LV Armoured Cable: SWA vs AWA Selection Guide

■1) What This LV Armoured Cable

The range covers fixed low-voltage power distribution where armour is required for mechanical protection. The core options are single core AWA cable constructions for AC feeders and multicore SWA cable constructions for power or auxiliary-control circuits, with PVC and LSZH sheath choices. A steel-tape-armoured multicore cable is also listed as a related option when the project specification calls for STA.

■2) SWA vs AWA Cable

SWA is steel-wire armour; AWA is aluminum-wire armour. Steel provides strong mechanical protection and is the conventional starting point for multicore cables. Aluminum is non-magnetic, so it is the conventional starting point for single-core AC cables where ferromagnetic armour could create circulating losses and heating.

■3) LV Armored Cable Selection

A reliable power cable armor selection starts with the electrical design, then checks mechanical, fire and environmental exposure. Use the following sequence before comparing price or lead time.

1. Define the circuit: rated voltage, AC or DC, single-core or multicore, number of loaded conductors, current, fault level and clearing time.

2. Size the conductor: material, cross-sectional area, installation method, ambient conditions, grouping, voltage drop and short-circuit withstand.

3. Select the armour: normally AWA for a single-core AC feeder and SWA for a multicore feeder; confirm mechanical load and fault-current requirements.

4. Select insulation and sheath: confirm XLPE/PVC or XLPE/LSZH construction plus fire, oil, UV, water and temperature requirements.

5. Coordinate installation: direct burial, tray, duct or indoor route, pulling tension, bend radius, gland type, earthing and bonding.

6. Approve evidence: applicable standard, model-specific data sheet, certificate scope, routine tests, marking and traceability.

■4) Product Range

Use these products as a construction shortlist. The final order must match the approved conductor size, core count, sheath compound, standard and test documentation.

Single-core AWA · PVC

CU/XLPE/PVC/AWA/PVC 0.6/1KV Cable

Choose this PVC-bedded and PVC-sheathed AWA construction for standard fixed single-core AC distribution routes.

0.6/1 kV Single-core AWA PVC

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Single-core AWA · LSZH

CU/XLPE/LSZH/AWA/LSZH 0.6/1KV Cable

Choose this AWA construction when the single-core AC route also requires low-smoke, zero-halogen bedding and sheath.

0.6/1 kV Single-core AWA LSZH

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Multicore SWA · Smaller sizes

CU/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC 0.6/1KV Cable (1.5mm²-16mm²)

PVC-sheathed SWA option for smaller multicore power and auxiliary-control circuits.

1.5-16mm² Multi core SWA PVC

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Multicore SWA · Smaller LSZH sizes

CU/XLPE/LSZH/SWA/LSZH 0.6/1KV Cable (1.5mm²-16mm²)

Smaller multicore SWA option for routes that require LSZH bedding and sheath.

1.5-16mm² Multi core SWA LSZH

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Multicore SWA · Larger sizes

CU/XLPE/PVC/SWA/PVC 0.6/1KV Cable (25mm²-400mm²)

Larger PVC-sheathed multicore SWA option for distribution feeders.

25-400mm² Multi core SWA PVC

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Multicore SWA · Larger LSZH sizes

CU/XLPE/LSZH/SWA/LSZH 0.6/1KV Cable (25mm²-400mm²)

Larger multicore SWA option for feeders that also require LSZH bedding and sheath.

25-400mm² Multicore SWA LSZH

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■5) Jacket and Installation Environment

A generic PVC or LSZH label does not prove resistance to every environment. For a UV resistant armored cable, oil-exposed route or wet outdoor installation, state the exposure and require the supplier to identify the exact jacket compound, applicable test method and supporting data.

■6) Standards, Performance and Approval Evidence

Standards referenced in the supplied range include BS 5467, BS 6724, IEC/EN 60228, IEC/EN 60502-1 and IEC 60332 / BS EN 60332-1-2. Do not assume every standard or certificate applies to every model: state the required edition and request evidence covering the quoted construction, conductor range and factory.

■7) Frequently Asked Questions

■8) LV Armored Cable RFQ Checklist

A complete RFQ lets engineering and procurement compare the same construction. Record values, units, tolerances and required evidence instead of relying on a generic product name.

• Electrical systemRated voltage, frequency, AC/DC, phases, load current, fault current and clearing time.

• Cable constructionSingle-core or multicore, conductor material/class/mm², insulation, bedding, AWA/SWA/STA and outer sheath.

• Route and environmentIndoor, outdoor, tray, duct or burial; ambient temperature, grouping, water, oil, chemicals, UV and mechanical risk.

• Fire and complianceApplicable standard and edition, flame, smoke, halogen, oil/UV tests, certificate scope and acceptance criteria.

• Installation interfaceGlands, lugs, armour earthing/bonding, minimum bend radius, pulling length and drum constraints.

• Commercial deliveryQuantity, unit lengths and tolerances, drum schedule, printing, packaging, destination, Incoterm and required delivery window.

• Quality documentsData sheet, construction drawing, sample approval, inspection plan, routine test report, certificate and batch traceability.