2.5mm 3 Core PVC SWA XLPE Armoured Cable 100m Reel

Premium 2.5mm 3-Core SWA XLPE Armoured Cable – Built for Direct Burial, Underground, and Harsh Outdoor Installations

This 100-metre reel of 2.5mm 3-core SWA XLPE armoured cable delivers the mechanical protection and electrical reliability that professional installers depend on for power distribution in demanding environments. Whether you're running power to a garden shed, installing outdoor lighting circuits, or connecting domestic solar panels to the grid, this cable provides robust protection where standard cables would fail.

What Makes This Cable Different

The combination of XLPE insulation with steel wire armour (SWA) and PVC sheathing creates a cable engineered specifically for real-world challenges. Unlike basic PVC cables, XLPE insulation operates safely at 90°C, giving you higher current-carrying capacity and superior performance in temperature-sensitive applications. The cross-linked polyethylene molecular structure resists thermal aging, chemical exposure, moisture ingress, and UV degradation—meaning this cable maintains its integrity for decades, even when buried underground or exposed to the elements.

Direct Burial and Underground Installation Made Safe

The helical steel wire armouring isn't just for show—it's a working protection system. The galvanised steel wires spiral around the cable to create 360-degree mechanical defence against crushing from soil pressure, impact from excavation equipment, and punctures from sharp rocks or roots. At just 0.5-0.7 metres burial depth with standard marker tape, this cable can be laid directly in free-draining soil without additional conduit, simplifying installation and reducing costs. The armour layer also acts as a Circuit Protective Conductor (CPC) when properly earthed, adding a safety layer to your electrical system.

Copper Conductors With Colour-Coded Cores

Three stranded copper conductors (red, yellow, blue) are rated at 31 amps for single-phase applications, making this size ideal for moderate-load circuits. Copper's superior conductivity means lower electrical losses and better efficiency than aluminium alternatives, particularly important for longer runs where voltage drop matters. The cores are insulated with cross-linked polyethylene, then wrapped in PVC bedding to create a smooth surface that protects against internal abrasion when the armour is applied.

Built for Multiple Installation Scenarios

This cable excels in situations where flexibility ends and durability begins. Install it clipped directly to exterior walls and structures using standard cable cleats, run it through cable tray, embed it in concrete, or bury it underground. Outdoor garden lighting, workshop and shed circuits, caravan park installations, agricultural power feeds, and construction site temporary supplies all benefit from its weather resistance and mechanical toughness. The black PVC outer sheath carries UV stabilisers, protecting against sun degradation in exposed applications.

Standards Compliance and Regulatory Peace of Mind

Manufactured to BS 5467 (Electric cables. Thermosetting insulated, armoured cables for fixed installations), this cable meets UK building regulations and electrical safety standards. It's rated 600/1000V, suitable for mains distribution and control circuits in commercial, industrial, and domestic settings. Each 100-metre reel represents factory-tested, consistently manufactured cable that performs predictably on-site.

Practical Installation Considerations

This cable is rigid by design—that stiffness prevents tangling during installation and provides pulling strength for vertical runs or long feeds through ducting. The steel armour absorbs tensile stress, protecting the copper conductors from damage during cable pulls. Minimum bending radius is approximately 12 times the overall cable diameter (typically 150mm), so plan your route accordingly. Terminate using BW20S indoor brass glands or CW20S outdoor weatherproof glands to ensure proper armour clamping and maintain earth continuity.

For long-term reliability in underground power, outdoor distribution, and mechanically demanding installations, this 2.5mm 3-core SWA XLPE cable eliminates the guesswork and provides proven protection where it matters most.