Factory-Direct Supply of Certified Wires and Conductors for Diverse Industrial Applications
1.5mm 2.5mm 12 Core Steel Wire Armoured SWA Cable
Standard: MS 2103 / IEC 60502-1
Rated Voltage: 600/1000V (0.6/1kV)
Conductor: Plain annealed stranded copper, Class 2 (IEC 60228)
Insulation: PVC Type PVC/A (white with black numbering)
Inner Bedding: PVC Type ST1
Armour: Galvanised steel wire (SWA)
Outer Sheath: PVC Type ST1, black
Conductor Sizes: 1.5 / 2.5 / 4 mm²
Core Counts: 5 / 7 / 9 / 12 / 19 / 27 / 37 / 48 cores
Max. Conductor Temperature: +70°C
Operating Temperature: −30°C to +70°C (fixed); −5°C to +70°C (flexing)
Product Overview
Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) Control Cable — 1.5mm² & 2.5mm², 5 to 48 Cores is a multi-core PVC insulated, PVC bedded, steel wire armoured, PVC sheathed control cable rated at 600/1000V (0.6/1kV), manufactured to MS 2103 (Malaysian Standard for Armoured Control Cables) and IEC 60502-1. It is designed for fixed installation in control, instrumentation, signalling, and low-voltage power distribution circuits where the steel wire armour provides mechanical protection against impact, compression, and rodent attack — enabling direct burial, installation in concrete, and routing through areas with high mechanical hazard risk.
Each core consists of a plain annealed stranded copper conductor (Class 2 per IEC 60228) individually insulated with PVC (Type PVC/A) and colour-coded white with black numbering for core identification. The assembled cores are laid up over an inner PVC bedding layer, then armoured with a single layer of galvanised steel wires, and finished with a black PVC outer sheath (Type ST1). The steel wire armour also serves as a Circuit Protective Conductor (CPC) — it can be used as the earth for the circuit, providing mechanical protection and earth continuity in a single armour layer. Available in conductor sizes 1.5 mm², 2.5 mm², and 4 mm², with core counts from 5 to 48 cores.
Steel Wire Armour — Dual Function
The galvanised steel wire armour layer serves two purposes simultaneously: mechanical protection (impact, compression, rodent resistance) and earthing (the armour can be bonded as a CPC — Circuit Protective Conductor), eliminating the need for a separate earth conductor in many installation configurations.
MS 2103 / IEC 60502-1 Compliance
Dual standard certification — MS 2103 for Malaysian utility and industrial procurement compliance, and IEC 60502-1 for international project specifications. Accepted across Southeast Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African markets where either standard is referenced.
5 to 48 Cores — Full Control System Coverage
A single cable family covers the full range of control circuit core counts: 5-core for simple motor starter circuits, through 12-core and 19-core for PLC I/O marshalling, to 27/37/48-core for complex multi-point control and instrumentation terminations — minimising cable route congestion in control rooms and marshalling panels.
White Numbered Core Identification
All cores are white PVC insulated with sequential black numbering — providing unambiguous core identification throughout installation, testing, and maintenance. Numbered cores eliminate the colour-code ambiguity of power cables when more than 6 cores are required, and remain legible after years in service.
Direct Burial & Concrete Encasement Suitable
Steel wire armour provides the mechanical protection required for direct burial in ground and routing through concrete without additional conduit — reducing installation cost versus unarmoured cable in duct. The armour also protects against accidental damage from excavation equipment in underground cable routes.
−30°C to +70°C Operating Range
PVC insulation and sheath maintain rated dielectric properties from −30°C (fixed installation minimum) to +70°C (continuous maximum conductor temperature) — covering outdoor installations in cold climates and industrial environments with elevated ambient temperatures around machinery and process equipment.
Technical Specifications
Construction & Electrical Parameters
| Standard | MS 2103 / IEC 60502-1 |
|---|---|
| Rated Voltage | 600/1000V (U₀/U = 0.6/1kV) |
| Conductor | Plain annealed stranded copper, Class 2 (IEC 60228) |
| Insulation | PVC Type PVC/A |
| Core Identification | White insulation with sequential black numbering |
| Inner Bedding | PVC Type ST1 |
| Armour | Galvanised steel wire (SWA — Steel Wire Armour) |
| Outer Sheath | PVC Type ST1, black |
| Conductor Sizes | 1.5 mm² / 2.5 mm² / 4 mm² |
| Core Counts | 5 / 7 / 9 / 12 / 19 / 27 / 37 / 48 cores |
| Max. Conductor Temperature | +70 °C (continuous) |
| Operating Temperature | −30 °C to +70 °C (fixed installation); −5 °C to +70 °C (flexing) |
| Min. Bending Radius | 4 × OD (fixed installation); 15 × OD (flexing) |
| Insulation Resistance | Min. 20 GΩ·cm |
| Test Voltage | 4,000 V AC |
| Breakdown Voltage | Min. 8,000 V |
| SWA as CPC | Yes — steel wire armour may be used as Circuit Protective Conductor (earth) |
| Packaging | Export wooden drum; standard lengths 500 m / 1000 m; custom lengths available |
Full Parameter Table — SWA Armoured Control Cable (1.5 / 2.5 / 4 mm²)
| Cores | Cross-Section (mm²) | Conductor (No./mm) | Insulation Thickness (mm) | Bedding Thickness (mm) | Steel Wire Ø (mm) | Sheath Thickness (mm) | Overall Ø (mm) | Net Weight (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1.5 | 7/0.53 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 14.0 | 456 |
| 7 | 1.5 | 7/0.53 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 14.9 | 467 |
| 9 | 1.5 | 7/0.53 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 18.1 | 693 |
| 12 | 1.5 | 7/0.53 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 19.1 | 784 |
| 19 | 1.5 | 7/0.53 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.25 | 1.6 | 21.8 | 1027 |
| 27 | 1.5 | 7/0.53 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 26.4 | 1512 |
| 37 | 1.5 | 7/0.53 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 30.1 | 1848 |
| 48 | 1.5 | 7/0.53 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 34.6 | 2246 |
| 5 | 2.5 | 7/0.67 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 15.9 | 516 |
| 7 | 2.5 | 7/0.67 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 17.6 | 707 |
| 9 | 2.5 | 7/0.67 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.25 | 1.6 | 20.6 | 887 |
| 12 | 2.5 | 7/0.67 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.25 | 1.6 | 21.9 | 1019 |
| 19 | 2.5 | 7/0.67 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 26.2 | 1550 |
| 27 | 2.5 | 7/0.67 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 30.4 | 1994 |
| 37 | 2.5 | 7/0.67 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 35.0 | 2508 |
| 48 | 2.5 | 7/0.67 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 41.2 | 3365 |
| 5 | 4 | 7/0.85 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.25 | 1.5 | 18.5 | 766 |
| 7 | 4 | 7/0.85 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.25 | 1.6 | 20.0 | 915 |
| 9 | 4 | 7/0.85 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 24.6 | 1329 |
| 12 | 4 | 7/0.85 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 26.2 | 1535 |
| 19 | 4 | 7/0.85 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 30.0 | 2052 |
Key Features & Technical Advantages
Steel Wire Armour as CPC
The steel wire armour can be connected at both ends to the protective earth system, serving as the Circuit Protective Conductor (earth) for the cable circuit. This dual function eliminates the need for a separate earth core in many control circuit applications — simplifying termination, reducing conductor count, and lowering cable cost without compromising protection.
Numbered Core Identification — Termination Efficiency
Sequential black numbering on white insulation provides unambiguous core identification from installation through the full service life of the cable. Unlike colour-coded systems that become ambiguous beyond 6 or 7 cores, numbered identification scales to 48 cores without confusion — dramatically reducing termination errors and maintenance rework in large marshalling panels.
Mechanical Protection for Exposed Routes
The SWA layer provides impact resistance, crush resistance, and rodent protection — enabling cable routing in areas where PVC unarmoured cable would be damaged: under floors, through concrete, in cable trenches with soil backfill, along external building walls, and in industrial environments with heavy mechanical traffic or rodent populations.
High Insulation Resistance — Min. 20 GΩ·cm
The high insulation resistance (minimum 20 GΩ·cm per MS 2103/IEC 60502-1) ensures negligible leakage current between cores in control circuits — critical for low-level analogue signals where cross-talk or earth leakage from adjacent energised cores would cause measurement errors or spurious relay operation.
4kV Test / 8kV Breakdown Voltage
The 4,000V AC test voltage and minimum 8,000V breakdown voltage provide a substantial safety margin above the rated 1,000V working voltage — ensuring insulation integrity is maintained even in conditions of moisture ingress, partial discharge, or voltage surges from switching transients in motor control and distribution circuits.
Flexible Installation Options
Suitable for fixed installation (min. bend radius 4×OD, temperature range −30°C to +70°C) and limited flexing (min. bend radius 15×OD, −5°C to +70°C). Fixed installation range covers the vast majority of control cable applications; the flexing range accommodates connection to retractable panels, sliding trays, and hinged enclosure doors.
Certifications & Standards
Typical Applications
Industrial Motor Control
Multi-core SWA cable for motor starter, VFD, and soft-starter control wiring — armour protection in industrial environments with mechanical hazard and rodent risk.
Switchgear & Panel Control
Control wiring between HV/MV switchgear cubicles and local control panels — armour provides mechanical protection for critical protection and interlock circuits.
Substation Control & Protection
Secondary control, protection relay, and metering circuits in HV substations — SWA cable in direct burial cable routes between outdoor equipment and control buildings.
Building Services Control
BMS (Building Management System) control wiring, fire alarm circuits, access control, and HVAC control — armoured cable in building service shafts and under-floor routes.
Direct Burial Control Runs
Underground control cable between outdoor equipment (pumps, valves, sensors) and control buildings — SWA eliminates the need for conduit in direct burial applications.
Utility Distribution Control
Control, protection, and SCADA communication wiring for distribution substations and ring main units in urban distribution networks across Southeast Asia and Commonwealth markets.
Oil & Gas Facilities
Process control and instrumentation wiring in onshore oil and gas facilities — SWA mechanical protection essential in pipe rack environments where cable damage risk is high.
Railway & Infrastructure
Signalling and control cable for railway trackside equipment, tunnel lighting control, and road tunnel ventilation and safety systems — direct burial and mechanical protection required.
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Frequently Asked Questions
As a factory, we offer flexible MOQ depending on the cable type. For standard stock items, MOQ is low; for customized specifications, please contact our sales team for a detailed quote.
Yes, Qiangli cables are manufactured in compliance with international standards such as UL, CE, TUV, and VDE. We provide full test reports and certificates upon request.
Absolutely. We have a dedicated R&D team that can customize cable structure, material, color, and printing to meet your specific project needs.
For standard products, lead time is usually 7-15 days. For large-scale project orders or customized products, it typically ranges from 20 to 30 days.
Yes, we provide free samples for most standard cables. You only need to cover the international courier costs. Contact us to arrange your sample shipment.