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REVIEWED: Innovations for armoured cable

Steel wired armoured cable (SWA) shows up everywhere from farms to factories. Here's our round-up of tools and accessories designed to make installations, using SWA, faster and more reliable. 

By Gordon Routledge
Thursday 12th  September 2019
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The eFIXX team review a range of products to save time when installing steel wired armoured cable (SWA).

1. Earthingnut

SWA

An easy way to connect circuit protective conductors to steel wire armour, especially useful for plastic enclosures. Just make sure you read the instructions when using with metal enclosures.

See full product review

2. Storm cable gland

SWA

At last some innovation in a product category which hasn't changed for decades. The Storm cable gland is easy to fit and give an IP68 rating, which is a significant improvement on standard CW glands which are often only IP54 rated.

3. Shark T joint

Wiska

In theory, a great idea a gel-filled underground cable joint. However, the T version, which is perhaps the most useful, seems to lack features found in other members of the Shark range.  No strain relief, uninsulated connectors and questions over the exact IP rated caused us some concern.

4. ArmourSlice

CK Tools

Essentially a pipe cutter redesigned to score the steel armour surrounding the cable. A robust construction which feels more durable than the plastic versions on the market. The main issue we have is the design relies upon a hacksaw blade used the wrong way round. So expect frequent blade changes.

5. Superclip

Linian

Linian are well known for their range of clips for fire-rated cables. The Superclip extends that performance to armoured cables. Easy to install with no need for any screws or plugs.  The result is a very tidy installation which helps to comply with the premature collapse requirements contained in the 18th edition wiring regulations.

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Filmed on location at Doncaster Cables

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