What cable type is this? SWA?

[jon557]

Hi folks,

My building has a lighting circuit for the car parking area, the outside cabling is primarily a thin ridged (what looks like 1.5mm core) white cable. It basically looks like a form of shielded cable but not braided, it looks like a solid metal tube. Does anyone recognise it? if I eventually upgrade the fuse board to a modern consumer unit does it all need ripping out?

Thanks!

 

[Leesparkykent]

Micc.

Mineral-insulated copper-clad cable - Wikipedia - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral-insulated_copper-clad_cable

 

[westward10]

No need to remove it if it tests out okay, that will outlast nearly all other wiring systems.

 

[Andy78]

It's MI Jon. Best cable ever designed. Needs a gland on that end though.

 

[jon557]

Cool, so good stuff then! Thanks for the link!

 

[Pete999]

Hi folks,

My building has a lighting circuit for the car parking area, the outside cabling is primarily a thin ridged (what looks like 1.5mm core) white cable. It basically looks like a form of shielded cable but not braided, it looks like a solid metal tube. Does anyone recognise it? if I eventually upgrade the fuse board to a modern consumer unit does it all need ripping out?

Thanks!

View attachment 38826

MICC, Pyro Proper cable used to be installed by Proper Electricians, that install is a right mess, whoever did it want's to be pilloried, a disgusting example of today' s I#ll say tradesmen with my fingers crossed, and as for not knowing what it is, well.

 

[jon557]

MICC, Pyro Proper cable used to be installed by Proper Electricians, that install is a right mess, whoever did it want's to be pilloried, a disgusting example of today' s I#ll say tradesmen with my fingers crossed, and as for not knowing what it is, well.

Further on from this cable an extension says the brand "Pyrotenax", it's orange. I don't like the termination and really don't like the white flex that then goes into the fuse board, currently noting all the improvements needed. This building was put up in 1985 so I am guessing this connection is about that old.

You seem to be not impressed that I didn't know what it was, well I have only just done my domestic installers course a few months back and I have yet to see all the variants of cable throughout time - I'll get there, everyone has to learn. I have a degree in electronics but practical domestic installations I am still picking up.

Cheers.

 

[westward10]

No one was criticising you but to gland that cable correctly the existing pot, the barrel bit will need removing to fit the gland then a new pot fitted and the time clock shifting down a bit. The other cable can be glanded correctly to tidy it up.

 

[jon557]

Thanks, I will research how to do this.

 

[westward10]

Thanks, I will research how to do this.

You will need specific tools to fit the pot and be spotlessly clean with the internal parts of the cable exposed.

 

[Andy78]

Thanks, I will research how to do this.

You're going to need some specific tools and hands on training to deal with that. I'm not trying to be elitist or discouraging, but it's not the sort of cable to watch how to do on youtube.

 

[Toneyz]

I have known electricians in years gone by when using the unsheathed MICC after installing to have to polish it (well that's what they told me )!!.

 

[Andy78]

I have known electricians in years gone by when using the unsheathed MICC after installing to have to polish it (well that's what they told me )!!.

Cherry blossom on the scuffed SWA sheath too ?

 

[Leesparkykent]

http://www.aeicables.co.uk/literature/Mineral/MITD1.pdf

 

[Ian1981]

I’ll hold my hands up, I’ve never touched the stuff since college about 15 years ago.

 

[Andy78]

I’ll hold my hands up, I’ve never touched the stuff since college about 15 years ago.

I've probably not touched it in a decade, more's the pity. Did plenty outside of college, but would need a few practice ends before doing one I intended energising.

 

[RWJ]

Apparently "we" now call it MIMS I was told I was wrong by the apprentice for calling it "Pyro" or "MICC"

 

[telectrix]

Thanks, I will research how to do this.

try a seasrch. terminating micc or pyro. it's one of the dark arts.

 

[Ian1981]

I've probably not touched it in a decade, more's the pity. Did plenty outside of college, but would need a few practice ends before doing one I intended energising.

Tools are a bit pricey as well

 

[Toneyz]

I’ll hold my hands up, I’ve never touched the stuff since college about 15 years ago.

I hadn't until a few months ago but had to make one off for an existing circuit ,made a change to do something different.