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EC-06 · Supply

Electrical Cable 3 Core, 4 Core and 2 Core Supply

Electrical cable 3 core, 2 core and 4 core for single-phase and three-phase supplies, armoured or unarmoured. Request a free quote from a supplier near you.

Grey round multicore cables with three and four coloured cores laid on a workbench
Grey round multicore cables with three and four coloured cores laid on a workbench

Multicore cable is simply several insulated conductors under one sheath. Electrical cable 3 core carries live, neutral and earth for single-phase circuits, while 4 core cable carries three phases plus neutral for three-phase supplies. Both come round or flat, armoured or unarmoured, in sizes from 1.5 mm² upwards. ElectricalCable.co.za doesn't sell cable ourselves. Send us one request with the cores, size and length you need, and an independent cable supplier or electrical contractor in your area quotes you directly, free and without obligation.

2 core, 3 core and 4 core explained

  • Electrical cable 2 core: live and neutral only, used for some lighting, controls and armoured supplies where the armour carries the earth
  • 3 core: live, neutral and earth for single-phase appliances, pumps and sub-feeds, or three phases without a neutral for some motors
  • 4 core: three phases plus neutral, the standard for three-phase distribution
  • 5 core: three phases, neutral and a separate earth where the design calls for it

Flat surfix (twin and earth) is a separate product for house wiring and is covered on its own page.

Single-phase or three-phase

Most homes are single-phase, so 3 core cable or twin and earth covers most circuits. Workshops, farms, shops and factories often have a three-phase supply for motors, compressors, welders and large heat pumps. Electrical cable 3 phase work normally uses four-core cable. In newer cable the phase cores are brown, black and grey with a blue neutral; older installations used red, white (or yellow) and blue phases with a black neutral. Mixing the two codes on one board needs care and clear marking.

Round, armoured or flexible

Round PVC multicore cable is clipped to walls or laid on tray indoors. 4 core armoured cable is used for buried and exposed runs. Flexible multicore cords to SANS 1574 connect portable equipment and machines that move. The supplier needs to know where the cable goes so they quote the right construction, not just the right size. Sun-exposed runs need a UV-resistant sheath, and cables near hot plant or oil need a suitable outer jacket, so mention any harsh conditions up front.

What drives the price

A 3 core electrical cable price depends on conductor size, the number of cores, copper content, armoured or plain sheath, brand and length. Prices track the copper market, so suppliers quote for a limited period. Ordering the full run at once, and asking for drum and cut-length prices, helps you compare fairly. Remember that three-phase jobs often need more than cable alone: glands, lugs, isolators and a suitable breaker can all go on the same quote request, which saves a second trip to the electrical wholesaler.

Comparing 3 core and 4 core 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 conductor size
  • Single-phase or three-phase, and what the cable feeds
  • Armoured, plain round or flexible construction
  • Total length and whether you want a drum or cut lengths
  • Delivery area and whether installation should be quoted

Frequently asked questions

Do I need 3 core or 4 core cable for three-phase?
Three-phase supplies that need a neutral, such as a distribution board, use four-core cable. Some three-phase motors need only three phases plus earth, so 3 core armoured cable can work. Your electrician specifies this from the equipment and the board.
Can I use 3 core cable instead of surfix?
Round 3 core cable carries the same conductors as surfix and is often used where a tougher, round sheath suits better, for example on surface runs or through glands. Which is allowed depends on the installation method, so check with your electrician.
What are the core colours in 4 core cable?
Newer cable uses brown, black and grey for the three phases and blue for neutral. Older installations used red, white or yellow and blue for phases with black as neutral. Earth, if present, is green/yellow. Always test before working, because old and new colours are sometimes mixed in the same building.
Is electrical wire 3 phase different from normal wire?
The conductors are the same type; three-phase circuits simply use more of them. Three-phase installation must be done by a registered electrician, and some three-phase work needs a higher category of registration. Ask to see the electrician's registration before work starts.

3 Core and 4 Core Cable by province

3 Core and 4 Core Cable by city

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