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EC-04 · Supply

Electrical Cable 16mm for Main Supplies and Sub-Boards

Electrical cable 16mm for main supplies, sub-DB feeds and three-phase runs: 4 core armoured, single core and earth. Request a free quote from a local supplier.

Cut ends of black 16mm four-core armoured cable showing copper cores and steel wire armour
Cut ends of black 16mm four-core armoured cable showing copper cores and steel wire armour

Electrical cable 16mm is the size most often used to carry power from the meter to the main DB board, or from the main board to a sub-board in an outbuilding, flat or workshop. It comes as single-core house wire, flat or round multicore and, most commonly, as 16mm 4 core armoured cable for buried runs. ElectricalCable.co.za doesn't sell cable. Tell us what you need and where, and we pass your request to an independent cable supplier or electrical contractor in your area, who quotes you directly at no cost to you.

Where 16mm cable is used

16mm electrical cable (16 mm² cross-section) sits between the 6–10 mm² sizes used for stoves, geysers and small sub-feeds and the heavy cables used in factories. Typical jobs include:

  • The supply from a municipal or Eskom meter kiosk to a house DB board
  • A sub-main to a granny flat, garage workshop or borehole pump house
  • Three-phase feeds to small shops, workshops and farm sheds
  • Inverter and backup power changeover connections on larger systems

Whether 16 mm² is right depends on load, run length and how the cable is installed, so an electrician must size it to SANS 10142-1.

Armoured, single core or multicore

For underground or exposed runs, armoured cable 16mm (PVC/SWA/PVC, 600/1000 V) is the usual choice: the steel wire armour protects against spades and rodents and can form part of the earth path. Inside buildings, 16 mm² single-core house wire is pulled through conduit, and round multicore cable can be clipped to walls or laid on cable tray. Two-core suits single-phase supplies; three- and four-core cable carries three-phase power. Unarmoured round cable is lighter and easier to bend, but it is not meant to be buried without extra protection such as a sleeve or conduit, so tell the supplier exactly how the run will be installed.

What affects the 16mm electrical cable price

We don't publish prices, because they move with the copper price almost weekly. What drives a 16mm electrical cable price is the number of cores, armoured or unarmoured, copper or aluminium conductors, the length you need and whether you buy a cut length or a full drum. Brand, stock levels and delivery to site also count. A 16mm 4 core armoured cable price is quoted per metre, so measure the route and add enough for glanding at both ends. Quotes are normally valid for a few days only, so confirm before you pay.

Installation and compliance

A 16 mm² supply cable is fixed wiring, so it must be installed or signed off by a registered electrician who issues a Certificate of Compliance (COC). They will check volt drop over the distance, choose glands and lugs to suit, set the burial depth and protection, and fit the right circuit breaker. Many suppliers can recommend a local electrical contractor if you need supply and installation together. If the supply connects to a municipal or Eskom meter, the electrician also handles any paperwork the utility needs before reconnection.

Comparing 16mm electrical cable prices

Cable prices change with the copper price, size, brand and quantity. When quotes arrive, check:

  • Exact specification: size in mm², cores, conductor, insulation, armour and voltage rating.
  • Quantity: cut length or full drum, and whether the drum deposit is refundable.
  • Standards: SABS-marked cable to the relevant SANS standard, not unmarked imports.
  • Delivery: lead time, delivery to site and offloading of heavy drums.

What to include in your request

  • Number of cores and whether you need armoured cable
  • Total length of the run, plus extra for terminations
  • Copper or aluminium, and any brand preference
  • Whether you want glands, lugs and installation quoted too
  • Delivery address and when you need the cable

Frequently asked questions

What is 16mm cable used for in a house?
Mostly for the main supply between the meter and the DB board, or for a sub-main to an outbuilding or flat. Some larger stoves, heat pumps and inverter installations also need it. Your electrician decides the size after calculating load and volt drop.
Is 16mm armoured cable sold per metre?
Yes. Most electrical wholesalers sell 16mm armoured cable as cut lengths priced per metre, or as full drums for long runs. Full drums usually work out cheaper per metre, but you pay for the whole drum. Ask for both options in your quote request.
How many cores do I need in 16mm cable?
A single-phase supply usually uses two-core armoured cable, with the armour or a separate conductor as earth. A three-phase supply needs four-core cable (three phases plus neutral). Some designs call for an extra earth core, so confirm with your electrician before ordering.
Can I use aluminium instead of copper 16mm cable?
Aluminium is lighter and cheaper but carries less current for the same size, so it usually has to be a size bigger. It also needs suitable lugs and terminations. At 16 mm² most domestic installs use copper; aluminium is more common on large feeders.

16mm Electrical Cable by province

16mm Electrical Cable by city

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