Main electrical supply cable asbestos or other outer insulation?

[ipf]

Westy got the answer right first, I just added a bit of waffle.

This is the same sort of stuff, though about 100 years old...feeding the LEP head I posted a few months ago. The steel armour banding is badly rusted, as can be seen, but really tough stuff. The DNO fella sent to sort the head out was trying to strip it back and took a small chunk out of his arm when it sprung back......brutal stuff.
It looks in a bad way but no problem as it's still protecting the lead......and that won't rot. ?

 

[westward10]

Sounds like bare steel taped, it was also used on bare swa similar to our swa but without the overall sheath, just bare armour.

 

[kevkdg]

Many thanks for all the answers. Much appreciated.

Does anyone happen to know what this cable might be rated at in terms of max amps? Only I am on a looped supply so guess the capacity of the cable is shared with my neighbour. I am wondering what the max DNO fuse size is I might be able to have with this shared cable and a Henley Series 3 Cut Out?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Looking at the lead where it enters the head, I am going to guess (and it's only an educated guess, without dimensions) that it's bog standard 0.0225 sq ins. aka 7/.064. Don't quote me on this but it might be 110A in free air and 125A buried, distribution rating, or that might be for 4-core. Put another way, unless both houses have EV charging and showers, it won't bat an eyelid. Even with, you won't hurt it, although DNO policy might be to unloop for 2X 100A

 

[kevkdg]

Looking at the lead where it enters the head, I am going to guess (and it's only an educated guess, without dimensions) that it's bog standard 0.0225 sq ins. aka 7/.064. Don't quote me on this but it might be 110A in free air and 125A buried, distribution rating, or that might be for 4-core. Put another way, unless both houses have EV charging and showers, you won't hurt it.

Cool, cheers for the guidance.

I don't have an electric shower but my neighbour does.
I will be getting an EV charger but my neighbour won't.

I think we both probably have 60 amp fuses in our Cut Outs. If so I am wanting mine upgraded to an 80 amp fuse at a cost of £120 plus VAT from the DNO (if they will do it). Would be happy to change it myself taking precautions but understand this is illegal!

 

[kevkdg]

Looking at the lead where it enters the head, I am going to guess (and it's only an educated guess, without dimensions) that it's bog standard 0.0225 sq ins. aka 7/.064. Don't quote me on this but it might be 110A in free air and 125A buried, distribution rating, or that might be for 4-core. Put another way, unless both houses have EV charging and showers, it won't bat an eyelid. Even with, you won't hurt it, although DNO policy might be to unloop for 2X 100A

@Lucien Nunes Many thanks for your reply.

I think ideally I just need 80 amps (my neighbour will not be changing from 60 amps). So I hope this can be done without the cost of unlooping (as that will be best part of £2k).

Does the looped connection on my neighbours cut out go through his fuse or are they "looped" before his fuse.

Does anyone know what the max fuse rating of a Henley Series 3 Cut Out is.... just wondering if it will take 80 amps or whether the DNO will need to replace my cut out and charge me even more?

 

[snowhead]

The loop is before the neighbours fuse.
Occassionally they're looped after the fuse but you see the other cable coming out the top of the cut-out

 

[brianmoooore]

I wouldn't worry about it. If it's 60A, and eventually pops, apart from being without power for a few hours, it won't be your problem.

 

[kevkdg]

Only issue is the EV charge point installer will set the EV charger to throttle back when the CT clamp reads it is getting near to 60 amps total usage. Where as if an 80 amp fuse was in place it would be set 20 amps higher.

 

[brianmoooore]

If the DNO can't be bothered to tell you whether the fuse is 60A or 80A, then assume it's 80A. If it does turn out to be 60A, and pops, then they'll fit 80A as a replacement, or even 100A, and it won't cost you a penny.