16mm² 3 Core SWA XLPE PVC Armoured Cable Per Metre

Professional-Grade Protection for Demanding Electrical Installations

16mm² 3 Core SWA XLPE PVC Armoured Cable – Built for Reliability, Engineered for Harsh Environments

When standard cables fall short, this 16mm² 3-core armoured cable delivers the mechanical protection and electrical performance your installation demands. Rated at 0.6/1kV with three copper conductors, each 16mm² in cross-section, this cable is suitable for high-current applications such as industrial power distribution, large-scale installations, and heavy-duty electrical systems.

Why Choose This Cable?

Superior Mechanical Protection
These cables are designed with a layer of galvanised steel wires that protect the inner conductors from impact, pressure, and environmental damage, resulting in a tough cable that performs reliably in demanding conditions. The steel wire armour makes SWA cables highly resistant to crushing, impact, and external damage, making them ideal for underground installations and heavy-duty environments. Unlike standard cables that deteriorate under stress, the steel wire armour acts as a physical shield against accidental damage from digging tools, machinery, and ground pressure.

XLPE Insulation for Temperature Resilience
Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) has better thermometric characteristics and can withstand higher temperatures than PVC, with improved electrical performance since XLPE has a high dielectric and is water resistant, allowing the XLPE sheath to be used in more severe environmental conditions. This triple-layer protection—XLPE insulation, steel wire armour, and PVC outer sheath—ensures long-term performance even in extreme conditions.

Dual-Function Earth Conductor
The steel wire armour serves three functions simultaneously: mechanical protection from spades, rodents, and ground movement; an integral protective earth conductor for the circuit; and electromagnetic shielding for clean signal performance. This design eliminates the need for additional earth conductors in many applications, simplifying installation.

Versatile Installation Options
XLPE SWA PVC armoured cables are extensively used in underground and in-wall power distribution networks across commercial facilities such as office complexes, shopping malls, hotels, and mixed-use buildings. The 16mm size makes it suitable for underground and outdoor installation. Whether buried at 450mm depth in gardens or 600mm+ under driveways, direct burial to cable trays, this cable adapts to your project's requirements.

High Current-Carrying Capacity
A standard 16mm² XLPE armored cable typically carries between 78 Amps (direct buried) and 94 Amps (clipped direct) in single-phase systems, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications including EV chargers, workshop submains, garage installations, and industrial machinery feeds.

Real-World Applications
In large-scale construction and civil engineering projects—including commercial high-rises, bridges, tunnels, and underground utilities—dual-armoured XLPE SWA cables are often the preferred choice, as the reinforced steel armouring protects the conductors during and after construction where heavy machinery, vibration, and dynamic loads are common, frequently installed in cable trays, conduits, or direct burial applications. You can also use them to connect domestic solar panels to the grid.

Chemical and Environmental Resistance
The XLPE SWA PVC cable is specifically designed to prevent water penetration through multiple protective layers, with the PVC outer sheath acting as a primary moisture barrier, XLPE insulation being inherently hydrophobic and not absorbing water, and the armour layer providing structural integrity even when exposed to wet soil. This makes it essential for areas prone to flooding, coastal installations, and chemically aggressive environments.

Standards Compliance and Safety
The cable features class 2 stranded copper conductors and complies with BS 6724 and IEC 60502, with an operating temperature range of -20°C to +90°C, with 90°C maximum conductor temperature, steel wire armour providing mechanical protection suitable for direct burial, underground, duct, and outdoor installations where fire safety is paramount, and certification to BS EN/IEC 60332 and 61034 standards for flame retardancy and low smoke emission.

Minimal Maintenance, Maximum Durability
SWA cables are built for long-term use, even in harsh environments such as moisture, corrosion, and high mechanical stress, which reduces maintenance costs and ensures stable operation. This means fewer costly repairs and longer installation lifespan compared to standard unarmoured alternatives.

Installation Guidance
You'll need CW25 glands for outdoor use and BW25 glands for indoor use to terminate the cable into any device or junction box safely and securely, and as this cable is armoured, it is suitable for underground installations as well as attaching it to structures or buildings using CC9 Cable Cleats.

The Professional Choice
SWA cable has become a popular choice due to its excellent mechanical protection and reliable electrical properties, and is widely used in commercial buildings, factories, underground installations, mining sites, and other demanding environments. When equipment failures are costly and safety is non-negotiable, this armoured cable delivers the protection you need at a specification that builders, electricians, and engineers trust.