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Flexible Cable

Flexible cable, or flex, has stranded conductors so it can bend and move, which makes it the cable for appliance leads, pendant drops and connections to fittings rather than fixed wiring in walls. This range is Mercury 2 and 3 core round and oval PVC flex, including 2182Y, 3182Y, 3183Y and 2192Y types, with conductors from 0.5mm² to 1.5mm², and SFX twin flex, mostly on 100m reels, in white and black.

Choosing Flexible Cable

Choose flex by the number of cores, the conductor size for the current, and the voltage rating.

Cores

2 core flex carries live and neutral for double-insulated appliances and fittings that need no earth. 3 core flex adds an earth conductor, for appliances and fittings that must be earthed, such as the Mercury 3183Y 804.341UK.

Conductor size and current

Mercury flex titles often give the current rating with the size: the 804.323UK is 0.75mm² and 6A, the 804.404UK is 1.25mm² and 13A, and the 804.335UK 3182Y is 1.5mm² and 15A. Oval 2192Y flex suits light-duty leads: the 804.362UK is 0.5mm² and the 804.365UK is rated 3A.

Voltage rating

Flex marked 300/300V is light-duty, while 300/500V flex such as the 3182Y 804.329UK, typed HO5VV-F2, is for ordinary-duty appliance leads.

TypeExampleRating
2182Y 2 core roundMercury 804.323UK0.75mm², 6A, 300/300V
3182Y 2 core roundMercury 804.335UK1.5mm², 15A, 300/500V
3183Y 3 core roundMercury 804.341UK10A, 300/500V, white
2192Y 2 core ovalMercury 804.365UK3A, 300/300V
Twin flexSFX MF11.0 mm², black PVC

Colours and approvals

Flex comes in white and black sheaths, so a lead can match the appliance or fitting it serves. The Mercury 804.350UK 3 core cable and 804.396UK 50m reel state BSI and VDE approval in their titles, and the 804.362UK 2192Y oval flex states BSI approval.

Brands we stock in flex

Mercury and SFX Cables. Mercury supplies the round and oval PVC flex, and SFX Cables the twin flex.

Related categories

Part of our electrical cable and wire range. Not sure which flex you need? See our Help & Support guides.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between flex and twin and earth cable?

Flex has stranded conductors and a round or oval PVC sheath so it can bend, for appliance leads and connections to fittings. Twin and earth has solid conductors and a flat sheath for fixed wiring inside walls and ceilings, and it is not part of this range.

What size flex do I need for a 13A appliance?

Match the flex to the appliance's current and fuse. In this range, the 1.25mm² Mercury 804.404UK is rated 13A and the 1.5mm² 3182Y 804.335UK 15A, while the 0.75mm² 804.323UK is rated 6A for lighter loads. Fit the fuse the appliance maker specifies in the plug.

What do 2182Y, 3182Y and 3183Y mean?

They are UK cable codes for PVC flex. The first digit gives the voltage grade, 2 for 300/300V and 3 for 300/500V, 18 or 19 marks flexible round or oval construction, the next digit is the number of cores, and Y is the PVC sheath.

Do I need 2 core or 3 core flex?

Use 3 core flex, with an earth conductor, for appliances and fittings that must be earthed. 2 core flex is for double-insulated appliances and fittings, marked with the double square symbol, which need no earth. Mercury makes 2 core and 3 core round PVC flex, such as the 804.335UK and the 804.341UK.

What does 300/500V mean on flex?

It is the cable's voltage rating between conductors and to earth. 300/300V flex, such as the Mercury 2182Y 804.323UK, is light-duty, while 300/500V flex, such as the 3182Y HO5VV-F2 804.329UK, is ordinary-duty for appliance leads. Check the rating the appliance maker specifies for its supply lead.

How long are the flex reels?

Most Mercury flex in this range comes on 100m reels, such as the 804.335UK 3182Y and 804.347UK 3183Y, and the 804.396UK 3 core flex comes on a 50m reel. SFX MF0.5 and MF1 twin flex also come on 100 m reels.

What is oval flex used for?

Oval 2 core flex has a flat oval sheath and is used for light-duty leads such as table lamps and small appliances. Mercury 2192Y oval PVC cable in this range is 300/300V, such as the 804.365UK rated 3A and the 804.362UK in black at 0.5mm², on 100m reels.

Does flex come in black as well as white?

Yes. Mercury round PVC flex comes in white and black versions, such as the white 804.323UK 2182Y and black 804.338UK 3182Y 2 core cables and the white 804.341UK 3183Y and black 804.350UK 3 core cables, each on a 100m reel. SFX MF1 twin flex is black PVC.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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