Application & Operating Conditions
BS 6708:1998 Type 201 and Type 211 are mechanically armoured 640/1100 V flexible trailing and mine roadway extension cables widely deployed across UK and Commonwealth underground mines, surface aggregate quarries, mobile rock crushers, and high-power coalface lighting feeders.
Quarry Crushers & Roadway Extensions
Built specifically as the heavy mechanically protected trailing feeder for mobile quarry crushers, screening plants, and advancing underground gate-road coupler extensions.
Yellow-Striped 640/1100 V PCP Jacket
Features a permanent longitudinal yellow stripe extruded along the black flame-retardant PCP jacket per BS 6708:1998 so pit electricians instantly distinguish 1.1 kV cables from blue-striped 3.3 kV feeders.
Type 201 (3C) vs Type 211 (3C + Earth)
Type 201 provides 3 screened power cores (Red, Yellow, Brown) around an elastomeric centre; Type 211 adds a dedicated unscreened Green/Yellow earth core (10 to 70 mm²) alongside the steel armour.
Quarry Health & Safety Compliance: In surface quarries and opencast workings, BS 6708 Type 211 (3 composite-screened power cores + dedicated Green/Yellow earth core + pliable galvanized steel wire armour) is the industry-standard specification for mobile primary jaw and cone crushers.
Cable Construction (BS 6708:1998 Type 201 & Type 211)
Engineered to BS 6708:1998 with MEPR-insulated, composite-screened power cores, PCP inner bedding, pliable galvanized steel wire armour, and a yellow-striped heavy-duty black PCP jacket.
| Layer / Component | Material & BS 6708 Engineering Specification |
|---|---|
| 1. Power Conductors | Three flexible stranded tinned annealed copper conductors (10 mm² to 120 mm²). |
| 2. Insulation & Phase ID | Minerally reinforced Ethylene Propylene Rubber (MEPR) with Red, Yellow, and Brown phase identification. |
| 3. Phase Core Screens | Composite tinned copper wire and nylon braided screen applied individually over all three power cores. |
| 4. Earth Core (Type 211 Only) | Type 201 lays three screened power cores around an elastomeric cradle centre; Type 211 adds one unscreened Green/Yellow insulated tinned copper earth core (10–70 mm²) matched to the phase screen diameter. |
| 5. Inner Bedding Sheath | Extruded polychloroprene (PCP) inner bedding sheath encapsulating the cabled core assembly. |
| 6. Pliable Wire Armour (PWA) | Helical pliable galvanized steel wire strand armour (0.299–1.970 Ω/km max DC resistance at 20 °C). |
| 7. Overall Jacket | Heavy-duty flame-retardant black polychloroprene (PCP) elastomeric compound with longitudinal yellow voltage-identification stripe. |
BS 6708 Type 201 / 211 Cross-Section (Type 211 Shown): Three copper/nylon screened MEPR power cores (Red, Yellow, Brown) plus one unscreened Green/Yellow earth core around an elastomeric centre, with PCP bedding, pliable steel armour, and yellow-striped black PCP jacket.
Technical Characteristics
Electrical, mechanical, reactance, insulation resistance, and voltage-drop specifications per BS 6708:1998.
| Parameter | BS 6708 Rated Value |
|---|---|
| Reference Standard | BS 6708:1998 (Type 201 & Type 211 Armoured Roadway & Quarry Trailing Cables) |
| Rated Voltage (Uo/U) | 640 / 1100 V AC |
| Routine AC Test Voltage | 2.5 kV AC |
| Jacket Identification | Black Heavy-Duty Flame-Retardant PCP with Longitudinal Yellow Stripe |
| Conductor Sizes | 10, 16, 25, 35, 50, 70, 95, and 120 mm² (Type 211 Earth: 10 to 70 mm²) |
| Minimum Bending Radius | Type 201: 400–810 mm | Type 211: 430–910 mm (approx. 10 × Max. OD) |
| Maximum Pulling Tension | Type 201: 180–2000 kgf | Type 211: 240–2000 kgf |
| Continuous Current Rating (@ 25 °C) | 63 A (10 mm²) up to 295 A (120 mm²) |
BS 6708 Type 201 & Type 211 Complete Specification Tables (16 Configurations)
Complete dimensional, mechanical, resistance, reactance, insulation resistance, and 50 Hz 3-phase voltage-drop data for Type 201 and Type 211.
1. BS 6708 Type 201 (3-Core Screened Armoured) — Dimensions, Bend Radius, Pull & Weight
| Phase Size (mm²) | Dia. Over Insul. & Tape (mm) | Dia. Over Screen (mm) | Inner Sheath Min–Max (mm) | Overall OD Min (mm) | Overall OD Max (mm) | Min. Bend Radius (mm) | Max. Pulling Tension (kgf) | Approx. Weight (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3×10 | 7.70 | 9.70 | 25.50 – 27.50 | 37.30 | 39.80 | 400 | 180 | 2900 |
| 3×16 | 9.15 | 11.15 | 28.70 – 30.70 | 40.60 | 43.40 | 440 | 290 | 3400 |
| 3×25 | 10.65 | 12.65 | 32.20 – 34.20 | 44.60 | 47.40 | 480 | 450 | 4100 |
| 3×35 | 11.90 | 13.90 | 35.20 – 37.20 | 48.30 | 51.10 | 510 | 630 | 4800 |
| 3×50 | 13.90 | 15.90 | 39.50 – 41.50 | 53.60 | 57.40 | 580 | 900 | 5900 |
| 3×70 | 16.00 | 18.00 | 44.50 – 47.00 | 60.70 | 64.50 | 650 | 1260 | 7700 |
| 3×95 | 17.55 | 19.55 | 52.50 – 55.50 | 71.80 | 75.80 | 760 | 1710 | 10900 |
| 3×120 | 20.35 | 22.35 | 56.60 – 59.60 | 76.70 | 81.00 | 810 | 2000 | 12500 |
2. BS 6708 Type 201 — Current Ratings, DC Resistance, Reactance & Voltage Drop
| Phase Size (mm²) | Current @ 25 °C (A) | Power Cond. DC Res. (Ω/km) | Screens Parallel DC Res. (Ω/km) | Armour DC Res. (Ω/km) | Reactance 50 Hz (Ω/km) | Reactance 60 Hz (Ω/km) | Min. Insul. Res. (MΩ·km) | 3-Ph Volt. Drop 50 Hz (mV/A/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3×10 | 63 | 1.950 | 1.330 | 1.970 | 0.121 | 0.145 | 560 | 4.11 |
| 3×16 | 85 | 1.240 | 1.610 | 1.760 | 0.111 | 0.134 | 435 | 2.62 |
| 3×25 | 110 | 0.795 | 1.100 | 1.450 | 0.107 | 0.128 | 375 | 1.68 |
| 3×35 | 135 | 0.565 | 1.200 | 1.030 | 0.102 | 0.123 | 325 | 1.20 |
| 3×50 | 170 | 0.393 | 1.400 | 0.715 | 0.099 | 0.119 | 285 | 0.85 |
| 3×70 | 205 | 0.277 | 0.700 | 0.504 | 0.097 | 0.116 | 260 | 0.61 |
| 3×95 | 250 | 0.210 | 0.850 | 0.382 | 0.096 | 0.116 | 250 | 0.47 |
| 3×120 | 295 | 0.164 | 0.500 | 0.299 | 0.095 | 0.114 | 250 | 0.38 |
3. BS 6708 Type 211 (3-Core Screened + Unscreened Earth) — Dimensions, Pull & Weight
| Phase + Earth (mm²) | Phase Insul. Dia. (mm) | Phase Screen Dia. (mm) | Earth CSA (mm²) | Earth Insul. Dia. (mm) | Inner Sheath Min–Max (mm) | Overall OD Min (mm) | Overall OD Max (mm) | Min. Bend Radius (mm) | Max. Pull (kgf) | Approx. Weight (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3×10 + 10E | 7.70 | 9.70 | 10 | 9.70 | 27.90 – 29.90 | 39.80 | 42.30 | 430 | 240 | 3200 |
| 3×16 + 16E | 9.15 | 11.15 | 16 | 11.15 | 31.60 – 33.60 | 44.00 | 46.80 | 470 | 380 | 3900 |
| 3×25 + 16E | 10.65 | 12.65 | 16 | 12.65 | 35.40 – 37.40 | 48.50 | 51.30 | 520 | 540 | 4700 |
| 3×35 + 25E | 11.90 | 13.90 | 25 | 13.90 | 38.80 – 40.80 | 52.70 | 56.50 | 570 | 780 | 5600 |
| 3×50 + 35E | 13.90 | 15.90 | 35 | 15.90 | 43.70 – 46.20 | 59.70 | 63.50 | 640 | 1110 | 7300 |
| 3×70 + 50E | 16.00 | 18.00 | 50 | 18.00 | 51.80 – 54.80 | 68.80 | 72.80 | 730 | 1560 | 9500 |
| 3×95 + 70E | 17.55 | 19.55 | 70 | 19.55 | 60.30 – 63.30 | 80.60 | 84.90 | 850 | 2000 | 13300 |
| 3×120 + 70E | 20.35 | 22.35 | 70 | 22.35 | 64.90 – 67.90 | 86.20 | 90.50 | 910 | 2000 | 15400 |
4. BS 6708 Type 211 — Current Ratings, Phase/Earth/Armour DC Resistance & Voltage Drop
| Phase + Earth (mm²) | Current @ 25 °C (A) | Power Cond. DC Res. (Ω/km) | Earth Cond. DC Res. (Ω/km) | Screens Parallel (Ω/km) | Armour DC Res. (Ω/km) | Reactance 50/60 Hz (Ω/km) | Min. Insul. Res. (MΩ·km) | 3-Ph Volt. Drop 50 Hz (mV/A/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3×10 + 10E | 63 | 1.950 | 1.950 | 1.330 | 1.810 | 0.121 / 0.145 | 560 | 4.11 |
| 3×16 + 16E | 85 | 1.240 | 1.240 | 1.610 | 1.630 | 0.111 / 0.134 | 435 | 2.62 |
| 3×25 + 16E | 110 | 0.795 | 1.240 | 1.100 | 1.450 | 0.107 / 0.128 | 375 | 1.68 |
| 3×35 + 25E | 135 | 0.565 | 0.795 | 1.200 | 1.030 | 0.102 / 0.123 | 325 | 1.20 |
| 3×50 + 35E | 170 | 0.393 | 0.565 | 1.400 | 0.715 | 0.099 / 0.119 | 285 | 0.85 |
| 3×70 + 50E | 205 | 0.277 | 0.393 | 0.700 | 0.504 | 0.097 / 0.116 | 260 | 0.61 |
| 3×95 + 70E | 250 | 0.210 | 0.277 | 0.850 | 0.382 | 0.096 / 0.116 | 250 | 0.47 |
| 3×120 + 70E | 295 | 0.164 | 0.277 | 0.500 | 0.299 | 0.095 / 0.114 | 250 | 0.38 |
Selection Guide: BS 6708 Roadway Extension & Quarry Armoured Cables
Compare BS 6708 Type 201/211 (640/1100 V, yellow stripe) with Type 321/331 (1900/3300 V, blue stripe) and Type 20/21.
| BS 6708 Model | Core & Pilot Architecture, Earth Design & Primary Duty |
|---|---|
| BS 6708 Type 20 & Type 21 (640/1100V Unscreened PWA) | BS 6708 Type 20 & Type 21 (640/1100V Unscreened PWA): 3-core (Type 20) and 4-core (Type 21) unscreened EPR power cables (2.5–150 mm², 24 sizes) with 7/0.45–7/1.25 mm galvanized steel pliable wire armour. |
| BS 6708 Type 62, 63 & 64 (640/1100V Screened 4 mm² PWA) | BS 6708 Type 62, 63 & 64 (640/1100V Screened 4 mm² PWA): 2×4, 3×4, and 4×4 mm² individually composite-screened pliable wire armoured cables for 640/1100 V coalface lighting and auxiliary equipment. |
| BS 6708 Type 201 & Type 211 (640/1100V Yellow-Stripe Roadway) (This Product) | BS 6708:1998 3-core (Type 201) and 3+Earth (Type 211) copper/nylon screened MEPR roadway & quarry trailing cables (10–120 mm²) with yellow-striped black PCP jacket. |
| BS 6708 Type 321 & Type 331 (1.9/3.3kV Blue-Stripe Roadway) | BS 6708 Type 321 & Type 331 (1.9/3.3kV Blue-Stripe Roadway): BS 6708:1998 1900/3300 V medium-voltage pliable wire armoured roadway & quarry trailing cables (25–150 mm²; screened Type 331 / unscreened Type 321) with blue-striped black PCP sheath. |
| BS 6708 Type 621 (3.8/6.6kV Heavy MV Armoured) | BS 6708 Type 621 (3.8/6.6kV Heavy MV Armoured): 3800/6600 V medium-voltage 4-core (3 phases + 1 pilot, 4×35–4×150 mm²) unscreened 5.0 mm EPR pliable wire armoured power cable tested at 15 kV AC. |
| BS 6708 Type 70 & Type 71 (320/550V Lighting PWA) | BS 6708 Type 70 & Type 71 (320/550V Lighting PWA): 4×4 and 5×4 mm² 320/550 V unscreened pliable wire armoured cables for low-voltage coalface lighting strings. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answers to engineering questions on BS 6708:1998 jacket colour stripes, Type 201 vs Type 211 earthing, and quarry regulations.
What does the longitudinal yellow stripe on BS 6708 Type 201 and Type 211 signify?
Under BS 6708:1998, roadway extension and quarry pliable wire armoured cables incorporate colour-coded longitudinal stripes in the black PCP jacket to indicate system voltage at a glance: a yellow stripe identifies 640/1100 V (Types 201 & 211), whereas a blue stripe identifies 1900/3300 V (Types 321 & 331).
Why is the Green/Yellow earth core in Type 211 insulated to the exact same outer diameter as the screened phase cores?
Even on reduced-conductor earth sizes (such as 16 mm² earth in 3×25+16E or 70 mm² earth in 3×120+70E), the insulation thickness on the Green/Yellow earth core is built out so its diameter matches the phase screen diameter (e.g., 12.65 mm or 22.35 mm), creating a perfectly symmetrical 4-core circular lay-up under the PCP bedding and steel armour.
Why does BS 6708 Type 201/211 have no pilot core?
As noted in mining roadway practice, Types 201 and 211 are power extension and quarry feeder cables without an internal pilot core, used on circuits protected by sensitive core-balance earth-leakage relays rather than pilot-loop gate-end interlocks.
Order BS 6708 Type 201 or Type 211 Quarry & Roadway Cable
Send your required configuration (Type 201 3-core or Type 211 3-core + earth, 10–120 mm²) and delivery schedule for direct factory pricing.
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