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EC-02 · Supply

Surfix Cable: Flat Twin and Earth for Lights and Plugs

Surfix cable in 1.5mm, 2.5mm, 4mm and 6mm, cut lengths or 100m rolls. Send one free request and an electrical cable supplier near you quotes you directly.

Grey flat surfix cable clipped along a roof timber in a South African ceiling space
Grey flat surfix cable clipped along a roof timber in a South African ceiling space

Surfix cable is the flat, grey twin-and-earth cable used for most lighting and plug circuits in South African homes. It has two insulated copper cores and a bare earth wire under one PVC sheath, so it is quick to run through roof spaces and along surfaces. ElectricalCable.co.za doesn't sell cable. Tell us the sizes and lengths you need and we pass your request to an independent supplier or registered electrical contractor in your area, who quotes you directly. The request is free and there is no obligation to accept.

Surfix sizes and what they are used for

  • Surfix cable 1.5mm: lighting circuits and downlights
  • Surfix cable 2.5mm: plug circuits, the most common size in a house
  • 4mm surfix cable: heavier loads such as some stoves, geysers and outbuilding feeds
  • 6mm surfix cable: stoves, larger geysers and short sub-feeds

These are typical uses only. Cable length, volt drop and how the cable is run all affect the right size, and your electrician must confirm it for each circuit. Smaller 1 mm² and larger 10 mm² surfix are also made, but they are less common.

Where surfix can and can't go

Surfix is made for dry, protected positions: clipped along roof timbers, run on the surface, or drawn through conduit where it fits. It is not meant to be buried directly in the ground or left exposed to sun and weather, where the PVC sheath breaks down. Underground runs to a gate motor or outbuilding normally call for armoured cable. Because the earth in surfix is bare, it must be sleeved in green/yellow where it is terminated, one of many details covered by SANS 10142-1. In walls, wiring is normally run as house wire in conduit, so surfix is mostly used above the ceiling and dropped down to switches and plugs through conduit.

Buying surfix: rolls or cut lengths

Surfix is sold by the metre, in boxed 100 m rolls and sometimes on drums. A surfix cable 2.5mm 100m roll is the usual buy for a renovation or a new house, because full rolls are better value than cut lengths. If you are comparing a 2.5 mm surfix cable price per meter, check that each quote is for the same size and for genuine copper cable made to SANS 1507, with markings on the sheath. Very cheap surfix is sometimes undersized or not pure copper, and it can overheat under load. Ask whether the price includes VAT and delivery.

Installation and the COC

Running new surfix in your roof is fixed wiring, so it must be done or signed off by a registered electrician who issues a Certificate of Compliance. Many homeowners buy the surfix and ask an electrician to install it, while others prefer a single supply-and-install quote. Either way, include the number of circuits and points, so the electrician can work out the cable sizes and quantities properly. Mention whether the roof is easy to access, as tight roof spaces take longer to wire.

Comparing surfix 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

  • Sizes needed (1.5, 2.5, 4 or 6 mm²) and metres or rolls of each
  • Supply only, or supply and installation with a COC
  • Number of light and plug points or circuits, for installation
  • Delivery address or collection, and when you need it
  • Whether you want SANS-approved copper surfix only

Frequently asked questions

What size surfix cable do I need for plugs?
Plug circuits in homes are usually wired in 2.5 mm² surfix and lights in 1.5 mm². Long runs or heavy loads may need a larger size. A registered electrician should confirm the size for each circuit against SANS 10142-1, and select a matching circuit breaker.
How much surfix comes in a roll?
The standard roll is 100 metres, sold boxed. Many suppliers also cut surfix to length by the metre, and some hold larger drums for contractors. Full rolls usually work out cheaper per metre, and leftover cable is handy for future plug or light points.
Can surfix cable be used outside or underground?
No. Surfix is designed for dry, protected positions indoors. For underground or outdoor runs, an electrician will usually specify armoured cable or suitable cable in conduit, with the right glands and terminations. Sunlight and damp quickly damage the PVC sheath on surfix.
What colours are the cores in surfix?
Older surfix usually has red and black cores, while newer cable may use brown and blue. The earth is bare copper and must be sleeved in green/yellow at terminations. Always have an electrician test before working on a circuit.

Surfix Cable by province

Surfix Cable by city

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