Paper lead (PILC) voltage drop calculations

armeg
shop deals on amazon
Advertise with us
Shop deals on ebay
Talk Electrician Forum

Help Support Talk Electrician Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
SuffolkSparks

SuffolkSparks

New member
Joined
Sep 25, 2024
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
Location
Suffolk
Hello everyone,

Currently on site looking at re-supplying multiple buildings that have PILC cables currently in situ, where the cables test out good, I’ve been asked to reuse these lengths and join on with XLPE SWA.

Wondering if back in the day there was any voltage drop and current carrying capacity tables as there is nowadays so I can size the new lengths of cable accordingly? As I don’t seem to able to find anything. If not I’ll have to treat the sizes the same as PVC SWA.

Many thanks

David
 
If what you are talking about is what I think you are talking about, I wouldn't even contemplate trying to keep any if that cable. It's roughly 90/100 years old, certainly pre WW2.
 
The DNO's have been reusing PILC cable for many years they just use different termination methods these days
 
binky said:
If what you are talking about is what I think you are talking about, I wouldn't even contemplate trying to keep any if that cable. It's roughly 90/100 years old, certainly pre WW2.
Click to expand...
The buildings these cables are supplying were built after WWII, the cables are often jointed on to near the feeder pillars and where joints have failed so these cables will be used again, and also megger out perfect.
My issue is that now I have to reinstate existing lengths of the mains but I’m sure volt drop was never a thought back then unless anyone knows differently, if that’s the case I’ll have no option but treat them the same as PVC SWA
 
Kreg PRS3090 3-Inch Dual-Locking Caster Set, 4 Piece, Silver
$69.97
Kreg PRS3090 3-Inch Dual-Locking Caster Set, 4 Piece, Silver Pattern.
Ohm's Law Electrical Math and Voltage Drop Calculations (Paperback)
$54.98
Ohm's Law Electrical Math and Voltage Drop Calculations (Paperback) mediaus
MosJos Mason Jar Salt and Pepper Shakers - Vintage Glass Condiment Dispenser Set with Wooden Holder Caddy - Farmhouse Kitchen Decor, Easy Refill 5-ounce Capacity with Stainless Steel Lids
-6%
$14.99 $15.99
MosJos Mason Jar Salt and Pepper Shakers - Vintage Glass Condiment Dispenser Set with Wooden Holder Caddy - Farmhouse Kitchen Decor, Easy Refill 5-ounce Capacity with Stainless Steel Lids Table top essentials
CCTV IP Tester X9-MOVTADHS Full Features with SDI/TVI/AHD/CVI/Multimeter/TDR/OPM/VFL/POE/4K/HDMI 8 Inch Retina Touch Screen for IP Camera Tester Security CCTV Tester
$736.00
CCTV IP Tester X9-MOVTADHS Full Features with SDI/TVI/AHD/CVI/Multimeter/TDR/OPM/VFL/POE/4K/HDMI 8 Inch Retina Touch Screen for IP Camera Tester Security CCTV Tester APVISION
APOLLO Hydraulic Lift Table Elevating Cart Double Scissor Table Cart 43" Lifting Height 330lbs Capacity
$479.99
APOLLO Hydraulic Lift Table Elevating Cart Double Scissor Table Cart 43" Lifting Height 330lbs Capacity Apollo official
EVERSECU Dual wavelength 1310/1550 Fiber Cable OTDR Tester, 4K IP Camera & CCTV Tester with 8" Retina Touch Screen,Visual Fault Locator, TDR Test, POE Out, WiFi Test, PTZ
$1,289.00
EVERSECU Dual wavelength 1310/1550 Fiber Cable OTDR Tester, 4K IP Camera & CCTV Tester with 8" Retina Touch Screen,Visual Fault Locator, TDR Test, POE Out, WiFi Test, PTZ EVERSECU
Calculated Industries 8510 Home ProjectCalc Do-It-Yourselfers Feet-Inch-Fraction Project Calculator | Dedicated Keys for Estimating Material Quantities and Costs for Home Handymen and DIYs , White Small
-25%
$14.97 $19.95
Calculated Industries 8510 Home ProjectCalc Do-It-Yourselfers Feet-Inch-Fraction Project Calculator | Dedicated Keys for Estimating Material Quantities and Costs for Home Handymen and DIYs , White Small Amazon.com
PEMENOL DC-DC CNC USB Step Up/Down Power Supply Regulator Module 3.5V-12V to 1.0V-24V 2-3W, Adjustable Boost Buck Voltage Converter Digital Display Voltmeter Ammeter Battery Capacity Tester
$17.99
PEMENOL DC-DC CNC USB Step Up/Down Power Supply Regulator Module 3.5V-12V to 1.0V-24V 2-3W, Adjustable Boost Buck Voltage Converter Digital Display Voltmeter Ammeter Battery Capacity Tester PEMENOL
FEPPO Food Warming Mat, Upgrade High-tech Graphene Heating Film, Fast Full Surface Electric Warming Tray with 6 Level Adjustable Temperature and 6 Hours Timer, Roll Up Food Warmers for Parties Buffet
-11%
$79.99 $89.99
FEPPO Food Warming Mat, Upgrade High-tech Graphene Heating Film, Fast Full Surface Electric Warming Tray with 6 Level Adjustable Temperature and 6 Hours Timer, Roll Up Food Warmers for Parties Buffet FEPPO-HOME
Remote Control Motorized Rotating Display Stand, 300 Lbs Load, 360 Degree, Mute Automatic Rotating Platform for Photography Products, Live Video Show, Angle Speed, Wired, Rotating Stand for Display
$77.99
Remote Control Motorized Rotating Display Stand, 300 Lbs Load, 360 Degree, Mute Automatic Rotating Platform for Photography Products, Live Video Show, Angle Speed, Wired, Rotating Stand for Display boshun
I rewired a house rebuilt just after WW2, all the wiring being natural rubber. The main lengths of cable were still in good condition, but where they entered any accessory, the insulation fell off as soon as you removed the faceplate. So it's not so much the cable runs, but anywhere you get a little heat build up such as accessories and bends in the cable, and once you start messing with it... Anyway, it's your choice.

The only cable I would trust at that age is MICC.
 
binky said:
I rewired a house rebuilt just after WW2, all the wiring being natural rubber. The main lengths of cable were still in good condition, but where they entered any accessory, the insulation fell off as soon as you removed the faceplate. So it's not so much the cable runs, but anywhere you get a little heat build up such as accessories and bends in the cable, and once you start messing with it... Anyway, it's your choice.

The only cable I would trust at that age is MICC.
binky said:
I rewired a house rebuilt just after WW2, all the wiring being natural rubber. The main lengths of cable were still in good condition, but where they entered any accessory, the insulation fell off as soon as you removed the faceplate. So it's not much the cable runs, but anywhere you get a little heat build up such as accessories and bends in the cable, and once you start messing with it... Anyway, it's your choice.

The only cable I would trust at that age is MICC.
Click to expand...
I’m not entirely sure you know what cable I’m dealing with, certainly sounds like you’ve not had any dealings with it yourself, this isn’t a domestic installation but heavy commercial underground mains direct from the privately owned substations. Speaking with the old electrician that installed most of these cables, voltage drop was never a factor during original installation so I shall be treating them as SWA. Thank you for your thoughts
Click to expand...
 
Even in domestic supplies the DNO boys usually tell me that the PILC supply cables are often in significantly better nick than the cheap aluminium core concentric stuff that replaced them.
What sort of CSA are the conductors?
I'm intrigued how you would joint onto it and preserve the continuity of the Lead, are you intending crimp and resin joint with constant tension springs?
 
The cables are different sizes, some 35mm up to 120mm, the ones I’m dealing with currently are 70mm, the Birkett joints have an aluminium split ring that I size up and then clamp down onto the lead, I open out the lead with a plastic hack knife once the required lead is taken off and get glue lined heat shrink in under the lead as far in as possible to protect the cores once the clamp is tightened up, then same as SWA bonding strap between the lead and SWA use the connectors as usual and resin up, not as much of a fan of the tension spring ones. All seems to work out well, good earth readings in all the buildings and all megger out well even after years of service
 
Ok so are you talking about old style mains cabling, as in the stuff that has oil in it? Most of the DNO network around where I live is still this cable, and in serviceable condition.

Quick look at wiki shows this. If it's PCB contaminated, that's nasty and carcinogenic. https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/Historic_Mains_Cables
 
Last edited:
binky said:
If what you are talking about is what I think you are talking about, I wouldn't even contemplate trying to keep any if that cable. It's roughly 90/100 years old, certainly pre WW2.
Click to expand...
PILC was still being installed for a couple of decades or so after WW2, many of the older electricians I worked with when I started as an apprentice back in 1976 could wipe a lead joint with a wet newspaper or a moleskin with linseed oil
 

Similar threads

V
Cable Calc Question
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
viperrowe2606
V
Social Integrator
  • Locked
Voltimum - 18th edition wiring regulations are now mandatory. Are you compliant?
Replies
9
Views
2K
SPECIAL LOCATION
SPECIAL LOCATION
Social Integrator
  • Locked
Voltimum - NEWS ARTICLES UPDATE etc. (7 DECEMBER)
Replies
16
Views
3K
Social Integrator
Social Integrator
N
Capacity Of An Armoured Cable.
2
Replies
20
Views
2K
Andy™
Andy™
Manator
Is Your Selected Cable Suitable?
Replies
11
Views
3K
alextrician
alextrician

Latest posts

Top