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EC-03 · Supply

2.5 mm Electrical Cable: Prices, Types and Uses

Looking for a 2.5 mm electrical cable price? Surfix twin and earth or 2.5mm house wire, by the metre or 100m roll. Request a free quote from a local supplier.

Boxed 100 m rolls of 2.5 mm twin and earth cable and coils of red and black house wire
Boxed 100 m rolls of 2.5 mm twin and earth cable and coils of red and black house wire

The 2.5 mm electrical cable price is one of the most searched cable prices in South Africa, because 2.5 mm² is the standard size for plug circuits in homes and offices. It comes as flat surfix twin and earth or as single-core house wire for conduit. ElectricalCable.co.za doesn't sell cable or publish price lists. Tell us which 2.5 mm cable you need and how much, and we pass your request to an independent supplier or electrical contractor near you, who quotes you directly at today's price. The request is free.

Twin and earth or house wire?

Electrical cable 2.5mm twin and earth (surfix) has two insulated cores and a bare earth in one flat sheath. It is clipped in roof spaces and on surfaces. House wire 2.5mm is a single insulated core, bought in separate colours for live, neutral and earth, and pulled through conduit chased into walls. Most houses use both. Check with your electrician which type the job needs before you buy, so you don't end up with rolls of the wrong cable. If you buy house wire, you will need separate rolls for live, neutral and earth, which affects the total quantity.

What 2.5 mm cable is used for

In homes and offices, electrical cable 2.5mm typically feeds plug circuits, some fixed appliances and short runs to small outbuildings. It is not normally used for stoves, large geysers or main supplies, which need bigger cable. Even on plug circuits, long runs, heavy loads, cable bunched with other circuits or cable buried in insulation may need a larger size. A registered electrician works this out to SANS 10142-1 and issues the COC once the circuit is tested. Kitchens often get more than one plug circuit because kettles, microwaves and toasters run at the same time.

What drives the price

  • Copper price: the biggest factor, and it changes month to month
  • Type: surfix and house wire are priced differently per metre
  • Quantity: a 100 m roll usually costs less per metre than cut lengths
  • Quality: SANS-approved, full-size copper costs more than cheap, undersized cable
  • Delivery: distance and order size affect the delivered price

Because copper moves with world markets and the rand, ask how long a quote is valid before you accept it.

Comparing quotes

When comparing a 2.5 mm house wire price or surfix price, make sure each quote is for the same type, length and quality. Hardware store prices for a few metres are rarely a good guide to the cost of a full roll from an electrical wholesaler. Ask whether the cable is made to SANS 1507 with the sheath marked, and whether delivery is included. Also check VAT, cutting fees and whether you can return unused rolls. Send your quantities and get a free quote rather than relying on an old price list.

Comparing 2.5mm 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

  • Surfix twin and earth, house wire, or both
  • Metres or number of 100 m rolls needed
  • House wire colours required (live, neutral, earth)
  • Delivery address or collection, and timing
  • Whether you also need installation and a COC

Frequently asked questions

What is the price of 2.5 mm electrical cable per metre?
We don't publish prices because cable prices follow the copper price and change often. The cost per metre also depends on whether you buy surfix or house wire, a cut length or a full roll. Request a quote for current pricing on the quantity you actually need.
Is 2.5 mm cable enough for a stove or geyser?
Usually not. Stoves and geysers normally need larger cable, often 4 mm² or 6 mm², depending on the appliance and the length of the run. A registered electrician must size the circuit to SANS 10142-1 and fit a breaker that matches the cable.
How many plugs can go on a 2.5 mm circuit?
It depends on the circuit breaker rating, the expected loads and the cable route, not on a fixed number. Your electrician designs plug circuits to SANS 10142-1, and kitchens and heavy-use areas often get separate circuits so one appliance doesn't trip the whole room.
Should I buy a 100 m roll or a cut length?
For a renovation or new build, a 100 m roll is usually better value. For a single extra plug point, a cut length may be enough. Ask your electrician for the quantity before buying, including allowance for drops to switches and plugs.

2.5mm Electrical Cable by province

2.5mm Electrical Cable by city

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