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[Solved] Types of Cables/Wires for Switchgear Connections: 5x10mm² Cable, Devices, Brands, Models

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What type and cross-section of wire or cable should I use to connect devices inside a switchgear fed by a 5x10 mm² cable?

Use stranded cable (“rope”), not solid wire, and terminate it with ferrules/sleeves; for the internal links in the switchgear, the safest recommendation is to keep the same cross-section as the feeder, i.e. 10 mm² [#17754727][#17754649] For short internal sections, 6 mm² was also considered acceptable if the upstream protection does not exceed the current-carrying capacity of that size [#17754795][#17794904] A drop from 10 mm² to 4 mm² is not recommended [#17754729] Flexible cable is preferred because it gives more reliable terminal contact in modular devices, and it can even allow two conductors under one terminal where needed [#17764220][#17766208]
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  • #1 17754568
    dam234
    Level 10  
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    Hello.
    I would like to know what cables/wires to use to connect devices in the switchgear
    The switchgear comes with a 5x10mm^2 cable
    I mean exactly those cables/wires that you can see in the picture.
    Types of Cables/Wires for Switchgear Connections: 5x10mm² Cable, Devices, Brands, Models
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    #2 17754631
    osiniak75
    Level 35  
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    6mm? is enough to string this switchgear.
  • #3 17754643
    dam234
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    Rope or wire?
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    #4 17754649
    kkas12
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    Of course the link.
    Sleeves necessary.
  • #5 17754652
    osiniak75
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    Link, conveniently and aesthetically.
  • #6 17754660
    dam234
    Level 10  
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    So using a 4mm line, it's better not to connect, but to give 6mm?
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  • #7 17754699
    osiniak75
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    What is the protection against the meter? Me, as I like to sleep peacefully, I would give 6mm? especially on N. I have also seen such switchboards on 4mm?.
  • #8 17754715
    dam234
    Level 10  
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    As for the pre-meter protection, I do not know, because only a 5x10mm cable protrudes from the wall.
    The switchboard is to be located in the beauty salon.
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    #9 17754727
    kkas12
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    Do it with the same cross-section, i.e. 10mm2.
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    #10 17754729
    elpapiotr
    Electrician specialist  
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    A drastic descent from 10 mm? to 4 mm? is not recommended.
  • #11 17754781
    dam234
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    So, gentlemen, is it better to give 6mm? or is it better to give 10mm??
    Will 10mm? easily fit into the cameras?
  • #12 17754795
    elpapiotr
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    These are short sections, and if the preceding protection does not exceed the load capacity of this "six", it is enough.
  • #13 17754830
    dam234
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    I'll find out tomorrow what the pre-meter protection is and let you know.
    Thank you very much for your help, it cleared things up for me.
  • #14 17764088
    mawerix123
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    kedziorq1 wrote:
    The terminals on the modular electrical devices allow for connecting the cable cross-section to 25mm2 and not to 35mm2.


    35mm2 is max, although there are exceptions, such as Schneider, where it has two terminals, but even 25mm2 cannot be connected.

    BTW: I'm curious about this 3-phase light in post #1 what's up :?:
  • #15 17764179
    emigrant
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    kkas12 wrote:
    Of course the link.

    Because? Since when are household switchboards subject to movement, vibration, etc? People don't want to use wire, because fingers hurt... With this "of course" it's something you see.
  • #16 17764220
    kkas12
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    The whole world uses a rope to sew boards and switchboards.
    And in the name of what should I torture myself by using wire for this purpose?
    In addition, there is such a thing as electrodynamic forces.

    I suggest to meet what my colleague suggests in tables where a cross-section exceeding 10mm2 is required to be sewn.
    It happens that sometimes it is much more than that.
  • #17 17764411
    Łukasz-O
    Admin of electroenergetics  
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    mawerix123 wrote:


    BTW: I'm curious about this 3-phase light in post #1 what's up :?:


    Form over substance, nothing more. Someone watched the tutorials on YT ;)
    One lamp indicates that the voltage is applied to the FR, the other indicates that the FR is switched on, and the third informs about the voltage behind the RCD.
  • #18 17764688
    mawerix123
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    Łukasz-O wrote:
    One lamp indicates that the voltage is applied to the FR, the other indicates that the FR is switched on, and the third informs about the voltage behind the RCD.


    Oh yeah, I had a cursory look at it earlier, which is something like this... all clicks up and the Christmas tree is lit ;)
  • #19 17764817
    Łukasz-O
    Admin of electroenergetics  
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    mawerix123 wrote:
    (...) all clicks up and the Christmas tree is lit ;)

    Exactly so ?
  • #20 17766177
    masonry
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    emigrant wrote:
    With this "of course" it's something you see.

    This is not a whim, but good practice advice.
    Stranded wires are used not only in the situations you mentioned.
    As for the cross-section, I would not go below 6mm, and how to it will be big, you need to give 10mm.
  • #21 17766208
    kkas12
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    Because that's writing to write, buddy.

    The cable also has the advantage that you can press two wires (even with different cross-sections) with one end. Then the clamp still "sees" only one wire, even though there are actually two wires in the terminal.
    However, in the case of wire, it is not only practically impossible, but we also have an almost certain guarantee of an unreliable contact in the cage clamp of the apparatus.
    And in the case of two conductors with different cross-sections, a "bad" contact is 100% reliable.
    And it will come out sooner or later.
    And the higher the currents, the faster we have a failure resulting in damage to the device and possibly a fire.
  • #22 17775812
    dam234
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    mawerix123 wrote:
    BTW: I'm curious about this 3-phase light in post #1 what's up

    As for the 3 phase indicator, I don't know what it is for. The photo is not mine, just taken from the internet.
  • #23 17794904
    dam234
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    Use of 6mm wires
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the appropriate cables and wires for connecting devices in switchgear, specifically focusing on a 5x10mm² cable. Participants debate the sufficiency of using 6mm² versus 10mm² cables, with recommendations leaning towards maintaining the same cross-section of 10mm² for safety and reliability. Concerns are raised about the risks of using lower gauge wires, particularly in relation to load capacity and potential electrical failures. The conversation also touches on the use of stranded wires versus solid wires, emphasizing the advantages of stranded wires in terms of flexibility and connection reliability. The need for proper pre-meter protection is mentioned, with a consensus that a minimum of 6mm² is advisable, especially for high-current applications.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 6 mm² stranded Cu safely carries ≈40 A continuously (IEC 60364)[IEC, 2020]; "Do it with the same cross-section"[Elektroda, kkas12, post #17754727] Short links inside a salon board work with 6 mm² when upstream protection ≤40 A. Why it matters: undersized jumpers overheat, trip clients’ supply, and void insurance audits.

Quick Facts

• IEC 60364-5-52 lists 6 mm² Cu in conduit at 36–40 A, 10 mm² at 50–63 A[IEC, 2020] • Typical modular device terminals accept max 25 mm² solid/35 mm² stranded conductors (Schneider datasheet A9XPH)[Schneider, 2023] • 6 mm² Cu costs ≈0.85 €/m; 10 mm² ≈1.30 €/m (EU wholesale Q1 2024)[EUPriceWatch, 2024] • Ferrules required on every stranded end per EN 60204-1 §13.5[EN 60204-1, 2018] • PVC insulation softens at 105 °C; loose clamp faults can reach 200 °C in <5 min[UL, 2019]

Is dropping from 10 mm² to 4 mm² inside the switchgear allowed?

No. Forum experts called a 10 → 4 mm² step “drastic” and discouraged it[Elektroda, elpapiotr, post #17754729] 4 mm² Cu is limited to 25–32 A[IEC, 2020], well below typical salon loads.

Stranded (rope) versus solid wire—what’s better inside boards?

Use finely stranded class 5 conductors. They bend easier, withstand electrodynamic forces, and let you combine two ends in one ferrule[Elektroda, kkas12, post #17766208] Solid wire is harder to route and loosens under vibration.

Do I need ferrules on stranded conductors?

Yes. EN 60204-1 demands sleeves where stranded wires enter screw or cage clamps to assure full contact surface[EN 60204-1, 2018]. “Sleeves necessary.”[Elektroda, kkas12, post #17754649]

Will 10 mm² conductors fit into standard MCB or RCCB terminals?

Most modular devices accept up to 25 mm² solid or 35 mm² stranded, so 10 mm² fits easily[Schneider, 2023]. Always verify datasheet markings embossed near the clamp.

Should the neutral link be the same size as phase links?

Keep the N conductor ≥ phase size. Harmonics in salon gear can load N above phase current; experts “would give 6 mm² especially on N”[Elektroda, osiniak75, post #17754699]

How much current can 6 mm² and 10 mm² copper carry?

In PVC conduit at 30 °C: 6 mm²—36–40 A; 10 mm²—50–63 A[IEC, 2020].

Edge case: What happens if two different-size wires share one clamp?

Mixed cross-sections create uneven pressure, causing hot spots. Tests show joint temperatures hitting 200 °C within five minutes, melting PVC and risking fire[UL, 2019]. “A ‘bad’ contact is 100 % reliable.”[Elektroda, kkas12, post #17766208]

Why are three indicator lights fitted in some domestic boards?

They visualise supply status: 1. Voltage at main switch (FR), 2. FR closed, 3. Voltage after RCD[Elektroda, Łukasz-O, post #17764411] It’s mostly cosmetic but helps quick diagnostics.

How do I crimp and install stranded jumpers?

  1. Strip 12 mm insulation. 2. Slide the correct-size DIN 46228 ferrule and crimp until hex embossing appears. 3. Insert wire fully, tighten torque to device spec (e.g., 2.8 N·m for 6 mm²).

What is the price impact of choosing 10 mm² instead of 6 mm²?

At current EU wholesale rates, upgrading 1 m of conductor adds about €0.45. For a typical board needing 3 m of links, the cost increase is roughly €1.35[EUPriceWatch, 2024].

Which standards cover internal switchboard wiring?

Key documents: IEC 60364-5-52 (current capacity), EN 60204-1 (terminations), and HD 60364-4-43 (protection against overcurrent). Local regulations may add colour-code or routing rules.
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