Shore power cable.

[Allan]

I need to change the shore power cable. Plug and socket are fine so I thought just buy 25m of 2.5mm Arctic cable. I've been looking around but can't find anywhere that sells it. Any suggestions?
Allan

 

[prv]

Strange - when I put arctic cable into Google I find all manner of places.

I happened to buy mine from TLC since they're across the road from our yard, but it looks like Screwfix and Toolstation also do it.

Pete

 

[VicS]

I need to change the shore power cable. Plug and socket are fine so I thought just buy 25m of 2.5mm Arctic cable. I've been looking around but can't find anywhere that sells it. Any suggestions?
Allan

Toolstation, Screwfix I am sure both do

BUT David2452 , who is the forum's professional, will tell you Arctic cable is not suitable and will direct you to read http://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/33/arctic-cables.cfm?type=pdf

HO7 a heavy duty rubber insulated cable is apparently the preferred stuff. HO7RN-F to be more precise


Anyway ... Toolstation or Screwfix I'd guess Toolstation will be the cheaper .. they are for the plugs!

 

[nigelmercier]

Don't skimp on the pâté, get new plug and socket assuming they are the 16A blue (BS4343/CEE17) type, they are as cheap as chips. CPC do some nice ones with a clear case, so you can see any wiring problems.

http://cpc.farnell.com/walther/3103...ll+Categories&categoryNameResp=All+Categories

 

[Allan]

Don't skimp on the pâté, get new plug and socket assuming they are the 16A blue (BS4343/CEE17) type, they are as cheap as chips. CPC do some nice ones with a clear case, so you can see any wiring problems.

http://cpc.farnell.com/walther/3103...ll+Categories&categoryNameResp=All+Categories

The plug is a new looking RS blue 16amp, the socket is the yellow twist type. It too looks perfectly serviceable.
Toolstation and Screwfix only have 50m reels on their websites.
Allan

 

[GHA]

Toolstation, Screwfix I am sure both do

BUT David2452 , who is the forum's professional, will tell you Arctic cable is not suitable and will direct you to read http://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/33/arctic-cables.cfm?type=pdf

HO7 a heavy duty rubber insulated cable is apparently the preferred stuff. HO7RN-F to be more precise


Anyway ... Toolstation or Screwfix I'd guess Toolstation will be the cheaper .. they are for the plugs!

For many many years I've watched HO7 be driven over by trucks. forklifts , 10t cherry pickers and generally be severely abused in the live events business indoor and outdoor, it really is tough as old boots. Arctic dunno about, but you won't break HO7.

 

[VicS]

The plug is a new looking RS blue 16amp, the socket is the yellow twist type. It too looks perfectly serviceable.
Toolstation and Screwfix only have 50m reels on their websites.
Allan

TLC electrical supplies sell it by the metre, but if you buy 50m and a pair of inline connectors you have enough for a 25m extension as well.

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_I...al_Index/Flex_Artic_Yellow_or_Blue/index.html

 

[nigelmercier]

Rats!

Rats?

 

[Poignard]

http://www.diy.com/departments/tower-25mm-x-10m-artic-cable-yellow/188973_BQ.prd?icamp=recs

But why not use 1.5 mm2, which is rated 16A?

 

[prv]

But why not use 1.5 mm2, which is rated 16A?

Volt drop.

I don't have my spreadsheet here at work, so I don't know how much 1.5mm² would drop over, say, 30m. But both cable-size calculators I've just tried gave a minimum size of 2.5mm².

Pete

 

[Gwylan]

Cheaper to buy ready made leads from Toolstation or Screwfix.
My experience anyway

 

[David2452]

BUT David2452 , who is the forum's professional, will tell you Arctic cable is not suitable and will direct you to read http://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/33/arctic-cables.cfm?type=pdf

He will also tell you that Screwfix and toolstation Arctic cable and made up leads are not even true Arctic. true arctic cable to BS7655 remains flexible to -40C but the cheapo Screwfix et al stuff is BS6500 and only flexible down to +5C
Just buy 25m of the right stuff, it coils and stores better too.

And another thing..... Dont forget to use bootlace ferrules and not screw down the terminal screws onto bare twisted strands.

 

[David2452]

http://www.diy.com/departments/tower-25mm-x-10m-artic-cable-yellow/188973_BQ.prd?icamp=recs

But why not use 1.5 mm2, which is rated 16A?

It's on the limit and as it tends to get kicked about a bit it's much better to have something a bit more robust, not unlike using 2.5mm2 for masthead LEDs, volt drop would contra indicate but the extra physical strength is a comfort.

 

[Poignard]

It's on the limit and as it tends to get kicked about a bit it's much better to have something a bit more robust, not unlike using 2.5mm2 for masthead LEDs, volt drop would contra indicate but the extra physical strength is a comfort.

Good point. Presumably the terminals on a 16A connector are big enough to accept 2.5mm2 cores?

 

[Fendant]

Everybody is now using the orange PUR cables HO5BQ-F which is far better.
The rubber HO7RN is always dirty and leaves black marks on your hands and in the stoarge area.

 

[David2452]

Good point. Presumably the terminals on a 16A connector are big enough to accept 2.5mm2 cores?

Indeed, even when the cores are inside crimped bootlaces, which is how they should be.

 

[Poignard]

Indeed, even when the cores are inside crimped bootlaces, which is how they should be.

Thanks for your helpful advice.

 

[Yngmar]

Indeed, even when the cores are inside crimped bootlaces, which is how they should be.

But not before dipping the wire strands into the silicone grease pot to reduce future corrosion issues.

The connectors are only IP44 and thus prone to getting wet inside even if you don't dip them in the sea occasionally. There's an IP67 version with a locking ring, but that's of little use as marinas generally don't have the matching counterpart.

I've bought my 2.5mm2 cable from J&M electrical (£1 per m) and the connectors from Toolstation.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

It's on the limit and as it tends to get kicked about a bit it's much better to have something a bit more robust, not unlike using 2.5mm2 for masthead LEDs, volt drop would contra indicate but the extra physical strength is a comfort.

I would have thought that the thicker the cable the lower the impedence, hence less voltage drop.

 

[prv]

I would have thought that the thicker the cable the lower the impedence, hence less voltage drop.

Erm, yes?

Pete