BS6231 Cable

BS6231 Cable

BS6231 Cable Explained: Standard, Ratings, Types & Construction

Cleveland Cable Company is the UK's largest stockist of BS6231 cable. This is the British Standard for PVC-insulated single-core flexible cable designed primarily for switchgear and control gear wiring.

Key characteristics include:

  • Core: Class 5 flexible copper conductor
  • Sheath: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) insulation designed for high-temperature performance
  • Sheath Colour: Various

Key Features of BS6231 Cable

BS6231 covers single-core cables only, not multicore cables. Key features include:

  • Single conductor per cable, insulated with PVC
  • Commonly supplied in a wide range of colours for panel identification
  • Voltage Rating: 600/1000 Volts
  • Typical Sizes: 1.5 mm², 2.5 mm², 4 mm², 6 mm² and upwards to 400 mm², depending on the application and current rating

Our PDF datasheets provide further details on specific variants, including conductor size (mm²), nominal overall diameter and approximate weight per kilometre to support design and cable selection.

In practice, when people ask "What is BS6231 cable?", they usually mean a flexible, high-temperature PVC panel wire for internal wiring of equipment, control panels, distribution boards and switchboards.

What Applications Is BS6231 Cable Used For?

Purpose and Scope of BS6231

The purpose of BS6231 is to define single-core PVC-insulated flexible wiring for:

  • Internal wiring of electrical equipment
  • Control, measurement and signalling circuits
  • Power and control wiring within enclosures

The standard is aimed at short-run internal wiring, not long external distribution runs. It is ideal where flexible conductors, high-temperature ratings and compact overall diameter are needed for dense wiring inside equipment.

Switchgear, Control Gear and Panel-Wiring Applications

In day-to-day use, BS6231 cable is chosen for:

  • Switchboards and distribution boards
  • Control panels for industrial machinery
  • Motor control centres (MCCs)
  • Switchgear and control gear assemblies
  • Internal wiring of UPS, power supplies, drives and control cabinets

Because it is flexible and has a relatively small overall diameter for its current capacity, it is easy to route through trunking, ducts and wiring channels during installation.

Why Choose Cleveland Cable?

  • UK's largest stockist of BS6231 cable
  • High-quality, British and European Standard-certified products
  • Competitive prices with fast UK and international delivery
  • Expert technical support for your cable requirements
  • In-house BSI testing lab ensuring premium quality control

Browse cables by standard  |  Contact Cleveland Cable today for expert advice and bulk pricing on BS6231 Cable

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Is BS6231 Cable Always Single Core?
Yes. BS6231 specifically covers single-core PVC-insulated flexible cable. Multicore cables are not part of this standard.
Is BS6231 Cable Rated 600/1000V Or 450/750V?
BS6231 cables used for switchgear and control gear wiring are typically rated 600/1000 V. Always check the product datasheet or Cleveland Cable specifications for the exact rated voltage of the cable you intend to use.
Is BS6231 Cable PVC or LSZH?
Standard BS6231 cable is PVC-insulated, not LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen). If you specifically require LSZH performance, you would need an alternative standard or LSZH insulated panel wire such as 2491B/6701B rather than BS6231 PVC.
Is there a multicore cable alternative to BS6231?
No, but we stock multicore flexible control cables, such as: H05VVF, H07RN-F, or H07BN4-F. Always check with a professional electrician before purchasing.
Why Choose Tri-Rated Cable?
Our Tri-Rated Cable is designed to meet British (BS), American (UL) and Canadian (CSA) standards, making it an ideal choice for electrical installations and equipment intended for both UK/European and North American markets.

Tri Rated Cable