Cable and installation method — MEP Tools

Every field in stage 02 "Cable and table" — cable construction, installation method, circuit arrangement, and size, all drawn from BS 7671 Appendix 4 copper cable tables.

Stage 02 Cable selection, section Cable and table, chooses the physical cable and its installation from the BS 7671 Appendix 4 tables. All cables in the catalog are copper.

Cable construction

A select of the 11 BS 7671 Appendix 4 cable families available in the catalog:

Family IDTitle
4D1Single-core PVC non-armoured
4D2Multicore PVC non-armoured
4D3Single-core PVC armoured
4D4Multicore PVC armoured
4D5Flat twin and earth PVC
4E1Single-core XLPE non-armoured
4E2Multicore XLPE non-armoured
4E3Single-core XLPE armoured
4E4Multicore XLPE armoured
4F1Flexible thermosetting 60°C
4F2Flexible thermosetting 90°C

All families are copper conductor.

Supported installation method

A select listing only the installation methods valid for the chosen cable family, each shown as "‹reference method› · ‹label›".

Full method catalog (id → label → BS 7671 reference method):

IDLabelReference method
1In conduit in a thermally insulated wallA
2Multicore in conduit in a thermally insulated wallA
4In conduit on a wallB
20Clipped directC
23Multicore on perforated trayE
32Single-core on ladder or cleatsF
35Single-core spaced in free airG
70In buried ductD1
72Buried directD2
100T&E under insulation up to 100 mm100
101T&E under insulation over 100 mm101
102T&E touching inner wall102
103T&E not touching inner wall103
free_airFlexible cable in free airFREE_AIR

Which methods each family offers:

FamilyMethods offered
4D1, 4E11 · In conduit in a thermally insulated wall (A); 4 · In conduit on a wall (B); 20 · Clipped direct (C); 32 · Single-core on ladder or cleats (F)
4D2, 4E22 · Multicore in conduit in a thermally insulated wall (A); 4 · In conduit on a wall (B); 20 · Clipped direct (C); 23 · Multicore on perforated tray (E)
4D3, 4E320 · Clipped direct (C); 32 · Single-core on ladder or cleats (F)
4D4, 4E420 · Clipped direct (C); 23 · Multicore on perforated tray (E); 70 · In buried duct (D1); 72 · Buried direct (D2)
4D5100 · T&E under insulation up to 100 mm; 101 · T&E under insulation over 100 mm; 102 · T&E touching inner wall; 103 · T&E not touching inner wall; 20 · Clipped direct (C); 1 · In conduit in a thermally insulated wall (A)
4F1, 4F2free_air · Flexible cable in free air

If the currently stored method is not valid for the selected family, the select shows a disabled placeholder option ("Choose a supported installation method") until you pick one from the list.

Circuit arrangement

A select whose options depend on the chosen cable and method (for example 2c, 3ph, or dc, depending on what the family/method combination supports). Changing the circuit arrangement also syncs the Circuit type field back in stage 01.

Cable size (mm²)

A select of the conductor cross-sectional areas available for the chosen family and method combination. Changing family or method resets the size to the first available option if the previously selected size is no longer offered.

Resolved table capacity

Below the size field, the panel shows a line in the form:

‹ampacity table› + ‹voltage-drop table› · ‹N› A tabulated capacity

identifying the two BS 7671 Appendix 4 source tables used (current-carrying capacity and voltage drop) for the resolved family/method/size/circuit combination, and the tabulated ampacity in amps before any correction factors are applied.

Insulation operating temperature

The conductor operating temperature used in the calculation is derived from the cable family, not entered separately:

FamilyOperating temperature
4D1–4D5 (PVC)70 °C
4E1–4E4 (XLPE), 4F2 (thermosetting)90 °C
4F1 (thermosetting)60 °C

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