SANS 1507
South Africa's compulsory cable standard.
SANS 1507 is the mandatory specification for all low-voltage power cables installed in South Africa, enforced under compulsory specification VC 8075 since January 2001. It governs extruded solid dielectric cables from 300/500V to 1.9/3.3kV and is the primary standard for all government, municipal, utility, and industrial cable procurement across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
SANS 1507 — the six parts and where they apply.
| Part | Scope | Voltage Range | National Cables Capability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | General requirements | All parts | General requirements — applicable |
| Part 2 | Wiring cables — single core and multicore | 300/500V | ✓ Full capability — equivalent to IS 694:2010 FR single core and multicore |
| Part 3 | PVC distribution cables — unarmoured | 0.6/1kV | ✓ Full capability — equivalent to IS 694:2010 multicore power cable |
| Part 4 | XLPE distribution cables | 0.6/1kV – 1.9/3.3kV | 0.6/1kV XLPE available — medium voltage (above 0.6/1kV) on enquiry |
| Part 5 | Halogen-free distribution cables | 0.6/1kV | ✓ IS 17048:2018 HFFR capability — conforming product available |
| Part 6 | Service cables — concentric construction | 0.6/1kV | Concentric earth construction — not in current range |
PVC distribution cable — the most commonly specified part.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Voltage (U₀/U) | 0.6/1kV |
| Conductor | Annealed copper — Class 2 stranded (SANS 1411-1 / IEC 60228) |
| Insulation | PVC Type A or Type B (SANS 1411-2) — thermoplastic |
| Insulation colours | Red, Yellow, Blue, Black (phases) · Green/Yellow (earth) |
| Sheath | PVC — black with coloured stripe identification: blue stripe = Part 3 PVC |
| Temperature rating | 70°C continuous (PVC Type A) · 90°C (XLPE — Part 4) |
| Flame retardant | SANS 60332-3 Category C (bunched cable test) — optional but increasingly required |
| Test voltage | Per SANS 1507 Part 1 Appendix C.3 — post-installation testing specified |
| Current rating basis | South African conditions: 40°C soil temperature, 2.0 K.m/W thermal resistivity |
SANS 1507 current ratings are calculated for South African soil conditions — 40°C ambient soil temperature and 2.0 K·m/W thermal resistivity (dry Karoo/Highveld). IEC 60364 defaults are 20°C soil and 1.0 K·m/W. A cable rated 145A per IEC in European ground conditions may be rated 120A or lower for South African buried installation. Apply SANS 10198 Part 4 derating factors for correct cable sizing.
PVC distribution cable, 0.6/1kV — 3-core configurations.
SANS 1507 Part 3 dimensional requirements are aligned with IEC 60502-1. Values below are for 3-core cable. SANS 1507 current ratings are derated for South African conditions — see current rating note below.
| Size (mm²) | Insulation (mm) | Sheath (mm) | OD 3-core (mm) | Weight 3-core (kg/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 10.4 | 166 |
| 2.5 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 11.3 | 212 |
| 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 13.1 | 299 |
| 6.0 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 15.0 | 402 |
| 10.0 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 17.1 | 570 |
| 16.0 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 19.2 | 789 |
| 25.0 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 22.1 | 1141 |
| 35.0 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 24.1 | 1462 |
| 50.0 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 27.6 | 1964 |
| 70.0 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 36.3 | 3635 |
| 95.0 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 40.0 | 4488 |
SANS 1507 adoption across Southern Africa.
IS 694:2010 source products.
SANS 1507 distribution cable — technical questions answered.
Common questions from South African utility engineers, SADC EPC contractors, mining project procurement teams, and African infrastructure specifiers selecting low-voltage distribution cable manufactured to South African Standard SANS 1507.
What is the difference between SANS 1507-3 and SANS 1507-4?
SANS 1507 is the South African Standard for low-voltage distribution cables, divided into parts by insulation material.
SANS 1507-3 covers PVC-insulated distribution cables with a 70°C maximum operating temperature.
SANS 1507-4 covers XLPE-insulated distribution cables with 90°C maximum operating temperature.
National Cables manufactures cable conformant to SANS 1507 — primarily PVC construction. XLPE (Part 4) cables are not in our current manufactured range. For SANS 1507-4 XLPE requirements, please consult a specialist supplier.
Is SANS 1507 mandatory for South African government tenders?
Administered by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) under compulsory specification VC 8075, SANS 1507 is the legal backbone for every utility, municipal, and government infrastructure project in South Africa.
SANS 1507 compliance is typically required for most utility, government, and public sector projects under VC 8075. National Cables manufactures cable conformant to SANS 1507 specification on its BIS-certified production lines.
Our products are SANS 1507 conformant — individual SABS certification/marking should be confirmed during project specification.
Can IEC 60502-1 cable be used in a SANS-specified project?
IEC 60502-1 and SANS 1507 cover similar cable constructions and share many technical requirements. However, South African tenders regulated under compulsory specification VC 8075 typically require SANS 1507 compliance specifically — not just IEC equivalence — to qualify.
If a project explicitly specifies SANS 1507, propose an IEC 60502-1 substitute only with formal approval from the specifying engineer. National Cables manufactures cable conformant to SANS 1507 for projects where the South African specification is called for.
Does National Cables hold SABS certification for SANS 1507 cables?
No. National Cables manufactures cable conformant to SANS 1507 on BIS-certified production lines to IS 694:2010 — but we do not hold individual SABS certification marks.
For South African projects requiring the SABS mark specifically (typically government and utility tenders under VC 8075), please clarify this certification requirement at the enquiry stage.
We provide full test documentation demonstrating conformance to SANS 1507 specification; whether this meets your tender's certification requirements should be verified with the specifying authority.
What are the termite-resistance considerations for cables in African installations?
Direct-buried cables in many African regions are subject to termite attack, which is a recognised failure mode for low-voltage distribution. SANS 1507 includes specification clauses addressing termite resistance, particularly for XLPE (Part 4) cables.
For PVC cables, termite-resistant compound formulations and protective installation practices (routing in conduit, adequate burial depth) are commonly specified.
National Cables can supply cable with appropriate sheath formulations for African installation conditions — please specify termite-resistance requirements at the enquiry stage.
Enquire for SANS 1507 conforming product.
SADC export orders supplied with full BIS test documentation and SANS 1507 equivalence reference. SABS mark testing on request for volume orders.