Conduit & Trunking

Capacity Chart
CABLE SPACING FACTORS

Not only must it be possible to draw cables into completed

conduit and trunking systems, but neither the cables nor
their enclosures must be damaged in the process. If too
many cables are packed into the space available, there will
be a greater increase in temperature during operation than
if they were given more space. It is important to appreciate
that grouping factors still apply to cables enclosed in conduit
or trunking. To determine the conduit size needed, multiply
the quantities of each size of cable by the appropriate
factor, compare the total with the conduit figures shown.
For situations not covered by these tables, the requirement
is that a space factor of 45% for conduit and 45% for
trunking must not be exceeded. This means that not more
than 45% of the space within the conduit or trunking must
be occupied by cables, and involves calculating the cross-
sectional area of each cable, including its insulation, for
which the outside diameter must be known.
To use the ({Tables 4.14 to 4.17}) the cable factors for all
the conductors must be added. The conduit or trunking
selected must have a factor (otherwise called 'term') at least
as large as this number.
 Table 4.14 - Cable factors (terms) for conduit and trunking
Factor for
Factor for
Type of Conductor Factor for trunking
trunking pvc
conductor c.s.a. (mm) conduit thermosettin
insulation
g insulation
Solid 1.0 16 3.6 3.8
Solid 1.5 22 8.0 8.6
Stranded 1.5 22 8.6 9.1
Solid 2.5 30 11.9 11.9
Stranded 2.5 30 12.6 13.9
Stranded 4.0 43 16.6 18.1
Stranded 6.0 58 21.2 22.9
Stranded 10.0 105 35.3 36.3
Stranded 16.0 145 47.8 50.3
Stranded 25.0 217 73.9 75.4
 Table 4.15 - Cable factors (terms) for straight runs up to 3m.
Type of conductor Conductor c.s.a. (mm) Cable factor
Solid 1.0 22
Solid 1.5 27
Solid 2.5 39
Stranded 1.5 31
Stranded 2.5 43
Stranded 4.0 58
Stranded 6.0 88
Stranded 10.0 146
 Table 4.16 - Conduit factors (terms)
Length of run between boxes (m)
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10
Conduit,
-
straight
16mm 290 290 290 171 171 167 158 150
20mm 460 460 460 286 278 270 256 244
25mm 800 800 800 514 500 487 463 442
32mm 1400 1400 1400 900 878 857 818 783
Conduit,
one -
bend
16mm 188 177 167 158 150 143 130 120
20mm 303 286 270 256 244 233 213 196
25mm 543 514 487 463 442 422 388 258
32mm 947 900 857 818 783 750 692 643
Conduit,
two -
bends
16mm 177 158 143 130 120 111 97 86
20mm 286 256 233 213 196 182 159 141
25mm 514 463 422 388 358 333 292 260
32mm 900 818 750 692 643 600 529 474
For 38mm conduit use the 32mm factor x 1.4.
For 50mm conduit use the 32mm factor x 2.6.
For 63mm conduit use the 32mm factor x 4.2.
 Table 4.17 - Trunking factors (terms)
Dimensions of trunking (mm x mm) Factor
37.5 x 50 767
50 x 50 1037
25 x 75 738
37.5 x 75 1146
50 x 75 1555
75 x 75 2371
25 x 100 993
37.5 x 100 1542
50 x 100 2091
75 x 100 3189
100 x 100 4252
Example 1:
The following single-core p.v.c. insulated cables are to be
run in a conduit 6 m long with a double set: 8x1mm2,
4x2.5mm2 and 2x6mm. Choose a suitable size.

Consulting {Table 4.14} gives the following cable factors:

16 for 1 mm, 30 for 2.5 mm and 58 for 6 mm

Total cable factor is then (8 x 16) + (4 x 30) + (2 x 58)

= 128 + 120 + 116 = 364
EXAMPLE 1. What size of conduit is required for 6 No. 4mm
cables in a three metre run with no bends?
6 x 58 = 348 So the nearest size of conduit with a factor
greater than 348 is 20m