Cable Diameter Calculator

Accurate cable diameter calculations for electrical installations

Cable Diameter Calculator

Compliant with IEC 60287 Standards

Results:

Individual Conductor Diameter: 0.00 mm

Core Assembly Diameter: 0.00 mm

Overall Cable Diameter: 0.00 mm

Cable Circumference: 0.00 mm

Cable Drum Size Calculator
Earth Cable Size Calculator

How to Use the Calculator

Core Configurations

  1. Single core: Direct conductor calculation
  2. 2 core: Two conductors side by side
  3. 3 core: Three conductors in triangular layout
  4. 4 core: Four conductors in square layout
  5. Consider core assembly geometry

Solid Conductors

  1. Select "Solid" conductor type
  2. Enter cross-sectional area in mm²
  3. Input insulation thickness
  4. Specify outer jacket thickness
  5. Calculate diameter directly

Stranded Conductors

  1. Select "Stranded" conductor type
  2. Enter total cross-sectional area
  3. Specify number of strands
  4. Input insulation thickness
  5. Add outer jacket thickness

Important Notes

  1. Cross-sectional area is the conductor area
  2. Stranded cables have slightly larger diameter
  3. Include all insulation layers
  4. Consider cable bending radius requirements

Cable Sizing Fundamentals

Multi-Core Assembly

  • Core arrangement affects overall diameter
  • 2-core: Side-by-side arrangement
  • 3-core: Triangular configuration
  • 4-core: Square or diamond layout

Conductor Diameter

Diameter calculation considers:

  • Cross-sectional area of conductor
  • Solid vs stranded construction
  • Packing factor for stranded cables

Overall Diameter

  • Conductor diameter plus insulation
  • Multiple insulation layers
  • Outer jacket or sheath thickness

Key Formulas:

Single Core: D = D_conductor + 2 × (insulation + jacket)

2 Core: D = 2 × D_conductor + 2 × (insulation + jacket)

3 Core: D = 2.15 × D_conductor + 2 × (insulation + jacket)

4 Core: D = 2.41 × D_conductor + 2 × (insulation + jacket)

Calculation Formulas

Individual Conductor Diameter:
D = 2 × √(A / π) for solid, D = 2 × √(A / (π × 0.9)) for stranded

Core Assembly Diameter:
Single: D_conductor | 2-core: 2×D | 3-core: 2.15×D | 4-core: 2.41×D

Overall Cable Diameter:
D_total = D_assembly + 2 × (t_insulation + t_jacket)

Example Calculation

3-Core Stranded Cable Example:

Cross-Section per core: 2.5 mm²

Configuration: 3 Core

Insulation: 0.7 mm

Jacket: 1.2 mm

D_conductor = 2 × √(2.5 / (π × 0.9)) = 1.88 mm

D_assembly = 2.15 × 1.88 = 4.04 mm

D_overall = 4.04 + 2 × (0.7 + 1.2) = 7.84 mm

Individual = 1.88 mm | Assembly = 4.04 mm | Overall = 7.84 mm

Related Power Calculators

Earthing System Calculator

Calculate earthing system requirements for electrical installations.

Try Calculator

Earth Resistance Calculator

Determine earth resistance values for grounding systems.

Try Calculator

Earthing Strip Weight Calculator

Calculate weight requirements for earthing strip installations.

Try Calculator