Electrical Cables in Saudi Arabia: Complete Types & Buying Guide

3 days ago

7 min read

SEO Title: Electrical Cables in Saudi Arabia: Types & Buying Guide

Meta Description: Discover all types of electrical cables available in Saudi Arabia — power, control, armoured, LSZH — with a complete guide to cable sizing, specifications, and buying online in KSA.

URL Slug: electrical-cables-saudi-arabia-types-buying-guide

Electrical Cables in Saudi Arabia: Complete Types, Specifications & Buying Guide (2025)

Electrical cables are the foundation of every electrical installation in Saudi Arabia — from residential wiring to large-scale industrial projects. Choosing the right cable isn't just about picking the right size; it involves selecting the correct conductor material, insulation type, voltage rating, armoring, and fire performance to match the specific application and comply with Saudi standards.

This comprehensive guide explains every major type of electrical cable available in the Saudi market, how to read cable specifications, how to size cables correctly, and what to look for when buying online in KSA.

⚡ Quick Answer: The main types of electrical cables in Saudi Arabia include LV power cables (0.6/1 kV), control cables, armoured cables (SWA/AWA), fire-resistant cables, LSZH cables, and medium-voltage cables. Always specify conductor material (copper or aluminium), cross-section (mm²), core count, voltage rating, and insulation type when buying.

Types of Electrical Cables Available in Saudi Arabia
Copper vs Aluminium Cables: Which to Choose?
How to Read Cable Specifications
Cable Sizing Guide for Saudi Arabian Installations
Saudi Electrical Cable Standards (SASO/IEC)
Top Electrical Cable Brands in KSA
Buying Electrical Cables Online in Saudi Arabia: What to Check
Frequently Asked Questions

Types of Electrical Cables Available in Saudi Arabia

1. Low Voltage (LV) Power Cables (0.6/1 kV)

LV power cables are the most widely used cables in Saudi buildings, infrastructure, and industrial facilities. They distribute electricity from distribution boards to equipment, machinery, and final circuits. Standard construction is copper or aluminium conductor, PVC or XLPE insulation, and PVC outer sheath. Common voltage rating: 0.6/1 kV per IEC 60502-1.

2. Control Cables

Control cables carry low-current signals between control panels, starters, relays, PLCs, and field instruments. They typically use smaller conductors (0.75–2.5 mm²), multiple cores (up to 61 cores), and PVC insulation rated up to 450/750V. Available screened or unscreened. Critical for industrial automation and building management systems.

3. Armoured Cables (SWA / AWA)

Armoured cables have a layer of steel wire armour (SWA) or aluminium wire armour (AWA) that provides mechanical protection. They are used for direct burial, outdoor runs, underground distribution, areas with mechanical hazard, and industrial sites. AWA is typically used for single-core aluminium cables to avoid induced currents. These cables comply with IEC 60502.

4. Fire-Resistant Cables

Fire-resistant cables maintain circuit integrity under fire conditions for a defined period. They are mandatory for life-safety circuits including fire alarms, emergency lighting, smoke extraction fans, fire pumps, and public address systems. In Saudi Arabia, fire safety systems are regulated by the Saudi Civil Defence. Common standards: IEC 60331, BS 6387.

5. LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) Cables

LSZH cables are designed for enclosed public spaces — tunnels, metro systems, hospitals, shopping malls, and data centres — where toxic smoke and halogen gases in case of fire could be life-threatening. They emit minimal smoke and no halogenated gases when burning. Required for specific applications under Saudi Civil Defence regulations and many consultant specifications.

6. Instrumentation Cables

Instrumentation cables carry low-level analogue and digital signals for process control and measurement in oil & gas, petrochemical, water treatment, and industrial facilities. They feature twisted pairs or triads, individual and/or overall screens, and PVC or XLPE insulation. Used extensively in Saudi Arabia's major industrial sectors including Aramco facilities.

7. Medium Voltage (MV) Cables

MV cables operate at voltages above 1 kV — typically 6/10 kV, 8.7/15 kV, or 12/20 kV in Saudi Arabia. They are used for utility distribution, substation connections, and industrial site ring main units. XLPE insulated, copper or aluminium conductor, with metallic screen and armour where required.

Copper vs Aluminium Cables: Which to Choose in Saudi Arabia?

The copper vs aluminium question is one of the most common in the Saudi electrical market. Here's a clear comparison:

Copper: Higher conductivity, smaller cross-section for same ampacity, easier to terminate, better mechanical flexibility. Preferred for final circuits, control wiring, and compact installations.
Aluminium: Lower cost per metre (typically 40–50% less than copper), lighter weight. Commonly used for large feeders (150 mm² and above), utility distribution, and industrial main feeds. Requires larger cross-section than copper for the same load.
Critical: Never directly substitute aluminium for copper without recalculating cable size, termination hardware, and short-circuit withstand capacity.

How to Read Electrical Cable Specifications

A cable designation like '4C x 25 mm² Cu XLPE/PVC 0.6/1kV SWA' breaks down as follows:

4C = 4 cores (conductors)
25 mm² = conductor cross-sectional area
Cu = copper conductor (Al = aluminium)
XLPE = cross-linked polyethylene insulation (higher temperature rating than PVC)
PVC = outer sheath material
0.6/1 kV = rated voltage (phase-to-earth/phase-to-phase)
SWA = steel wire armour

Cable Sizing Guide for Saudi Arabian Installations

Cable sizing in Saudi Arabia must account for high ambient temperatures (which reduce cable ampacity significantly), installation method, grouping factors, and voltage drop. The following general guide is for reference only — always have a qualified engineer or licensed electrician verify sizing for your actual project:

1.5 mm² copper: Lighting circuits (up to ~13–15A with standard derating)
2.5 mm² copper: Wall socket circuits (up to ~20A with standard derating)
4–6 mm² copper: Air conditioning units, water heaters, cooker connections
10–25 mm² copper: Sub-main feeds, DB incoming supplies, larger equipment
35–240 mm² copper/aluminium: Main feeders, risers, industrial distribution

Important: Saudi Arabia's hot climate (outdoor ambient temperatures can exceed 45°C) requires significant derating of cable ampacity. Always apply temperature correction factors from the applicable IEC standard or manufacturer data when designing circuits in KSA.

Saudi Electrical Cable Standards (SASO and IEC)

SASO IEC 60228: Conductors of insulated cables
SASO IEC 60227: PVC-insulated cables rated up to 450/750V
IEC 60502: LV and MV power cables (0.6/1 kV and above)
IEC 60331: Tests for electric cables under fire conditions
IEC 60754: Test on gases evolved during combustion of halogen-free cables

Top Electrical Cable Brands in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh Cables: One of the largest cable manufacturers in Saudi Arabia, producing a full range of LV, MV, and HV cables.
Alfanar: Major Saudi manufacturer with cables, switchgear, and accessories.
Elsewedy Cables: Egyptian multinational with strong presence in KSA, offering power, control, and instrumentation cables.
Prysmian / General Cable: International premium brands for demanding applications.
Nexans: French multinational widely used in major Saudi infrastructure projects.

Buying Electrical Cables Online in Saudi Arabia: What to Check

Cable drum markings: Verify the reel shows the correct size, standard, manufacturer, and length printed on the drum or label.
Test certificates: Request the relevant IEC/SASO test certificates from the manufacturer or supplier.
Unit of sale: Cables are sold by the metre or in standard drum lengths. Confirm the unit before ordering.
Cut lengths vs. full drums: Some suppliers offer cut-to-length service; others only sell standard drum sizes. Confirm before ordering to avoid excess material costs.
Delivery for large cable drums: Confirm that the delivery vehicle can access your site and that you have equipment to unload heavy drums.

Cable Buying Checklist for Saudi Arabia

✅ Confirmed conductor material (Cu or Al)
✅ Specified conductor cross-section (mm²) — verified by engineer
✅ Confirmed number of cores
✅ Correct voltage rating (e.g., 0.6/1kV, 450/750V)
✅ Armour required? (for buried or mechanical protection)
✅ Fire resistance or LSZH required? (life safety circuits)
✅ Quantity calculated with 5–10% contingency
✅ SASO/IEC test certificate requested

Frequently Asked Questions About Electrical Cables in KSA

What is the most common cable used in Saudi homes?

The most common residential cables in Saudi Arabia are twin-and-earth or multicore PVC-insulated cables rated 300/500V or 600/1000V. Standard sizes are 1.5 mm² (lighting) and 2.5 mm² (socket circuits) with copper conductors.

What is the difference between PVC and XLPE insulation?

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) insulation is the standard lower-cost option, rated to 70°C conductor temperature. XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) can operate at 90°C, has better chemical resistance, and lower dielectric losses — making it preferred for larger cables and higher-performance applications.

Can I bury PVC cables directly in the ground in Saudi Arabia?

Plain PVC cables without armour are generally not suitable for direct burial without additional mechanical protection such as conduit or duct. For direct burial, use armoured cables (SWA or AWA) compliant with IEC 60502, or install plain cables in suitable buried duct or conduit systems.

How do I calculate how much cable I need?

Measure the cable route length from source to load, including all vertical runs, conduit bends, and termination tails. Add at least 10–15% for waste, bends, and final terminations. For complex installations, prepare a cable schedule with individual circuit lengths.

What brands of cables are approved by Saudi Aramco?

Saudi Aramco maintains its own vendor qualification and material standard (SAES) lists. Check with your project engineer for the current approved manufacturer list for your specific project. Commonly cited KSA cable manufacturers include Riyadh Cables and Alfanar, among others.

Are electrical cables sold by metre or by drum in Saudi Arabia?

Both options are available. Smaller cables (1.5–10 mm²) are often sold in 100m or 500m rolls and may be cut to length. Larger cables are typically sold by the standard drum length (e.g., 500m, 1000m) or as cut-to-length from a larger drum, depending on the supplier.

What is LSZH cable and when is it required in KSA?

LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) cables are specified in enclosed public areas, metro systems, hospitals, airports, and other facilities where, in the event of fire, PVC cable fumes could cause serious harm to occupants. Requirement is determined by the project specification and Saudi Civil Defence regulations.

Conclusion

Choosing the right electrical cable in Saudi Arabia requires a clear understanding of cable types, specifications, sizing, and compliance requirements. Whether you're buying for a residential project in Riyadh, a commercial development in Jeddah, or an industrial facility in Dammam, matching the cable to the application is critical for safety, performance, and regulatory compliance.

Order Electrical Cables Online at Benna.com.sa

Benna stocks a wide range of electrical cables for residential, commercial, and industrial applications in Saudi Arabia. Browse our cable category for LV power cables, control cables, armoured cables, fire-resistant cables, and more. Get a competitive quote for your project today.

Keywords: electrical cables Saudi Arabia, buy cables online KSA, LV power cables Saudi Arabia, armoured cables KSA, XLPE cables Saudi Arabia, cable sizing guide KSA, copper cables Saudi Arabia, aluminium cables KSA, fire resistant cables Saudi Arabia, control cables KSA, LSZH cables Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Cables, cable suppliers KSA