Conductors

By far the largest and most important component of any structural lightning protection or earthing
system is the actual conductor.
Selection of the correct conductor type for the installation is highly important, and is likely to be the initial
consideration of a lightning protection or earthing system designer.
A comprehensive range of Furse copper and aluminium conductors are available in each of the main world standard
formats, i.e. flat tape, solid circular and stranded. Additionally each format is available in a variety of conductor sizes,
to meet differing lightning protection and earthing requirements.
Specification will depend on whether the application is for an above ground structural lightning protection system, or
a below ground earthing installation.

Conductors for structural lightning

protection systems
Furse lightning protection conductors are available in
copper and aluminium, and are supplied bare or with
PVC coating (see below). For most installations, copper
is specified due to its high conductivity and anti-
corrosive properties.
The following sizes are suitable for the majority of
above ground lightning protection systems:

Flat tape conductor:

25 x 3 mm bare tape, or 25 x 3 mm PVC covered tape

Solid circular conductor

8 mm diameter bare or PVC covered solid circular
conductor

Stranded conductor
70 mm2 bare or PVC covered stranded conductor

Conductor colour chart

The choice of a lightning protection conductor is Black 18B29*
usually governed by its aesthetic impact on the
structure to be protected. For many people the term
lightning conductor conjures up an image of a Green BS 6746C
discoloured copper strip running down the spire of a
church. This would clearly be unacceptable to the
owner/architect of a modern structure.
Grey 00A07*
In order to reduce the impact of an external system
Furse offer a range of UV stabilized PVC covered tapes
and solid circular conductors in colours chosen to
Stone 08B23*
match most common building materials.
Standard PVC colours are shown in the chart, right,
with special colours available to order.
White 10B15*

Brown 06C39* 27

* PVC colours to BS 5252

Furse, Wilford Road, Nottingham, NG2 1EB Tel: +44 (0)115 964 3700 Email: enquiry@furse.com Web: www.furse.com
 Conductors

Conductors for earthing systems

Furse earthing conductors form an integral part of the single earthing arrangement for a structure, whether they
provide the means of connection to the final earth electrode (earth rod or plate), or whether they comprise the earth
electrode itself (through an earth grid or ring earth arrangement).
An earth conductor must be capable of carrying the maximum expected earth fault current and
leakage current likely to occur at a structure.
The size or minimum cross-sectional area of the conductor must
therefore be gauged in accordance with these criteria.
A good earth conductor must also:
be able to withstand mechanical damage
be compatible with the material of the earth electrode, and
resist the corrosive effect of local soil conditions
Furse conductors effectively meet these requirements
and are available in a range of sizes to meet differing
current ratings (see table below).
Copper conductor is recommended as, following
BS 7430, aluminium should not be installed in contact
with soil, nor in damp areas, and it should not be used
to make the final connection to an earth electrode.

Copper conductor ratings

For below ground earthing applications we produce a large range of bare copper, tape and stranded conductors thus
offering the designer of the system the correctly rated conductor without the need to oversize.
The following conductor ratings are based upon the recommendations of BS 7430 with an initial conductor
temperature of 30 C and a maximum temperature of 250 C.

Conductor C.S.A. kA for kA for Conductor C.S.A. kA for kA for

size (mm2) 1 sec 3 sec size (mm2) 1 sec 3 sec

12.5 x 1.5 mm 18.75 3.3 1.9 31 x 6 mm 186 32.7 18.9

12.5 x 3 mm 37.5 6.6 3.8 38 x 3 mm 114 20.1 11.6

20 x 1.5 mm 30 5.3 3.0 38 x 5 mm 190 33.4 19.3

20 x 3 mm 60 10.6 6.1 38 x 6 mm 228 40.1 23.2

25 x 1.5 mm 37.5 6.6 3.8 40 x 3 mm 120 21.1 12.2

25 x 3 mm 75 13.2 7.6 40 x 4 mm 160 28.2 16.3

25 x 2 mm 50 8.8 5.1 40 x 5 mm 200 35.2 20.3

25 x 4 mm 100 17.6 10.2 40 x 6 mm 240 42.2 24.4

25 x 6 mm 150 26.4 15.2 40 x 6.3 mm 252 44.4 25.6

30 x 2 mm 60 10.6 6.1 50 x 3 mm 150 26.4 15.2

30 x 3 mm 90 15.8 9.1 50 x 4 mm 200 35.2 20.3

30 x 4 mm 120 21.1 12.2 50 x 5 mm 250 44.0 25.4

30 x 5 mm 150 26.4 15.2 50 x 6 mm 300 52.8 30.5

31 x 3 mm 93 16.4 9.5 50 x 6.3 mm 315 55.4 32.0

31.5 x 4 mm 126 22.2 12.8 50 x 7 mm 350 61.6 35.5

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 Conductors

Bare copper tape

Conductor size Weight Standard Part

(X x Y) per metre coil size No.

12.5 x 1.5 mm 0.17 kg 100 m TC005

12.5 x 3 mm 0.33 kg 100 m TC010

20 x 1.5 mm 0.27 kg 100 m TC015

TC030
20 x 3 mm 0.53 kg 50 m TC020

20 x 3 mm 0.53 kg 100 m TC020/100

25 x 1.5 mm 0.33 kg 100 m TC025

25 x 2 mm 0.49 kg 50 m TC026 NEW

25 x 3 mm 0.67 kg 25 m TC030

25 x 3 mm 0.67 kg 50 m TC030/50

1 x 18 0.67 kg 25 m TC030-UL
25 x 4 mm 0.89 kg 50 m TC035

25 x 6 mm 1.33 kg 40 m TC040

1 x 4
1
1.33 kg 40 m TC040-UL
30 x 2 mm 0.53 kg 50 m TC039

30 x 3 mm 0.80 kg 50 m TC042

30 x 4 mm 1.07 kg 40 m TC044

30 x 5 mm 1.33 kg 40 m TC043

31 x 3 mm 0.83 kg 50 m TC045

31.5 x 4 mm 1.13 kg 40 m TC048

31 x 6 mm 1.65 kg 30 m TC050

38 x 3 mm 1.01 kg 50 m TC055

38 x 5 mm 1.69 kg 30 m TC060-FU

38 x 6 mm 2.02 kg 25 m TC065

40 x 3 mm 1.06 kg 40 m TC067

40 x 4 mm 1.42 kg 30 m TC066

40 x 5 mm 1.78 kg 25 m TC071

40 x 6 mm 2.16 kg 25 m TC068

40 x 6.3 mm 2.24 kg 25 m TC069

50 x 3 mm 1.33 kg 40 m TC070

50 x 4 mm 1.78 kg 30 m TC075

50 x 5 mm 2.22 kg 20 m TC078

50 x 6 mm 2.68 kg 20 m TC080
50 x 6.3 mm 2.80 kg 20 m TC082

50 x 7 mm 3.08 kg 20 m TC090 NEW

High conductivity copper tape to BS EN 13601

(formerly BS 1432).

UL96 (TC030-UL, TC040-UL, TC080)

All bare copper tape sold in full coil lengths only.

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 Conductors

Bare aluminium tape

Conductor Weight Standard Part

size (X x Y) per metre coil size No.

12.5 x 1.5 mm 0.05 kg 50 m TA005

20 x 3 mm 0.17 kg 50 m TA020

25 x 3 mm 0.21 kg 50 m TA030
TA030
30 x 3 mm 0.25 kg 50 m TA042

25 x 6 mm 0.42 kg 50 m TA040

40 x 6 mm 0.67 kg 50 m TA068

50 x 6 mm 0.85 kg 50 m TA080

Aluminium tape to BS EN 755-5.

Bare solid circular

Conductor Diameter Cross-sectional Weight Standard Part

material (A) area per metre coil size No.

Copper 8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.44 kg 50 m CD035

Aluminium 8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.12 kg 50 m CD080

CD035
Copper conductor to BS EN 13601 (formerly BS 1433).
Aluminium conductor to BS EN 755-5.

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 Conductors

Bare stranded copper cable

Cross-sectional Stranding Nominal Weight Part

area No./ mm diameter (A) per metre No.

Soft drawn stranded copper cable

6 mm2 7/1.04 3.12 mm 0.05 kg CB006

16 mm2 7/1.70 5.10 mm 0.15 kg CB016

CB070
25 mm2 7/2.14 6.42 mm 0.23 kg CB025

35 mm2 7/2.52 7.56 mm 0.32 kg CB035

50 mm2 19/1.78 8.90 mm 0.43 kg CB050-FU

70 mm2 19/2.14 10.70 mm 0.62 kg CB070

95 mm2 19/2.52 12.60 mm 0.86 kg CB095

120 mm2 37/2.03 14.21 mm 1.09 kg CB120

150 mm2 37/2.25 15.75 mm 1.33 kg CB150-FU

A
185 mm2 37/2.52 17.64 mm 1.67 kg CB185

240 mm2 61/2.25 20.25 mm 2.20 kg CB240

300 mm2 61/2.52 22.68 mm 2.76 kg CB300-FU

400 mm2 61/2.85 25.65 mm 3.53 kg CB400-FU

Tinned soft drawn stranded copper cable
70 mm2 19/2.14 - 0.62 kg CB070-T* NEW

Hard drawn stranded copper cable

70 mm2 7/3.55 - 0.64 kg CB071*

* Additional sizes available on request.

Soft drawn stranded copper cable to BS EN 60228.

Hard drawn stranded copper cable to BS 7884.

Tinned copper tape

Conductor size Weight Standard Part

(X x Y) per metre coil size No.

12.5 x 1.5 mm 0.17 kg 100 m TC225-FU

25 x 3 mm 0.67 kg 50 m TC230

1 x 8
1
0.67 kg 50 m TC230-UL
TC230
30 x 2 mm 0.53 kg 50 m TC239

25 x 6 mm 1.33 kg 40 m TC240

31 x 3 mm 0.83 kg 50 m TC245

38 x 5 mm 1.69 kg 30 m TC260

50 x 6 mm 2.68 kg 20 m TC280

High conductivity copper tape to BS EN 13601

(formerly BS 1432).

UL96 (TC230-UL)

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 Conductors

Bimetallic cable

AWG Cross-sectional Nominal Stranding Weight Part

area diameter No./AWG per metre No.

1/0 50 mm2 9.96 mm 3/5 0.41 kg BC001

1 40 mm2 8.86 mm 3/6 0.33 kg BC002

2 35 mm2 7.9 mm 3/7 0.26 kg BC003

BC011
3 25 mm2 7.04 mm 3/8 0.21 kg BC004

4 20 mm2 6.27 mm 3/9 0.16 kg BC005

5 16 mm2 5.59 mm 3/10 0.13 kg BC006

6 10 mm2 4.42 mm 3/12 0.08 kg BC007

300 150 mm2 15.6 mm 7/4 1.22 kg BC008

4/0 120 mm2 13.9 mm 7/5 0.97 kg BC009

3/0 95 mm2 12.3 mm 7/6 0.77 kg BC010

2/0 70 mm2 11 mm 7/7 0.61 kg BC011

1/0 50 mm2 9.78 mm 7/8 0.48 kg BC012

1 40 mm2 8.71 mm 7/9 0.38 kg BC013

2 35 mm2 7.77 mm 7/10 0.30 kg BC014

40% conductivity supplied as standard. Other sizes also available.

Contact us for details.

Copper/steel cable to ASTM B228.

Hard drawn copper bar

Overall nominal Weight Approximate Part

size (X x Y) per metre length No.

Bare hard drawn bar

25 x 3 mm 0.67 kg 3m BA205

25 x 6 mm 1.33 kg 4m BA210
BA205 38 x 6 mm 2.03 kg 4m BA225

50 x 6 mm 2.67 kg 3m BA230

50 x 10 mm 4.45 kg 4m BA235

75 x 6 mm 4.00 kg 4m BA240

100 x 6 mm 5.38 kg 4m BA250-FU

Tinned hard drawn bar

50 x 6 mm 2.67 kg 3m BA231*

* Additional sizes available on request.

Hard drawn high conductivity copper bar to BS EN 12163.

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 Conductors

Flexible flat copper braid

Overall nominal Cross-sectional Weight Part

size (X x Y) area per metre No.

Bare flat braid

12 x 1 mm 6 mm2 0.055 kg BD020

15 x 1.5 mm 10 mm2 0.096 kg BD025

19 x 2.5 mm 16 mm2 0.16 kg BD026 BD028

25 x 3 mm 25 mm2 0.25 kg BD028 NEW

25 x 3.5 mm 35 mm2 0.34 kg BD030

30 x 5 mm 50 mm2 0.49 kg BD031 NEW

32 x 6 mm 70 mm2 0.63 kg BD027

37 x 6 mm 95 mm2 0.93 kg BD032 NEW

45 x 6 mm 120 mm2 1.15 kg BD033 NEW

50 x 8 mm 150 mm2 1.45 kg BD034 NEW

Tinned flat braid

12 x 1 mm 6 mm2 0.055 kg BD020-T NEW

15 x 1.5 mm 10 mm2 0.096 kg BD025-T NEW

19 x 2.5 mm 16 mm2 0.16 kg BD026-T NEW

25 x 3 mm 25 mm2 0.25 kg BD028-T NEW

25 x 3.5 mm 35 mm2 0.34 kg BD035

30 x 5 mm 50 mm2 0.49 kg BD031-T NEW

32 x 6 mm 70 mm2 0.63 kg BD027-T NEW

37 x 6 mm 95 mm2 0.93 kg BD032-T NEW

45 x 6 mm 120 mm2 1.15 kg BD033-T NEW

50 x 8 mm 150 mm2 1.45 kg BD034-T NEW

Suitable for earth bonding. Also supplied as standard pre-cut and drilled
bonds (see pages 104-105). Other sizes and types of braid can be made to
order. Please contact us for details.

High conductivity copper wire to BS EN 13602

(formerly BS 4109-C101).

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 Conductors

Flexible circular copper braid

NEW Overall nominal

diameter
Cross-sectional
area
Weight
per metre
Part
No.

Bare circular braid

4.2 mm 6 mm2 0.055 kg BD006-FU

5.4 mm 10 mm2 0.096 kg BD010-FU

BD070-FU
7 mm 16 mm2 0.16 kg BD016-FU

8.5 mm 25 mm2 0.25 kg BD025-FU

10.5 mm 35 mm2 0.34 kg BD035-FU

11.5 mm 50 mm2 0.49 kg BD050-FU

14.5 mm 70 mm2 0.63 kg BD070-FU

16 mm 95 mm2 0.93 kg BD095-FU

Tinned circular braid

4.2 mm 6 mm2 0.055 kg BD006-FU-T

5.4 mm 10 mm2 0.096 kg BD010-FU-T

7 mm 16 mm2 0.16 kg BD016-FU-T

8.5 mm 25 mm2 0.25 kg BD025-FU-T

10.5 mm 35 mm2 0.34 kg BD035-FU-T

11.5 mm 50 mm2 0.49 kg BD050-FU-T

14.5 mm 70 mm2 0.63 kg BD070-FU-T

16 mm 95 mm2 0.93 kg BD095-FU-T

Suitable for earth bonding. Also supplied as standard pre-cut and drilled
bonds (see pages 104-105). Other sizes and types of braid can be made to
order. Please contact us for details.

High conductivity copper wire to BS EN 13602

(formerly BS 4109-C101).

34

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 Conductors

PVC covered copper tape

Conductor size Weight Standard Colour Part

(X x Y) per metre coil size range No.

12.5 x 1.5 mm 0.21 kg 50 m Black TC100

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 25 m Black TC105-FU

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 25 m Green* TC110

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 25 m Grey TC115-FU TC105-FU

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 25 m Stone TC120-FU

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 25 m White TC125-FU

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 25 m Brown TC130

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 50 m Black TC105/50

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 50 m Green* TC110/50

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 50 m Grey TC115/50

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 50 m Stone TC120/50

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 50 m White TC125/50

25 x 3 mm 0.77 kg 50 m Brown TC130/50

25 x 6 mm 1.53 kg 40 m Green* TC140-FU

50 x 6 mm 2.95 kg 20 m Green* TC145

Other colours and sizes are available to order. Contact us for details. Every
precaution has been taken to ensure the UV stability of PVC coverings, but
as with all plastics, colour variation will occur over time.

High conductivity copper tape to BS EN 13601 (formerly BS 1432).

PVC colours to BS 5252. * Green to BS 6746C.

PVC covered copper solid circular

Conductor Diameter Cross-sectional Weight Standard Colour Part

material (A) area per metre coil size range No.

Copper 8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.49 kg 50 m Black CD036

Copper 8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.49 kg 50 m Grey CD038

Copper 8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.49 kg 50 m Stone CD039

Copper 8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.49 kg 50 m White CD040 CD036

Copper 8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.49 kg 50 m Brown CD041

Other colours and sizes are available to order. Contact us for details. Every
precaution has been taken to ensure the UV stability of PVC coverings, but
as with all plastics, colour variation will occur over time.

Copper conductor to BS EN 13601 (formerly BS 1433).

A
PVC colours to BS 5252.

35

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 Conductors

PVC covered aluminium tape

Conductor size Weight Standard Colour Part

(X x Y) per metre coil size range No.

12.5 x 1.5 mm 0.09 kg 50 m Black TA100

20 x 3 mm 0. 25 kg 50 m Black TA104

25 x 3 mm 0.30 kg 50 m Black TA105

TA110 25 x 3 mm 0.30 kg 50 m Green* TA110

25 x 3 mm 0.30 kg 50 m Grey TA115

25 x 3 mm 0.30 kg 50 m Stone TA120

25 x 3 mm 0.30 kg 50 m White TA125

25 x 3 mm 0.30 kg 50 m Brown TA130

Other colours and sizes are available to order. Contact us for details. Every
precaution has been taken to ensure the UV stability of PVC coverings, but
as with all plastics, colour variation will occur over time.

Aluminium tape to BS EN 755-5.

PVC colours to BS 5252. * Green to BS 6746C.

PVC covered aluminium solid circular

Diameter Cross-sectional Weight Standard Colour Part

(A) area per metre coil size range No.

8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.18 kg 50 m Black CD081

8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.18 kg 50 m Grey CD083

8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.18 kg 50 m Stone CD084

CD081
8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.18 kg 50 m White CD085

8 mm 50.27 mm2 0.18 kg 50 m Brown CD086

Other colours and sizes are available to order. Contact us for details. Every
precaution has been taken to ensure the UV stability of PVC coverings, but
as with all plastics, colour variation will occur over time.

Aluminium conductor to BS EN 755-5.

A
PVC colours to BS 5252.

36

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 Conductors

Green & yellow PVC insulated copper tape

Conductor size Weight Standard Part

(X x Y) per metre coil size No.

25 x 3 mm 0.79 kg 25 m TC111-FU

25 x 3 mm 0.79 kg 50 m TC111/50

TC111-FU
High conductivity copper tape to BS EN 13601 (formerly BS 1432).
PVC colours to BS 6746C.

Green & yellow PVC insulated stranded copper cable

Cross-sectional Stranding Weight Part

area No./mm per metre No.

16 mm2 7/1.70 0.19 kg CC016

25 mm2 7/2.14 0.29 kg CC025

35 mm2 7/2.52 0.41 kg CC035

50 mm2 19/1.78 0.53 kg CC050 CC070

70 mm2 19/2.14 0.73 kg CC070

95 mm2 19/2.52 1.00 kg CC095

120 mm2 37/2.03 1.16 kg CC120-FU

150 mm2 37/2.25 1.54 kg CC150-FU

185 mm2 37/2.52 2.01 kg CC185

240 mm2 61/2.25 2.49 kg CC240

300 mm2 61/2.52 3.05 kg CC300

400 mm2 61/2.85 3.90 kg CC400-FU

PVC covered soft drawn stranded copper cable to BS 6004.

PVC colours to BS 6746C.

37

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 Conductors

LSOH covered copper tape

Conductor size Colour Weight Standard Part

(X x Y) per metre coil size No.

25 x 3 mm Green 0.77 kg 25 m TC910

25 x 3 mm Green 0.77 kg 50 m TC910/50

25 x 6 mm Green 1.53 kg 40 m TC940

TC910 50 x 6 mm Green 2.95 kg 20 m TC980

High conductivity copper tape to BS EN 13601 (formerly BS 1432).

PVC colours to BS 6746C.

Lead covered copper tape

Conductor size Weight Standard Part

(X x Y) per metre coil size No.

25 x 3 mm 2.56 kg 25 m TC330

TC330 High conductivity copper tape to BS EN 13601 (formerly BS 1432).

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 Conductors

Anti-vandal down conductor guard

Length Weight Part

each No.

3000 mm 2.90 kg AV005

Suitable for use with 25 x 3 mm tape.

AV005
Fix using roundhead wood screws (Part no. SW405) and wall plugs
(Part no. PS305) - see Accessories page 72. 3000 mm 16 mm

76 mm 40 mm

335 mm centres 7 mm

39

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