Yellow heavy duty cable

[Danny_374481539]

Good evening,

Might seem a daft question, but, I have been given a heavy duty 32 amp, 110v cable drum with 50m of cable on. I was musing about a longer hookup lead and was wondering if this cable would take 240v?

I know some people say its not the volts its the amps, but I dont want to take a risk.

Any thoughts?

 

[nffcdave_374234697]

the cable will take 230v no problem.the cables all the same its just colour coded for the different voltages

cheers

dave

 

[Danny_374481539]

Thanks Dave. Just wanted to be sure.

Thanks Danny

 

[C_374479958]

If you look carefully on the cable you may see the voltage rating.

 

[JTQ]

If as you say you have been given a drum of 110Volt cable you already know its not rated for 240 volts?

Work it's almost certain to do but its use will contravene electrical regulations, which I believe have legal implications, not be safe and in case of an accident unleash a load of problems on you.

Yes we all see the odd person using a contractors 110 volt cable but its not correct for the job. Strange where some seek to cut cost.

 

[Lutz]

In order to transmit the same power, the amps that go through a 110 volt cable will be more than double that of a 240 volt cable and as the amps determine the necessary cross-sectional area of the leads, the use of a 110 volt cable will actually give you an additional safety factor of over 100%. So, yes, you can use a heavy duty 110 volt cable for 240 volts, but not the other way round.

 

[JTQ]

True in respect to current of course as its a 32 amp cable and that's not altered by the voltage.

However in respect to potential its not rated at 240 volts only 110.

I am sure you would not dismiss pumping up a car tyre to over twice its manufacturers pressure rating? That is directly akin to what is being endorsed here. If you know its insulation is rated to 240 volts then its okay but we don't know that and still endorse its use in this safety related case.

 

[Lutz]

It would surprise me very much if the insulation of a 110 volt cable is any worse than that of a 240 volt cable. The danger of physical damage (wear, damp, etc.) etc. will be the same regardless of whether 110 or 240 volts pass through the cable and provisions to withstand these alone should suffice.

 

[JTQ]

It would surprise me very much if the insulation of a 110 volt cable is any worse than that of a 240 volt cable. The danger of physical damage (wear, damp, etc.) etc. will be the same regardless of whether 110 or 240 volts pass through the cable and provisions to withstand these alone should suffice.

I would assume the same as you but it is only an "assumption" and life proves we engineers should not make them on things safety related.

 

[Lutz]

It would surprise me very much if the insulation of a 110 volt cable is any worse than that of a 240 volt cable. The danger of physical damage (wear, damp, etc.) etc. will be the same regardless of whether 110 or 240 volts pass through the cable and provisions to withstand these alone should suffice.

Perhaps someone in the know would enlighten us what the technical difference is between a 110 volt cable and a 240 volt one, apart from the colour.

 

[C_374479958]

Perhaps someone in the know would enlighten us what the technical difference is between a 110 volt cable and a 240 volt one, apart from the colour.

Modern flexible cables of this type are rated at 500volts.

So there would be no problem using it on 240v, the yellow colour is industry standard normally for 110v flexible leads, but as it is high visibility would be fine for caravans.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I would not recommend the use of a cord designated as 110V for a 230V supply unless the true specification of the cord is established and 230V is less than its quote dielectric strength or safe working voltage. This may be moulded into the cable.

A Portable appliance tester would be able test the cord and demonstrate if the insulation is strong enough.

The thickness of insulation needed to provide the required resistance to a potential of 110v is thinner than that required for 230V.

 

[joeby]

yellow cable is what is used on building sites , it has to be robust ,to be dragged along wet concrete floors ,and run over by barrows ,

 

[C_374479958]

Perhaps someone in the know would enlighten us what the technical difference is between a 110 volt cable and a 240 volt one, apart from the colour.

Modern flexible cables of this type are rated at 500volts.

So there would be no problem using it on 240v, the yellow colour is industry standard normally for 110v flexible leads, but as it is high visibility would be fine for caravans.

 

[Danny_374481539]

Thank you for all who replied with sensible answers, having gone to the manufacturer with the relevant part number of the cable drum, they quoted a maximum safe voltage of 500v.

As for pumping my tyres up to twice the pressure that is just a silly comment to make.

As for cutting cost - Yes, do you throw money away un-neccesarily?

 

[emmerson2]

Hear hear, Danny. Those remarks were stupid.

 

[nffcdave_374234697]

hi again danny,

cor dear,it seems youve opened a can of worms here.like i said previously its only the outer coloured sheath which is different,the only problem is your supposed to be limited to a max length of 25m i think.hopefully i know what im talking about as im an electrician but dont try to pump your tyres up with it.ha ha

cheers

dave

 

[Danny_374481539]

Thanks Dave,

What a hot potato this turned out to be.