BS 6004

The British Standard BS 6004 outlines the specifications for electric cables used for domestic and light industrial wiring. It covers insulated and sheathed cables with voltage ratings of up to 300/500 V. This standard ensures the safety, reliability, and performance of cables commonly used in fixed installations, specifying materials, dimensions, and testing methods to comply with regulatory requirements.

Title: Electric cables – PVC insulated and PVC sheathed cables for voltages up to and including 300/500V for electric power and lighting

Scope: BS 6004 includes the following types of cable:

• PVC insulated and sheathed cable 300/500 V, single core 6181Y, flat-twin 6192Y and 3-core 6193Y (Table 3)
• PVC insulated and sheathed cable with circuit protective conductor, 300/500 V, single core 6241Y, flat-twin 6242Y and 3-core 6243Y (Table 4)
• PVC insulated and sheathed cable with or without circuit protective conductor, 300/500 V, single core 6181Y, flat-twin 6192Y and 3-core 6193Y (Table 5 – alternative conductor versions)

BS 6004 now also includes ordinary duty low-temperature PVC insulated and sheathed flexible cables, parallel twin, circular twin, 3-core, 4 core and 5 core, 300/500 V previously included in BS 7919 (Table 6)

Annex A provides clarification on where information from earlier versions of BS 6004 and BS 7919 were moved in the current edition of the standard and BS EN 50525-2-31. Annex B clarifies which cables have been transferred to the various parts of BS EN 50525.

It is important for users to understand the relationship between CMA Cable coding and the harmonised CENELEC code designations. This information is given in Annex A and Annex B of the standard.

Tratos specialises in manufacturing circular PVC-insulated, PVC-sheathed circular types 6181Y from Table 3, which are used as meter tails by the English DNOs.
These are available in the following class 2 conductor sizes 10, 16, 25 and 35 mm2.

Although the Standard only includes the following colour combinations:

• Insulation – Brown or Blue
• Sheath – Grey (although other colours may be supplied by agreement between the manufacturer and customer)

The Tratos manufacturing range includes:

• Insulation – PVC Type TI1 – brown, blue or green/yellow
• Sheath – PVC Type 6 – colour – grey, brown, blue or green/yellow