Is 1.5mm Low Smoke 3 core Flex thinner than the standard stuff?

Myser

On solid core cables, you can calculate the cross-sectional area of each conductor by measuring the diameter with a pair of calipers. I'm not certain how you'd do this on stranded cable without the full specification of the cable.

If it has BASEC approval and the cable is a reputable brand, it should be fine.

Unless the BASEC mark is a fake?

Cinquestelle

Interesting point about BASEC. The seller, who is a very well-known and extremely busy independent, told me that ALL his merchandise is BASEC. So I said fine I'll buy it. When I got home and took it out of the bag - could find no BASEC markings. The BASEC website states that if it doesn't say BASEC its not BASEC certified.

Myser

The BASEC website states that if it doesn't say BASEC its not BASEC certified.

If I don't see the marking on the cable, I'd be wary.

Cinquestelle

I agree, you have to have confidence with electrical items in particular. I will be speaking to the Chief Executive at BASEC tomorrow. Perhaps it hasn't always been the case that BASEC insisted on markings and that this flex is older stock. Otherwise, yes I would be wary and it means I will have to re-buy elsewhere. Nice conversing with you. I may post an update tomorrow.

Cinquestelle

An update. The cabling turns out to be non-compliant with any known standard. Sold by a busy, established business that caters largely to the trade, close examination reveals that this product had no markings of the manufacturer’s name, BS standard, HO, IEC or HAR. It was sold as BASEC certified when it was nothing of the sort. Disappointing that this misrepresentation goes on and that any qualified person might countenance using it. The flex is the subject of an investigation.

Finally, with regard to the specific question posted, is 1.5mm low smoke 3 core flex thinner than the standard flex? -the answer is no. A thinner sheath of insulation is not a characteristic of LSF cabling. This is largely a variable between manufactures that will impact upon weight and cost.