6181Y is a single copper conductor with PVC insulation and a second PVC layer over the top. The double layer means it can be run without further enclosure, which is why it is the usual cable for meter tails and for short unenclosed connections between the meter, main switch and consumer unit. In its smaller sizes it also serves as a general single core where a sheath is wanted.
Key applications
- Meter tails between the supply meter and the consumer unit
- Connections between main switch, isolator and distribution board
- Single core runs where enclosure in conduit is not practical
- Equipment and appliance connections in dry or damp premises
- Clipped to boards and trays, or run in channels and plaster
Features and benefits
- Two insulating layers remove the need for conduit on short exposed runs
- Supplied in brown and blue sheath colours for direct line and neutral identification
- Flexible enough to dress neatly into a consumer unit
- Available in the sizes the distribution network operators expect for tails
Specification notes and limitations
Meter tails are a regulated interface: length, size and the point at which the installation begins are set by the distribution network operator and by BS 7671, and the supply side of the cut-out is not the installer's to work on. 6181Y is rated 300/500 V, which covers a 230/400 V system, but it is not a 600/1000 V cable and must not be substituted for one. It carries no protective conductor, so an earthing conductor has to be run separately. There is no armour and no mechanical protection beyond the second PVC layer: it must not be buried in the ground, and the PVC is not UV-stable so it should not be exposed to sunlight. The 70 °C limit and the usual derating for grouping and thermal insulation apply.
