |
| Insulation | Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE) |
| Bedding (for three phase cables) | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or synthetic tape bedding |
| Concentric neutral / earth conductor | Single layer of plain annealed copper wires |
| Outersheath | PVC Type DMV 23 |
BS7870-3:12 (Part 3 section 12)
As with BS7870 Part 3.11, section 3.12 covers Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE) insulated combined neutral and earth copper wire concentric cables with a voltage rating of 0.6/1kV. BS7870-3.12 cables are Low Smoke Zero Halogen sheathed.| Conductor | Stranded (Class 2) plain annealed copper or solid (Class 1) aluminium |
| Insulation | Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE) |
| Bedding (for three phase cables) | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or synthetic tape bedding |
| Concentric neutral / earth conductor | Single layer of plain annealed copper wires |
| Outersheath | LSZH |
BS7870-3:20 (Part 3 section 20)
BS7870 Part 3, section 3.20 covers PVC insulated split concentric cables with a voltage rating of 0.6/1kV.| Conductor | Stranded (Class 2) plain annealed copper or solid (Class 1) aluminium |
| Insulation | PVC Type TI 1 |
| Concentric neutral / earth conductor | Plain annealed copper wires |
| Binders | Synthetic binder tape(s) |
| Outersheath | PVC Type TM 1 |
BS7870-3:22 (Part 3 section 22)
BS7870-3.22 is the Low Smoke Zero Halogen equivalent of section 3.20 covering split concentric cables with a voltage rating of 0.6/1kV.| Conductor | Stranded (Class 2) plain annealed copper or solid (Class 1) aluminium |
| Insulation | PVC Type TI 1 |
| Concentric neutral / earth conductor | Plain annealed copper wires |
| Binders | Synthetic binder tape(s) |
| Outersheath | LSZH |
BS7870 Part 3 Cable
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