What to consider for your next cabling job

Quantity of cables

When taking on any electrical job, it is important to be fully prepared, and a cabling job is no exception. One of the first things to consider is exactly how many cables you will need to complete the job, this will be dependent on two factors, what type of job you are doing, and the scale of the project overall.

Preplanning is the key here, if you are decking out a complete domestic or commercial property, a full inspection of the building and being aware of the requirements of the client will help you here. For example, knowing how many alarm systems there are in the building, will be a good indicator of how many Alarm Cables you will need.

Length of cables

Although it may seem like an obvious factor to consider, misjudging the length of your cables can cause unnecessary delays and possible safety hazards. Cables are available in a variety of lengths, from 5 meters all the way up to 100 meters.

For domestic, commercial and industrial jobs, you need to find a length of cable that isn’t too short, as this will cause the cable to be raised above floor level, and could potentially lead to a trip hazard. On the other hand, if you are working with cables that are responsible for transferring data and signals, such as Ethernet Cables, if the cable is too long then there is a risk of this process deteriorating over time.

Simple and compact storage

A common goal among tradespeople is to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible, and tangled messy cables can make it difficult to achieve this, especially if this has caused them to become damaged or even completely broken.

But there are a number of ways that this problem can be eliminated, simply by investing in effective cable storage solutions.

Some types of cables, such as Data Cables, are pre-stored in Reelex boxes for instant convenient storage and even easier dispensing on the job. However, any cable can be stored safely and used efficiently if wrapped around a Cable Dispenser or a similar product. These types of dispensers are inexpensive and durable, with some even featuring locking capabilities for extra security and to ensure that the cables stay in place.

Type of cables

There are many types of cables to choose from, some all-round varieties to tackle the everyday job, and some designed for very specific uses. There are some types of cables on the market that have a very clear purpose, such as Television or Alarm Cables, but some cables that can serve multiple purposes can create confusion when deciding which is the best cable to use for the job.

We have provided a simple breakdown of the most common multi-use cables and their best uses:

Twin & Earth Cable: This common indoor domestic cable is best used when connecting circuits that supply power to sockets.

3 Core & Earth Cable: Another indoor domestic cable, but 3 Core & Earth Cables are better suited to circuits involving lighting fixtures.

Fire Resistant Cable: This type of cable is best used in commercial settings, particularly as part of fire alarm or emergency lighting systems.

Heat Resistant Flex: Heat Resistant Flex Cables are the best choice for heat-based appliances in both domestic and commercial settings, such as washing machines and immersion heaters.

Round PVC Flex: This cable could be considered as one of the most versatile on the market, not only being useful in many different scenarios, from lighting to power tools, but also many different installation methods, including ground and air.

Single Core Cable: Single Core Cables are best suited to more complex jobs, especially internal wiring.

SWA Cable: These durable cables are designed for underground installations and public settings that require the most reliable power supply and the highest level of protection in the most challenging conditions.

EV Ultra Cable: While this cable is primarily designed for EV installations, it can be used for a number of applications that require both power and data.

Protection post-installation

Cables can range from extremely delicate to extremely robust, and in both cases, it is important to make sure that your cables are protected when in use for maximum longevity and efficacy.

For commercial settings, Floor Cable Protectors are a very effective and cost-efficient way to not only make sure that your cables are protected from wear and tear and possible damage in high-traffic areas, but provides protection against any trips or falls that may occur.

For domestic projects, Trunking is a great choice for cable protection as well as cable organisation. Trunking ensures that any cabling is kept out of the way, and you can even find Trunking in a range of finishes to create a subtle and clean result in any room, from plain white to wood finishes. 

You can find Trunking in a variety of sizes and installation methods, with self-adhesive options an ideal choice for a hassle free job.

Top Picks

We’ve scoured our range to find our top picks for the best cables, accessories and management products that will make your next cabling job as fuss free as possible.

Cable: 3183Y 3 Core Round Flex Cable

If you’re looking for a cable that is suited perfectly to a number of jobs, look no further than this 3 Core Round Flex Cable.

This cable is perfect for small to medium sized equipment in not only domestic and commercial premises, but light industrial environments too.

This PVC insulated and sheathed flexible cable can be used for domestic appliances in the home, as well as portable tools on the job. This particular cable is manufactured to BS EN 50525-2-11, so you know that the quality and safety standards of this product are up to date.

You can find this type of cable in a variety of sizes and finishes, and is supplied to us by top cabling brand, Doncaster Cables.

Cable Accessory: Wiska Combi 308 Waterproof IP66/IP67 Adaptable Junction Box with Wago Connectors

This Adaptable Junction Box from Wiska is fully equipped to handle the most extreme of exterior conditions and environmental aggressors. This Junction Box is not only waterproof and weatherproof, but has superior impact resistance and is shatterproof.

Therefore, this product is the perfect choice to keep your connections and switches safe in even the harshest of exterior conditions. Additionally, this product comes with Wago Splicing Connectors included, which are the perfect accompaniment to the Junction Box, providing an all-round electrical solution.

Cable Management: Unicrimp 34 Fire Rated LSF Cable Clips

There are many reasons why Fire Rated Cable Clips are important on the job, from both a safety and legality perspective. These types of clips often feature low smoke and fume capabilities to prevent the very common hazard of smoke and gas spreading during a fire. As well as this, 18th Edition regulations state that any cabling installed in or near an escape route must be installed with Fire Rated Cable Clips to prevent the cables from falling and blocking escape routes in the event of an emergency.

These particular Fire Rated Cable Clips from Unicrimp feature a copper and powder coating to keep the integrity of the cables in tact even in the toughest of conditions. These Cable Clips feature the low smoke and fume capabilities previously mentioned, so are ideal for multiple occupancy residential and commercial spaces with strict fire safety requirements.

These Cable Clips, when combined with other Fire Rated electrical products in your installation, can comply with BS 5839-1: 2017, as well as complying to BS 476 Pt 6 and 7 as an individual product. If you're looking for more fire rated products within our range, you can find out more here.

From SWA to Single Core, you should now have all of the information you need to take on your next cabling job with ease, and even advise others on the precautions they can take to keep their cables safe and prolong their use.