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EC-01 · Supply

Electrical Cable Supplied and Installed Across South Africa

Electrical cable for homes, solar, factories and farms: surfix, house wire, armoured, flex and more. Send one free request and a local supplier quotes you.

Drums of grey, black and red electrical cable stacked in an electrical wholesaler's yard
Drums of grey, black and red electrical cable stacked in an electrical wholesaler's yard

Every house, shop, solar system and factory runs on electrical cable, and choosing the right type and size is the first step to a safe, compliant installation. ElectricalCable.co.za helps you find the right people. Tell us what electric cable you need, how much and where you are, and we pass your request to an independent cable supplier or registered electrical contractor serving your area. They quote you directly for supply, installation or both. We don't sell, stock or install cable ourselves, the service is free and there is no obligation to accept.

Common electrical cable types

Searching for an electrical cable type turns up dozens of names. These are the ones most South African jobs use:

  • Surfix (flat twin and earth): lights and plugs in roof spaces and surface runs
  • House wire: single-core PVC wire pulled through conduit in walls
  • Flex: round, flexible cord for appliances and extension leads
  • Armoured cable (SWA): steel-wire armoured cable for underground supplies, pumps and sub-DBs
  • Solar, battery and welding cable: specialist DC and fine-strand cables
  • XLPE and MV cable: heavy feeders for factories, mines and municipalities
  • Data cable: Cat6 and network cable for offices and homes

Each type comes in several sizes, measured in mm² of conductor. If you are unsure, describe the job and let the supplier or electrician recommend the cable.

Supply, installation or both

Some people only need electrical cable for sale by the metre or on a drum, delivered to site. Others need the whole job done. Fixed wiring in South Africa must be installed or signed off by a registered electrician, who issues a Certificate of Compliance (COC) under SANS 10142-1. If you are a builder or contractor buying cable for your own team, ask for supply only. If you are a homeowner or business, a supply-and-install quote from an electrical contractor is usually simpler and makes one person responsible for the COC. It also avoids buying the wrong size or too much cable.

Choosing a supplier

There are many electrical cable suppliers in South Africa, from hardware stores selling cut lengths to electrical wholesalers holding full drums. Cable sold for fixed wiring should be made to the relevant SANS standard, such as SANS 1507 for PVC-insulated cable, and carry the approval marks on the sheath. Several electrical cable manufacturers in South Africa supply local wholesalers, alongside imported brands. Be wary of cable that is unusually light or cheap: undersized or copper-clad aluminium conductors sold as copper are a known problem and can overheat.

What changes the cost

The price of cable follows the copper price closely, so quotes can move from month to month. Size, number of cores, armouring, length, whether you buy a cut length or a full drum, and delivery distance all play a part. Installation adds labour, trenching, conduit, trays, glands and testing. Buying a full roll or drum is usually cheaper per metre than cut lengths, and ordering all sizes from one supplier can save on delivery. Rather than relying on an old price list, send your sizes and lengths and get a free quote that reflects today's prices.

Comparing 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

  • Cable type, size in mm² and number of cores, if known
  • Length needed per size, or the plan or bill of quantities
  • Supply only, or supply and installation with a COC
  • Delivery address and when you need the cable on site
  • What the cable feeds (DB, pump, geyser, inverter, building)

Frequently asked questions

Do you sell electrical cable?
No. ElectricalCable.co.za is a free quote-request service. We pass your request to an independent cable supplier or electrical contractor near you, who quotes you directly and supplies or installs the cable if you accept. There is no charge for the request and no obligation to go ahead.
Which electrical cable do I need for my house?
Most homes use 1.5 mm² cable for lighting circuits and 2.5 mm² for plug circuits, with larger cable for stoves, geysers and the main supply. The exact size depends on the load, cable length and installation method, so a registered electrician should confirm it.
Can I install electrical cable myself?
Fixed wiring must be installed or checked and signed off by a registered electrician, who issues a Certificate of Compliance. Unauthorised work can affect your insurance and your COC when you sell the property, so ask an electrical contractor to quote.
Is electric cable sold per metre or per roll?
Both. Smaller cable such as surfix and house wire is sold in cut lengths, 100 m rolls or boxes. Armoured and larger cable is usually cut from drums or supplied as a full drum. Full rolls and drums are normally better value per metre, so ask your electrician for quantities before you order.

Electrical Cable by province

Electrical Cable by city

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