SPECIFICATIONS

SECTION 16120
WIRES AND CABLES

PART - 1 GENERAL

1.01 RELATED DOCUMENTS

A. Drawings and general provisions of Contract, including General and special Conditions
(General requirements), apply to work of this section.
B. Basic electrical materials and methods, section 16050 applies to work of this section.
C. Related work specified elsewhere:-
1. Division 01 General requirements
2. Division 02 Site work
3. Division 03 Concrete

1.02 DESCRIPTION OF WORK

A. Work includes providing all wires, cables and connections, complete with all
accessories in accordance with Drawings and Specifications and as required for a
complete system. Wiring size referenced in this Section is metric, except as noted. For
special wiring for individual systems, refer to respective Section of these
Specifications.

1.03 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Manufacturers: Firms regularly engaged in manufacture of wires, cables, and
connections of types, sizes and ratings required, whose products have been in
satisfactory use in similar service for not less than 5 years.
B. Standards Compliance: Comply with requirements of applicable local codes, IEC
60227-1 pertaining to wires, cables and connections

1.04 SUBMITTALS
A. Product Data: Submit manufacturers' data on wires, cables and connectors.
B. Samples : Submit 25 cm length cables of each type and size of wires and Cables,
Manufacturer Name, insulation class and reference No. Should be indicated on the
Submitted Sample.

PART - 2 PRODUCTS

2.01 RECOMMENDED MANUFACTURERS

A. Egyptian Cables (Egypt).
B. El- Sewedy Cables (Egypt).

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2.02 LOW VOLTAGE CABLES

A. General
1. Provide all of the mains low voltage cables shown on the drawings or detailed in
the cable schedules.
2. All cables shall comply with IEC 60227-1 and all conductors shall be Copper/ PVC
insulated and P.V.C. sheathed (0.6/1 K.V), as shown in drawings.
3. Cables from pillars to buildings (MDPS) shall be AL/XLPE/PVC.
4. Copper conductors shall be stranded for sections 1.5 mm2, and above. Signal and
control cables shall have solid conductors. Flexible cords shall have finely
stranded conductors.
5. Conductor sizes shall be metric, as shown on the Drawings. Conductors with
cross-sectional areas smaller than specified will not be accepted.
6. The current carrying capacity of conductors have been determined in accordance
with the IEE wiring Regulations 16th edition for the specified type of insulation and
the expected conditions of installation. No change will be accepted in the specified
type of insulation, unless warranted by special conditions and approved by the
Engineer.
7. The insulation of each conductor shall be color coded or otherwise identified as
required by the Regulations. Color coding shall be maintained throughout the
entire installation.
8. Cable installations whether so indicated or not shall include all joints and their
accessories at terminating ends or at tap-off points, earthing and bonding etc.
Carried to completion.
9. Joints in cable shall not be accepted. Cables shall be supplied in lengths sufficient
for a straight-through pull from termination to termination.
10. All cables shall be delivered to site with the manufacturer's seals, labels, or other
proof of origin intact. Such labels and seals shall not be removed until the cable is
required for use, and shall be retained for inspection.
11. Unless otherwise specified herein or indicated on the drawings or in the cable
schedules all cable oversheaths shall be black.
12. Cables shall be handled, terminated and installed in accordance with the cable
manufacturer's recommendations. The technical advice of the manufacturer's
recommendations. The technical advice of the manufacturer's specialists shall be
followed if any special conditions or unusual circumstances apply.
13. Where cable sizes are not indicated on the drawings or in the cable schedules, the
contractor shall be responsible for determining the correct size of each cable. Cable
sizes shall be determined on the basis of current rating and/or voltage drop and/or
earth loop impedance, together within allowance for grouping with other cables and
the method of installation, whichever is relevant, after taking into account the type
of cable, the ambient conditions, the method of installation and the disposition of
each cable relative to other cables.
14. Full details, with illustrations, of all cable supports and fixing devices shall be
submitted before any orders are placed or work put in hand. All cable supports and
fixing devices shall be designed to have a factor of safety of not less than 4.
15. Wherever cables pass through walls, ceilings, partitions and the like, a heavy-gauge
PVC sleeve shall be provided, of internal diameter greater by at least 15 mm, but
not more than 25 mm, than the diameter of the cable.

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16. The length of any such sleeve shall be such that each end projects by 5 mm beyond
the surface of the element through which it passes, and the ends of they bore shall
be provided with an adequate radius to prevent chafing of the cable sheath.
17. Wherever cables pass through floors a heavy-gravy-gauge steel sleeve shall be
provided, of internal diameter greater by at least 15 mm, but not more than 25
mm, than the diameter of the cable and projecting above floor level by at least 50
mm.
18. Where cables pass through walls and/or floors which form part of the building's fire
compartmentation, the hole(s) through which the cables pass shall be sealed after
the cables have been installed, so as to give the same standard of fire resistance as
the original wall or floor. Details of the proposed sealing method shall be
submitted prior to implementation.

2.03 CABLE INSTALLATION

A. Feeder and sub-feeder installations
1. Cabling and wiring installation shall be performed strictly in compliance with the
EG & EDC requirements.
2. Indoor distribution feeders and sub-feeders such as to distribution panel boards,
isolating switches etc. shall be in the form of single conductor pulled inside
conduits, or raceways or multi-conductor cables clipped on cable trays, all as
generally shown on the Drawings.
3. Where two or more cables are run in parallel, they shall be fixed in approved
special cable supporting and protecting raceways.
4. Cables shall be fixed to the supporting structures with approved galvanized steel
clamps at distances not exceeding 20 diameters. No joints or splices shall be
accepted on main feeders and sub- feeders.
5. Wires and cables shall be routed in such a way that they are not exposed to
excessive heat or to corrosive agents. If such a condition cannot be complied with
the wires and cables shall be of a type designed for the particular condition or
enclosed in the necessary protective raceway, duct, concrete etc.
B. Final sub-circuit wiring
1. Final sub-circuit work originating from light and power panelboards shall be
arranged as shown on the Drawings.
2. All wiring shall comply with IEC 60227-1 and all conductors shall be copper with
pvc insulated (600/1000 volt.).
3. Unless otherwise specifically indicated on the Drawings, all final sub-circuit wiring
shall be run as follows:-
 Single – core conductors PVC insulated inside conduits.
4. At least 150 mm of free conductor shall be left at each outlet, switch point and pull
box for the making up of joints, or the connection of fixtures or devices, except
where conductors are intended to loop without joints through lamp holders,
receptacles and similar device boxes.
C. Identification of cables and wires
1. Except in the case where it is terminated in full view onto a clearly labelled
switch, starter, distribution board or similar piece of apparatus, or onto a motor or
other item of equipment the function of which is evident, each and every cable
end shall be provided with an approved means of identification. In particular, this
requirement shall apply to all cables terminating on the back, or in the base, of

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cubicle type or similar switchboard or control panel and in any other case where
the function of the cable is not immediately obvious.

2. The means of identification shall be one or other of the following:-

a. An engraved brass label securely fixed to the cable sealing box.
b. A stamped brass label securely tied to the cable with tinned copper binding
wire.
3. The means of identification shall give the cable size, number of cores, and
function together with the cable reference number if one has been allocated.
D. Terminations of L.V. wires and cables
1. Terminations of wires and cables of sizes up to 16 mm², shall be tightly twisted
and where possible doubled back before being clamped. Where two or more
wires are looped into the same terminal these conductors shall be tightly twisted
together before being inserted into the terminals.
2. Wires and cables of sizes over 16 mm² shall terminate with sweated or
compression type lugs. Insulating sleeve shall be used to protect any exposed
part of the conductor or sleeve projecting beyond any insulated shrouding or
mounting of a live terminal.
3. Glands for the various types of multi core cables shall be purpose made and
suitable for the equipment enclosure.

2.04 CABLE TESTING

A. As soon as is practicable after the completion of installation and termination of the
cables specified herein, or of any usable group of such cables, the Contractor shall carry
out the tests described below, together with such other tests and measurements to prove
compliance with this Specification and with the requirements of the EG & EDC.
B. An insulation resistance test, carried out with a "Megger" insulation tester or other
similar type of testing instrument, to measure the insulation resistance between each
conductor and the remaining conductors and between each conductor and the metallic
sheath (if any) and armouring. The voltage to be applied shall be 1000 volts.
C. The above tests shall be carried out both before and after any pressure tests and the
insulation resistance shall not be less than the half mega ohms for all low voltage
cables. The contractor shall submit insulation resistance figures for all cables .
D. A voltage test of 15 minutes duration shall be applied at the test voltage indicated in
IEE wiring regulation 16th edition.
E. The Contractor shall submit proposals on the appropriate test voltage in respect of other
types of cable.

F. Phase-rotation and phase-correspondence shall be tested to prove that the cables have
been correctly connected.

PART - 3 EXECUTION

3.01 INSPECTION
A. Examine conditions under which wires, cables and connections are to be installed.

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Notify Engineer in writing of conditions detrimental to proper completion of the work.

Do not proceed with work until unsatisfactory conditions have been corrected.

3.02 INSTALLATION
A. Install wires, cables and connectors as indicated, in accordance with manufacturer's
written instructions, requirements of applicable Standards and in accordance with
recognized industry practices to ensure that installation complies with requirements and
serves intended function.
B. Coordinate as necessary to properly interface installation of wires/cables with other
work.
C. Pull conductors simultaneously where more than one is being installed in same
raceway.
D. Use anti-seize compound for aluminum lug connections to bus bars.
E. Use pulling compound or lubricant, where necessary; compound used must not
deteriorate conductor or insulation.
F. Use pulling means, including fish tape, cable, rope and basket weave wire/cable grips
which will not damage cables or raceway.
G. Install exposed cable, parallel and perpendicular to surfaces, or exposed structural
members, and follow surface contours, where possible.
H. Complete conduit or raceway installation (joints made up tightly and the entire run
secured in place) before pulling wire and cable.
I. Support wires and cables at the upper end of all risers and at intermediate points.
J. Seal, between the wire and conduit with a non-hardening compound approved for the
purpose, cable and wire entering a building from underground where cable exits the
conduit.
K. Install cable spacers where required. Provide conduit fittings for spacing of cables at
terminations, consisting of galvanized or cadmium plates, steel or malleable iron
threaded conduit and fittings and inserts of non-metallic insulating material with
openings adequate to accommodate cables being spaced.
L. Leave all wires with sufficient slack at terminal ends and lighting fixtures for
convenient connections and servicing. Stow loose ends neatly in outlet box.
M. Provide splices and taps in accessible boxes, panelboards fittings, gutters, terminal
panels, etc., only. Provide materials compatible with the conductors, insulations and
protective jackets on the cables and wires.
N. Tie all circuit and control wiring in cabinets, panels, pull boxes , and junction boxes.
O. Tighten electrical connectors and terminals, including screws and bolts, in accordance
with manufacturer's published torque tightening values.
P. Connect electrical power supply conductors to equipment conductors in accordance
with equipment manufacturer's written instructions and wiring diagrams.
Q. Prepare cables and wires, by cutting and stripping, jacket, and insulation properly to
ensure uniform and neat appearance where cables and wires are terminated. Exercise
care to avoid cutting through tapes which will remain on conductors. Also avoid

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"ringing" copper conductors while skinning wire.

3.03 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

A. Check for physical damage and proper connection in accordance with drawings.
B. Megger conductors phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground for continuity and insulation
tests before connection to utilization devices for the main feeders, sub – feeders, branch
circuits, three phase circuits…etc.
C. Perform tests prior to connecting equipment and in presence of authorized
representatives.
D. Submit written reports of test results.
E. Prior to energization, test wires and cables for electrical continuity.
F. Subsequent to wire and cable hook-ups, energize circuits and demonstrate functioning
in accordance with requirements. Where necessary, correct malfunctioning units, and
then retest to demonstrate compliance. Replace units which cannot be satisfactorily
corrected.

END OF SECTION

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