BS 5467 vs BS 6724: How to Choose the Right Armoured Power Cable for Infrastructure Projects
BS 5467 and BS 6724 are two widely used British standards for low voltage armoured power cables. Both cable types are commonly specified for power distribution in infrastructure, industrial, commercial, and building projects.
The right choice depends on the installation environment, fire safety requirement, and project specification. In most cases, the key difference is not the armour itself, but the outer sheath material and its fire performance.
BS 5467 is commonly associated with XLPE insulated, PVC sheathed armoured cable. BS 6724 is commonly selected where low smoke and low corrosive gas emission performance is required.
The right choice depends on the installation environment, fire safety requirement, and project specification. In most cases, the key difference is not the armour itself, but the outer sheath material and its fire performance.
BS 5467 is commonly associated with XLPE insulated, PVC sheathed armoured cable. BS 6724 is commonly selected where low smoke and low corrosive gas emission performance is required.
BS 5467 cable is a British Standard armoured power cable used for fixed power distribution installations. A typical construction includes copper or aluminium conductor, XLPE insulation, steel wire armour for multicore cables, and a PVC outer sheath.
This cable type is widely used in industrial plants, utility networks, outdoor power distribution, commercial buildings, cable ducts, and direct burial installations. It offers a practical balance between mechanical protection, electrical performance, and cost efficiency.
For projects where the specification calls for XLPE/SWA/PVC cable and no LSZH requirement is stated, BS 5467 is often the suitable choice.
BS 6724 cable is also an armoured power cable for fixed installations, but it is designed with low smoke and low corrosive gas emission performance when affected by fire.
A typical BS 6724 construction includes copper or aluminium conductor, XLPE or thermosetting insulation, steel wire armour or aluminium wire armour, and an LSZH / LSOH outer sheath.
BS 6724 is often selected for airports, metro systems, hospitals, tunnels, data centres, commercial complexes, public buildings, and other enclosed or high-occupancy areas where smoke and corrosive gas reduction is important.
The most important difference between BS 5467 and BS 6724 is the outer sheath material. BS 5467 usually uses PVC sheath, while BS 6724 uses LSZH / LSOH sheath. This affects fire behaviour, smoke emission, and suitability for public or enclosed environments.
Item | BS 5467 | BS 6724 |
Common type | XLPE/SWA/PVC | XLPE/SWA/LSZH |
Outer sheath | PVC | LSZH / LSOH |
Fire safety focus | Standard performance | Low smoke and low corrosive gas emission |
Typical use | General industrial and infrastructure projects | Public, enclosed, and fire-sensitive environments |
Cost level | Usually more economical | Usually higher than PVC sheathed type |
Choose BS 5467 for standard power distribution where LSZH performance is not required. It is suitable for industrial sites, outdoor power distribution, utility networks, direct burial installations, and general low voltage circuits.
For many outdoor and industrial applications, BS 5467 provides reliable mechanical protection and good cost control. It is especially practical when the project documents specify PVC sheathed armoured cable.
Choose BS 6724 when fire safety performance is a key requirement. It is suitable for public buildings, underground spaces, airports, metro stations, hospitals, data centres, control rooms, commercial complexes, and high-rise buildings.
In these environments, lower smoke emission and reduced corrosive gas generation can be more important than initial cable cost. When the specification mentions LSZH, LSOH, low smoke, zero halogen, or low corrosive gas, BS 6724 should usually be considered.
PVC sheathed cables are durable, widely available, and cost-effective, but they can produce dense smoke and corrosive gases under fire conditions.
LSZH sheathed cables are designed to reduce smoke emission and avoid halogen acid gas generation. They are more suitable for enclosed areas, public facilities, and safety-critical installations.
This is an important distinction. BS 6724 has improved fire behaviour compared with standard PVC sheathed cable, but it is not automatically a fire resistant cable for circuit integrity.
For emergency lighting, fire alarm systems, smoke extraction, or life safety circuits, standards such as BS 6387, BS 7846, or IEC 60331 may be required depending on the project specification.
In simple terms: BS 5467 is mainly a PVC sheathed armoured power cable; BS 6724 is mainly an LSZH armoured power cable; fire resistant cable should be selected separately when circuit integrity is required.
Project Situation | Recommended Cable |
General industrial power distribution | BS 5467 |
Outdoor or underground standard power cable | BS 5467 |
Cost-sensitive project without LSZH requirement | BS 5467 |
Public building or enclosed space | BS 6724 |
Airport, metro, tunnel, hospital, data centre | BS 6724 |
Project specification requires LSZH / LSOH | BS 6724 |
Emergency circuit integrity required | Check fire resistant cable standard separately |
To receive an accurate quotation, customers should provide the standard, voltage rating, conductor material, number of cores, conductor size, armour type, sheath material, quantity, installation environment, and destination port.
Example: BS 5467 0.6/1kV Cu/XLPE/SWA/PVC 4C x 95mm², 1000m
Example: BS 6724 0.6/1kV Cu/XLPE/SWA/LSZH 4C x 120mm², 800m
BURY CABLE supplies power, control, instrumentation, fire performance, and special application cables for international infrastructure and industrial projects.
For BS 5467 and BS 6724 armoured cable requirements, our team can support cable selection based on voltage rating, conductor size, installation environment, sheath requirement, fire performance requirement, and destination market.
BS 5467 and BS 6724 are both important British standards for armoured power cables, but they are selected for different project conditions.
BS 5467 is commonly selected for standard power distribution where PVC sheathed cable is acceptable. BS 6724 is selected where low smoke zero halogen performance is required, especially in public, enclosed, or safety-critical environments.
If you are not sure which cable type is suitable for your project, share your cable specification, quantity, and installation environment with BURY CABLE. Our team will help review the requirement and recommend the appropriate cable solution.
Need BS 5467 or BS 6724 armoured cable for your project?
Contact BURY CABLE with your voltage, conductor size, core number, sheath requirement, quantity, and destination port. Our team will provide a suitable technical and commercial proposal.
Email: [email protected] | Website: www.burycable.com
