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Old 5th Apr 2017, 7:35 pm   #1
Andrewausfa
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Default Supplier of thin three core mains cable

I've a small collection of Marconi test gear which, as I'm sure many people know, is sometimes fitted with a thin mains cable. One of my meters cables has been badly singed with a soldering iron in the past and could really do with replacement. Any ideas where I might get some?

Thanks

Andrew
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Old 5th Apr 2017, 7:54 pm   #2
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

Would 0.5 sq mm type be thin enough? It's not always easy to discern overall diameter from listings but eBay throws up loads of suppliers with plenty of permutations. I know what you mean about some old gear having very thin three core leads, stuff that looks more suited to headphone than mains use, but I don't like to go too thin on the cores or insulation, if only for handling robustness sake!
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Old 5th Apr 2017, 9:36 pm   #3
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

You could try Wilkos. I bought some white 3 core mains cable with a 5mm diameter from them.
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Old 5th Apr 2017, 10:50 pm   #4
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

Thanks for the tips, the stuff fitted to the VTVMs is about 4mm across. It's not really an issue to go slightly thicker on the mid 60s larger meters but it becomes one on the earlier more portable VTVMs such as the TF1041 series where it all gets tucked inside the case. If it's too thick it gets all springy and comes out the hole again

Andrew
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Old 5th Apr 2017, 11:48 pm   #5
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

If it's for your own use, just use some 300V rated 3-core 7/0.2 PVC cable with whatever colour cores you can find.

Something like this:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/multic...cable/7404490/

You can always slip a green/yellow sleeve over the end of whichever wire you use for earth!
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Old 6th Apr 2017, 11:12 am   #6
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

That cable is probably rated up to 300V DC.

240V AC mains peaks at 360V.
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Old 6th Apr 2017, 12:48 pm   #7
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

No, it's 300V rms rated.


See spec attached:
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Old 1st May 2017, 6:20 pm   #8
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

Any little hardware or Shower shops around ? I always found them a good source of mains cable of many sizes locally and from what I remember there's more shops in your location.
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Old 1st May 2017, 8:25 pm   #9
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

The thinnest diameter cable with standard mains colours I could find a few years ago was the 0.5mm² type 2183Y, at the time Farnell had a 100m roll in grey being discontinued at a very reasonable price so I bought it, oddly they still sell the same cable but under a different cat. number.

It was bought to rewire an Advance SC1 counter where the original cables outer insulation was splitting, I have used it for a few other repairs since, the diameter is bigger than 4mm though.

David
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Old 4th May 2017, 10:59 am   #10
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

have you looked at the thin silicone flex intended for soldering irons,? it's very very flexible and although 5mm I think that additional flexibility would compensate, plus you could just have a foot less length of lead to help further.
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Old 4th May 2017, 11:55 am   #11
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

Here in Chipping Norton we have an independant electrical repair business with a shop who also sell appliances , light bulbs, etc. They stock a wide range of wirees & cables, including 2182Y & 2183Y, and will happily sell anything from a short length upwards. I've often bought electrical flex from them.

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Old 4th May 2017, 1:31 pm   #12
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

I agree with Silicon. I bought some white (Pity they dont do black) PVC 3 amp 3 core at 50p a metre from Wilkinson's as the hole in the chassis of my P45 is fairly small and I want to use a grommet. I also managed to get some plastic Cable clips I want use with nuts and bolts to stop the cable pulling through instead of tying a knot in it. These were off e bay and came very quickly considering they came from Hong Kong post free.

Kev
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Old 4th May 2017, 1:37 pm   #13
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

I've just bought 100m of black 0.5mm 2183Y from Ireland off ebay for £21.52 inc postage.
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Old 4th May 2017, 1:55 pm   #14
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

Sam thats well good a real bargain It would be £50 retail and its black but for the amount I use it would probably never all be used as I dont always use the same type you can get some nice replica cotton covered 3 core which I like and if I want rugged I use black flexible 6 amp 3 core the other problem is I am running out of room!!
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Old 4th May 2017, 5:15 pm   #15
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

I've just seen an ebay item from hfs specialties which claims to be approximately 4mm diameter black PVC 3 core 0.5mm flex. They sell it by the metre.

I have no previous knowledge or connection with that supplier.
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Old 5th May 2017, 9:13 pm   #16
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Default Re: Supplier of thin three core mains cable

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicklyons2 View Post
have you looked at the thin silicone flex intended for soldering irons,? it's very very flexible and although 5mm I think that additional flexibility would compensate, plus you could just have a foot less length of lead to help further.
I don't know if the cable Weller use for soldering irons is silicone, but the cable on one about 7 or 8 years old at work kept blowing fuses in the base station, on investigation the insulation of the inner cores had crumbled in the same way as the rubber wires/cables found on vintage stuff do.

David
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